Per a recent side letter agreement between the University and the AAUP-AFT, the University is pleased to announce the launch of a short-term travel grant program for Teaching Assistants (“TAs”) and Graduate Assistants (“GAs”), which will be administered by the graduate schools.
Eligibility and Criteria for Grants
All University graduate students with a TA or GA appointment during AY 2023-2024 and who have incurred caregiver expenses when traveling to present an accepted paper at a professional meeting during AY 2023-2024 are eligible. Awarded funds can be used to cover expenses incurred for:
- Extra care at home while the TA/GA was traveling; or
- On-site care while at the meeting or conference.
Support and Awards
The qualified short-term travel grant is a taxable grant awarded to eligible TAs and GAs, up to a maximum of $250.00 per academic year. The Deans of the Graduate Schools may award support for more than one request submitted by a TA or GA, provided the total amount awarded for all requests in the academic year does not exceed the $250 maximum per individual.
Request Process
TAs or GAs may submit their requests for a grant by completing this form with the signed endorsement of their Graduate Advisor or Graduate Program Director and supporting receipts attached. Please submit the completed form with signed endorsement and receipt attachments as one PDF file to the Office of University Labor Relations
(“OULR”) at tagatravelgrants@rutgers.edu by the dates noted below. The Office of University Labor Relations will forward all requests to the graduate school deans. The Graduate School Dean for the respective campus will review all submissions for final approval.
Request Deadlines
Requests submitted by eligible TAs and GAs will be accepted by the Office of University Labor Relations no later than March 29, 2024 for qualifying expenses incurred during Fall 2023 and no later than May 17, 2024 for qualifying expenses incurred during Spring 2024.
- Requests for qualifying expenses incurred during Fall 2023: The Graduate School Dean for the respective campus will review all submissions by April 19, 2024. TAs/GAs submitting requests will be notified by April 26, 2024 of the decision of their Graduate School Dean. Approved grants will be disbursed in the TA’s or GA’s paycheck with the designation “TA/GA Caregiver,” less applicable deductions, in the first or second pay cycle in May 2024.
- Requests for qualifying expenses incurred during Spring 2024: The Graduate School Dean for the respective campus will review all submissions by May 31, 2024. TAs/GAs submitting requests will be notified by June 7, 2024 of the decision of their Graduate School Dean. Approved grants will be disbursed in the TA’s or GA’s paycheck with the designation “TA/GA Caregiver,” less applicable deductions, in the last pay cycle in June 2024