Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) and Guild Insurance are excited to introduce the Conference Support Fund, a financial assistance program for the SPA 2024 Conference.
This initiative is tailored to support members to enjoy the enriching professional development opportunities within the speech pathology community provided at Conference.
Conference attendance not only fosters professional growth but also encourages community building, idea exchange, learning, and leadership development within the profession. The conference and the profession benefits greatly from the diverse perspectives and experiences of its participants.
The support fund will cover the costs of air travel to and from the SPA conference, the cost of accommodation for three nights while the conference is being held, and the cost of one full registration to the conference.
Eligibility requirements
All Speech Pathology Australia members are encouraged to apply.
Distribution of funds
There will be up to 10 funds provided to successful applications.
These may include:
- 5 rural and remote recipients
- 1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fund
- 2 early career recipients
- 2 first time attendees
What is regional or remote?
Regional: In or within 15km of a town with population between 15,000 to 50, 000 population
Rural: In or within 15km of a town with population between 5,000 to 15,000 population
Remote: Remoteness measures are calculated using Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+) scores. A ARIA+ score greater than 5.92 or Remoteness Area Category 3 or greater is considered remote or very remote.
The following tool will be used to determine remoteness:
Change in the ASGS Remoteness Classification
Reference: Remoteness Areas | Australian Bureau of Statistics
How to apply
Register your email to receive a dedicated link the support fund portal.
For further information, please contact the SPA Conference and Events Team at [email protected]
Evaluation of applications
Support funds are awarded to members who demonstrate exceptional promise for contributing to the advancement of speech pathology. Each application will undergo an evaluation process to ensure a fair and merit-based selection.
Applications will be evaluated based on the merit and quality of the submission, considering:
- personal potential for contributing to the development of speech pathology
- strength of proposed initiatives and activities upon returning from conference, and their potential impact in their place of work and/or community.
- regional needs and potential for speech pathology development.
More information
Fund recipients will be required to submit a brief 500 word written report on their activities during the 2024 Conference and how they have used the experience after the conference no later than one month after the conference.
Support fund recipients may be asked to be available to assist with being media articles/releases and public announcements related to the support fund. SPA will work with recipients on promotional materials at the time of final report or publication.
SPA will arrange the recipient's flight and accommodation and registration, following the Association's travel and accommodation policy.
Applicants are responsible for any other expenses associated with the support.
Applicants should read the Terms and Conditions. In submitting an application, applicants agree to these terms.
Successful applicants will be advised of the outcome no later than 4-weeks prior to conference.
Key dates
Support fund applications open Monday 4 March 2024
Support fund applications close Thursday 11 April 2024
Application notifications 19 April 2024