WVU Family Travel Program

Purpose: Aimed at removing travel-related barriers to the professional advancement of faculty and postdoctoral scholars who have substantial childcare, eldercare, or other dependent care responsibilities that would affect their ability to travel professionally.

Award Amount: Grants of up to $800 per fiscal year to reimburse caregiving expenses not normally incurred, but resulting from travel.

Fiscal Year: July 1 to June 30

Application Timing: Must apply in the fiscal year that the travel takes place. Applications are accepted both pre and post travel.

Eligible Dependent Care Expenses:

• Childcare/adult care/eldercare at a remote location
• Travel of a child/dependent to a conference or remote location with a faculty/post-doctoral attendee
• Travel for a caregiver (nanny/sitter/family member) to accompany faculty/post-doc and dependent to a conference or remote location or to travel to home location
• Paid caregiver or caregiving service at conference/remote location
• Costs incurred for caregiving at home location not normally incurred but resulting from travel (e.g., hiring someone to take children to school)

Important Notes:

• Do not use State or Research Corporation P-card for expenses to be reimbursed
• Must use personal funds to be reimbursed from a WVU Foundation account
• Reimbursement is taxable income

Background: Program originated from research conducted by WVU ADVANCE Center. State-wide program (2014-2017) supported by Elsevier Foundation with Dr. Tower as Principal Investigator. Later institutionalized and now administered through Research Office.

Application Process

Required Forms:

• Foundation Form (PDF)
• Childcare Receipt (DOCX)
• Post Award Report

Important Guidelines:

1. Apply in the fiscal year that travel takes place
2. Applications accepted both pre and post travel
3. Use personal funds (not P-card) for expenses
4. Reimbursement will be from WVU Foundation account as taxable income
5. Review FAQ for eligible and ineligible expenses