The Paul T. Baker Travel Fund (Baker Fund) is designed to promote research, and travel to professional meetings by graduate students in the Biological Anthropology Program at The Pennsylvania State University. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis. In general, doctoral research takes precedence over pilot studies and travel to professional meetings to present papers. Students should note that there are separate guidelines and applications for research and travel funds.
Guidelines for Research
Purpose
The Baker Fund can be used to fund doctoral research or a pilot project designed to evaluate a potential doctoral topic.
Requirements
To be eligible you must meet the following requirements.
- Be a biological anthropology student enrolled in the graduate program
- For doctoral research, the student must have passed the comprehensive exam, the proposal must be approved by the doctoral committee, and a proposal must have been submitted to an external granting agency
- For a pilot project, the student must have a MA degree (qualifying exam passed, etc.), and the student’s doctoral committee chair must approve the proposed project
- Submit a proposal in paper and electronic form to the Graduate Program Assistant
- The request must be signed by the student’s adviser
Deadline
Students must submit requests for funding to the graduate program assistant by March 1st.
Awards
Students can apply for up to $3000 for doctoral research and $2000 for pilot projects.
Priorities
The grants are competitive, and not every request will get funded. Requests will be based on, but not limited to, the following priorities, which are listed below in no particular order.
- Merit of the research as laid out in the proposal
- Doctoral research, in general, has a higher priority than a pilot project
- Student progress through the program
- Student initiated projects, in general, have a higher priority than offshoots of ongoing faculty research
Proposal
Use the attached form. The application can be no more than two pages long: one for the text, and the other for the budget. Applicants must address what will be done, why it is significant, and the methods and materials that will be used. Clear and concise linkages must be made between objectives, methods, and materials.
Budget Justification
Any unusual features of the budget must be explained. In addition, discuss how any shortfalls in funding will be made up through other grants, personal funds, and the like.
Travel Funds Reimbursement
Once you are awarded your funding you will need to contact Audrey Chambers in 414 Carpenter Building about the reimbursement guidelines. When booking your own airline tickets you will not be eligible for any type of reimbursement until after you return from travel. Remember to save all receipts. If traveling within the United States, you must keep your passenger receipts or e-tickets. If traveling outside of the United States, reimbursement will be provided using Penn State’s standard Meals & Incidental Expenses policy. Remember to file your travel with the Travel Safety Network when traveling internationally.
All Students must complete and submit a travel support form to Audrey Chambers within 30 days of their return to request a reimbursement or to settle an advance.
Download and complete the Baker Fund Doctoral Research Request to submit your request.
Guidelines for Professional Meeting Travel
Requirements
To be eligible you must meet the following requirements.
- Be a biological anthropology student enrolled in the graduate program
- Present written confirmation of acceptance to present a paper at a conference
- Submit a proposal in paper and electronic form to the Graduate Program Assistant
- The proposal must be signed by the student’s advisor
Deadline
Students must submit requests for funding to the graduate program assistant by March 1st.
Awards
Students can apply for up to $300 for domestic meetings and $600 for international ones.
Priorities
The grants are competitive, and not every request will get funded. Requests will be based on, but not limited to, the following priorities, which are listed in no particular order.
- Doctoral research and pilot projects also covered by Baker funds normally take precedence over professional meeting travel
- Students close to finishing their degree who are on the job market
- Student progress through the program
- Students who have defended their proposals (i.e., completed the comprehensive exam)
- Students who actually present the paper or poster (either as sole author or the individual who presents a co-authored paper)
- Students who are presenting their own work at a major meeting
- Students who are presenting research of high quality (preferably work completed while at Penn State)
- Promising new students pursuing topics directly related to planned doctoral research
- Students who are in good standing in the department and are making rapid progress towards their degree
- National meetings rather than local or regional meetings
- Meetings that specifically advance the student’s research
Proposal
Use the attached form.
Successful Proposal Requirements
Successful applicants will occasionally be requested to present their research at either a Department Colloquium or the biological journal meeting. Poster presenters may be requested to provide a poster for display in the department or museum.
Travel Funds Reimbursement
Once you are awarded your funding you will need to contact Audrey Chambers in 414 Carpenter Building about the reimbursement guidelines. When booking your own airline tickets you will not be eligible for any type of reimbursement until after you return from travel. Remember to save all receipts. If traveling within the United States, you must keep your passenger receipts or e-tickets. If traveling outside of the United States, reimbursement will be provided using Penn State’s standard Meals & Incidental Expenses policy. Remember to file your travel with the Travel Safety Network when traveling internationally.