The impact of caregiving and the financial obligations associated with caregiving can be so great that it often prevents attendance at meetings, especially for early career scientists or those at small institutions or those with limited funding. FIHM is committed to helping members with dependents attend. Potential attendees may apply for caregiver grants, for use either at the meeting location (San Juan, Puerto Rico) or at their home as an online attendee.

Who is eligible to apply?
Registered attendees with dependent care expenses may apply.

Who qualifies as a dependent?
A dependent is defined as 1) a minor 12 years of age or younger who resides with the applicant and for whom the applicant provides primary support, or 2) a disabled, elderly, or other adult person with dependent care needs, regardless of age, for whom the applicant has responsibility.

Which expenses will be eligible for reimbursement? Caregiver grants are intended to reimburse:

• Airfare for a caregiver (e.g., family member, au pair, nanny, sitter) to fly to the meeting location to assist with dependent care for qualified individuals 
• Airfare for child(ren) age 12 or younger, elderly, ill, or disabled family members traveling to the meeting (For example, a grant could be given for this travel if multiple adults are able to care for the dependent in need who is also traveling to the meeting.)
• Costs for dependent care at the meeting (e.g., arranged babysitting, daycare or elder care service locally
• Costs for additional dependent care at home for online attendees incurred due to an attendee’s absence during the meeting. Examples include caregiver's labor, before and after school or extended day programs, late pick-up fees, custodial childcare / elder care, or expenses for care of elderly or other family members that the applicant usually provides.

Caregiver grants are NOT intended to reimburse the following:

• Childcare, elder care, or dependent care expenses at home that would normally be incurred. Examples include aftercare at school or dependent care that is provided on an on-going basis.
• Meals or groceries for the attendee, dependent(s), or the caregiver while at the meeting location
• Meeting registration
• Other expenses not associated with the additional care or travel of the dependent(s) or caregiver

Reimbursement will be made after all travel is completed via ACH/direct deposit. All expenses must be justified with a receipt for reimbursement. Click here to view AGU’s reimbursement form and travel-related policies. Before the meeting, recipients will need to provide ACH information and W9. All receipts a reimbursement form must be submitted to Justine Joo ([email protected]) within one month of the end of the meeting.