The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from Australia's early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) to access participation support grants valued at up to $5,000 each, funded by the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) or TMIA.
The Participation Support Grants are designed to remove practical barriers that might otherwise prevent an eligible EMCR from participating in a conference, workshop, symposium, training activity, or other professional development opportunities.
The grants recognises that additional costs associated with caring responsibilities, accessibility requirements, mobility support, or other participation barriers can limit equitable access to professional opportunities.
Funding is intended to support participation that would otherwise be difficult or not possible without additional assistance.
*As Participation Support is intended to provide equitable access rather than merit-based funding, eligible applications will be selected using a computer-generated random selection process where demand exceeds available funding.
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
To be eligible to receive a Participation Support Grant:
*Researchers who are more than 15 years post-award of their first PhD and have experienced a career interruption may be eligible to apply.
To be considered an eligible career interruption, the period must be:
Periods in non-active research roles, or periods where research activity has been reduced or paused as part of normal employment arrangements, are not considered eligible career interruptions and should not be claimed as such.
Where an applicant has experienced an eligible career interruption, the period of interruption may be taken into account when assessing eligibility. Eligible career interruptions will be considered based on the total duration of the interruption, provided the criteria outlined above have been met.
Applicants must be employed by an eligible Australian research organisation on an ongoing basis. Eligible organisations include:
*For this program, employed on an ongoing basis means the Project Lead has a current appointment with their organisation that is expected to continue for the duration of the project. Fixed-term appointments are eligible, where they meet these requirements. Honorary or adjunct positions are not eligible.
Applications are welcome from EMCRs in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The terms of the award are outlined below, and acceptance of these conditions is required at the time of application submission.
Reasonable risk prevention steps: Awardees must notify the Academy as soon as possible if there is a change in circumstances that will prevent them from attending or participating in the approved event or activity. Awardees must take reasonable steps to minimise financial loss arising from cancelled or changed arrangements, including seeking refunds, credits or alternative arrangements where available. Any unspent funds, or pre-paid funds that can no longer be used for the approved activity, must be returned to the Academy.
Further information can be found in the Participation Support Eligible and Ineligible Expenses Fact Sheet.
Further information can be found in the Participation Support Eligible and Ineligible Expenses Fact Sheet.
Applications must be submitted via the Academy’s Good Grants online portal. Applications must be completed in full and include the following attachments as supporting evidence:
Applicants should ensure all budget requests represent reasonable costs and demonstrate value for money.
Applications will be assessed for eligibility by the Academy.
Eligible applications will be selected by a computerised-generated random draw, taking into account available funding and the amount of funding requested.
Successful applicants will be required to submit a report one month after attending the event or activity, or by the reporting due date specified in the funding agreement, whichever occurs first. The Academy will provide a reporting template to successful applicants.
Any unspent funds must be returned to the Academy, and the Academy must be notified immediately once unspent funds have been identified.
It is a requirement that any publication or media release resulting from the activities funded by this program duly acknowledges the support of the Australian Academy of Science and the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia).
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
The Participation Support Grant is intended to reduce practical barriers that might otherwise prevent an eligible EMCR from attending or participating in a conference, symposium, workshop, training activity, professional development opportunity or similar activity relevant to their field.
The grant supports participation that would otherwise be difficult or not possible without additional assistance.
Participation Support Grants are not a merit-based grant stream.
Applications are assessed for eligibility, and if the total amount requested by eligible applications exceeds the funding available, grantees are selected through a random, computer-generated selection process.
No. If the total amount requested by eligible applications exceeds the funding available, grantees are selected through a random, computer-generated selection process.
You may apply for support to attend a STEM conference, symposium, workshop, training activity, professional development opportunity, or similar event relevant to your field.
You must explain the barrier or limitation that would prevent or hinder your participation and clearly articulate how the funding would help remove or reduce that barrier.
Applicants may request up to $5,000, subject to the approved program guidelines and eligible expense limits.
The main funding caps are:
The local transport cap does not apply to additional transport costs associated with accessibility needs.
No. Applicants are not eligible if they have received a Participation Support Grant within the 12 months prior to the application date.
You must provide documentation confirming the event or activity, your CV, and evidence supporting any requested budget items, such as quotes or screenshots.
Further information can be found in the Participation Support Eligible and Ineligible Expenses Fact Sheet on the Template and supporting documentation tab.
Please read the Participation Support Eligible and Ineligible Expenses Fact Sheet on the Template and supporting documentation tab.
The fact sheet contains detailed information on eligible expenses, funding limits, supporting evidence requirements, and examples.
Successful applicants must enter into a Participation Agreement before funds are released.
The Academy will reimburse the cost of attending the approved conference or event after receiving the required expense documentation, up to the approved amount.
Awardees must notify the Academy as soon as possible if there is a change in circumstances that will prevent them from attending or participating in the approved event or activity.
Awardees must take reasonable steps to minimise financial loss from cancelled or changed arrangements, including seeking refunds, credits or alternative arrangements where available. Any unspent funds, or pre-paid funds that can no longer be used for the approved activity, must be returned to the Academy.
Read more about the TMIA program and past activities on the related TMIA project page.
The Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) program is supported by the Royal Society.
