About the grant

ACTRA is offering a limited number of travel grants for students to attend this year’s Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). Student travel grants are awarded to eligible students who apply and can demonstrate outstanding research efforts in the fields of toxicology, ecotoxicology, exposure science, new assessment methodologies and risk assessment. The travel grant consists of one free ASM registration (including dinner), economy return airfares, and accommodation for the duration of the ASM (to be organised by ACTRA), total value up to a maximum cost of $1,000 incl GST. The successful candidates must present their research in an oral presentation at the ACTRA ASM, held in Canberra on 29^th August or 30^th August 2024.

Who is eligible?

Current full-time or part-time undergraduate or postgraduate students conducting original research in the fields of toxicology, ecotoxicology, exposure science, new assessment methodologies and risk assessment are eligible to apply. A current student is taken to mean a student who is enrolled in a relevant full-time or part-time course at the time of application to the student travel grant or is a recent graduate from their degree at the time of application. A recent graduate is taken to mean the relevant degree was successfully conferred within 12 months of application to the student travel grant.

How to apply

• complete the student travel grant application
• provide a covering letter
• submit an abstract to present at the ASM

Nominations Process

All submissions will be objectively reviewed and assessed by a pre-selected panel of ACTRA members. All candidates will be notified whether their submission has been successful or not  by 31 May 2024

Assessment Criteria

All submissions will be objectively reviewed and assessed by a pre-selected panel of ACTRA members. They will be scored against assessment criteria. Cognisance will be given to:

• Formatting of submission (including adherence to word count; imaginative use of figures, references or tables etc.)
• Readability and being easy to follow
• Enthusiasm conveyed in your cover letter may also contribute to the final score

Cover letter

Provide the reason(s) you are requesting the ACTRA ASM travel grant and how you believe it will help you. Explain why you are interested in attending the conference (must be in pdf or word format). This should include:

• Justification for importance of the research and
• Innovativeness of the research and potential scientific impact.

Abstract Submission

Applicants must submit an abstract checking the box for ‘student grant application’ on the submission form. Please check the abstract guidelines here.

Successful Candidates

ACTRA ASM Conference Managers, in consultation with successful candidates who reside outside of Canberra/ACT will organise travel and accommodation for the student(s) to attend the ACTRA ASM. Successful candidates will be allocated a time to orally present their work at the ACTRA ASM. In addition to being presented with a certificate at the conference, the candidate’s success will be publicised in the ACTRA E-newsletter and on our LinkedIn homepage.

Unsuccessful Candidates

Abstracts submitted by unsuccessful candidates will be considered for the ASM program, however funding to attend will not be provided.