University of California San Francisco
Faculty travel awards for child, elder, or dependent care
Beginning January 2025, the School of Dentistry is offering a Faculty Travel Award to help offset child, elder, or dependent care expenses associated with attending professional conferences or meetings. This award builds on long-standing efforts across UCSF to reduce barriers to faculty advancement, an approach first piloted by the School of Medicine, which published its impact in JAMA Pediatrics in 2022.
Award details
This award is designed to reduce barriers that faculty with caregiving responsibilities often face when participating in professional conferences and meetings. Read more about eligibility, allowable uses, selection criteria, and how to apply.
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Open to UCSF School of Dentistry faculty who hold an appointment with a step designation in one of the following ranks or series:
- Rank: Assistant, Associate, Professor
- Series: Adjunct, Clinical X, HS Clinical, In Residence, Ladder Rank
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- Up to $2,000 per faculty member for one professional conference or meeting
- Faculty may receive one travel award during their UCSF career
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The Faculty Travel Award supports faculty with significant childcare, eldercare, or other dependent care responsibilities who are participating in a professional conference or meeting. The award is intended to advance faculty scholarship, leadership, and professional visibility.
Examples of eligible activities include:
- Presenting a talk or poster
- Moderating or serving on a panel
- Convening or contributing to a research consortium
- Participating as a visiting professor
- Attending a leadership development conference
Award funds must be used specifically for dependent care expenses incurred because of conference attendance. The intent is not to subsidize personal travel; there must be a clear reason dependents need to accompany the faculty member or require additional care at home.
Before applying:
- Use eligible departmental or external travel grant funds first.
- Review UCSF policies on travel-related dependent care and reimbursement.
Consult the UCSF Export Control Office and Risk Advisory and Insurance Services (RAIS) when travel destinations require review. See Research Security and Compliance Trainings and Resources for guidance.
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- Confirm eligibility and allowable expenses. Contact Phillip Babcock at [aa.sod@ucsf.edu] for clarification on qualifying dependents and approved/non-approved expenses.
- Complete the application.
- Prepare a brief budget outlining how award funds will support dependent care costs. Expenses may be incurred at the conference site or at home.
- Submit a short (one-paragraph) statement describing:
- Why this funding is needed
- How participation and your presentation will support your career advancement
- Apply at least one month before travel. Applicants will receive notification within two weeks of submission.
- Request approval for any budget changes prior to incurring revised expenses.
- Awards are granted on a rolling basis until annual funds are fully allocated.