The conference support grants support First Nations evaluators to participate in strengthening the knowledge base of the evaluation sector and to further develop their own capacities in evaluation with First Nations people and communities.

The grant covers conference registration, selected conference workshops, and may also contribute to travel and accommodation expenses. Due to increasing travel costs, up to approximately $4,500 AUD may be required to fully support one participant, with funding allocated based on individual circumstances and available program support.

Applications are welcomed from emerging Indigenous evaluators who are one of the following:

• Community-based evaluators with little, or no formal, or academic training
• Community leaders or other community members who have been involved in evaluation or participatory action research projects and have something to share, or who want to know more about evaluation
• Postgraduate students who wish to develop a career in evaluation
• Professionals who have recently started working in, or about to start working, in evaluation and wish to share their experience and gain further understanding and skills in a supportive conference environment.

Applications will be considered from emerging evaluators from the following groups:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia
• Māori living in Aotearoa / New Zealand
• Pacific Island peoples (including those living in Aotearoa / New Zealand)
• Native East Timorese people.

In general, applicants must demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, working in the area of ethically and methodologically sound, and culturally appropriate Indigenous evaluation, be either currently involved in evaluation activity or wish to be in the future and demonstrate an interest in strengthening their own evaluation capacity and contribute to the wider development of Indigenous people, organisations and communities. The AES particularly encourages emerging evaluators from rural, remote and isolated communities to apply. Application are assessed against a set of criteria which are set out on the Application page.

The applications are assessed by the Conference Support Grants selection panel which is comprised of First Nations AES members with experience in Indigenous evaluation, including past grants recipients. Membership on the panel is endorsed by the AES Board.

The AES Office provides some support and might be able to organise assistance in putting together your application.

You can submit your application via: online when the portal opens.

To start your application click on the 'Apply now' link – this will take you to the annual conference website where you will find all relevant information and the application form.

Yes, the application must be endorsed by two referees who have worked alongside or supervised the work of the applicant in the field of evaluation. Referees may also be supervising postgraduate student work in evaluation and can verify the benefits of their students attending the conference.