Funds for Educational and Scholarly Opportunities (FESO)

In spring 2024, the UVM Foundation generously increased the funds allocated for the Funds for Educational and Scholarly Opportunities (FESO), which supports LCOM students to travel and present their scholarly work at conferences and meetings.  At that time, the FESO committee liberalized some criteria for award, including increasing the maximum funding amount and certain eligibility criteria.

By late 2024, the number of applications to FESO nearly tripled compared with prior years.  Given this rapid rate of spend-down of available funds and our commitment to supporting as many students as possible, in December 2024, the FESO committee made mid-year adjustments in our criteria for award and maximum funding allotments.

Effective December 2024, maximum award amounts for FESO are $750.  Only two days/nights of accommodations, food and related daily expenses will be considered for FESO reimbursement.  Students are encouraged to be particularly judicious in their requested budgets for discretionary items such as local transportation (including prioritizing public transportation when available) and food.

Applicants should review the FESO website carefully and completely to ensure familiarity with the latest eligibility criteria and maximum award amounts. 

The FESO committee may make additional adjustments to eligibility and award amounts, as needed, during this and future academic years.  All awards are subject to availability of funds.

To be eligible for a FESO award, an applicant must:

• Be in good academic standing
• Be accepted to present scholarly work or are serving in a leadership role on behalf of LCOM at a national or regional conference.
  • Research performed at UVM by LCOM students with oversight by UVM faculty will be prioritized.
  • In the event that an LCOM student has a unique research interest requiring pursuit of opportunities outside of UVM and has been accepted to present that research FESO funds may be available on a case-by-case basis. The maximum award amount and other terms and conditions of an award in this case may differ from the standard FESO award.
• Not have previously received a FESO award during their LCOM tenure.
• Submit a complete application prior to the conference (ideally two months or more prior to intended travel date)

The application and acceptance process for FESO is intentionally designed to serve as an educational experience for students. We have structured the application and review process to emphasize constructive feedback and support student growth. In this spirit, students are expected to approach the FESO application with the same diligence and professionalism as they would any formal grant submission.

Students should ensure their applications are complete, well-prepared, and submitted in accordance with FESO guidelines. Applications submitted by the 15th of the month will be reviewed within the following month, and students are encouraged to apply at least one month in advance of their proposed activity; Applications submitted after a conference has already taken place will not be considered.

Repeated submission of incomplete or poor-quality applications may result in the denial of funding. FESO reserves the right to decline applications that do not meet the expected standards of completeness and clarity.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit their application for FESO funds as early as possible, ideally two months or more prior to their travel date. Applications submitted after a conference has already taken place will not be considered.

Applications that meet criteria will be reviewed and approved by the selection committee on a monthly basis.  Applications received by the 15^th of each month will be reviewed for that month.  Award decisions will be communicated by the first week of the following month.