Workshop series
Program highlights
- The award has been established with the generous support of the Boden, Fenner, and Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference Funds.
- In the inaugural round, applicants may apply for any amount up to $40,000.
The Workshop Series supports researchers in Australia to run small specialist workshops that focus on current issues and advance Australian science and society.
The award has been established with the generous support of the Boden, Fenner, and Elizabeth and Frederick White Conference Funds.
Applications are welcomed from any field of the physical or biological sciences. Supported workshops will address one of three themes:
- Facilitating discussions among active research workers in rapidly advancing fields to explore current and emerging developments and challenges.
- Deepening fundamental understanding of the chosen subject area.
- Bringing together scientific, administrative and policy expertise to consider current problems in Australia, with the aim of informing relevant policy development.
In the inaugural round (taking applications in 2026 for events in 2027), applicants may apply for any amount up to $40,000.
The number and value of grants awarded will be at the discretion of the awards committee, subject to a total funding cap of $40,000. While grants of up to $40,000 may be awarded, the full amount will be considered only in special circumstances as deemed necessary. Applicants are encouraged to submit a realistic and justifiable budget that reflects their actual needs.
The organisers of approved workshops are responsible for planning and delivery, and the sponsoring scientific society or institution is responsible for the funding allocated to the event.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
Applications require a primary and secondary organiser. Both organisers must:
- be currently resident in Australia
- be employed as a faculty member at a recognised Australian research institute.
Workshops must:
- be held in Australia
- have the support of at least one scientific organisation or society
- be planned for the next calendar year
- use the Workshop Series logo (if awarded) on all related publications (websites, advertising, etc.).
Funding may be requested to cover:
- workshop hosting and logistical expenses, such as venue hire and catering
- participation support, including scholarships or international travel for speakers or participants
- production costs for advertising or post-event artefacts.
Funding may not be used for salary or staff costs, personal expenses, or any institutional expenses, including overheads, managerial and administrative costs.
If you are unsure about the eligibility of an expense, please contact the Awards team at awards@science.org.au.
Venue hire of the Shine Dome is complimentary for up to two days where requested, although it is not a requirement that events be held there.
Please note that AV equipment and technician, catering, and caretaking are not included in the complimentary Shine Dome venue hire.
Shortlisted applicants are requested to contact the Shine Dome Venue Coordinator for a quote as part of their application budgeting. At this stage, applicants should also check availability of proposed dates, and a tentative hold will be placed on these dates. Please note that this is not secured until the award is granted, but will increase the likelihood that the dates will still be available if awarded.
Workshop program applications are in two stages.
Organisers are invited to submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI), which should include:
- a short, non-technical description of the workshop
- full contact details of the primary and secondary organiser, plus names and institutions of other members of the organising committee
- a short proposal, giving an overview of the purpose of the workshop and briefly describing the broad program outline, participant list, and budget
- a statement clearly demonstrating how the proposed workshop aligns with one of the three award themes and its importance to Australian science.
The deadline for EOI submission is 1 June.
The awards committee will shortlist EOIs. In early July, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
Along with the EOI materials (which can be updated at this stage), full applications should include:
- a detailed program outline, including invited speakers
- a list of the names and institutions of projected active participants and their relevance
- a statement on how the diversity and inclusion of speakers and attendees will be actively considered and, where possible, achieved
- a statement outlining the expected outcomes and benefits of the workshop, and how the organising committee will ensure these outcomes are met
- a detailed project budget
- at least one letter of support from a supporting organisation or society.
The deadline for submission of full applications is 1 August.
All applicants will be informed of outcomes by mid-November.
Criterion | Description | EOI % score | Full % score |
Themes | Demonstrates clear alignment with one of the three themes of the award:
| 70% | 25% |
Participants | Brings together a diverse group with relevant expertise. Organisers present a clear plan for how the diversity and inclusion of participants will be actively considered and, where possible, achieved. | 10% | 25% |
Program and budget | Thoughtful program design that supports the workshop objectives. A realistic budget outline, including evidence of support (in-kind or cash) from one or more organisations or societies. | 10% | 25% |
Outcomes and benefits | Clearly defined objectives with tangible outcomes, such as publications, impacts on the broader research field, or policy impacts. There should be a clear plan for promoting these outputs.
A clear vision for how workshop participants will benefit in the short, medium and long term from attendance. | 10% | 25% |
- The organisers of approved workshops are responsible for the delivery of the workshop, and the sponsoring scientific society/ies are responsible for the funding allocated to the workshop.
- Funding will be paid out after organisers submit a detailed event program (e.g. with most speakers confirmed) and the program has been approved by the awards committee.
- Organisers must acknowledge the support of the Australian Academy of Science and the Workshop Series in promotional materials and in the course of the event. The Workshop Series and Academy logos will be provided for use on promotion and workshop material.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research, severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
Organisers are required to submit an internal report within three months of the conclusion of the workshop. Any publication or media release resulting from the workshop funded by this program must mention the support granted to the project by the Australian Academy of Science and the Workshop Series program.
Expressions of Interest 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.
- While there is no formal limit on the number of attendees, events should be small enough that all participants can contribute to the issue under discussion. The Academy recommends participant lists of no more than 50 people.
- Workshops without proceedings are eligible, as long as organisers can show other tangible outcomes, such as impacts on the research field, and show they have a plan to encourage or promote these outcomes.