Conference Financial Support
We know that travel and attending conferences are a financial investment for individuals and families. We have compiled funding opportunities that may help offset costs of attending the Disorders of the Corpus Callosum Conference.
Scholarship Funds for Conference Registration
The NODCC has allocated two scholarship funds to help with cost of conference registration. The first fund is for adults living with a disorder of the corpus callosum and the other is for families in Texas and surrounding states. The scholarship will help cover the cost of one conference registration ($275). Preference will be given to applicants who have never attended conference (or if significant time has passed since attendance) and financial need.
To apply, complete the applications below:
Adults with Disorder of the Corpus Callosum Application
Texas Families (and surrounding states) Application
Funding from State Organizations/ Outside Sources
Click HERE, to view national and local opportunities that have been compiled and shared with us. The NODCC has not verified availability of program and funding – please explore listings as relevant. If you have other sources of funding to add to the list, please share with Jennifer at jlittle@nodcc.org.
Applying for Funding
Some organizations may not have a form to fill out or you might consider making special requests to local organizations and groups. In that case, you will need to write a letter or a personal statement to submit. Here are some suggested guidelines for what to include (with thanks to FamilyConnect.org for the model). This is just a guideline and can be adjusted and customized to fit your situation.
1. A summary statement: “I am asking for your financial assistance in providing travel and conference funding necessary so that I/my family may attend the 2022 Disorders of the Corpus Callosum Family Conference in Frisco, Texas, July 1-3, 2022.”
2. Introduce your child or adult and explain their condition: “My child, _____, is _____ months/years old and has Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum. This is a rare brain condition where he/she is missing the structural connection between the left and right halves of the brain. Common characteristics of disorders of the corpus callosum are intellectual disability, delayed or absent speech, behavior issues, symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, low muscle tone, motor delays, and epilepsy. There is currently no cure or treatment, but families and researchers are working hard to improve our knowledge of corpus callosum disorders. Details about the disorders can be found at nodcc.org
3. [If you wish, add a few details here about your child’s personality or the severity of the presentation of symptoms, need for information, etc..]”
4. A statement of the costs: How much will it cost (see #8, below, for the detailed budget, which you should probably work out before you write this section) and how much of the costs will you be able to come up with on your own.
5. A statement of your goals in attending the conference: “By attending the conference I hope to gain valuable information to enrich my family’s relationship with, and to provide the best possible support and care for, our child with a Disorder of the Corpus Callosum. The conference will also provide enormous family support as we make connections with other families affected by this very rare, and sometimes isolating, disorder.” [You might also indicate if your child has siblings who would be attending and if that would be a particular benefit.]
6. Goals of the conference: “The Disorders of the Corpus Callosum Conference will last three days. Goals of the conference are educating families on the corpus callosum disorders enroll in research and offer family support practices to help attendees improve the lives of their children and family. Researchers are on-site to meet with families and share the latest news on clinical trials and studies. Sessions include panels with experienced therapists, experts, and caregivers to help engage and educate attendees on best practices, successes, and challenges in caring for a child with this brain condition.
7. Include a link or a copy of the conference agenda.
8. A detailed budget: “Our plane tickets will cost $_____. Taxi fare from the airport (round trip) will be $_____.” Or, “We will be driving our accessible van ____ miles to the conference and back. Mileage expenses for the trip will be ______ . (use the IRS formula for medical transportation). You could also add any hotel stays and costs of meals that you will have in transit to the conference.