The Australian Academy of Science diversity and inclusion grants are designed to allow everyone the opportunity to attend Science at the Shine Dome 2025.

The Carer and Accessibility Assistant grant is available to support delegates that require assistance to engage fully in the event. Funding can be used to pay for various expenses for carers, parents or those who require accessibility assistance to enhance their participation in the event. 

Funding is also available for delegates with caring responsibilities at home, such as primary caregivers, and those caring for family members with disabilities, mental illnesses, chronic conditions, or who are elderly or vulnerable. 

Successful applications may receive an offer of funding or support services from the Academy towards these expenses to engage in the event. 

Please note: 

• The Ian Wark Theatre is equipped with an infrared hearing loop. For those requiring this hearing assistance, a device can be obtained at the event from the Information Desk.
• The Shine Dome has allocated and reserved disability parking. Please contact us at events@science.org.au to discuss any special parking requirements.

Applications will be eligibility checked, and where eligible, approval will be advised within a fortnight of submission or by 5.00pm AEST Monday 25 August - whichever is sooner. Where applications are successful, funding will be released within two weeks of approval. 

The Academy will endeavour to support as many applications as possible, and will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Once the available grant funding is exhausted, the application portal will automatically close and any incomplete or unsubmitted applications will not be accepted.

To be considered an eligible application, applicants must:

• Be registered to attend Science at the Shine Dome 2025;
• Be able to outline the need for additional support to attend the event;
• Provide supporting documentation for the requested funding amounts, such as screenshots of travel costs for a dependant family member, a quote or an email confirming the cost of a required professional service.

Eligible expenses

This grant provides funding to cover a range of eligible expenses for registered attendees, including:

• Family style accommodation in Canberra to accommodate a dependant or informal carer;
• Travel costs* for one accompanying support person or informal carer to support the participant;
• Travel costs* for a dependant for whom the participant is the primary caregiver;
• Professional services that enable the attendee to participate, such as an AUSLAN interpreter, specialised transport, a support worker; and/or
• Other caring and accessibility costs, as approved by the Academy on a case-by-case basis.

* Airfare for return domestic economy class flights, to Canberra. 

Ineligible expenses

The following expenses and costs are not eligible and will NOT be covered:

• Travel costs for Science at the Shine Dome 2025 attendee (unless otherwise specified);
• Event registration fees;
• Food, medical and other personal expenses; and/or
• Any other expenses not related to event participation. 

Terms of the grant are below, and acceptance is required at time of application submission:  

• Funding can only be used to cover eligible expenses as approved in the application;  
• Successful applicants must notify the Academy immediately if there is a change in circumstances that will prevent them from attending and/or engaging in the event;  
• Wherever possible, steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of loss of funds through cancelled arrangements and any unspent funds must be returned to the Academy;
• Unless otherwise approved by the Academy, a limit of one (1) accompanying carer is permitted, per application; and
• Successful applicants are asked to complete a survey after the event to provide feedback on the suitability of the grants.  

If an application for a Carer and Accessibility Assistance grant is declined for any reason, including ineligibility, any pre-paid registration fees to attend Science at the Shine Dome 2025 can be fully refunded by written request to events@science.org.au. 

If you have any queries before submitting your application, please email events@science.org.au. 

Please proceed to the next page to enter your application information. 

By submitting this application you accept the following terms:  

• Funding can only be used to cover eligible expenses as approved in the application.  
• Successful applicants must notify the Academy immediately if there is a change in circumstances that will prevent them from attending and/or engaging in the event.  
• Wherever possible, steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of loss of funds through cancelled arrangements and any unspent funds must be returned to the Academy.
• Unless otherwise approved by the Academy, a limit of one (1) accompanying carer is permitted, per application.
• Successful applicants are asked to complete a survey after the event to provide feedback on the suitability of the grants.  

Please click 'submit' to submit your application.