SFPE Student Travel Grants

The SFPE Student Travel Grants support undergraduate and graduate students attending SFPE-affiliated conferences after January 1, 2026. With grants of up to $3,000, the program aims to help students engage in vital fire protection engineering discussions. Successful applicants must demonstrate need and may be prioritized based on their participation in the event. The grants are funded through donations to the SFPE Foundation, reflecting a commitment to advancing education in fire safety.

NOTE:
Funds for 2025 have been exhausted. Funding decisions are typically expected by the end of January.For the SFPE Annual Conference & Expo (typically held in October), applicants should submit by July 1 for full consideration. Funding decisions are typically expected by the end of July.
Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
The SFPE Foundation, an affiliate of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, partners with a wide range of global stakeholders to create, develop, promote, facilitate, disseminate, and support innovative research, education, and applied engineering methods that advance the science and practice of fire engineering where it’s needed most.
Successful grantees may receive up to $3,000 USD toward travel costs associated with attending a specific SFPE or SFPE Foundation-affiliated conference or event wherever it may be held.
Purpose
The goal of this program is to provide assistance to undergraduate and graduate students globally who would like to travel to participate in SFPE or SFPE Foundation-affiliated conferences and events wherever they may be held. This program is supported by donations to the SFPE Foundation Student Travel Fund. This fund allows donors to direct their gifts to supporting students in attending SFPE and SFPE Foundation-affiliated conferences and events, as well as the operational costs involved in administering the program.
The SFPE Foundation's policy is to provide travel grants up to $3,000 USD for students and award winners globally who can demonstrate a need.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by SFPE Foundation staff with oversight and involvement from the SFPE Foundation Awards Committee. In making these awards, the SFPE Foundation will take under consideration a range of factors, including:
Whether the applicant is speaking or presenting at the event. (50%)Whether the applicant can demonstrate a need for funding. (30%)Whether the applicant can demonstrate that they would derive particular benefit from attending that specific conference or event. (20%)
In addition to the criteria listed above, the SFPE Foundation will consider a range of other factors when making the final selection, such as: any real or perceived conflicts of interest, the number of applicants, the availability of student travel funds, the proximity of applicants to the event location, and/or any other factors deemed relevant to meeting the goals of the Student Travel Grant program and consistent with the SFPE Foundation’s mission and strategic goals.

Eligibility

Applicants must:Be a student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a post-secondary institution or be a recent graduate of an undergraduate or graduate program (where recent is defined as graduating within the 12 months preceding the date of the conference or event for which funding is requested).Be attending an SFPE or SFPE Foundation-affiliated event, or other event as may be approved by the SFPE Foundation on a case-by-case basis.Register for the conference or event noted in the application; proof of registration may be required.Have a valid form of identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport, or other government issued identification acceptable to the SFPE Foundation).Allowable CostsTravel grants may be used for the following:Travel Expenses: Economy class fares for bus, train, and plane tickets are covered by the travel grant. Taxi fares, parking fees, tolls, and mileage costs, if you are driving to the site of the convention/conference, are also acceptable.Accommodations: Hotel, hostel, or other expenses towards lodging incurred during the convention/conference (unless pre-arranged by SFPE Foundation or SFPE staff on behalf of the grant recipient).Mileage: ‎‎Mileage to the conference is reimbursable with a document showing the distance of your trip, should you travel to the conference by car‎. Mileage is reimbursable at the current U.S. IRS standard mileage reimbursement. SFPE Foundation accepts printed directions from sites like Google Maps as documentation. Meals: The costs of meals (excluding alcohol) incurred during travel.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Be a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). (SFPE membership is free to students.)

Ineligibility

Travel Grants cannot be used for the following:Alcohol or other recreational drugs, including but not limited to cannabisBusiness or first-class travelShort term travel Visa costsRental CarsSFPE membership