The International Geographical Union (IGU) and Geographical Society of Ireland (GSI) announces the availability of registration bursaries awarded on a competitive basis to help partly fund the costs of in-person participation in the 2024 International Geographical Congress, 24-30 August 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.

Bursaries will provide full waivers of registration fees ONLY. There will be 100 bursaries in total as follows:

  • Full delegate registration bursary x 40
  • Student/unwaged registration bursary x 50 (proof of status will be required)
  • International volunteer bursary x 10 (may be full or student delegate, and will volunteer for one full day at the congress)

This grant only covers the cost of registration and does not extend towards the cost of transport, accommodation, subsistence or any visa application costs, which will need to be sourced separately by the applicant (note: it is also possible to apply for an IGU Travel Award, see the congress website for details). Full participation in the congress , including presenting a paper and attending the closing ceremony, is required. Note, a visa from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) may be needed in order to attend the congress. Please check here whether you need a visa to travel to Ireland for a congress and the requirements for this type of visa.

In selecting applicants to receive bursary awards, the following prioritisation will be applied in this order:

  1. Early career scholars (including PhD students) who are organizing sessions and undertaking other congress activities (e.g., volunteering, organizing fieldtrips, attending other related IGU commission events).
    • Those from the least developed countries (as defined by the United Nations)
    • Other low and middle income countries (as defined by the World Bank) who are organizing sessions and undertaking other congress activities.
  2. Senior scholars
    • Session organizers or steering committee members from low-income countries who are not able to find funding.
  3. Early career scholars who are presenting papers from low and middle income countries
  4. Senior scholars who are presenting papers from low and middle income countries

Although not a strict requirement, a letter of endorsement from the chair of an IGU Commission or Task Force, the chair of the applicant’s National Committee for the IGU, or a session organizer will be helpful in support of the application. Contact details of these individuals are available on the IGU website www.igu-online.org.

Completed applications (including endorsement letters) are due no later than 12th January. APPLICATIONS MUST ONLY BE IN ENGLISH. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their requests no later than 23rd February 2024.

By accepting an award, applicants commit to:

  • Apply for a visa immediately after being notified of a successful outcome to their bursary application.
  • Communicate progress of their visa application to the local organizing committee.
  • Provide proof of their flight booking to the organizing committee no later than 26th April 2024.
  • Attend and participate in the Congress as outlined in their application.

Applicants will receive a Certificate of IGC2024 Bursary Award during the on-site registration at the beginning of the congress.

Applying:

Applications will open in early October as part of the abstract submission system. Applications should be made at the same time as you are submitting your abstract.  The bursary application should be submitted as a single pdf document using this template:   IGC Dublin 2024 Bursary Application Form

As part of the application, you must provide a written statement (one page, maximum 500 words) describing your plans for participating in the 2024 IGC in Dublin, including the title of the presentation you intend to give, the meetings of IGU Commissions and Task Forces in which you will participate, if you intend to take part in any pre- or post-congress excursions etc. Include a brief statement of the benefits (for you as a scholar but also more widely for society, your community, department) you expect to realize from your participation in the congress

Late applications cannot be considered. The decision of the review committee is final.

Any queries regarding IGC Registration Bursaries should be directed to Prof Rob Kitchin, Chair of the IGC Bursary Committee, at rob.kitchin@mu.ie