AAS International

The AAS administers a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that provides funding for airline travel to international science meetings. This funding is available only to individuals at US institutions. In years with an International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly (GA), the grant additionally funds travel for US astronomers to the GA and contemporaneous symposia.

Eligibilty Requirements

You do not have to be a member of the AAS to apply for an International Travel Grant, but you do have to be currently employed in the US or with a US institution. Note that there are restrictions on how the funds are used, which will be communicated to fund recipients along with their awards. Chief among the restrictions is that you must use US flag carriers except in certain circumstances, you must use the funds only for direct travel between the US and the meeting location, and you must use the funds for airfare only (not, e.g., for baggage fees or in-flight meals).

AAS International Travel Grant funds are targeted for (in priority order) early-career scientists, scientists from smaller institutions or from underserved populations, and scientists whose participation at the meeting is important for US visibility.

Funds may not be requested for any AAS or AAS Division meeting, even if the meeting is held outside the US.

Please note that the NSF considers Puerto Rico a qualifying location for this program.

When completing the application, be sure to supply an accurate price quote for your airline travel on a US flag carrier. Cheaper fares on non-US-flag carriers do not improve your funding chances, as you must fly on a US flag carrier whenever and wherever possible.

Information for International Travelers

All travelers are also encouraged to read "Americans Traveling Abroad" and "Alerts and Warnings" prior to undertaking any international travel. Both resources are from the US Dept. of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Final Reports

Grant recipients should send in their final report and appropriate receipts or copies as outlined in their award letter. This includes grants for travel to the IAU General Assembly as well as travel to other international meetings. Unless specifically requested, we will not send confirmation of receipt of your final report.

The final report should briefly describe the following:

• the subject content of the meeting
• the grant recipient's participation in the meeting
• the benefit of the meeting to the grant recipient
• attendance figures and demographics (if available)