Conference Funding

Conference Funds may be used for these conferences during the 2008-2009 academic year:

MARAC, Silver Spring, November 6th-8th, 2008

Conference Funding Application [Word] Conference Funding Application [PDF]

SAM considers professional development and networking opportunities for its members to be a vital goal.

Consequently, in Fall 2007, Sam members elected, when possible, to use available and otherwise unused and undesignated SAM funds, to help support members' attendance at selected (preferably local) professional conferences. Such funds are intended to assist in defraying conference attendance expenses, not to cover the entire cost, especially when students combine efforts to attend. Members are thus encouraged to travel and/or stay together when applying for Conference Assistance Funds wherever feasible, applications for funds will be considered with this in mind. Early application will be helpful in order to make the most equitable division of assistance funds.

Funds can be used for assistance with travel, lodgings or registration costs, but the total awarded to any one member will not exceed $150.00,* with the understanding that depending on the number of applicants, available assistance funds be divided equitably among them in amounts not less than $75.00 per applicant. On an annual basis, SAM officers will select conferences for assistance funding. The selected conferences will be posted on the SAM website each year along with instructions and parameters for application and an application form.

Availability of Conference Assistance Funds is not guaranteed, and applications will be considered by SAM officers and members bearing in mind SAM's current financial situation and its immediate future needs.

To apply for funds, members must notify the current SAM Treasurer in writing at least three weeks ahead of the event. Such notification must include the conference title, location, dates, an estimate of expected expenses and the amount of assistance requested. A copy of the conference registration costs must be included. Notice should also include the names of SAM members who will be participating and who will share expenses. Receipts for registration or other uses of the funds must be turned in to the SAM Treasurer or other officer within 2 weeks of the end of the conference attended.

Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis, based on the date and time received and with division of funds as stated above.

On receipt of such written request, the SAM Treasurer will make a determination of the availability of funds and of how much of the request can be granted based on such determination. The Treasurer will then seek recommendations from other SAM officers. Where possible a final decision should be approved by SAM members at a regular meeting. Please note that any grant or other specially earmarked funds cannot be considered as part of "available funds."

*Consideration will be given to increasing this amount depending on assistance funds available, number of conferences being considered for funding and the number of applicants per conference.