PS Conference Travel Grants

The Paleontological Society recognizes the importance of educational and research practices that foster diversity and inclusion. We value the contribution of diverse opinions, strategies, and experiences at the sessions, short courses, and workshops that we sponsor at meetings of the Geological Society of America and the North American Paleontological Convention.

We also appreciate the importance of nurturing scientists throughout their career paths and building a sense of inclusion and belonging. We therefore seek to help Society members wishing to participate in annual conferences such as, but not limited to AISES, SACNAS and the National Association of Black Geoscientists.

We see participation of Society members in these conferences as integral to the advancement of our field.

We acknowledge that many of our colleagues might not qualify for research-based funding for conference travel from their home institutions. In addition, colleagues from groups underrepresented in paleontology, in a career transition (between undergrad and grad, grad to post-doc, post-doc to position), or in adjunct, teaching, museum, or part-time positions are often the most vulnerable and most likely to leave paleontology and science. It is crucial that we ensure that these members are able to attend and participate in our meetings as well as network with community members who can provide the support and mentorship that is needed in these critical transitions or positions.

The Paleontological Society therefore offers conference travel grants to help support the travel expenses of PS members with financial need who are from an underrepresented or at-risk group (e.g., in a career transition, in adjunct, teaching, museum, or part-time positions), and who would be unable to attend the conference without some travel support

PS GSA Connects Travel Grants
The Paleontological Society is providing a limited number of additional travel grants to support PS members attending the GSA Connects 2026 conference. Any PS member with financial need who has submitted an abstract to the conference is eligible to apply, but priority will be given to members whose funding has been impacted by recent U.S. federal policy changes.

Funding Amount

Up to $1,200 for in-person attendees and $250 for online attendees

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be current members of the Paleontological Society
• Applicants must not have sufficient departmental or lab funds to travel to the conference. Students from labs or departments with conference travel funding for students should not apply.

Application Linked Below

Application here!

Application and Review Process

Applications for fall and winter conferences are due at midnight (11:59 pm Pacific Daylight Time) on Aug 15 of each year. Applications for spring and summer conferences are due at midnight (11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time) on December 1 of each year.

Please submit your project proposal using this online form.

Applications will be reviewed by the PS Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Awards will be granted based on available funding.

Priority will be given to members who belong to an at-risk or historically underrepresented group, are in a career transition, or whose funding has been impacted by recent U.S. federal policy changes (to be explained by the applicant in their application).

If you have any questions about applications or the submission process for grants, please contact [email protected].

PS D&I Conference Travel Grants

Many of our colleagues who work extensively on inclusive educational and research practices might not qualify for research-based funding for conference travel from their home institutions. In addition, colleagues from groups underrepresented in paleontology, in a career transition (between undergrad and grad, grad to post-doc, post-doc to position), or in adjunct, teaching, museum, or part-time positions are often the most vulnerable and most likely to leave paleontology and science. It is crucial that we ensure that these members are able to attend and participate in our meetings as well as network with community members who can provide the support and mentorship that is needed in these critical transitions or positions. Thus, the Paleontological Society is offering competitive conference travel grants to help offset the expenses of eligible PS members from underrepresented and/or at-risk groups who would be unable to attend these meetings without this travel support.

Funding Amount

Up to $1200 per award for in person attendees and $250 per award for online attendees

Eligibility

• Applicants should be members of the Paleontological Society.
• Applicants should identify as members of a historically underrepresented group, OR be in a career transition (between undergrad and grad school, grad school to post-doc, or post-doc to position), OR belong to an at-risk group not listed here (to be explained by the applicant in their application).
• Applicants must not have sufficient funds available to them for travel to conferences due to the nature of their employment (e.g., adjunct, teaching, museum, or part-time positions).  Students from labs or departments with conference travel funding for students should not apply.

Application Linked Below

Application here! 

Application and Review Process

Email questions and completed applications to The Paleontological Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Applications for fall conferences are due midnight (11:59 pm eastern time) on June 1^st of each year.  Applications for spring and summer conferences are due midnight (11:59 pm eastern time) December 1^st of each year. The Paleontological Society Diversity and Inclusion Group will review applications and award grants according to available funding.

If you have any questions about applications or the submission process for grants, please contact [email protected]