Full-time graduate students whose graduate work is at St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) and who have published a paper, or their submitted manuscripts have been accepted for publication, in referred journals in the previous twelve months are invited to submit a proposal for funding to travel to professional conferences and present their research. Applications are accepted in Spring or Fall (alternate years).

Students interested in competing for the award should submit:

1. A letter proposal, endorsed by the advisor, which explains why the travel award is needed. Endorsement by the advisor is evidence of agreement to provide a required one-to-one match.
   
2. The abstract of the paper to be presented and proof of acceptance. If the paper is submitted, but not yet accepted, the student is encouraged to submit the application without the acceptance letter.
   
3. A resume and a list of publications
   
4. A copy of a paper published in a peer-reviewed journal in the previous twelve months, or a letter from a journal indicating acceptance of a paper for publication
   
5. An itemized estimate of travel expenses, including a required one-to-one match.

The maximum amount of the award is $500. Individual students may receive a maximum of two travel awards, one in the Master's program, and one in the Ph.D. (if applicable) during their studies.

Send applications to:
Administrator
St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
University of Minnesota
2 Third Avenue SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA 55414-2196
(612) 624-4405

A solicitation for applications will be posted and sent to faculty and SAFL graduate students each year. The deadline for submissions will be included in the call for applications. The selection committee will review the applications and announce the winner of the Tsai award at a SAFL seminar.

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Past Recipients

Recipients of the 2004-2005 Tsai Travel Awards

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History of the Award

Frank and Julie Tsai are both graduates of the University of Minnesota. Dr. Tsai earned an MS in 1960 and a PhD in civil engineering in 1968. Julie Tsai received her Master's degree in library science from the University of Minnesota in 1964.

After years of supporting St. Anthony Falls Laboratory through annual gifts, the Tsais decided in 2000 to leave a lasting legacy to express their appreciation for their University experience. They chose to do this through a testamentary bequest and a pledge of an outright gift to establish the endowed fund that supports the Tsai Travel Award.

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