HERDSA Annual Conference 2026

Click the link for the preview of the 2026 Conference.  https://conference.herdsa.org.au/2026/
National University of Singapore

Join us from 6–9 July 2026 as the Annual HERDSA Conference heads to Singapore – our first journey beyond Australian shores in over five years!

We’re thrilled to announce that the 2026 conference will be jointly organised by six Singapore Institutes of Higher Learning and two Australian universities with campuses in Singapore. The conference will be hosted at the stunning University Town, National University of Singapore – a dynamic space where ideas flourish, innovations emerge and community thrives. 

In a time when higher education is evolving faster than ever, this year’s theme – Re-envisioning Higher Education for Tomorrow’s Learners – invites educators, leaders, and policymakers to come together to explore, question, and reimagine the future of learning. Through critical reflection on current teaching practices and bold exploration of innovative pedagogies, we’ll shape a path forward that meets the needs of a rapidly changing world.  Please see below for the Scholarships and Conference Grants and Prizes on offer.

HERDSA 2026 Scholarships

In addition to the HERDSA Conference Grants, we are pleased to inform you that HERDSA 2026 Scholarships will be available to support your educational journey. These scholarships are designed to recognise academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. For more information about the scholarships and how to apply, please see the details below. HERDSA 2026 Scholarships (10 Scholarships available) Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2026. Up to ten scholarships available to support an under-graduate, post-graduate student and early career staff (academic and professional) in learning and teaching from the ASEAN region, excluding Singapore to attend and participate in the HERDSA conference. The scholarships can be used to support registration, travel, accommodation of the successful applicant.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• residues in the ASEAN region, excluding Singapore. ASEAN refers to the countries that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• can demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. geographical location or other personal circumstances)
• are able to attend the full conference
• have a submitted and accepted conference presentation (abstract) based on their research or project
• are the sole author of the presentation (if joint, indicate percentage contribution) and will lead the presentation at the conference
• have had limited, or no, opportunities to attend similar conferences
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).
   

Applicants must also submit a supporting letter from the applicant’s research supervisor, including a statement indicating that the applicant complies with the criteria.

To apply, complete the HERDSA 2026 Scholarships Application Form (to be provided shortly) and email to (TBC)  by the due date, 8 April 2026 

Notifications of accepted conference presentation abstracts will be sent to authors from 10 April 2026.

Applicants for the HERDSA 2026 Scholarships will be notified by late April 2026 regarding the outcome of their application, following review by the HERDSA Organising Committee.
 

Conference Grants

HERDSA is able to offer a number of conference grants to support delegates to attend the conference.  The call for applications will be made around the time that submissions close.  The deadline for applications will be advised shortly. Having a presentation accepted for the conference is one of the criteria for being awarded a grant.

HERDSA Student Conference Grant (Up to 6 grants of  $1500 each)

Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2026

Up to six conference grants of  AUD$1,500 each are available to support an under-graduate or post-graduate student to attend and participate in the HERDSA conference. The conference grant can be used to support travel, accommodation or subsistence of the successful applicant.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• can demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. geographical location or other personal circumstances)
• are able to attend the full conference
• have an accepted conference presentation based on their research or project 
• are the sole author of the presentation (if joint, indicate percentage contribution) and will lead the presentation at the conference
• are willing to make a contribution to HERDSA Connect if asked
• have had limited, or no, opportunities to attend similar conferences
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).

To apply, complete the HERDSA Student Conference Grant Application Form and email to Office@herdsa.org.au by the due date.

Applicants must also submit a supporting letter from the applicant’s research supervisor, including a statement indicating that the applicant complies with the criteria.

HERDSA Early Career Conference Grant (Ten grants up to $1500 each)

Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2026

HERDSA aims to support early career staff (academic and professional) in teaching and learning. Participating in the annual HERDSA conference is an opportunity for early career staff to present their research or practice in teaching and learning in higher education, network with experienced scholars, and learn from colleagues.

Early career is defined as not more than five years cumulative experience in higher education.

Up to ten conference grants of AUD$1,500 each are available to support early career staff (academic or professional) to attend and participate in the HERDSA conference. The conference grant can be used to support travel, accommodation or subsistence of the successful applicant.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• can demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. geographical location or other personal circumstances)
• will attend and participate in the full conference
• have an accepted conference presentation based on their research or practice
• are the sole author of the presentation (if joint, indicate percentage contribution) and will lead the presentation at the conference
• are willing to write a contribution to HERDSA Connect 
• have had limited or no opportunities to attend similar conferences
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).
• Priority for one grant will be given to applicants identifying as Indigenous/First Nations (eg Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori or Pacific Nations).

To apply, download the HERDSA Early Career Conference Grant Application Form and email to office@herdsa.org.au by the due date.

TAYLOR & FRANCIS CONFERENCE GRANT (FIVE GRANTS OF UP TO $500 EACH)

Deadline for applications: 5pm AEDST, 8 April 2026

Taylor & Francis, the publishers of HERDSA’s journal Higher Education Research & Development (HERD) is a sponsor of the annual HERSDA conference. As part of that sponsorship, HERDSA is able to offer five conference grants of up to AUD$500 each to support HERDSA members attend the annual HERDSA conference. The conference grant can be used to support travel, accommodation or subsistence of the successful applicant.

The Taylor & Francis conference grants are open to all current HERDSA members.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• are able to attend the full conference (applicants for single day registration will be considered)
• have been accepted to make a presentation at the HERDSA conference
• are willing to make a contribution to HERDSA Connect if asked
• have had limited or no opportunities to attend similar conferences
• are able to demonstrate financial hardship (e.g. student, geographical location, no institutional support or other personal circumstances)
• have not previously received a HERDSA conference grant (Student, Taylor & Francis, Early Career).

To apply, download the Taylor & Francis Conference Travel Grant Application Form and email to office@herdsa.org.au by the due date.

Assessment of Applications

Applications for conference grants will be assessed by a sub-committee of the HERDSA Executive. Applicants will be selected on the basis of demonstrated need and the quality of the application. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified as soon as possible so that all applicants can take advantage of the early bird registration rate.

HERDSA Prize for Best Presentation by a Student ($500)

(Judged by members of the HERDSA Executive during the conference)

The purpose of the prize is to encourage students to disseminate their work at national and international higher education conferences. Applicants must be presenting a showcase at the HERDSA conference in order to be eligible for this prize.

•  Presenters will be judged on their ability to effectively communicate as well as on the academic content of their presentation.
• The prize (AUD$500) will be awarded at the annual HERDSA Conference and is usually presented at the closing ceremony of the conference.

HERDSA Prize for Best Poster (up to 4 prizes totaling $1100)

All posters are eligible for this prize and eligible for one of up to four prizes to a total of AUD$1100. The purpose of these prizes is to promote and recognise excellence in the ability to visually communicate ideas, findings or outcomes related to tertiary education.

1. Onsite poster winner - $500
2. Virtual poster winner - $400 
3. Runner up onsite $100
4. Runner up virtual $100

Posters will be assessed by conference delegates – on both the ability to visually communicate as well as on the academic content of the poster. The best poster prizes will be awarded to the posters that receive the highest number of votes.

Conference participants are likely to be able to vote using the conference mobile app which will work on any smartphone, tablet, or computer connected to the internet.