Graduate Student Professional Development Award

The Center for Mexican American Studies offers financial assistance designed to help current graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin complete their studies and go on to successful professional careers. This financial assistance is made possible by President Bill Powers and his commitment to the students, faculty, staff, and community that CMAS serves, with the support of the Graduate School at UT Austin.

CMAS Graduate Student Professional Development Award

The CMAS Graduate Student Professional Development Award is intended to support the professional development of enrolled graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin. Recipients must demonstrate superior qualifications and be completing a graduate program of work consistent with the scholarly aims of the Center for Mexican American Studies. The award requires that recipients be participating in either the Master of Arts degree program in Mexican American Studies or the Graduate Portfolio Program in Mexican American Studies.

The award will be applied directly by CMAS toward the travel costs for a student to attend a major professional meeting to present an original paper or to travel to a research site in the continental United States to conduct research in support of a thesis or dissertation project. Travel can be by airline (flight directly paid for by CMAS) or by car (mileage to be reimbursed based on UT Austin criteria). CMAS will determine the most cost effective option. Awards can also be applied toward the registration fee to attend a conference, so that applicants can request funds for both travel and conference fees up to $500.

Applicants must provide CMAS with the following: a cover letter describing the benefit the award will provide the student, CMAS and The University of Texas at Austin; a complete CMAS Graduate Student Professional Development Award Application; a complete CMAS RTA Form; verification that the student will be attending a professional conference or conducting academic research; and confirmation from the student's home department that they will not be receiving travel assistance to the conference or research site. A copy of possible flight itineraries is helpful.

Applicants must submit the cover letter, application form, RTA form, and verification at least 30 days prior to travel so that CMAS can secure the best rate for an airline flight.

A complete application will consist of the following items:

• Cover Letter
• CMAS Graduate Student Professional Development Award Application
• CMAS RTA Form
• Conference/Research Site Verification
• Department Assistance Confirmation

All professional development award materials must be submitted to:

Program Coordinator
Center for Mexican American Studies
University of Texas at Austin
306 Inner Campus Drive, Stop F9200
Austin, Texas 78712

Questions regarding financial assistance for graduate students can be directed to Luis Guevara, CMAS Program Coordinator, at (512) 475-6769 or lvg@austin.utexas.edu.