*ISA Blog

U.S. Imposes New Travel Fees

Starting Sept. 8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to begin collecting, through the newly established Electronic System for Travel Authorization, a $14 fee once every two years from travelers entering the United States from visa-waiver countries. The fees will fund a new federal tourism bureau established this year by the Travel Promotion Act. See the ESTA website for more information on how to apply to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.

Travel Grants Available for ISA 2011

The travel grant application process for the ISA 2011 Annual Convention begins today. The ISA travel grant program has been created to allow junior scholars and senior graduate students some assistance to enable them to attend conferences that would otherwise be out of reach. Therefore, all of these grants will be awarded to junior scholars and senior graduate students. There is only a relatively small budget set aside for this travel grant. Any grants awarded are considered to be "seed" support of a limited amount and will only assist in funding a limited part of the entire cost of attendance. Travel grants are available only for ISA members. If you are not an ISA member you may still apply, your membership fee will be deducted from your grant.You may use the MyISA system to apply. Applications are due by September 9, 2010. Applicants will be notified about their award status on Oct. 11th. Please see the grant guidelines for more information.

IREX Research Travel Grants

The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) announces an open competition for the 2009-2010 Partnerships in Collaborative Research (PCR) Travel Grant. The travel grant gives American scholars the opportunity to obtain funding assistance for the travel of a collaborator from Eastern Europe or Eurasia for an approved academic purpose. The grant will cover the cost of international airfare, administrative costs for acquiring a visa and fees for conferences in which the scholars are presenting collaboratively. Completed applications are due no later than June 1, 2009. For detailed information about grant administration and eligibility, please consult the PCR Applications and Instructions, which can be found on the IREX website.

New Western Hemisphere Travel Rules

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the final requirements of the land and sea phase of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The rules require U.S. citizens re-entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security. The For International Visitors website has travel information for visitors to the United States who are coming to work, study, conduct business or to immigrate.  Our members traveling to the U.S. for academic conferences are encouraged to check this site often.