Sponsored by a Special Initiatives Grant to the Committee for Broadening Participation of Underrepresented Groups from the ASME Design Engineering Division Executive Committee.

The mission of the Family Support Micro-Grant Program is to increase the diversity of researchers attending the conference by providing micro-grant support for childcare.

It is difficult for parents, and in particular nursing mothers, to travel and attend conferences. Each micro-grant of $250-$500 per family can be used in the way that best suits the family to support their childcare needs during ASME IDETC. All micro-grants will be made for the same amount, depending on how many apply/are awarded.

For example:

• Purchase of an additional plane ticket for second caregiver to attend conference and provide childcare on site

• Purchase of an additional plane ticket for second caregiver to fly to the family’s home and provide childcare in absence of one or both parents

• Babysitting support at the family’s residence

• Compensation for days taken off from work for partner to stay at home with children

• Many more…

Any researcher who is a parent of at least one child of age 12 or younger is eligible to apply.

Applications will be evaluated based on completeness of response to the application questions.

Preference will be given to pre-tenure faculty to support their career success, those returning to the conference that took time off, as well as those that help us to meet the goal of increasing the diversity within the ASME DED.

Parents should apply by sending an email to asme.ded.bpart@gmail.com for more information. 

Applicants should contact asme.ded.bpart@gmail.com by June 30, 2019 to apply. Funding decisions will be made by July 15, 2019.

Send any questions to asme.ded.bpart[at]gmail.com.