To support diverse participation at our annual conference, the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) invites applications for conference fee waivers and travel scholarships. These awards are designed to assist scholars and researchers who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending the AoIR conference.
We have made some changes to our process. Please read the following carefully.
Who Can Apply?
- Authors who have been accepted to present the conference
- PhD students accepted to the Doctoral Colloquium
- MA students may not apply for this scholarship
AoIR membership is encouraged but not required for the application.
Application Deadline: 8 July 2025
All applications must be submitted via this form: https://forms.gle/Qivx61jfZnZjLm4W8
Late submissions cannot be considered.
Responses will be sent before the 1 August early bird conference registration deadline.
Preparing Your Application
Please get cracking right away! This is what you need to do:
- Please estimate your expenses (including housing, local transportation, airfare, and visa costs), as we will evaluate each financial component of your submission to ensure we can accommodate the full request. Food expenses will not be compensated.
- We are unable to support everyone, therefore we kindly request that you make every effort to secure funding outside of this award. Please explore any travel funding your institution may offer to determine your eligibility. (The total expenses minus any institutional support you may have, if any, will be the total award amount you are requesting.)
- Write up to 600 words in support of your application. You may, for example, explain the exceptional circumstances you are in, or how your contribution to the AoIR conference brings a distinctive, underrepresented perspective.
Request a support letter (approximately 300 to 500 words) from your advisor or department head. This letter should:- Outline your institution’s available support
- Explain any funding shortfall
- Clarify if you are receiving partial support
If you do not have a formal institutional affiliation (e.g., you are an independent scholar, unaffiliated journalist, or activist), you are still eligible to apply, provided you have been accepted to present at the AoIR conference (either in the main program or the Doctoral Colloquium). In lieu of an institutional support letter (e.g., advisor or department head), you must submit a brief letter (300 to 500 words) explaining your professional circumstances and your need for financial assistance.
Application Deadline: 8 July 2025
Award Details
To help those who would otherwise struggle to pay for their air travel ahead of receiving a reimbursement, AoIR is partnering with an international travel agency to coordinate travel and accommodations for all award recipients.
- The agency will arrange flights and lodging, based on the information provided by each awardee.
- They will also support visa applications by providing documentation and guidance.
- Conference registration fees will be waived for all awardees.
- Visa application fees (if applicable) will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts after the conference.
- Reimbursements will be made via Bill.com, Wise.com, or Paypal.
- Awardees are required to provide proof of attendance.
To facilitate travel planning, AoIR will share the necessary awardee information with the travel agency. This information will be used exclusively to coordinate your travel and lodging arrangements.
All awardees will receive detailed instructions on how to communicate with the travel agency and begin the planning process.
If unforeseen circumstances prevent your attendance after arrangements have been made, AoIR and the agency will work with you to manage cancellations or changes. Supporting documentation may be required.
Application Deadline: 8 July 2025
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by the AoIR Executive Committee, with priority given to:
- Applicants who have not previously received an AoIR travel scholarship
- Those likely to make a distinctive contribution to the conference
Questions? Contact travelscholarship [at] aoir [dot] org
We look forward to helping you join us at AoIR and contributing to a more inclusive and vibrant community of internet researchers.
Application Deadline: 8 July 2025
