The Cooke Conference and Travel Stipend provides Scholars with financial support to develop their academic expertise and their professional networks. Scholars are eligible to receive the stipend once during their scholarship program to cover travel expenses and conference registration fees up to $1,800. Undergraduate Scholars may receive a second stipend during their scholarship program in a different academic year for an opportunity that is distinct from their first travel experience.

A strong application will demonstrate:

• Benefits that can only be gained via travel experience: Does your proposed travel accomplish something that you cannot do at school? Examples include:
  1. Develop skills and knowledge through immersive learning experiences
  2. Access primary source materials or experts not available at your academic institution
  3. Network with other students and professionals in your chosen field of study
  4. Improve public speaking and presenting skills with industry-related audiences
  5. Deepen your understanding of a different culture, heritage, and/or environment
  6. Build language skills through everyday interaction with native speakers
• Relevance to major/career: We are looking for well thought out applications with travel experiences that align with academic and career goals.
• An organized, thoughtful plan: Explain what sessions you plan to attend, people you plan to meet, etc. to make the most of the travel experience.
• A progression in your career development: Show how this experience will advance your career development and build upon prior experience. This is especially important if you are submitting a proposal to receive the stipend for a second time.*
• A specific, well-researched budget: Research what flights, hotels, and registration fees will cost. Include precise numbers (not price ranges).
• Complete and accurate information: Make sure your travel dates and budget are accurate and that you have included any web site links requested. Applications with inconsistent or missing information will not be approved.

*Only Undergraduate Scholars can apply to receive the Conference and Travel Stipend a second time.

Applications should be submitted six weeks prior to the travel start date.

Only Cooke Undergraduate and Graduate Scholars actively enrolled are eligible for this funding. 

• Graduate Scholars may receive this stipend once during their scholarship program.
• Undergraduate Scholars are eligible to receive the stipend twice during their scholarship program, if:
  1. the second experience shows a progression in their career development. (Example: The first experience was to attend a conference and the second experience was to present at a conference.)
  2. the second request is in a different academic year than the first request.

The stipend can only support travel to one event from September – May for Scholars who are actively enrolled in school at the time of their application and during the term when they intend to travel. 

Scholars must be in good standing with the Foundation to receive this stipend. Any outstanding grade reports, annual reports, or final reports for the Internship Stipend need to be submitted prior to submitting a request for this stipend.

Applicants must complete the Cooke Conference and Travel Stipend application which includes the submission of a proposed budget. Allowable expenses to include in your budget:

• Transportation to/from your destination – Airfare, train, mileage for car travel
• Ground transportation (Ubers, taxis, subways) while you are at your event
• Lodging
• Food (up to $65/day)
• Registration fees to attend one conference
• Additional fees for poster printing or other prepared materials for presentations

Funding cannot be used for:

• personal travel unrelated to the Scholar’s career development
• school trips where a Scholar will earn academic credit
• travel companions
• annual membership dues
• cell phone charges or SIM cards
• moving or relocating
• graduate school visits
• job interviews
• house sitters or pet sitters
• clothing or dry cleaning
• Souvenirs
• health clubs
• pay television

The stipend can be used for expenses one travel day before and one travel day after the dates of the event. Expenses for any additional travel days will be at the Scholar’s own expense.

Funding for international travel is limited and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Preference will be given to Scholars who are engaging in substantive research and field work, or who are leading presentations. We will not approve requests to attend international conferences or one-day events, unless the Scholar is presenting.

Stipends will be paid directly to the Scholar within three weeks after the approval of the application and proposed travel budget. 

Recipients are required to submit an Outcomes Report within two weeks of completing the travel. The report should summarize the experience and its impact on the Scholar’s academic and professional development. 

Recipients are required to submit receipts for all expenses. 

Any unused funds must be returned to the Cooke Foundation. 

Recipients of the stipend are required to submit an Outcomes Report within two weeks of completing their travel. The report should briefly summarize the experience and its impact on the Scholar’s academic and professional development. It also includes an expense report and a place for recipients to upload all of their itemized receipts, which are a required part of the Outcomes Report.