The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society is interested in encouraging students to play an active role in existing robotics standardization efforts. IEEE RAS has multiple standardization efforts, which can be found at https://www.ieee-ras.org/industry-government/standards. To help encourage student participation, funds have been set aside to provide travel support to students interested in attending the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) (https://2026.ieee-icra.org/) in Vienna, Austria from June 1 – 5, where numerous IEEE robotics standardization meetings will be held.
We expect to award 3 travel grants to cover flights, hotel reservations, and conference registration within the IEEE guidelines and not to exceed $3,000 each.Priority will be given to students that would not have otherwise attended ICRA (e.g., do not have a paper accepted), and priority will also be given to undergraduate students. You do not need to be an IEEE member to apply. Complimentary IEEE and RAS memberships will be included in the award.
Reimbursements will be processed after attendance at ICRA. Selected students will be expected to participate in the full-day standards coordination meeting (if scheduled), as well as participate in a number of standards working group meetings.They will also be required to write a 2 – 3 page report, submitted to IEEE RAS, describing their experiences at the conference and how they expect to use what they learned in the future. Lastly, one letter of recommendation is required.
For more information and to apply for the travel grant, please visit https://www.ieee-ras.org/industry-government/standards/students-participating-in-ieee-robotic-standardization-efforts-spirse
Applications are due 1 February 2026 and notification of acceptance is expected on or around 1 March 2026.
