NSF Student Travel Award

WiOpt 2026 is pleased to announce the availability of student travel grants supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) for students based at US institutions. The goal of this program is to encourage student participation in the conference by providing financial support to students who might otherwise be unable to attend. To qualify, applicants must be full time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at US institutions. WiOpt 2026 may fully or partially cover travel and registration expenses for selected applicants, depending on the number of applications received and individual travel costs. Non-author students and first-time WiOpt attendees are especially encouraged to apply.

Eligibility and Requirements

• All full time undergraduate and graduate students from US institutions are eligible to apply, regardless of citizenship or visa status. Students without accepted papers who wish to attend the conference are also encouraged to apply.
• We anticipate funding approximately 10 students, with awards of up to $1,500 per student. Priority will be given to non-author students and first-time attendees who would be unable to attend the conference without this support.
• Travel grants will be reimbursed after the conference based on submitted receipts. Reimbursable expenses include accommodation, conference registration, and airfare. Airfare reimbursement requires that flights be booked with US based carriers.
• By accepting a travel grant, students agree to assist with conference organization by serving as volunteers and to submit a brief summary describing their experiences and outcomes from attending the conference.

Application Materials

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file and must include a CV with complete contact information, as well as the materials listed below.

Application Letter (maximum one page)

The application letter should include:

• A summary of the student’s research interests and accomplishments to date. Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in networking through coursework and projects.
• A description of how areas represented in the WiOpt program would impact the student’s research.
• A statement explaining why attending WiOpt 2026 is important to the student. The title(s) of accepted WiOpt conference or workshop papers, if applicable.
• An indication of whether the student is a first time WiOpt attendee.
• An estimated budget for attending WiOpt 2026, including airfare, hotel, and conference registration. Applicants should note that travel grants are expected to partially cover these costs.
• A statement explaining whether the student would be unable to attend WiOpt 2026 without travel grant support.

Advisor Recommendation Letter (maximum one page)

A recommendation letter from the student’s advisor is required and should include:

• Confirmation that the applicant is a bona fide undergraduate, Master’s, or Ph.D. student in good academic standing at the institution.
• An assessment of the impact of the WiOpt program on the student’s research progress and career development.
• A description of the student’s strengths and potential contributions to the conference.
• A statement regarding the availability or lack of other travel funding for the student.
• A statement of financial commitment, if any, to cover travel expenses beyond the awarded STG amount.

Submission Instructions

Please submit the complete application as a single PDF file to the Student Travel Grant Chairs, Zhangyu Guan (zguan@umn.edu) and Zizhan Zheng (zzheng3@tulane.edu), with the subject line: WiOpt 2026 STG Application – XXX (Your Full Name) XXX.