Meeting & Poster/Presentation Grant

Supporting emerging science in drug & alcohol testing through conference attendance and accepted poster/oral presentations.

About the Grant

The NDASA Foundation Meeting & Poster/Presentation Grant supports students and professionals in the drug and alcohol testing field who have an accepted poster or oral presentation at a scientific meeting. The grant helps recipients attend conferences, present their work, and engage with the broader community to promote scientific excellence, expand professional networks, and encourage new voices in forensic toxicology and substance-use screening.

Who Is Eligible?

• Students (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral) enrolled in an accredited institution, with a research poster or oral presentation accepted at a scientific meeting relevant to drug & alcohol testing.
• Professionals (non-student) who are NDASA members, with a substantive contribution (poster or talk) accepted for presentation at a recognized scientific meeting in the field. Examples may include (not limited to): substance abuse professionals, Designated Employer Representatives (DERs), collectors, and medical laboratory scientists/professionals.
• Applicants must be presenting their own research (or leading/co-leading the presentation) and have registration accepted by the conference deadline.
• Applicants must be in good standing with NDASA (if applicable) and comply with any membership requirements.

What the Grant Supports

• Coverage of conference registration fees.
• A stipend to help defray travel, lodging, meal, or dependent-care costs.
• Recognition on the NDASA Foundation website and at the conference (if applicable).

How Many Grants & Funding Source

• The number of grants awarded annually depends on the available NDASA Foundation budget and sponsorship contributions.
• Funded via the NDASA Foundation endowment, corporate partnerships, and donation campaigns.

Application Instructions & Important Dates

• Application window: Opens concurrent with the conference’s abstract submission period and closes after abstracts have been accepted.
• Example deadline: Applications must be submitted by January 15, 2026 for the annual conference held in April.
• How to apply: Complete the online application form (link provided) and upload required documents (see below).
• Applicants must acknowledge in the application the contact information of their conference registration and accepted abstract.

Required Documents

• A copy of the abstract acceptance letter/email (poster or oral presentation) from the conference.
• A short support statement (≤ 500 words) describing:
  1. The research topic and how it advances drug & alcohol testing/scientific screening.
  2. Why attendance at the conference is important for your career development.
  3. Estimated costs (registration, travel, lodging, etc.).
• CV or résumé (for professionals) or student transcript (for students).
• NDASA membership status verification (if applicable).

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by the NDASA Foundation Grants Committee. Key selection criteria include:

• Quality and relevance of abstract/research.
• Demonstrated need for support (especially for travel/dependent care).
• Potential for the applicant to contribute to the field of drug & alcohol testing.
• Commitment to attend the conference and present the work.
• For students: a short volunteer commitment at the meeting may be requested.

Grant Recipient Responsibilities

• Notify the NDASA Foundation of any changes to attendance, cancellation, or presentation format.
• Submit a brief post-conference report (≤ 300 words) summarizing the experience (may be published on the NDASA website or newsletter).
• If feasible, present a short slide about the work during an NDASA annual meeting exhibit or social event.
• Failure to attend or submit the report may impact eligibility for future NDASA grants.

Application Review Timeline

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis following abstract acceptance.
• Awardees notified approximately 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• Funds distributed after proof of registration and attendance.