Travel Funds Policy

Student/Group Travel Policy:

The BME department strongly supports student attendance at national conferences, especially for those who are presenting work done at WPI or are representing WPI in some manner. The department may provide up to $500 for each BME team or single person presenting at a conference, $250 for each team (or single person if not part of a team) not presenting, as available, at the Dept. Head’s discretion. Remaining MQP funds maybe use for travel and we request that you petition SGA and associated student groups for funds (and may ask for demonstration of your request). As you are an ambassador for WPI BME, we ask that you wear a WPI shirt (supplied by the department) for at least some portion of the meeting (and submit picture). Due to limited funds, generally only one student per group will be funded. Each student is limited to one travel grant from the BME Department per academic year.

When requesting funds, the student(s) will be required to write a ½ page summary describing what the team will gain from attending the conference, how they will represent WPI, posters, panel/workshop.
Please email the Department Head (kbilliar@wpi.edu) with your request including #1 above and CC: Lynda Hammett (lhammett@wpi.edu) on all correspondence (she will give you the cost center to charge). Please submit your official WPI student expense report in Workday. If you are traveling representing your society, you may need to fill out a student organization travel request form (on Orgsync).
Students funded to travel to a conference must be a member of the society (to get member discount) and register “early bird” (discounted rates).
Please email Kate Harrison (Kharrison@wpi.edu) prior to the conference if you need a WPI BME shirt with your preferred style (“men’s” or “women’s” cut) and size.
A week after returning from the conference and second ½ page summary with high-quality pictures of participation will be required explain how the student/team represented WPI and what was learned.