Dependent and Elder Care Professional Travel Grants
| Grant Type | Reimbursement Request | Grant in Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Reimbursement of expenses already incurred. | Payment of anticipated travel expenses. |
| How to Apply |
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| Payment | Reimbursements will be paid no later than the second pay period after submission. | Grants in advance will be paid through the regular payroll system and treated as taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (see the Grant Amounts and Method of Payment section above). |
Examples of Allowable Uses of Grant Funds
The following examples illustrate situations in which grant funding may be used to cover additional dependent care costs. These examples are illustrative, not exhaustive. If you have questions about whether a particular situation or faculty appointment type is covered under the policy, contact the Faculty Records Office at facultyrecords@northwestern.edu for clarification.
Example 1: A faculty member must travel and stay overnight to present their work at a conference. Because no home care is available for their children, the children will travel with them. The faculty member could apply to the Dependent Care Travel Grant program to cover the children's airfare and the cost of on-site daycare available at the conference.
Example 2: A faculty member cares for their mother at home while she recovers from surgery but plans to present at a conference during this time. The faculty member could apply to the Dependent Care Travel Grant program to pay for a caregiver to stay with their mother during the faculty member's absence.
Example 3: A faculty member will travel overnight to attend a conference and arranges for their daytime nanny to stay overnight with their children at home. The faculty member could apply to the Dependent Care Travel Grant program to cover the additional cost of the nanny staying overnight.
Example 4: A faculty member who ordinarily provides care for their father at home plans to attend the annual conference of a professional association in their field. The faculty member could apply to the Dependent Care Travel Grant program to hire a caregiver to stay with their father during their absence.