Core Facility Travel Awards
UNC Core Facility Director and Staff Travel Awards
Winter Awards
Supports conference attendance between February and July, 2026
Applications open January 1, 2026 and close January 30, 2026
Summer Awards
Supports conference attendance between August 2026 and January 2027
Applications open July 1, 2026 and close July 31, 2026
What
The UNC Core Facility Director and Staff Travel Awards are designed to encourage attendance of core facility directors and staff at regional, national, or international conferences..There will be two award cycles per year, and within each award cycle up to 5 awards of up to $1,000 will be awarded.
Awards are intended to enable core directors and staff to participate in continuing education within their field and to stay abreast of ongoing technological and service advancements that will benefit their core and the UNC research enterprise.
Awards will be decided by the School of Medicine Office of Research Technologies and the Core Facility Advocacy Committee.
Eligibility
- Faculty, post-doctoral trainees, and full-time, permanent EHRA or SHRA staff whose salary is supported through core facility recharge rates (including subsidies or grants) are eligible for applying for a travel award. This applies to members of core facilities that are considered “Open Recharge” and undergo an OSP rate review. If you are unsure If your core facility is eligible, please ask the Office of Research Technologies at corefacilities@med.unc.edu
- Eligible travel includes conferences, workshops, and other specific training events to provide continuing education to core staff
- Travel awards will be transferred to your department in coordination with your department administrator
Judging Criteria
The applications will be scored based on the following criteria:
- Will conference attendance impact applicant’s professional development
- Will conference attendance result in new method development within the core:
- Will conference attendance result in new technological capabilities within the core:
- Will conference attendance improve core operations and management (training customers or staff, business management, marketing, etc.):
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there restrictions on the location or size of the conference or workshop?
No! You application will be judged on how well the conference/workshop suits the needs of your core, your core’s customer base, and the applicant’s professional development.
Can multiple people from the same core apply for awards in the same funding cycle?
No more than one person per core facility would receive an award during any given funding cycle. We ask core directors to only support one nomination per funding cycle.
What expenses are covered?
Any expenses associated with registration, travel, lodging, and per diem food is permitted. All expenses must be submitted via Concur and are subject to UNC and departmental travel policies. Alcohol is NOT an allowable expense.
What if my expenses will exceed $1,000?
Remaining expenses will need to be paid through another account. Recharge accounts may pay for conference attendance and travel, you can request or apply for funds through your department or center, or personal funds can be utilized.
My core is in a deficit/surplus. Will that impact review of my application?
Generally, no. We understand that balances fluctuate and there are many reasons a core may be in a deficit.
I want to attend a multi-day training workshop, user-group workshop, or other educational event. Can I apply for these funds?
Maybe! Reach out to corefacilities@med.unc.edu with information about the format of the event for approval to apply.
How do I access the funds if awarded?
You will be given a chartfield string to use for this award. You must submit the travel request through Concur and allocate expenses up to the award amount to the travel award CFS. For instructions please see page 128 of the Concur Step-by-Step Guidebook
When will I know if I have received the award?
Awards will be made the month following the application period (February for the winter award cycle and July for the summer award cycle)
Ready to Apply?
Please complete the UNC Core Facility Director and Staff Travel Award Application and e-mail it with the title “Core Facility Director and Staff Travel Awards” to corefacilities@med.unc.edu during the application window.