Sponsorship for International Delegates

Soil Science Australia is pleased to invite applications for a limited number of sponsorships to support delegates from developing countries to attend the upcoming Soil Science Australia Conference in Perth, Western Australia.


This initiative aims to increase participation from researchers, practitioners, extension specialists, students, policymakers, and professionals working in soil science, sustainable agriculture, land management, environmental conservation, and related fields.

The sponsorship program is proudly supported by the Global Initiative of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment (GISAE).

Purpose of the Sponsorship

The sponsorship seeks to:

  • Enhance international participation, mentorship and knowledge exchange.
  • Support professionals and emerging leaders from developing countries.
  • Foster collaboration on global soil health, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and environmental management.
  • Provide opportunities for recipients to build professional networks with the international soil science community.


Sponsorship Inclusions

Successful applicants will receive sponsorship covering:

  • Full conference registration fee. (Including conference dinner and field trip)*
  • 1 year membership to Soil Science Australia

* For those applicants who have already registered before the sponsorship is announced, a reimbursement will be issued


Sponsorship Exclusions (Costs Not Covered)

  • Airfares and other travel costs
  • Accommodation  
  • Visa and passport fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not included in the conference program
  • Other personal expenses


Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be currently residing in a developing country.
  • Be actively involved in soil science, agriculture, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrate how attendance at the conference will contribute to their professional development and benefit their institution, community, or country.
  • Be able to travel to Australia and meet all applicable visa requirements.


Preference may be given to:

  • Early-career researchers and professionals.
  • Applicants presenting an abstract at the conference.
  • Applicants from countries with limited opportunities for international scientific engagement.
  • Individuals whose work aligns with sustainable agriculture, soil health, climate adaptation, land restoration, and environmental sustainability.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

  1. Professional and Academic Merit
  2. Relevant experience, achievements, and contributions in soil science or related disciplines.
  3. Potential Impact
  4. Expected benefits of conference participation for the applicant, their organization, and their broader community.
  5. Alignment with Conference Themes
  6. Relevance of the applicant's work to soil science, sustainable land management, agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
  7. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building
  8. Demonstrated commitment to sharing knowledge and applying lessons learned following the conference.
  9. Geographical and Gender Diversity
  10. Consideration will be given to achieving a diverse and inclusive cohort of sponsored delegates.
Selection Criteria and Assessment Framework

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

  1. A completed application form.
  2. A statement of interest (maximum 500 words) describing:
  3. Current role and professional activities.
  4. Reasons for attending the conference.
  5. How participation will benefit their work and community.
  6. Plans for sharing knowledge gained from the conference.
  7. Reasons why financial support is needed to enable attendance, and an outline of any alternate funding that is available
  8. A letter of support from their employer, institution, or supervisor.

How to Apply

Please apply with the following link:

Applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt following submission.

Apply now
Important Dates

●       Application Deadline: 20th August

●       Notification of Outcomes: 27th August

●       Conference Dates: 1–5 November 2026

Late applications will not be considered.

Terms and Conditions

  1. Sponsorship awards are subject to the availability of funding.
  2. Successful applicants must register individual details to attend the conference in full.
  3. Sponsorship funds are not transferable to another individual.
  4. Sponsorship does not cover flights, accommodation or other expenses not listed.
  5. Recipients are responsible for obtaining any required passports, visas, travel insurance, and health documentation.
  6. Failure to attend the conference without reasonable justification may result in withdrawal of support.
  7. Sponsored delegates may be asked to participate in conference networking activities and provide a short post-conference report outlining key learnings and outcomes.
  8. Conference organisers reserve the right to amend sponsorship arrangements if circumstances require.
  9. The selection panel's decisions are final and no correspondence regarding outcomes will be guaranteed.


Further Information

For questions regarding the sponsorship program, please contact:

Dr Gigi Woods

Monash University

Email: gigi.woods@monash.edu

The Soil Science Australia Conference and the Global Initiative of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment (GISAE) are committed to supporting inclusive participation and strengthening global collaboration to advance soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental resilience.