Students needing financial assistance to attend the ERF 2007 conference in Providence, Rhode Island may request travel support from the Estuarine Research Federation.  Awards will range from $150 to $300 per person.  Although an ERF travel award will probably not cover all of your travel costs, you can use it as leverage for additional support from your academic department or your employer.

      By the way, the ERF Affiliate Societies (SEERS, AERS, NEERS, GERS, ACCESS, CAERS and PERS) may award conference travel money to students.  To find out more about these awards visit the societies’ web sites or contact the president of your regional Affiliate Society.

      Students --- your participation in the ERF 2007 conference is important to you and to the Federation.  So if you need assistance, please apply for a travel award. 

Who is eligible to apply?

   To qualify for an ERF 2007 student travel award, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• have not received an ERF student travel award for past ERF conferences
• be enrolled at a university or college for the 2007 fall semester
• be an ERF member in good standing when you apply (a membership application form can be found on the ERF web site http://erf.org)
• be registered for the ERF 2007 conference (registration opens on February 21, 2007)
• be present at the ERF 2007 conference to pick up your check
• agree to fill out the conference evaluation form, including your observations and recommendations about student-related activities for future ERF conferences.

How to apply

   To apply for a student travel award, fill out the online application. Please note that you do not have to present a paper or poster to apply for these travel funds.

Student Conference Activities

      The Federation recognizes that there are many long-term benefits to students who attend our conferences, in addition to the experience and acclaim (and sometimes prizes!) that are received for making presentations:

1. Student presentations judged – cash prizes and valuable commentary
2. Student oriented workshops – several throughout the week
3. Student Pizza Social and Career Panel on Monday evening of the conference, where you can meet newly graduated students beginning their careers, senior scientists and managers in a fun, relaxed setting.
4. Mentor an undergraduate student attending the conference
5. Become a student worker – your registration is paid!!
6. Throughout the week you will have an opportunity to hear the latest developments in coastal and estuarine science and management from the people who are doing this exciting work. 

      Most people agree that the best part of a Federation conference is the other people they meet.  Many lifelong collaborations and friendships began at previous Federation conferences.  ERF conferences are excellent opportunities for students in this field to begin to create their own unique networks of professional contacts that will be important throughout their careers.  

      Complete the online application by May 31, 2007. Award recipients will be notified by June 30, 2007.