How to Apply
Student Travel Awards are made possible through the numerous APS Foundation Named Student Travel Funds.
The Student Travel Award Application is part of the APS annual meeting abstract submission process. Review the following eligibility, award requirements, and application components prior to submitting your abstract and student travel award application.
Honor Bestowed
Up to 55 APS Student member presenters will be selected to receive a travel award to Plant Health 2026.
Recipients of the award will have their registration fees waived to Plant Health 2026 (funded from the APS "Named" Student Travel Funds and the General Student Travel Fund).
Recognition at the APS annual meeting.
Eligibility and Travel Award Requirements
Applicants must be current APS Student Members. APS membership is required both at time of submission and upon receipt of the travel award.
Students who received an APS Foundation Student Travel Award last year you are NOT eligible to apply again the following year. In addition, applicants are not eligible to receive multiple awards funded from the APS Foundation in the same APS fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
Applicants are required to submit an abstract with the plan to present either a poster or oral at the APS annual meeting.
Students will receive travel award notifications from APS staff in May.
Those selected to receive a Student Travel Award are required to be registered for the APS annual meeting by the required presenter registration deadline. Presenters who fail to register by the deadline will have their abstract withdrawn from the program and will no longer be eligible for a travel award.
Review & Selection Committee
The APS Graduate Student Committee, prior year travel awardees, and representatives from the APS Foundation Board will review applications and select award recipients.
Application Components
The student travel award application is part of the APS annual meeting abstract submission process. Please note only one abstract may be associated with your travel award application. Multiple travel award applications from an individual are not accepted.
1. Abstract content and style (30 points)
Read Phytopathology News article on "Writing a Conference Abstract".
- Title clear, interesting, and with broad appeal (0-5 points)
- Clear objective (0-10 points)
- Study placed in context of pathosystem or larger field (0-5 points)
- Well written and engaging style (0-5 pts)
- Clear summation or conclusion (0-5 points)
2) Professional Development (500-word limit, 20 points)
Briefly describe your networking plans to make the most of your time at the meeting.
3) Community Engagement (500-word limit, 10 points)
Propose an idea on ways to engage with the general public around plant pathology topics.
4) Curriculum Vitae (20 points)
Upload a
two-page PDF file of your CV that includes emphasis the following:
Clear, attractive format, free of errors (0-5 points)
Evidence of engagement in APS at any level (0-5 points)
Membership duration, regional or national meeting attendance, publication in APS journals, committee involvement, etc.
Evidence of service and volunteerism at department, disciplinary, or institutional level (0-5 points)
Evidence of productivity and excellence in research, teaching, extension, and/or outreach (0-5 points)
5) Advisor’s Letter of Support (10 points)
Applicants to provide the name and contact for the faculty member submitting a one-page letter of support on their behalf.
A unique link will be e-mailed to the designated faculty member for them to submit their letter of support. Student applicants have access to see that a letter of support was submitted to their application, but cannot view the contents of the letter.
