SMB Annual Meeting Travel Award

The Society for Mathematical Biology provides need-based grants to the Annual Meeting for society members to recognize excellence in mathematical biology and promote greater interaction among mathematical biologists throughout the world. The travel grants provide partial support to attend the annual meeting, and are typically limited to $750 USD.

Eligibility

As this is a need-based travel award, we will aim to distribute awards taking into account the distribution and demographics of the SMB and availability of other SMB travel awards, and we ask that society members with alternate funding not apply for this award. Further,

• Applicants must be members of the Society at the time funds are requested.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have been members of the Society for at least a year preceding the time of application, or whose advisors have been members for at least a year.
• Preference will also be given to those with documented service to SMB. That is, priority will be given to committee members, organizers, current or recent subgroup officers, and other volunteers with meaningful service contributions.
• Preference will also be given to applicants who are presenting a paper or poster at the meeting and those who did not receive a travel grant from the Society the previous year.
• Additional weight will be given to applicants who incur substantial travel costs, such as international or cross-continent travel or travel from regions with higher relative costs.

It is also customary for recipients of the travel grants to contribute to the meeting by helping with poster judging at the Annual Meeting poster session, or other volunteering, if needed.

Application

The following materials are required at the time of online application submission:

• Cover letter addressing the following questions:
• Why is it important for you to get a travel award to attend the Annual Meeting?
• Have you been active in the SMB, performing any meaningful service?
• Have you ever participated in an Annual Meeting? If yes, in what way? E.g. attended, presented a poster or talk, participated in the mentorship workshop as mentor or mentee, etc.
• What is the long-range goal of your research?
• What is the significance of your research?
• What is the most novel aspect of your research?
• Budget items for travel
• A copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the Annual Meeting.
• A curriculum vitae.

To apply, complete and submit an online application.

Applications for grants to attend SMB/ECMTB 2026 are now open and close on 15 March 2026. Notification will be given shortly after (in advance of the early registration deadline of the meeting).

For questions, please contact Board member Jessica Conway (jmc90@psu.edu).