Alumni Conference Funding
The purpose of the Conference Funding is to support in-Australia conference participation to enhance the opportunity for professional linkages with Australians and Australian organisations. There will be three conference funding packages available for AAS alumni and three available for AAPS alumni.
The Conference Funding is also intended to facilitate the strengthening of linkages between Vanuatu and Australia and to facilitate regional pacific linkages.
The objectives of the Conference Funding are:
- to provide alumni with opportunities to enhance and capitalise on their knowledge and skills to improve practice in their professional fields and communities;
- to develop, maintain and strengthen professional linkages and partnerships between alumni and the Australian government, and Australian businesses, organisations and educational institutions;
- to connect alumni to each other across disciplines and professions, organisations and institutions, and geographic areas in order to share good practice and create opportunities for collaboration
- to develop a network of alumni who view Australia’s capabilities and credentials in a positive light; and to develop a network of alumni who view Australia’s capabilities and credentials in a positive light; and
- to showcase Australia’s excellence as a global provider of high-quality education and research The Conference Funding is administered by AAV in accordance with the Funding Guidelines.
The Guidelines may be subject to adjustment from time to time depending on funding allocations and program priorities.
Who is eligibile?
Conference Funding is open to all Vanuatu nationals who have graduated from Australia Awards Vanuatu programs (Australia Awards Scholarships and Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships) and its predecessor programs including (but not limited to) Australian Development Scholarships and Colombo Plan Scholarships.
Applicants must be working at least 2 years before being eligible to apply for this conference funding. Applicants may be required to provide a copy of their testamur, statement of graduation or other documentary evidence to prove their eligibility.
How to apply?
Conference Funding is offered once a year. AAV advertises application rounds through the AAV closed Facebook page and direct emails to alumni in order to attract a range of applicants from across the alumni network. Applicants must carefully read the Conference Funding Guidelines and complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) application form that can be found here.
The application round will last for three weeks and applications will be submitted via email. Applications must be received by midnight (Vanuatu Standard Time) on the advertised closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.
Alumni will be provided with some suggested conferences they may wish to consider but they may also nominate a conference found through their own research. Applications may be deemed ineligible if they are incomplete, do not include the requested documentation, or do not address the selection criteria. Unsuccessful applicants and previous recipients are welcome to submit applications in subsequent application rounds.
Conference Funding application information must include:
- Conference details
- Justification for attendance
- Contributions to industry and/or community after attending
- Anticipated networking, professional growth, or research collaboration opportunities
- Expected outcomes
- Impact on organisation or industry
Applications must be submitted in English.
Criteria for selection
The selection of conference funding recipients is assessed against the following criteria:
- The applicant demonstrates a strong alignment with academic/professional background, and well-defined benefits for personal and community growth.
- The applicant provides complete details: full name, contact, year of graduation, degree, and current role/industry. Strong professional context.
- The applicant provides a strong justification of its relevance to field of study or career.
- Provides a compelling case for attending, with well-articulated benefits in terms of knowledge, skills, industry contributions, and networking.
- The applicant fully adheres to format, meets the deadline, and includes all required documents (CV, references, endorsements, if needed).
- The application is well-written and logically structured.
- The applicant must be working for 2+ years after returning from an Australia Awards Scholarship or an Australia Awards Pacific Scholarship.
What is the selection process?
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| AAV screens all applications received before the deadline to ensure that applications are complete and all requisite supporting documentation has been provided. Complete applications are deemed eligible for funding. | |
| Stage 2 | AAV assesses all eligible applications. The eligible applications are scored by the AAV Consultant and reviewed by the AAV Alumni Committee for endorsement. Eligible applications scored against the Selection Criteria and receiving a total score of 22 or higher are recommended for possible funding. AAV will conduct due diligence on recommended applications. |
| Stage 3 | AAV forwards recommended applications to the Australian High Commission in Vanuatu for final selection and approval. A list of ineligible candidates should also be submitted for DFAT’s awareness. |
| Stage 4 | AAV advises all applicants (successful and unsuccessful) of the outcome of their application in writing (by email). Applicants will normally be advised six weeks from the closing date for applications. |
| Stage 5 | AAV profiles recipients awarded on the AAV website and social media platforms. |
For more information, please read the Conference Funding Guidelines and complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) application form that can be found here.