Conference & Competition Funding

Participating in professional conferences and case competitions can significantly enhance a student’s understanding of their industry and provide valuable networking opportunities. NYU Wagner prioritizes funding for professional development opportunities that include networking, engagement with industry leaders, experiential learning, and career advancement.

Please read this page carefully before applying. You may also want to explore NYU Wagner's External Scholarship resources.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible to Apply?

Active NYU Wagner graduate students in good academic and financial standing in any Master’s degree program are eligible to apply for funding to attend a career- or degree-relevant conference or case competition. Events must not conflict with your scheduled classes, per attendance policies in course syllabi.

Not eligible: Doctoral students, certificate students, and students on a Leave of Absence.

What type of events are eligible?

Eligible events include virtual or in-person professional development activities such as:

  • Conferences related to coursework or policy interests
  • Case competitions and challenges
  • Industry-specific networking or skills-based events (approved by NYU Wagner)

Explore our curated list of upcoming events for examples.

Past events include: APA National Planning Conference, World Bank Youth Summit, Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, and Ohio State University Healthcare Case Competition. Learn more about past awardees and the events they attended on our Conference and Competition Funding Profiles page.

What can funding be used for?

Funding can be applied toward:

  • Registration fees
  • Travel and lodging expenses directly related to the event

Award Range: $20 (minimum) to $500 (maximum) per student per academic year. Receipts must be itemized and legible. 

Note: At the committee’s discretion, additional funding may be available to students presenting at a conference or professional development event. Each student is limited to one award per academic year.

Not eligible: Membership dues, food and beverage expenses, software or subscriptions, individual tutoring or coaching, capstone project expenses, Retroactive requests for past events.

When are applications reviewed?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply at least one month before the event.

We aim to balance limited resources with our commitment to equitable access for all graduate students.

How is the the award paid?

Funding is reimbursed via direct deposit after the event. This is not an advance payment. To receive reimbursement, you must submit the post-conference form AND complete a system-generated student expense form. You may be asked to provide the following, but not limited to:

  • Registration confirmation
  • Itemized receipts and proof of payment
  • Proof of attendance (e.g., name badge or event photos)

Not Accepted: Documentation more than 6 months old, shared receipts, payments to individuals, award miles or points, gift certificates, etc.

What are my responsibilities if I receive funding?

You are expected to:

  • Represent NYU Wagner professionally
  • Contribute back to the community by:
    • Sharing photos or written reflections for promotional use
    • Answering a few brief questions about your experience to share insights with fellow students

 

Please note: Conference and Competition funding approvals are subject to NYU's public health and safety guidelines and may change at any time.

Apply for Conference & Competition Funding