Childcare Travel Grants

ASFB is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment and ensuring our conferences are welcoming, safe and accessible for all members. We recognise that researchers and professionals with caregiving responsibilities can face additional barriers to attending conferences and fully participating in networking, professional development, and conference activities. Since 2022, ASFB has trialled the provision of on-site childcare at our annual conferences to support members with young children. While valued by attendees, this model has not proven financially sustainable.

To continue supporting members with caregiving responsibilities, ASFB are trialling a Childcare Travel Grant Program for the next three years. This year, the ASFB & AFSS 2026 Hobart conference have offered this grant to delegates that responded to our EOI (EOIs have now closed). This grant of $250 per family is to assist with conference-related childcare expenses and may be used to:

  • Offset the travel costs of a support person (such as a partner, grandparent, family member or friend) accompanying the family to provide childcare during the conference; or

  • Assist with the cost of arranging childcare or babysitting services at the conference location (where the conference is away from home).

The aim of the program is to help reduce barriers to participation and enable caregivers to engage more fully in conference sessions, networking events, and other conference activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be a current ASFB/AFSS member at the time of application.

  • Be registered to attend the conference.

  • Have at least one child aged 10 years or younger.

  • Be travelling away from home and bringing their child(ren) to the conference.

  • Use the grant to support conference-related childcare arrangements.

  • Agree that, should conference attendance be cancelled for any reason, the grant will be repaid to within 30 days of cancellation.

  • Have submitted an EOI.

Important Information

  • One grant is available per family.

  • Recipients may be asked to provide a brief description of how the grant will support their conference attendance.

  • Receipt of a Childcare Travel Grant does not guarantee conference registration.

Also to note, ASFB welcomes babies at its conferences and supports a ‘Babes in Arms’ approach, recognising that some parents may choose to attend conference activities with their baby. This extends to the ASFB & AFSS Hobart conference this year. Delegates are encouraged to contact conference organisers if they require information regarding feeding, changing and other parent-support facilities available at the venue. Please note that mobile infants and older children should be cared for outside conference sessions.