Purpose

This fund is available for early-career faculty to travel to a conference or workshop that will benefit their professional development; or to meet with fund managers.

Funding

Up to $500 can be requested to support registration fees, airfare, hotel, and per diem to travel to a conference, workshop or to visit with fund managers. Preference will be given to those who demonstrate evidence of matching funds. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as long as there are available funds, however, requests for funding must be received at the CAFE office at least two months before travel begins. Funds must be returned if travel plans change from what was listed on the proposal. CAFE reserves the right to limit the number of grants awarded per semester.

Eligibility

All full-time, pre-tenure and pre-promotion tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply, but applicants cannot receive funding more than once every three semesters. For example, if you received funding in Fall 2019, you would not be eligible to receive funding again until Spring 2021.

Application Process

Prepare a one-page, single-spaced proposal which clearly identifies the conference or workshop name, location, dates, or the location of the fund manager, and a line-item budget. Provide a description of how the activities will benefit your professional development. Preference will be given to activities that offer multiple opportunities for professional development. Submit your proposal to cafe@mst.edu or drop it off at Library G8. Should your plans change for any reason, you must re-submit an application to a new conference or experience.

Expectations

If your request is funded, a one-page report describing the conference activities and outcomes is required upon return from your trip. Every year we invite some awardees back to the early career faculty forums to discuss their experiences with the next class of new faculty. Questions can be directed to the CAFE office by emailing cafe@mst.edu, calling (573) 341-6713, or visiting Library G8.

Evaluation

Awards will be determined based on: 

• Potential benefits from the conference, workshop, or visit to fund managers. Presenting your research, networking, and investigating ways to serve on technical or professional committees within your professional society are examples that will help your proposal. 
• Your participation in the early career faculty forums is offered every other Wednesday at 4 p.m. during the academic year.
• Explanation of how your participation in the conference, workshop, or visit with fund managers fits into your overall plan for achieving your goals. 
• Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate evidence of matching funds.