AHA Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher Conference Awards

Funding, writing and mentoring opportunity for postgraduate students and early career researchers

The Australian Historical Association is offering writing and financial support linked to the AHA annual conference for 3 postgraduates and 3 early career historians, including 2 Ken and Amirah Inglis Conference Grants. The scheme is intended to encourage and support emerging historians who would otherwise be unable to attend the conference. 

The AHA Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher Conference Awards are expected to be offered annually. The 2 Ken and Amirah Inglis Grants are funded by a donation from Seumas Spark and Jay Winter to the AHA Public Fund to honour the legacy of Ken and Amirah Inglis. The remaining Awards are funded by general donations to the AHA’s Public Fund. The Fund supports the creation, publication, dissemination and discussion of historical literature in Australia.

Applications for the 2024 round open in January and close 31 March 2024.  

Terms and Conditions

The scheme will cover the cost of recipients’ registration to attend the AHA annual conference, and provide $1000 towards travel, accommodation and other conference attendance costs. Recipients will also receive mentoring from experienced historians and participation in a workshop prior to the conference to assist with turning their conference paper into a submissible journal article or book chapter. 

The award will support up to 6 postgraduate and early career researcher scholars to participate in the conference, present papers within the overall conference program and gain access to follow-up mentoring which will be held during the conference. Recipients are required to: 

  • submit the abstract of their conference paper by the general abstract submission deadline; 
  • submit their draft conference paper/article to their mentor in May-June 2024, so that they have time to provide comments before the conference starts; 
  • participate in an online workshop scheduled prior to the AHA conference; 
  • meet with their allocated mentor prior to or during the week of the conference at a mutually convenient time; 
  • submit a revised article/book chapter to the journal or other appropriate venue agreed on by the recipient and their mentor by 30 November of the year of the award;
  • Forward a submission acknowledgement email to the AHA and advise the AHA if and when the article is accepted for publication. 

Eligibility

This support scheme is open to postgraduate students and early career researcher historians who have little or no institutional support to cover their attendance at the annual AHA conference. Early career researchers up to 5 years following the passing of their thesis (taking into account career breaks such as parental or carer leave) are eligible.

Australian citizens, permanent residents or applicants with a current and valid visa enrolled in an Australian University will be eligible.

Interested applicants who have already submitted abstracts to the conference and/or paid their registration can still apply – their registration will be refunded if successful. 

Applicants must be members of the AHA at the time of application.

Past recipients cannot reapply.

Current members of the AHA Executive Committee and AHA Public Fund Committee are ineligible to apply for this award.

Applications

Applications will provide details of the proposed conference paper and article topic, and demonstrate the applicant’s need for financial support.

Applicants should complete the  application form and send it as an email attachment to the AHA Administrative Officer at executive@theaha.org.au.

All applications will be acknowledged by email. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email. 

Selection Process

A panel of three judges will be appointed by the AHA. The AHA’s decision is final.

Previous Winners