Every year the AGU Board grants $5,000 for each Section to use towards student and early career scientist programming. Funds may be used for a variety of projects in support of student and early career activities and may not be carried over to the following calendar year. Some examples of ways your section can use those funds:
Travel GrantsSupport students who submitted abstracts to your Section’s sessions at Fall Meeting and applied for a travel grant. Applicants who narrowly missed the cutoff for final selection will be awarded a student travel grant to Fall Meeting courtesy of your Section. The source for the award funds will be clearly noted in the recipient’s award letter.
Complimentary RegistrationSupport student/early career leadership representatives from your Section by granting them complimentary full meeting registration to Fall Meeting.
Outstanding Student Presentation Award PrizesThe awards for OSPA winners vary by section, with only some sections including a monetary award as part of the winner’s recognition and prize. If your section does not currently include a monetary prize as part of your OSPA award, consider using a portion of these funds to support OSPA winners in your section. The average monetary prize is between $150-$200/winner.
Student and Early Career Scientist Fall Meeting EventsHelp emerging scientists in your fields learn about exciting career possibilities or meet others from outside their bailiwick. The funds cannot be used to support general social mixers. Sections who choose this option must communicate their intent to by 7 May. Events funded by the $5K
must produce a program description for the event which clearly illustrates the requirements mentioned below, depending on which type of event is chosen. Below are the two types of events these funds can be used towards:
- Cross-Disciplinary Networking Event
Work with another Section to jointly organize a networking event for students and early career scientists and prompt young scientists into meeting and interacting with others outside their fields of study. The event must include guidance to attendees on why it is important for the section’s hosting this event to connect and how the fields complement/interact with one another in the professional sector.
- Career Networking Event
Help students and early career scientists in your Section learn about the myriad of exciting career paths available to them by organizing a career panel, luncheon seminar, workshop style event or structured networking event where attendees can gain meaningful career development skills/knowledge.
These funding recommendations are designed to allow Sections to devote more of their time and resources to support programmatic activities and projects aligned with AGU’s strategic plan, and the organization’s mission and vision, and to directly support additional student and early career scientists.
Examples of Student/Early Career Events/Initiatives