SERA 2026 Student and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Travel Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a SERA 2026 Travel Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a current financial member of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).
- Be the presenting author of an accepted conference presentation (oral presentation or poster).
- Complete all sections of the application form and provide any required supporting documentation.
- Have not previously received a SERA Travel Scholarship.
- Provide information on how the scholarship would assist them to participate in the conference.
- Apply under one of the following categories:
- Student who is also a presenter at the conference; or
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander attendee (not required to be a presenter).
About SER and SERA
The Society of Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) is the Australasian chapter of the global Society for Ecological Restoration (SER). Membership of SER automatically includes membership of SERA. Members gain access to a wide range of benefits, including:
- Discounted registration for SER global and regional conferences
- Access to scientific publications and resources
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Webinar recordings and conference presentation archives
- Networking opportunities with restoration practitioners, researchers and community leaders worldwide
SER offers individual, student, professional, retiree, organisational and lifetime membership options.
- To become an SER member, follow this link: https://www.ser.org/page/Membership
Student Presenter Eligibility
To qualify as a student presenter, applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled, or have been enrolled within the 12 months preceding the conference, in a recognised course of study.
- Be presenting an oral presentation or poster arising from their student research or project work.
- Be the first author and primary contributor to the work being presented.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eligibility
Applicants may apply under this category if they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- SERA recognises the important contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, knowledge systems, Caring for Country practices, and cultural leadership in ecological restoration and land management.
The Application Process
When submitting your application, you will need to provide the following information.
Motivation and Connection to SERA
Please outline (100 words or less):
- Why would you like to attend the SERA Conference?
- How does attending align with your studies, work, interests, community involvement, Caring for Country activities, or restoration goals?
- What conference sessions, themes, discussions or networking opportunities are you most interested in and why?
Benefit to You
Please outline (100 words or less):
- What do you hope to gain from attending the conference?
- How will attending support your personal, cultural, academic, professional, leadership, or community aspirations?
- Are there particular skills, knowledge, connections or experiences you hope to develop?
Benefit to Community, Country or Sector
Please outline (100 words or less):
- How will you share, apply or build upon what you learn from the conference?
- Who may benefit from your participation (for example, community members, colleagues, students, organisations, Traditional Owner groups or restoration practitioners)?
Access and Financial Support
SERA aims to support participation by reducing barriers to conference attendance. Please outline (50 words or less):
- What costs would this scholarship help cover (for example, travel, accommodation, registration or caring responsibilities)?
- How would this scholarship assist you in attending the conference?
- Are there any other circumstances or barriers that affect your ability to participate that you would like the Selection Committee to understand?
Estimated Travel and Accommodation Costs
Please provide an approximate total dollar amount of the travel and accommodation costs you are seeking support for.
- Conference registration is included as part of the scholarship and does not need to be included in this amount. Please provide your best estimate of the travel and accommodation costs you expect to incur in attending the SERA Conference. This figure does not need to be exact, but will help SERA understand the level of financial support required and determine how scholarship funds can be allocated across successful applicants.
Additional Information
Is there anything else you would like the Selection Committee to consider when assessing your application?
Supporting Documentation
Please note that applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation, such as:
- A short curriculum vitae (CV) or professional profile
- A letter of support from a supervisor, mentor, employer, community leader, Elders group, Traditional Owner organisation, or equivalent referee
SERA recognises that applicants may have diverse pathways and experiences, and alternative forms of support documentation may be considered where appropriate.
