The Australian Historical Association offers financial support linked to the AHA annual conference for up to 6 postgraduates and early career historians, including two 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 two 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.
Important Dates
Applications open: 1 January 2026
Applications close: 31 March 2026
The successful applicants will be announced in mid-2026, before the AHA conference.
Terms and Conditions
The recipients of the 2026 AHA Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher Conference Awards will be awarded a one-time payment of $1000, to be used to support their in-person attendance at the 2026 AHA conference. Recipients may choose how to spend this funding to best support their attendance (e.g., putting towards conference registration fee, flights, accommodation, etc).
Applicants will be required to explain their lack of institutional support as part of their application.
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.
Postgraduate students must be enrolled in a higher degree (PhD) at an Australian university.
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.
Applicants must be current financial members of the AHA at the time of application.
Current members of the AHA Executive Committee and AHA Public Fund Committee are ineligible to apply for this award.
Past recipients cannot reapply.
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.
Applications
Applicants must complete the application form.
Completed applications should be sent to the AHA Executive Officer by the application deadline.
Judging
A panel of three judges will be appointed by the AHA.
No feedback will be given on applications. Judges’ decisions are final.