Academic Affairs at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Early Career Faculty Caregiving Support for Professional Travel

The VP&S Early Career Faculty Caregiving Support for Professional Travel Fund provides funding to support caregiving costs (for either a child or elder care needs) for early career faculty who are presenting at conferences. Funds may be used for caregiving expenses during the conference, and are based on costs outlined by the candidate, up to a maximum of $1,000 per individual.  

Eligibility Criteria:  

To participate, faculty members must meet the following criteria:

  • Must have a full-time primary appointment at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S)
  • Be at the Assistant Professor rank (“at CUMC” track or tenure track)
    • Note: Administrators, adjuncts, visitors, and part-time faculty are not eligible for this program.   
  • Must be presenting at (not just attending) a domestic and/or international meeting for their discipline

Award Use:

The Early Career Faculty Caregiving Support for Professional Travel Fund can be used to support reasonable and approved expenses up to a maximum of $1,000 for a one-time use per individual. Funding will be based on costs as outlined by the candidate.

Award funds may be used toward the following expenditures:

  • Onsite caregiving incurred at travel location if you bring your child/dependent with you, and expenses that exceed regular caregiving expenses at home or at conference venue (up to $300 of caregiving expenses will be covered per day).
  • Cost of additional travel expenses for children/dependent(s) and/or caregiver (e.g., coach airfare, train travel, and mileage*) during the trip with the sole purpose of caring for the children/dependent(s).

*Mileage will be covered in accordance with IRS guidelines for business expenses. Travel will be covered in accordance with Columbia University travel policy. 

Ineligible expenses include:

  • Meals for caregiver
  • Car rental (Note: that mileage is covered)
  • Fees for caregiving provided by a family member (Note: travel expenses will be covered, as above)
  • Transportation for sightseeing or entertainment costs at travel location
  • Please note the cost of storing and shipping breastmilk is now covered by Maven Milk.

Application Process:

Faculty must submit the following materials to our office. Applications will be reviewed and granted on a rolling basis until funds run out. Please send requests at least two weeks before the conference date.
Applications should include:

Payment Method:

Early career faculty will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in funding for one-time use per person. Funds will be distributed as additional compensation (added directly to your paycheck) after the conference/presentation has taken place and receipts have been submitted. 

Please email our office if you have any questions.