Fee waivers are provided to individuals on the program who are either 1) scholars studying at an institution in the developing world, or 2) not political scientists and have not attended the conference in the past. This second category includes people from other disciplines (e.g., history or economics) or people who are practitioners (e.g., judges and reporters). Fee waivers are provided on a first-come basis. The application deadline for the Fee Waiver Scholarship is December 15.  The application period for the 2013 MPSA Conference is now closed.

This scholarship, initiated by the Policy Studies Organization, provides $500 in travel assistance for MPSA student members to attend the MPSA Annual Conference. The scholarship is named in honor of Harrell Rodgers, who has served MPSA for many years.  The number of scholarships varies in any given year.  Recipients are selected by the Harrell Rodgers Scholarship Committee. The application deadline is December 15. The deadline has passed for this year.

Assistance to help defray half the cost (up to $250 of support) for childcare during the MPSA Annual Conference is offered to attendees who are current members of the MPSA (with an annual income below $75,000) and who are staying at the Palmer House or Hilton Chicago. The application deadline is March 15.

• Application form

One company that the Palmer House has referred guests to for years is American Child Care. The rates for a family are $21 per hour with a four-hour minimum and a $25 agency fee. They accept reservations online and caution that reservations for childcare during the day should be made at least two weeks in advance. Information about their staff and security norms are on their website.