The Meteorological Society of New Zealand

Meteorological Society

of New Zealand

©Kadri Elcoat

Student Travel Grants

The Meteorological Society makes limited funds available to support Student involvement in Weather and Climate activities in New Zealand and Abroad. Support takes the form of assistance with travel related costs for academic exchanges and national or international conference attendance.

Domestic Travel Support Guidelines

To support student attendance at the annual conference of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand (MetSoc).

Eligibility:

Enrolled in the last 12 months in a programme relevant to MetSoc’s activities at a New Zealand degree granting university.

New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled in the last 12 months in a programme relevant to MetSoc’s activities in any degree granting university.

AND

Financial MetSoc member at the time of application.
Presenting a paper or poster at the conference.

Application Documents:

Proof of eligibility (preferably, a supporting email from the student’s supervisor).

Application Closing Date:

At least 2 weeks prior to the start of the conference.

Travel Support Available:

The amount is set every year by the MetSoc committee with the objective of covering the minimum cost of attendance.

Other Conditions:

The number of grants available will be at the discretion of the committee.
Paid by bank transfer directly after the conference, subject to attendance.

Applications for the domestic travel grant can be made at the time of abstract submission.

International Conference or Exchange Support Guidelines

To support New Zealand-based student attendance at an international meteorological or climate themed conference, where the conference is relevant to the student’s New Zealand University programme, or, to support a student undertaking a meteorological or climate themed formal academic exchange, where the exchange is recognised by the student’s New Zealand university as being relevant to the student’s study programme.

Eligibility:

Student enrolled in a programme relevant to MetSoc’s activities at a New Zealand degree granting University at the time of application and attending the conference

Student enrolled in a programme relevant to MetSoc’s activities at a New Zealand degree granting University at the time of application, and presenting work related to the programme of study at the conference for which funding is sought.

AND

Financial MetSoc member at the time of application.
Have attended a past, or have registered to attend the next, MetSoc conference.

Application Documents:

Proof of enrolment (e.g. academic transcript, university fees receipt).
A supporting letter from the supervisor
Confirmed registration for the international conference or letter of support from the overseas host institution.
A clear statement that funding cannot be fully met from other sources (e.g discretionary student controlled doctoral funding, supervisor funds)
Draft budget for the entire activity, specifying what the MetSoc contribution will be spent on and other sources of funding.

Application Closing Date:

On demand, funding decisions will be made on a case by case basis.

Travel Support Available:

Up to $1000 per grant, and a maximum of 50% of the total budget, whichever is smaller, paid by bank transfer on presentation of proof expenses have been paid.

Other Conditions:

The number of grants available will be at the discretion of the committee.
Travel support will be awarded giving preference to students who have:

Not previously received an award
More recently commenced their program

Post Award Requirements:

After the conclusion of the funded activity, recipients of the grant will provide a short report of their experience which will be circulated to members in the society newsletter

Enquiries about International student travel grant should be sent to the MetSoc committee (Contact us)

Incoming International Student Travel Support Guidelines

To support a student from a developing country to attend the annual conference of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand (MetSoc). The goal of the award is to build links between New Zealand MetSoc members and emerging weather and climate scientists in developing countries.

Eligibility:

Enrolled in the last 12 months in a programme relevant to MetSoc’s activities at a degree granting university outside of New Zealand.
Identify as a citizen of a developing country

AND

Have submitted a paper or poster for presentation at the conference.

Application Documents:

Letter of Motivation, considering the goals of the award.
Proof of eligibility:

academic transcript
Letters of support
supporting letter from Academic supervisor
A clear statement that funding cannot be fully met from other sources (e.g discretionary student controlled doctoral funding, supervisor funds)

Draft budget for the entire visit, please note the expected MetSoc contribution to the budget is around $NZ2000. The budget must include travel insurance.

Intending applicants should make contact with MetSoc for assistance in preparation of the application.

Application Procedure:

The complete application documents need to be submitted before the application deadline which will be at least 3 months prior to the start of the conference.
Interviews with short-listed applicants will be held within 2 weeks of the application deadline (via video call).
Funding decisions will be made within 4 weeks of the application deadline

Other Conditions:

The number of awards and award value will be set every year by the MetSoc committee after the closing date and consideration of the applications received.
Flights, insurance and local accommodation will be booked and paid directly by MetSoc, disbursements for other costs will be reimbursed at the time of attendance.
In selecting the grant recipient(s), the following will be taken into account:

Alignment with award goals
Need of the student
Academic merit
Potential for long term benefit for the student
Improving the diversity of conference attendees

Calls for applications for the incoming travel grant, with information about how to apply, will be made soon after the conference is scheduled.

Grant Administration

For on demand/non-competitive grants, the president is responsible for initial assessment of eligibility of awards, and will make a recommendation to the committee if the grant should be awarded, the committee will then confirm the award according to standing rules.

For competitive grants, an evaluation panel representative of the diversity within MetSoc (career stage, race, gender) will be formed by the MetSoc president to assess applications according to the relevant award rules and conditions, and make recommendations to the MetSoc executive committee for final approval of awards.

Any conflict of interest will be managed according to standard MetSoc procedures.