The Committee on Racial Diversity (CORD) is a committee of the American Finance Association whose mission is to increase the racial diversity of the finance profession. We are striving to increase awareness of issues related to racial diversity, enhance career development for faculty and students, and expand the pipeline of students from under­represented racial groups.

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CORD Cornerstone Travel Grant

About the Grant
CORD is awarding a limited number of travel grants to doctoral students attending the 2027 AFA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Each grant is worth up to $1,000 and can go toward registration, travel, or hotel. Award recipients are expected to attend the CORD Luncheon Mentoring Panel on January 3, which will provide guidance and advice on how to be successful in the field.

Date: January 3–6, 2027
Award: Up to $1,000 per recipient
Deadline: Rolling, until November 1, 2026

Who We Encourage to Apply
Students whose backgrounds, experiences, or perspectives are underrepresented in academic finance including students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, first-generation college students, and students at institutions with limited access to academic finance networks.

Eligibility

• You’re working toward a Ph.D. in finance or a closely related field, such as economics or business economics.
• You plan to pursue a faculty position in finance after you graduate.
• You have a strong interest in a finance research career.
• Priority is given to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

How to Apply
Email the following to cord@afajof.org

• A brief letter of support from a faculty member or advisor at your institution.
• An updated copy of your CV.
• A short essay answering these three prompts:
  • Your current research interests and any relevant experience (maximum 200 words)
  • How attending the AFA conference would benefit you (maximum 200 words)
  • Other sources of funding you’re receiving for travel to the conference.

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