AER International Services and Global Issues Division
Conference Travel Scholarship Application
The Global Issues Division is now accepting applications for a new Travel Scholarship to attend the 2026 AER International Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on July 29-August 2, 2026.
AER’s Global Issues Division is offering a Conference Travel Scholarship to AER members originating from areas outside of mainland United States and Canada who are serving students with visual impairments in their region. Therefore, this travel scholarship is open to cultural and geographical locations around the world; however, it is not open to American or Canadian students working or studying in or outside of their home country.
This travel scholarship will cover the AER International Conference registration fee ($745 value), a complimentary stay at the conference hotel, and a reimbursement of up to $2000 for the roundtrip flight between the winner’s location and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). The Travel Scholarship winner will commit to provide a reciprocal activity (to be approved by AER) to demonstrate information gained and implementation in home country. Options include a written article in The Voice, and/or proof of presentation of a webinar or speaking engagement.
Eligibility
Applicants for the travel scholarship must:
- Be currently working as a vision professional or studying to become a vision professional.
- Submit a budget flight costs.
- Document a plan for providing a reciprocal activity (to be approved by AER) to demonstrate information gained and implementation in home country. Options include a written article in The Voice, or proof of presentation of a webinar or speaking engagement.
Recipients will receive a code to cover their registration cost for the conference, as well as a complimentary room at the conference hotel. Upon attendance and submission of flight receipt, they will receive a reimbursement in the form of an electronic transfer. Recipient will also receive one-year membership to AER which includes access to all online learning.
How to apply
An application form must be completed in full and signed by the applicant. Application submission is as follows:
- Only electronic submissions are accepted. These should be emailed to Spencer Churchill at [email protected]
- Incomplete applications or applications that are not received by April 30, 2026, will not be considered.
Selection
Applications for the AER Global Issues Scholarship will be evaluated by the Division Chair and Division Scholarship Committee. Individuals will be evaluated for the scholarship based only on the information included in the application packet. The award decision date will be no later than May 15, 2026.
Selection will be based on the applicants’ commitment and passion for working with people with visual impairments in their region, the need for professionals working with this population in their region, along with the extent of experience (paid or unpaid) in human service endeavors as reflected in the responses, the essay, and in the letter of recommendation.
All eligible members of AER International are encouraged to apply for the travel scholarship.
The Scholarship Committee chairperson will notify the award winner by phone or email on or before May 15, 2026. Individuals who apply and are not selected will be notified by the Scholarship Committee Chairperson via email.
The award will be presented to the winner upon verification that the proposed awardee meets the eligibility requirement described above
Other information about the scholarship
The travel scholarship winner will be notified via email. Upon awarding the scholarship, a brief biography of the recipient will be announced in a division email update, newsletter, and on the Facebook site. A permission for Media release is requested.
Download the ISGI Conference Travel Scholarship Application Now!