Professional Conference Grants

Career Advancement and Campus and Student Life invite you to apply for funding to attend and participate in conferences that support your professional development. Professional Development Fund Conference Grants seek to support opportunities that align with student academic and professional endeavors. If you receive funding, you will be asked to submit a brief reflection on your experiences upon return.

Eligibility

  • All undergraduate students from the College are eligible to apply

  • You must have been invited to or accepted to attend a professional conference, networking event, skills-building workshop, or related career-development activity

  • Students are eligible to attend in-person or virtual conferences

  • Funding can cover any of your conference-related expenses, including but not limited to: registration fees, travel, and lodging assistance. Awards should not exceed $500.

  • Preference will be given to students whose financial circumstances may limit them from participating in the conference

If you are seeking funding to attend an academic research conference or present a research poster, please apply through the College Center for Research and Fellowships’ Quad Undergraduate Research Conference Grant.

Application Procedure

To apply, please complete this application form and upload the required materials:

  • Resume

  • Cover letter explaining how the event will support your professional goals

  • Proof of acceptance or invitation to attend a professional conference, networking event, skills-building workshop, or related career-development activity

  • Provide an itemized budget including registration fees, travel expenses, and lodging accommodations

  • Provide a brief description of the conference and your participation, how it will support your professional goals, and an explanation of how your attendance at the conference will benefit the UChicago Community

*Please allow at least 3 weeks for the committee to review applications.

Please contact Brennan Rudy at brudy@uchicago.edu with questions about the Professional Development Fund Conference Grant.

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year. Applications for conferences taking place during the 2026-27 academic year will open on July 1, 2026.