The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is dedicated to fostering the professional development of Steinhardt graduate students. To this end, the GSO offers professional development funding on a competitive basis to help defray the costs of various professional activities, including, but not limited to, attending professional conferences, conducting research projects, attending art exhibits and musical performances, and participating in speaking engagements.
About Competitive Professional Reimbursement
The Competitive Professional Reimbursement (CPR) covers student expenses for professional development activities and conference participation. It is not a scholarship: funds are reimbursed after the activity or conference, not awarded in advance. The Selection Committee, which consists of the full GSO Board, reviews application materials to determine who will be reimbursed. The GSO Advisor audits all committee decisions.
Eligibility Requirements
- The applicant must be a matriculating graduate student at NYU Steinhardt.
- The applicant's professional development activity or conference participation must be completed during the application period.
- Professional development activities should take place after the previous Competitive Professional Reimbursement deadline.
- First-year students are only eligible to apply for professional development activities after the first day of their NYU enrollment (first day of classes).
Application Requirements
- Applications can be submitted only once for each event or activity.
- If applying for multiple reimbursements, each application must be submitted separately.
- Applications must be completed in full and submitted by the stated deadline.
- Late, incomplete, or illegible applications will not be considered.
GSO Competitive Professional Reimbursement Application
Application Deadlines
- Fall - Friday, November 20, 2026, 5 PM EST
- Spring - TBD
Funds
Awarded recipients can receive up to $1000 in funding. Reimbursements are competitive; therefore, applying does not guarantee that funds will be awarded.
Funds Eligible for:
- Conference or workshop fees
- Professional development programs
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Presentation supplies
Funds NOT Eligible for Reimbursement:
- Department/program requirements (e.g., courses, certifications, or training)
- Professional development activities that are being paid for by other funding sources
- Personal expenses (e.g., tuition, loans, student fees, organization dues, books, or coursework supplies; food or beverages purchased for/at professional development activities)
- Research grants
Students can appeal their award by submitting a letter to the GSO Executive Board within one week of receiving their CPR award notification.