The Arthritis Foundation is pleased to offer limited financial assistance to families wishing to attend the JA Conference who meet certain criteria. The JA Conference travel award process is managed out of the Arthritis Foundation’s home office. 2020 JA Conference Travel award applications are open to both children/teens and their families (up to 4 people), and young adults (ages 18 – 30). Travel awards only cover partial expenses. They do not cover the cost of additional meals, transportation to/from airport, parking fees, airline baggage fees, room upgrades, or expenses related to additional members of the family. 

Please review the following important information regarding the travel award program BEFORE completing your application.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FEBRUARY 28, 2020

The Arthritis Foundation has a limited number of travel awards available to families and young adults who demonstrate a need for financial assistance to attend the JA Conference, and who meet certain criteria. The JA Conference travel award process is managed out of the Arthritis Foundation’s home office.

• Priority will be given to first time attendees, families who have not received a travel award in the past and those that demonstrate a financial need.  Families and Young Adults that have received a travel award in the past will be scored based on how they are engaged with the Arthritis Foundation (through advocacy, local JA initiatives and events).
• The overall average cost to the Arthritis Foundation for the JA conference is $2,700 per family. Travel awards only cover partial expenses, which allows more families to attend the JA Conference. The awards do not cover the cost of additional meals, transportation to/from airport, parking fees, airline baggage fees, room upgrades, or expenses related to additional members of the family. Travel awards only cover partial expenses, which allows more families to attend the JA Conference. The awards do not cover the cost of additional meals, transportation to/from airport, parking fees, airline baggage fees, room upgrades, or expenses related to additional members of the family.
• A committee of Arthritis Foundation volunteers will anonymously review applications from across the country; no member of the travel award selection committee may apply for an award. Arthritis Foundation staff are not eligible to receive a travel award.

• Travel awards are available to families of children/teens with arthritis or related childhood rheumatic disease. The application should be completed and submitted by the parent/guardian.
• Eligible applicants include children diagnosed with juvenile arthritis or a related childhood rheumatic disease and their immediate family members. 
• The travel award is for a family of four, if you choose to bring additional family members, you are responsible for all additional expenses. 

• Travel awards are also available to young adults with arthritis or related rheumatic diseases (ages 18-30). The application should be completed by the young adult. 
• Young Adult Travel Awards are designed for young adults with arthritis only. if you require a travel companion, please indicate when applying along with an explanation.    

The following criteria/guidelines have been established for awarding travel awards in 2020.
Travel awards will be distributed into 3 different levels

Family Travel Award

Level One  -  Registration (up to 4 people) or Single Registration ($250 Value) 

Level Two  -  Registration and lodging ($800 value) 

Level Three - Registration, lodging (1 standard room) / 3 nights lodging and transportation 
(airline and/or mileage only) (up to 4 people) (up to $2700 value) 

Young Adult Travel Award (ages 18-30)

Level One  -   Individual Registration ($150 Value)

Level Two  -  Registration and lodging ($800 value)

Level Three - Registration, lodging (1 standard room) / 3 nights lodging and transportation 
(airline and/or mileage only) (up to $1250 value)

• Priority will be given to first-time attendees, those who have not received a travel award in the past and demonstrate a financial need. Families and/or Young Adults who have received a travel award in the past will be scored based on how they are engaged with the Arthritis Foundation (through advocacy, local JA initiatives, and events).
• The Arthritis Foundation will pay for the above-listed travel award benefits directly. No money will be distributed directly to travel award recipients (with exception of mileage reimbursement).
• Registration fee includes all planned activities, Opening Dinner and Closing Breakfast. Additional meals are not included.
• Lodging includes ONE standard room at the conference hotel that sleeps up to four people.
• Transportation could include coach-class airfare/train fare for up to 4 people or mileage reimbursement. Mileage reimbursement follows the current IRS volunteer rate of .52/mile up to $500 maximum. Airline/train tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Whichever will be least expensive.
• Travel awards DO NOT cover airline baggage fees, transportation to and from the airport, parking fees, room upgrades, meals, or costs associated with additional family members.
• The family travel award is for a family of four (4), if you choose to bring additional family members, you are responsible for all additional expenses.
• Travel awards are available to young adults (ages 18-30) with arthritis or a rheumatic disease.
• Travel award recipients will be required to complete an online commitment form stating they will attend all sessions, get involved with the Arthritis Foundation locally, and submit a "thank you" letter to be shared with donors following the event.
• All information in this application will be kept confidential.
• All applicants will be notified whether they have received an award or not by April 1, 2020

If you have additional questions, please contact Katie Bitner at kbitner@arthritis.org.