Overview
The GSO is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities to help graduate students succeed in their academic careers. All our funds are made possible by the graduate student activity fee.
Individual funding is provided as a reimbursement after the expense is incurred. Please read carefully each fund’s guidelines to make sure you understand what can and cannot be reimbursed, maximum reimbursement available, and what supporting paperwork is required. Pay special attention to deadlines.
Please note that all funds have a finite budget. Applications will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Reimbursement is NOT guaranteed for any application.
Questions about the application process? Please see our FAQs.
Our Funds
Coming July 1st, 2026: All of our funds have been revised for the 2026-27 Academic Year!
Check back in July for the updated guidelines.
Graduate Student Conference, Travel, and Research Fund (GSCTRF)
The GSCTRF is designed to help graduate students with conferences, research & related travel expenses. Please see the GSCTRF documentation for a list of applicable expenses and maximum reimbursements available. Applications must be submitted within 30 days of returning from your trip.
Please review our GSCTRF Guide for help completing your application.
If you are looking for funding to host a conference, please see CAFÉ Fund instead.
Graduate Professional Development Fund (GPDF)
The GPDF is a new fund in 2025-26 that is designed to help graduate students with professional development activities. Please see the GPDF documentation for a list of applicable expenses and maximum reimbursement available. Applications must be submitted within 30 days of incurring the expense.
Please note the GPDF budget is limited for 2025-26. Applications will be first-come, first-served.
Graduate Enrichment Fund (GEF)
The GEF is for graduate students who elect to attend a course outside their primary area of study for personal enrichment. To be eligible, applicants must obtain the instructor’s consent to audit the course and attended at least 60% of course meetings. Applicants are not required to complete assignments/exams for the course to be eligible. The amount awarded will be determined by the number of eligible candidates who apply, to a maximum of $500/semester.
Pre-School Fund
The Preschool Fund is for graduate students with preschool-aged children attending a licensed daycare center (on-campus or off-campus). To be eligible, children must have been born before the start of the current semester, and not turn 6 before the semester ends. The amount of award will be determined by the number of eligible children who apply, to a maximum of $200/semester.
Conference Allocation and Funding Endowment (CAFÉ)
Orgs looking for additional funding to support a conference, guest speaker or other professional event may apply for the CAFÉ fund. Applications will be submitted to the budget committee for approval. Applications requesting more than the allotted amount will have to present their proposal to the Senate for consideration.
Unchartered groups that wish to organize a single professional event may apply for CAFÉ funding as well.
Questions about the application process? Please see our FAQs.