CJS Professional Development Travel Grant

The CJS Professional Development Travel Grant provides travel funds for University of Michigan graduate students whose academic program focuses on Japanese Studies to participate in approved professional development activities away from the campus.

General Eligibility

• Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in any school/college at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus at the time of application.
• The student must be in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress.
• The student’s academic program must focus on Japanese Studies.
• The proposed professional development activity must contribute significantly to the student’s degree progress and/or potential for a professional career related to Japanese Studies.
• The student must be enrolled at U-M through the last day of the professional development activity. Activities taking place after the student has graduated are not eligible.
• Each graduate student is eligible to receive one grant per academic year (new academic year begins on the first day of the fall term).

Eligible Professional Development Activities

• Attendance at an academic conference for professional development purposes, e.g., professional networking, job interviews, or participation other than paper/poster presentation (e.g. discussant, panel chair, business meeting as a student officer).
  • Students with a paper/poster accepted for presentation at an academic conference should apply for the CJS Conference Travel Grant.
• Participation in a short-term workshop that teaches specialized skills (e.g., historical documents, kambun/kuzushiji, advanced statistical analysis).
• Participation in a Japan-related job fair.
• Participation in short term internships related to Japan during the academic year.
• Clinical rotation in a Japanese health care setting (medical and nursing students only).
• The professional development activity must not be available at the University of Michigan. Virtual activities and activities taking place in Ann Arbor are not eligible.
• Participation in course-related travel (including independent study, thesis/dissertation research) or study abroad program is not eligible.
• Other professional development activities require approval of the Center for Japanese Studies before starting the application. Email the Center at umcjs@umich.edu with a description of the professional development activity to request approval.

International Travel

Students traveling to an international conference (defined as a conference taking place outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia) are required to comply with LSA International Travel Policy. LSA Travel must verify completion of LSA International Travel Policy pre-departure requirements before grant funds will be released. Note that for the purpose of LSA International Travel Policy, Puerto Rico and US territories are considered international destinations.

Deadlines

• Application must be submitted and endorsed by the student's faculty advisor prior to the start of the conference. Retroactive applications will not be accepted.
• Students traveling to international conferences are strongly recommended to apply at least six weeks in advance in order to have sufficient time to complete LSA International Travel Policy pre-departure requirements.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but reviewed on a monthly basis. Reviews take place at the beginning of each month for applications submitted in the previous month.

Application Materials

• Use the CJS Professional Development Travel Grant application on the II Fellowships and Grants Portal.
• Required materials:
  • Online application form
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Budget
  • Current CV
  • Proof of conference participation
  • Faculty advisor endorsement

Questions?

Contact International Institute Fellowships and Grants at iifellowships@umich.edu or 734-936-3966.

General Funding Policies

• Each graduate student is eligible to receive one grant (either domestic or international but not both) per academic year (the academic year begins on the first day of classes of the fall term), based on the start date of the professional development activity.
• Current grant amounts are:
  • Domestic Travel: Up to $750
  • International Travel: Up to $1500 (see International Travel section above for the definition of international travel for the purpose of this grant)
• Grants are paid through the student financial system. Payment processing takes up to two weeks following award notification.
• Grant funds may be used only for actual travel and activity related expenses of the student. Any unused portion of the grant must be returned to the Center.
• Grant funds may only be used to cover travel expenses that are reimbursable under the university travel policy.