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Academic Enrichment Travel Fund

The Undergraduate Academic Enrichment Travel Fund helps MD students offset travel costs related to presenting or speaking at national or international conferences.

 

Students who have been accepted to present their work are eligible to apply.

  • Applications Open: January 6, 2026
  • Students will receive an email notification when the application opens
  • Application deadline: February 6, 2026
  • Eligible travel period: November 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025

 

How to Apply

To be considered you must submit:

  1. An online application form
  2. All required supporting documents listed in the checklist below

 

Application Checklist

  • Personal contact information
  • Complete conference/meeting details, including:
    • A copy of the conference itinerary
    • A photo of you in front of your poster or a conference banner
  • Proof of accepted abstract
  • Evidence that your host department/supervisor cannot provide funding
  • Original receipts for all travel-related expenses (see receipt guidelines below)
  • Completed and signed UWO Guest Travel Expense form (also embedded within the application)

 

Receipt Guidelines

When submitting receipts for reimbursement, please note:

  • Receipts must be itemized and show full payment. A credit card slip alone is not sufficient.
  • All receipts must be in your name.
  • Electronic receipts (e.g., airline e-tickets) are acceptable, but original receipts (e.g., boarding passes) are preferred.
  • Hospitality receipts must include a detailed list of items purchased.
  • Travelers are expected to choose the most economical option for travel and accommodations. Keep evidence of comparable rates at the time of booking in case verification is needed.
  • Not accepted as receipts: credit card statements, cancelled cheques, or travel agency statements.

Personal vehicle use:

  • If using your own vehicle is the most economical option, Western will reimburse mileage at the Treasury Board of Canada Travel Directive rates.
  • A printout showing the distance traveled (e.g., Google Maps) is required.
  • You will only be reimbursed up to the cost of the most economical alternative (e.g., equivalent car rental cost).

Air travel:

  • Reimbursement covers only the cost of a direct round-trip flight for the conference dates.
  • If you extend your trip or make additional stops, you must also provide a quote for a direct return flight for comparison.

Accommodations:

  • Reimbursement is limited to single occupancy, standard room rates.

Once the deadline has passed, application processing can take several months. Successful applicants will be contacted via email.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: awards.ume@schulich.uwo.ca 

Frequently Asked Questions

This fund supports undergraduate students by helping to cover costs associated with presenting a paper/poster, or speaking at a conference, research symposium, or academic meeting.

Current MD students enrolled in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

To be considered for this travel fund, you must submit your application with supporting documents here. 
The next application deadline is February 6, 2026. The travel period is November 1, 2024 until December 31, 2025.

Before applying, students must first seek financial support for expenses from their project supervisor or host department. Proof of this funding request must be included with the application.

Research that has already been presented at other national meetings or conferences is not eligible for support.

 

The maximum amount of funding available per request is $500.00.
If your application is approved, a cheque from the Finance Office will be sent to the address indicated within your application. 
If you have any questions, please contact Erin Basacco at awards.ume@schulich.uwo.ca