Childcare, Dependent-Care and Disability Allowance Program

Application deadline: February 11, 2026.

The RNA Society is accepting applications requesting financial support to offset costs associated with child or dependent care to help enable members to attend RNA 2026 and present their research at the RNA Society Annual Meeting in Montréal, Canada. Members with a disability that requires financial assistance are also encouraged to apply.

The RNA Society Childcare, Dependent-Care and Disability Allowance is a reimbursable allowance of up to $1,000 USD towards one of the eligible scenarios detailed below. Funds may not be used for ongoing childcare expenses or costs associated with transporting the child, dependent or the attendee to the RNA 2026 meeting. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding. Applicants whose application is deemed eligible for support will be notified by March 27th, 2026. Reimbursements will be processed after the close of the RNA 2026 meeting upon submission of acceptable receipts and documentation.

Allowance requirements/eligibility

  • RNA Society membership in good standing (i.e. current in 2026). To renew your RNA Society membership or to become a first-time member, click here.
  • Scientific Abstract, successfully submitted, as first author or main PI.
  • Priority consideration will be given to students and early-stage scientists.
  • Eligible children must be under the age of 16 at the time of RNA 2026.
  • Dependents are defined as a parent, disabled child, spouse, partner or family member for whom the applicant is the primary caregiver.
  • A disability may affect access and participation of the member to the meeting and may require, for example, a wheelchair, or hearing/visual assistance.
  • Only one allowance per family may be awarded.

Participation requirements
Allowance recipients are required to present their submitted abstract during the RNA Society Annual Meeting. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the Childcare, Dependent-care and Disability Allowance.

Eligible funding scenarios
Funds may be applied to only one of the following eligibility scenarios. Expenses in excess of the allowance are the attendee’s responsibility. Funds may not be used towards expenses for transporting the child, dependent or the attendee to the RNA 2026 meeting.

  1. Childcare or dependent-care provider travels to attendee’s home

    If the attendee must arrange for a family member or other care giver to travel to the attendee’s home to care for the child or dependent while the attendee participates in the meeting, the allowance may be used for travel costs associated with one care provider’s travel from his/her home city to the attendee’s home. Allowance funds may be applied towards care giver’s economy class airfare or train fare, airport/station transfers, parking at care giver’s home airport/station, or mileage and parking if driving to the attendee’s home. Expenses are reimbursable following attendee’s participation in the meeting and submission of original receipts and a completed RNA Society reimbursement form. A link to the reimbursement form will be provided with the Allowance notification.

  2. Child or Dependent travel to care giver outside home community

    If the child or the dependent is to be cared for by a care giver who resides outside the attendee’s community, the allowance may be applied to costs associated with transporting the child or the dependent to the care giver’s home. Funds may be used towards economy class airfare or train fare, unaccompanied minor travel fees (where applicable), airport/station transfers.

  3. Care provider travels to meeting location to care for child or dependent

    The allowance may be applied to the travel costs associated with a care giver to travel to the meeting location to care for the child or dependent while the attendee participates in the meeting. Funds may be used toward one care giver’s economy class airfare or train fare, airport/station transfers, airport/station parking, mileage to/from airport/station, car rental expenses if driving to the meeting location, on-site housing for the care giver (if housed in a separate room from the attendee).

  4. Special arrangements

    The RNA Society recognizes the flexibility sometimes required when providing child or dependent care. Accordingly, allowances could be provided if justified; for example, to ship breast milk to, or from, your home.

  5. Disability

    The allowance may be applied to assist a disabled RNA Society member with transport during the meeting (e.g., wheelchair assistance) or to provide assistance with other disabling issues at the meeting location.

Funding may NOT be applied to the following

  • Ongoing childcare or care of a dependent an attendee would normally incur (e.g. before/after school care on an ongoing basis)
  • Any of the attendee’s expenses

How to apply:
Applications must be written in English and include the following (merged into a single PDF document):

  • Scientific Abstract — copy of abstract submitted as first/presenting author. You must upload a copy of your abstract (see below) with your Allowance application.
  • Include a Benefit Statement (250 words or less) explaining how attending RNA 2026 will benefit applicant’s professional development.
  • Include a Childcare, Dependent Care or Disability Needs Statement (100 words or less) indicating which of the scenarios described above applies to you.
  • Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae (two pages or less). Please include your current RNA Society membership number in this document.

Apply now