Financial Aid

The Early Career Investigator Travel Award (ECITA) initiative aims to increase the success of early-career investigators at the assistant professor or government, non-profit, etc., scientist equivalent level. Attendance at top tier scientific conferences is critical at this career stage, enabling the emerging researcher to:  

• establish new collaborations
• gain exposure for their research
• network informally with colleagues
• meet with prospective postdoctoral candidates
• obtain invaluable career-advancement opportunities

The Keystone Symposia ECITA program offers up to 1,500 USD to Early Career Investigators to help defray expenses associated with in-person conference attendance, including airfare (restrictions may apply based on funding sources), ground transportation, lodging, and a portion of the registration fee. Receipts will be required to receive reimbursement.

Applicant must meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements.

• Must be a US Citizen or US Permanent Resident
• Applicant must be an assistant professor or equivalent level from government, non-profit, academic sector, no greater than six (6) years into appointment and engaged in full-time laboratory research.
• Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment to mentorship and career development of trainees.

• Research is of relevance to meeting topic and reflects significant scientific contributions to the field.
• Applicant's participation will have a significant impact on the applicant and his or her career/institution, e.g. initiation of new collaborations, etc.
• Applicant expresses dedication to mentorship and career development efforts that support and train the next generation of scientists.

If you are eligible and wish to be considered for an ECITA, you must complete your application by the posted deadline for the meeting you wish to attend. You will be required to submit and pay for an abstract to complete the application. It is recommended you begin these steps in advance of the deadline date to ensure completion.

Click the “Apply for an ECITA” button below.  A new tab will open for the Financial Aid homepage on a different website. You will need to Login or Register on this page to start the scholarship application process. To aid you in the application process, download our Scholarship User Guide here.

Please click here to view the Frequently Asked Questions. 

If you have any additional questions, please contact scholarships@keystonesymposia.org.