Graduate Conference Assistance Scheme

To qualify as a conference or workshop, the following criteria must be met:

• Event should follow a conference format, eg, the presentation of a series of papers with opportunity for questions
• Conferences or workshops should be held for one full day or longer

To qualify for the grant, the following criteria must be met:

• A significant proportion (at least 50%) of the papers to be presented at the conference should be written by graduate students
• The conference/workshop should enhance the academic life and experience of graduates in the Faculty of Arts
• Conferences or workshops must have graduate participants from other universities and/or institutions (Victorian, interstate or international)
• Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate research students at The University of Melbourne. Events must be held no more than 12 months from the time the grant is awarded

Applications that meet any or all of the following criteria will be favourably viewed by the Selection Committee:

• A multi- and/or inter-disciplinary focus
• A multicultural approach
• No charge to participants
• Financial support from other sources at the University (eg, UMPA, SGR)
• Financial support from external sources
• Support from, association with, or promotion assistance from a State or National Association or group.

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the following conditions before lodging an application:

• Preference will be given to conferences or workshops that aim to attract interstate and/or international participants
• Should any significant details of the event change (ie substantial reduction or increase in expenditure or income, change of venue, shortening of program) after the application has been approved by Faculty, Research and Graduate Studies must be notified immediately. After notification, Faculty may review funding if changes have been made. Faculty will certainly review funding if changes have been made and applicants fail to formally notify Faculty of such
• Written acknowledgement of the Faculty's contribution and the Faculty logo must be included on any printed marketing or promotional material associated with the event
• A financial contribution from the applicant's school must be confirmed and indicated
• A report must be submitted by 1 March of the year following the event

Funding will only be made available to successful applicants through their schools's nominated account. Access to this funding should be discussed with the School Manager or Finance Officer. Compliance with the University's financial policies and procedures is mandatory. Applicants should Financial Policies and Procedures

This scheme has two application rounds per academic year. Applications close on 28 February for conferences from March to August and 29 August for conferences from September to February.

Applications must include the following (see the Application Form for further details):

• A statement of the activity objectives, proposed format and content (including details of invited speakers and prospective participants)
• A detailed budget. Download the Budget Proforma
• Completed Application Form
• A Marketing and Promotion plan (including timetable for release of information, sample of announcements or fliers, details of locations or web sites that the promotional campaign will be targeting)
• Written evidence of support from the Head of School endorsing the activity on the basis of its relevance/significance and benefit to the graduate scholarly community and confirming a financial contribution from the School