International conferences are a great way for scholars to meet, learn and exchange revolutionary ideas on any topic of interest. It’s also a golden opportunity for the attendees to form new relationships and strengthen the existing ones. However, traveling to an international conference requires some funds.
Here’s how you can get it:
How to Get Funds for an International Conference?
For a fully funded international conference, you’ll need a travel grant.
What is a Travel Grant for an International Conference?
Travel grants for international conferences are funds offered by any recognized entity (like a government department, corporation, trust, etc.,) to the scholars/students, so they can attend the international conference. These grants are non-repayable and cover everything, including the travel fair.
To get the travel grant, the funding entity may ask you to submit an application or proposal. The proposal is your ticket for getting funds. So, you must write it briefly and justify why you are worth their investment. Depending on the organization, you may also be called for an interview.
Travel grants, in general, aren’t limited to conferences alone. It can also be given for seminars, events, meetings, and related programs.
Who Can Offer Travel Grants for International Conferences?
There are several entities that can offer travel grants for international conferences. This includes:
- Research Centres
- Academic institutions
- NGOs
- Government/local bodies
- Professional societies, etc.
Requirements for Getting Travel Grants
To get a travel grant, you must meet the eligibility criteria of the particular organization. The requirement may differ from entity to entity. However, it may include the following:
- Bachelor’s, master’s or equivalent degree from a recognized university
- Certain age requirements (may not be applicable for scientists)
Some organizations may look solely for candidates who haven’t received any travel support in the past years. So, check for all the requirements thoroughly before applying.
Where Can I Apply to Get a Travel Grant for an International Conference in India?
When it comes to getting travel grants to attend international conferences abroad, there are various ways to access the funds in India:
Conference Organizer
Sometimes the international conference that you want to attend may offer the funding itself. In most cases, these funds are given to young students or speakers who want to contribute to the conference.
So, it’s best to check their website thoroughly and see if they are offering fully funded international conferences in Europe or other countries to the students/scholars. If they are, check how you can apply for the same and follow the process accordingly.
University/Colleges
Not many people know this, but your academic institutions can also sponsor your upcoming international conference trip. Many times universities and colleges lay aside money for particular departments so deserving students can take part in seminars, conferences, workshops, or other relevant symposiums. They might sponsor one or two events yearly for such students.
So, before reaching any other entity, ask your institution whether they have such plans for students. If they do, ask them about the procedure for getting the funds.
Research Organizations and Agencies
Whether you want to attend fully funded international conferences in Canada or any other place, you can always ask certain agencies for funding. Here are some popular agencies that can fund your international conference trip:
- Department of Science and Tech (DST)
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- University Grant Commission (UGC)
- Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
- Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE)
- Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)
- Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
For each of the above organizations, there are different money limits, eligibility, and process. Their duration for sending the DD may differ too.
While some of these organizations may cover full travel fares with visa/registration fees, others may only cover the partial fare. So, go through everything before applying for your travel grant.
It’s recommended to apply for the travel grant at least three months before the conference. Once you connect with the organization, keep in touch with them through phone and email.
Things Necessary for Attending an International Conference
Before attending an international conference, you must consider one very important thing. That is time. Depending on when your international conference is scheduled, you must plan everything several months before.
Suppose the international conference is in December. You must start preparing for the conference around August. That way, it’ll be easier to stay on track with the plan. Make sure to dedicate your first month solely to research.
In most cases, it’s the first time when scholars or students travel abroad. So, you must understand the process for better coordination all along. Besides that, here are the must-haves before you attend a fully funded international conference in USA or other countries:
- Keep your passport in a safe place. Don’t hand it down to any unknown person.
- Always keep some cash handy.
- Exchange your foreign currency before traveling
- For a longer stay, you must get an international roaming facility on your phone
- Carry laptops and other essentials to take notes during the conferences
Final Note
There’s nothing as delightful for a student/scholar as getting funds to attend an international conference related to their domain.
So, if you are getting full funding for your international conference, congratulations! If not, we recommend requesting the organizers for at least some sponsorship. Many times, if they have some funds left, they could help so your travel cost can be managed.