SFRA 2022
Futures from the Margins
27 June – 1 July, 2022
Travel Information
Getting to Oslo
Oslo is the capital city of Norway, located in the south-east of the country by the beautiful Oslo-fjord. The city is well connected through Oslo Gardermoen International Airport (airport code OSL) which has multiple daily flights to most major European cities (Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, Istanbul, Warszawa, etc.) as well as weekly flights to New York, Dubai and Doha. It is also possible to get to Oslo by train from Stockholm (operated by SJ), Gothenburg (Operated by Vy) and Copenhagen (Requires changing trains in Malmö or Gothenburg).
Oslo Airport is located outside the city and is well connected to the city center via a high-speed Airport Express Train that takes 20 minutes to Oslo Central Station in the city center and departs every 10 minutes. It is also possible to take a slower, albeit cheaper commuter train operated by Vy to Oslo Central Station. From Oslo Central Station it is easy to get around the city by metro, tram, bus, walking or a taxi.
Conference Venue
SFRA 2022 will be hosted at the University of Oslo in the Vilhelm Bjerknes’ House. The UiO Campus is well connected by Tram and Metro to the rest of the city, and is approximately 10-15 minutes from the city center via public transit. The campus has two metro-stations that are serviced by the three metro lines (#4, #5, #5R) and one tram station serviced by two tram lines (#17, #18).
Getting to UiO – University of Oslo
Currency and Norwegian Prices
The currency in Norway is Norwegian Kroner (abbreviated NOK or kr.) All restaurants, stores and kiosks accept Visa/Mastercard, however many places don’t accept cash. Norway has a (rightful) reputation as an expensive place, and Oslo even more so. However it doesn’t have to be. Check out: How to Visit Oslo on a Budget (Yes, It’s Possible!)
Accommodation
Because the SFRA 2022 will take place on the UiO Campus in the Blindern Area of Oslo there is no conference hotel. As the UiO campus is well connected via Oslo’s public transit system there are many accommodation choices in Oslo. Some recommended affordable hotels that are well connected to campus: Ankerhotel, Hotel Bondeheimen, Thon Hotel Gyldenløve, Oslo – Citybox, Comfort Hotel Karl Johan. Hotels in Oslo typically cost around 90-150 euro per night and include breakfast.
Transit: Getting Around Oslo
Oslo has an advanced and extensive public transport system with trams, trains, subways, boats and busses, and a well-developed cycling infrastructure making it easy to get around the city.
- Ruter is the municipal transport system operating all public transit in Oslo. They have an app where you can buy tickets and find your travel route. We recommend buying a 7-day ticket as single tickets get very expensive.
- Oslo City Bike (oslobysykkel.no) provides bikes for rent placed at stations throughout the city. Great way of getting to know the city in an environmentally friendly and fun way.
- Scooters – Oslo is serviced by three scooter companies: Voi, Bolt, and Tier.
COVID-19 and Travel to Norway
Norway has removed all COVID-19 restrictions and there is no requirements for proof of vaccination nor negative PCR test for entry into the country. Facemasks and social distancing are not required. For updated information about COVID-19 and travel to Norway see:
National recommendations and rules – regjeringen.no
Coronavirus in Norway: Travel advice – helsenorge.no
Questions and answers about the coronavirus situation in Norway – regjeringen.no
Overview
The Executive Committee of the Science Fiction Research Association invites travel grant proposals to attend and present at the annual conference of the Science Fiction Research Association. Maximum awards of $500 may be given. (In the past the SFRA has considered distance traveled primarily in terms of domestic vs. international travel. Starting with travel awards for the 2019 conference, the geographic criterion has been based on the estimated cost of travel, as one factor among many.)
While you do not need to be a current member of the organization to apply for this grant, please remember that you must be a member of SFRA to present at the conference. Grant checks will be presented to awardees during the conference funded by the grant.
Deadline for this year's grants: March 31st (notifications of awards will be sent around April 30th)
Please organize your proposal as follows:
- A cover page that gives the name of the applicant (please do not identify yourself or your institution in the rest of the proposal), mailing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, distance from the conference; please note your willingness to accept partial funding. Submit your cover page as a separate document from the remainder of your proposal.
- The abstract for your paper (as submitted to the conference director).
- A grant proposal of no more than 300 words in which you explain:
- the financial difficulty you face in attempting to attend the annual SFRA conference and
- the professional growth you intend to receive by attending the conference.
- A realistic, detailed budget for your conference attendance. Be sure to list alternative funding resources you have already applied for and/or received money from.
Criteria for Selection
You may find the following criteria useful in preparing your proposal. The Executive Committee will use these to conduct reviews of all proposals.
- Need: The proposal demonstrates a significant need.
- Distance: The proposal demonstrates that the applicant will have to travel far distances to attend the conference.
- Contribution: The project being presented makes an original contribution to scholarship in the field.
- Professional Growth: The proposal articulates clear objectives for professional growth.
- Cost: Budget expenditures are reasonable and the applicant has also sought funding elsewhere.
- Dollars Available: The organization will attempt to award as many travel grants as possible while remaining fiscally responsible.
Restrictions
No individual or organization may submit more than one proposal for SFRA funding per calendar year (conference travel, research travel, or other grants); this does not prohibit an individual applying for conference travel funding from preparing a small grant application on behalf of a collective to which he or she belongs. The first consideration will go to those who have not received an award in the last three years.
Expectations of Award Recipients
Grant recipients will be expected to do the following:
- Present at the SFRA Conference they are being funded to attend.
- Submit a final written report of 1 to 2 pages to the secretary of the SFRA Executive Committee by September 30 of the calendar year in which they attend and present at the SFRA conference.
Questions should be directed to SFRA Secretary Sarah Lohmann.
Proposals should be submitted to the same, as Rich Text File or Portable Document Format attachments.