IAF Travel Application
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INTERCOLLEGIATE ACADEMICS TRAVEL FUND GUIDELINES

2007-2008

Amended for October 2007 - May 2008

Purpose

The Intercollegiate Academics Fund (IAF) is a yearly allocation of Student Activity Fee monies that exists to promote and support intercollegiate academic experiences for University of Northern Iowa students.  The fund is designed in particular to encourage individual students and student groups with direct links to academic programs and departments to participate in academic competitions and conference presentations at state, regional, national, and international levels.  The IAF supports the educational and professional development of students in their academic areas as well as leadership development for various student groups.

Priority for funding is given to students participating in intercollegiate academic competitions and presentations at professional conferences.  Students do not receive funding support to attend more than one meeting in any given academic year.  If the same group requests support for multiple activities in a given academic year, it must be made clear that different individuals will be served.  Maximum dispersion of funds across the University is also a priority.

Proposals Not Eligible

1.      Class/Organization field trips or tours not involving presentations or performances

2.      Social, religious or partisan political activities

3.      Requests to attend career placement or job fairs

4.      Tuitioned courses, programs, or institutes

5.      Individual certifications or auditions

Criteria for Proposals

1.      For 2007-2008, the maximum award for any one student is $500.

2.      For 2007-2008, the maximum award for any group is $7,500 (Not to exceed the $500 per person maximum).

3.      Individuals, groups and departments should normally expect to contribute a portion of the costs of the activity.  All costs must be documented by attachment of registration materials, hotel forms, etc.  Proposals without documentation will NOT be considered.

4.      Requests for support must include a completed Intercollegiate Academics Fund Request form.  If presenting or performing, an abstract and a copy of the acceptance/invitation letter must accompany the request form.

5.      Students applying to attend the same event should submit ONE application for all attendees.

6.      Changes in plans for travel, expenses, or the number of students attending must be reported immediately.  A reduction in the number of students or the expected expenses will result in an allocation reduction.  Any cancellation resulting in the award not being used must be reported immediately so the money can be redistributed.  Also, the value of any cash prize awarded for competitions will be deducted from the allocation.

7.      Deadlines for requests are the first Thursday of each month during the academic year, excluding January.  Only those requests received before the deadline will be considered for funding for that particular time period.  Requests should be made well in advance of the activity.  Requests for funding will not be considered after expenses have already been incurred.

8.      Requests for funding of summer events must be received before the May funding deadline and the student(s) must be enrolled in the Fall semester.

9.      Requests may come from recognized student organizations or individual students.  All applications require a UNI faculty/administrative sponsor and department approval.  The University may initiate a request to send selected students to represent it at particular events.

10.  All students must be enrolled during the term of the activity to be eligible to receive funding.  Students continuing research from a previous semester with no additional registration are not eligible.

11.  The Intercollegiate Academics Fund itself does not support faculty travel expenses.  It is appropriate, however for this fund to support expenses for a University or personal vehicle which is driven by a faculty member for the purposes of transporting a group of students.

12.  Past funding does not ensure future approval for the same activity.

13.  Award committee members will not vote on proposals they are affiliated with.

Requirements and Expectations for Receipt of Funds

1.      Funded expenditures may be requested in advance or may be reimbursed following the event through the Office of the Provost.  Reimbursement is made upon receipt of a completed Travel Reimbursement Form, original receipts, and the completed Intercollegiate Academics Fund Report form, which outlines participation in the activity.  Funds must be spent and you must bring the paperwork to the Office of the Provost, Seerley 001, with the appropriate form and receipts within 14 days of completion of the trip.  After 14 days the award is cancelled and funds are released for future applicants.

2.      The Intercollegiate Academics Fund supports expenses for registration, housing, transportation, and parking.  Mileage is reimbursed at standard University rates.  Please note that the IAF does not pay meal costs, membership dues, presentation supplies/materials, passports or expenses related to visas.

3.      Students approved for funding must consult with their departmental office to prepare appropriate requests for advance payments or reimbursement.  A list of the names of the students attending must accompany the Travel Reimbursement Form/Request for Payment forms submitted for funding.  Travel Reimbursement Form/Request for Payment forms will not be processed until the list is provided.

4.      Groups are encouraged to share the knowledge and information gained from participation in the activity with others.  All publicity should acknowledge support of the Intercollegiate Academics Fund.

5.      An Intercollegiate Academics Fund Report must be attached to the Travel Reimbursement Form to receive funds.  This report will be filed with the Office of the Provost prior to the reimbursement of expenses. 

Faculty Sponsorship Fund

To support faculty sponsors of students who receive an Intercollegiate Academic Fund award to compete or present at a professional conference, the Provost’s Office has established a separate Faculty Sponsorship Fund.  Faculty members accompanying these students will be eligible to receive a matching dollar amount of 10% of the total student award to support their own travel costs if they attend the event with their students.  Faculty sponsors can be reimbursed for travel expenses by completing a Faculty Sponsorship Fund Request Form and submitting it to the Office of the Provost, Seerley 001, Mail Code 0707.  Such requests must be made separately from student IAF requests.  Funds must be spent and you must bring the paperwork to the Office of the Provost, Seerley 001, with the appropriate form and original receipts within 14 days of completion of the trip.  After 14 days the award is cancelled and funds are released for future applicants.

Awards Committee

Provost Office Administrative Fellow, Chair

Mike Bobeldyk, Asst. Director, Maucker Union

Faculty Appointee

Vice President, NISG             

2 NISG Appointees

Revised September 2007