Graduate Student Support: Lunsford and Lauer Funds

Until February 6, graduate student members who are participating in RSA 2026 can apply for conference participation support funded by the Lunsford and Lauer endowment funds. The support for 2026 comprises 2 nights at the conference hotel, the Portland Hilton Downtown.

There are two RSA Endowments that provide the majority of the funds for these support grants. The Andrea A. Lunsford Diversity Fund, established by Andrea Lunsford, supports participation at the RSA conference by graduate students of color.  The endowment thus honors Andrea Lunsford’s longtime commitments to promoting diversity within RSA and the education and professional development of graduate students in rhetoric. The Janice Lauer Fund for Graduate Students, established by the late Janice Lauer, supports graduate student participation and achievement in RSA. The endowment thus honors Janice Lauer’s longtime commitments to promoting the education and professional development of graduate students in rhetoric.

Each fund will distribute 20 grants, for a total of 40 grants equalling 80 hotel nights and $18,480 in support. Graduate students may apply for only one grant. Grants will be determined by lottery. Successful applicants will be notified around the week of February 16.

Apply here no later than 11:59 pm ET February 6! (You must be logged into your RSA member account.)  It will only take a minute. No late applications will be accepted.