CGS Geospace Student Workshop

Simulated illustration of space weather.

The CGS Geospace Student Workshop provides graduate students with an opportunity for knowledge integration across all of geospace. Students participating in this workshop will become members of the Mastering Analyses for Geospace, the Innovation Cohort (MAGIC).

Thanks to the NASA DRIVE Center for Geospace Storms (CGS), led by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and facilitated through the University of New Hampshire (UNH), a large portion of student attendance is supported through financial assistance. This generous support is limited, so students must apply for travel grants.

Travel Grants

Travel grants will cover:

  • Color logo with wizard that says "Magic."
    Domestic round-trip airfare to BWI airport or mileage reimbursement within driving distance (up to the expense of an equivalent flight).
  • Ground travel expenses will be reimbursed to/from BWI airport to APL. (Tips will only be reimbursed up to 15%.)
  • Lodging in single occupancy hotel accommodation.
  • Per diems for meals.
  • International travel costs are not covered, but international students can apply for support that will cover domestic airfare, airport transfers, per diems and lodging.

Eligibility 

The following selection criteria are considered when selecting who receives support: 

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in a university as a graduate student on the date the financial support application closes.
  2. Students receiving financial support must attend the whole workshop from Sunday, November 17 through Wednesday, November 20. If the applicant can only attend part of the workshop, they will have lower priority in getting selected.  

Selection Process

  1. Student must submit a completed application prior to the application deadline of 11:59 pm EST, September 4, 2024.
  2. Applicant evaluations will be performed by a committee and priority consideration may be given to:
    • Applicants who have previously attended GEM or CEDAR workshop.
    • Applicants who identify as a person from a group that is underrepresented in STEM. (Any of the following: non-Asian and non-White (race), Hispanic (ethnicity), non-male identity (gender), low socio-economic status, First Generation college attendee, active military or veteran, or have a disability.)
    • Applicants who can attend the workshop in its entirety.
    • Applicants who contribute to a cohort with a mix of research topics and methodologies.
  3. Notifications of acceptance and refusal will be sent out by September 20, 2024.
  4. Students who do not agree to the Code of Conduct prior to the assigned deadline may have their acceptance revoked.
  5. Students who do not arrange for their travel prior to the assigned deadline may have their acceptance revoked.

2024 Dates to Remember 

Financial aid announcement date: September 13

Applicants will be notified when a decision has been made. Please DO NOT purchase air tickets or register prior to hearing about the application result. Instructions on how to purchase air tickets will be provided.

Financial aid acceptance date: September 16

Selected applicants must either confirm acceptance or provide notification that you will not attend.

Travel booking deadline: September 27

Selected applicants must book their flights though our selected travel agent and/or provide notification that they will drive.

Reimbursement submission deadline: December 2

All receipts for which you wish to be reimbursed must be submitted.

Helpful Info

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All supported students must arrive in time to attend the mandatory Student Day on Sunday, November 17, generally traveling on November 16. The workshop will finish by 3:30 pm on Wednesday, November 20 so you can leave that afternoon/evening, if return departures allow.

Airfare & Amtrac

Limitations and Restrictions

  • Students must purchase flights through our travel agency; we cannot reimburse the cost of tickets purchased yourselves.
  • Students are responsible for flight and hotel expenses as a result of major airline or weather-related delays.
  • Students are responsible for expenses related to scheduling changes for personal reasons or family emergencies.
  • The expense for flights originating outside the United States are the responsibility of the student.

To book your airfare or Amtrac tickets, you must send an email containing your required information to Melinda at Horizon Travel. Due to cost and availability restrictions for tickets, please send your information as soon as possible, but no later than September 27. 

Driving

Limitations and Restrictions: You will be reimbursed only the cost of the equivalent flight.

If you will be driving to the workshop, please let Isabella (isabella.pizza@unh.edu) know by September 27.

Your hotel accommodation at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbia/Laurel will be arranged for you. If possible, we will be organizing a shuttle service for students between the airport and the hotel.  We will provide further information on both of these items as the conference approaches.

Limitations and Restrictions:

  • You must submit receipts for any requested reimbursements beyond per diems. Photos of receipts are acceptable.
  • Receipts must include date, form of payment, and name of company.
  • Please note that tipping reimbursement is limited to 15%.
  • If you miss the submission deadline, your reimbursement form will be submitted without including your final expense(s).

You will be required to sign reimbursement forms for your per diems and airport transfers (if needed) while at the conference. Departure reimbursement receipts (if required) must be submitted no later than Monday, December 2.

A. APL has a long-standing Equal Employment Opportunity policy that it will not tolerate
discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, color, sex
(including sexual harassment), national origin, age, occupation, marital or familial status, political
opinion, sexual orientation or personal appearance, or conduct that is inappropriate to a
professional work environment.

APL wishes to ensure that all staff members and visitors are treated with respect and provided with
a work environment free of intimidation and harassment, including sexual harassment, and
retaliation for reporting possible violations of its Equal Employment policy.

B. APL requires that its policy on Equal Employment Opportunity be understood by all
representatives and employees of its Subrecipients, their Subrecipients and Students who visit or
perform work on APL premises.

Commitment to Participants

The CGS Geospace Student Workshop conference committee is committed to creating and
maintaining an engaging and productive conference and workshop (hereafter conference)
environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, one that is welcoming and
free from any form of harassment or other discrimination. This policy guides everyone who
participates in or attends this conference.

Expected Conduct

By participating in a conference covered by this Code of Conduct, you agree to:

  • Be considerate and respectful to each other.
  • Communicate openly and thoughtfully and encourage others to do the same.
  • Refrain from harassing, discriminatory or demeaning conduct.
  • Comply with all rules, policies, and procedures of the facilities at which the conference is being held.
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the location where the conference is being held.

Unacceptable Behaviors

The following behaviors are unacceptable and will not be tolerated:

  • Disruptive and/or disrespectful behavior during any interaction, including presentations and discussions.
  • Physical or verbal abuse to any participant, event organizer, staff member, vendor, volunteer, or guest;
  • Discrimination, verbal or nonverbal harassment, or hostility against any person or group of people in the above categories.
  • Harassment, sexual harassment or sexual assault of any kind. This includes: intimidation, violence, offensive/unwelcome behavior, unwelcome advances, threats or stalking; inappropriate contact; inappropriate requests for sexual favors; all other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature; offensive comments, jokes, drawings, pictures, cartoons, innuendos, or other sexually-oriented verbal or written statements (including text messages, emails, social media posts, etc.).

Reporting Procedure

If at any time you feel that you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you wish to report unacceptable behavior, please follow the process outlined in APL’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy.