AAS 2027 Annual Conference Travel Grant

The application is separate from the conference registration process. Applicants must already be registered for the conference to qualify for consideration. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

How Selection Works

The AAS does not simply award the grant to the applicants with the greatest demonstrated financial need.

Eligible applications are entered into a lottery drawing, with consideration given to regional diversity. However, AAS states that priority is given to presenters, graduate students and junior/early-career scholars.

This makes the opportunity somewhat different from a conventional competitive research grant: meeting the eligibility requirements and presenting a clear case for financial assistance are important, but even a strong eligible application does not guarantee an award because the final selection includes a lottery. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Application Advice

Use the 350-word statement to explain why attending AAS2027 matters specifically to your academic or professional work. Avoid spending most of the space describing the conference itself because the selection committee already knows what the conference offers.

If you are presenting a paper, explain what you will contribute to the programme and why receiving feedback from scholars at the conference would be useful to your research. If you are a graduate student or early-career scholar, connect the conference to a specific stage of your research, publication plans, teaching, professional development or academic networking.

Be transparent about your financial circumstances. AAS specifically asks applicants to disclose other sources of support and matching funds, so provide a realistic picture of what your institution, department, supervisor or other funding source can and cannot contribute.

The CV should be concise and relevant. Prioritize research experience, publications, conference presentations, academic appointments, relevant awards and activities that demonstrate your involvement in Asian studies or your specific research area.

Most importantly, do not describe the grant as guaranteed funding. Because eligible applicants are ultimately selected through a lottery, applicants should not purchase expensive non-refundable travel arrangements on the assumption that they will receive the US$500 award. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Important Consideration for International Applicants

The grant is available to eligible scholars who live outside the United States, provided they meet the AAS membership, registration and distance requirements.

However, international applicants should consider the relatively modest US$500 award against the total cost of travelling to Boston. AAS explicitly states that the travel grant is limited and that participants are normally responsible for airfare and accommodation.

The conference's official hotel rates are currently around US$272–US$275 per night, before considering international airfare and other expenses. Applicants travelling from outside the United States should therefore have additional funding available rather than relying on this grant alone. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Conference Details

The AAS 2027 Annual Conference will take place from 18–21 March 2027 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The conference will be held at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel, which are connected to each other. The programme covers research on Asia across a wide range of countries, regions and academic disciplines.

The 2027 conference is in person only; there is no general virtual participation format. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Other AAS Funding to Know About

Applicants should be aware that the Annual Conference Travel Grant is not the only financial assistance available through AAS.

For example, AAS also offers a Graduate Student Conference Registration Lottery, through which 20 graduate students can receive complimentary conference registration. That lottery has a separate deadline of 29 October 2026.

AAS also has a separate dissertation workshop programme in March 2027 in which selected participants can have their travel to Boston, accommodation for the workshop period and conference registration covered. These are separate opportunities with different eligibility requirements and deadlines. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Application Process

Applicants should first ensure that they have valid AAS membership and register for the 2027 Annual Conference.

They can then submit the separate Annual Conference Travel Grant application with their 350-word attendance statement, financial information and two-page CV.

Applicants must maintain their AAS membership through 18 March 2027, the opening day of the conference. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

Deadline

10 November 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Grant Amount: US$500

Conference: 18–21 March 2027

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA