AILA Solidarity Awards
Applications for Solidarity Awards are now open until October 31, 2026.

Who can apply?

Members of AILA (i.e. members of a national affiliate of AILA or individual members of AILA) whose papers have been accepted for presentation at the AILA World Congress, who are in a financially disadvantaged situation, and who receive no financial support by other organizations (institutions, governments, associations, etc.) can apply for a Solidarity Award.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?

  1. The paper has been accepted by the Congress organizers.
     
  2. Demonstrated academic merit.
     
  3. A financially disadvantaged situation.

When can you apply?

The deadline for submitting an application for a Solidarity Award is

31 October 2026

Apply for Solidarity Award

Application for Grants

To apply for a Solidarity Award, applicants must provide the following information:

  1. A copy of the abstract accepted to the AILA 2027 World Congress. This means that applications can be submitted only after the review of paper proposals for the AILA 2027 World Congress has been completed.
  2. A letter of application giving the motivation of the individuals, or affiliates applying on behalf of an individual to participate, the reasons why participation without the award might be impossible, and how the applicant intends to make use of the congress participation afterwards (no more than 1 page).
  3. A CV from the applicant, showing evidence of academic excellence and/or promise.
  4. One page containing a proposed budget outlining anticipated expenses.
  5. A letter of support (digital document in PDF format) from an AILA affiliate association, an AILA Research Network, or a senior academic who is acquainted with the candidate’s work.
  6. Proof that you are a member of AILA, either through membership in a national affiliate of AILA (please ask your affiliate for a confirmation) or individual membership.

Applicants must submit a single PDF file containing all required documents merged into one document.

In addition to the applicant's financial need and academic merit, the selection committee will also consider applicants’ potential for regional networking on behalf of AILA within their applied linguistics community after the congress as well as envisaged channels of dissemination of information gained through congress participation. Such aspects should be addressed in the letter of application.

The Solidarity Awards are designed strictly to support participants with demonstrated financial need to enable their participation in the AILA2027. To ensure equitable distribution of funds, support is allocated based on geographic location, income level, and merit.

Award Tiers

  • Local Residents (British Columbia): waiver of registration fee.

  • Canada, USA, & Mexico: waiver of registration fee + $500 USD.

  • International (Rest of World): waiver of registration fee + $1,000 USD.

  • Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): waiver of registration fee + $1,500 USD (see list of Lower and Upper Middle countries here).

Please note: Due to limited funding, meeting the eligibility criteria for a tier does not guarantee an award. Applications will be evaluated and prioritized based on demonstrated financial need as well as merit.

To be entitled to receive the funds, solidarity awardees must deliver a presentation at the AILA World Congress.

In addition, awardees must provide the AILA Executive Board with a one-page report no later than the final day of the Congress.

The solidarity award is paid in USD after the congress by bank transfer or, in exceptional circumstances, in cash in a lump sum by the AILA Treasurer.

It is up to the awardee how to use the funds. There are no top-up payments if the sum of the solidarity award is not sufficient to cover the costs.

Deadline for submission of applications for Solidarity Awards: 31 October 2026.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of 2026.

Only members of AILA (i.e. members of a national affiliate of AILA or individual members of AILA) can apply for a Solidarity Award.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Email: AILA-Info@mci-agency.com

For additional questions concerning the Solidarity Awards, applicants may contact the Chair of the Solidarity Awards Committee:
Markus Bieswanger
markus.bieswanger@googlemail.com