Apply For PISA

The Pacific Islands Scholars Award (PISA) supports attendance and participation by Pacific Islands scholars at ASAO meetings through travel awards and waivers of meeting registration fees and membership fees.
PISA Travel Awards Deadlines
(for the 2020 ASAO meeting in Hawai‘i) 
   October 15, 2019
November 15, 2019
   December 15, 2019
January 5, 2020
Applications Due
Notification of Awardees
Deadline for Accepting
Date to Submit Reimbursement Forms

Award Includes

  • Roundtrip airfare to the conference 
  • Meeting Registration
  • 1 year ASAO membership
  • $200 for meals and incidentals at the conference

Award Eligibility

  • The PISA supports scholars who identify as Pacific Islander and who are identified by Pacific Island communities as a member   
  • Applicants must take an active part in one or more sessions as an organizer or presenter
  • Preference is given to junior and early career scholars 

Application Process

​

​A limited number of PISA awards are available, and the application process is competitive. For those interested and eligible, we enthusiastically encourage applicants to submit by October 15.

​For any questions regarding the PISA application process or materials, please write: Chelsea Wentworth, PISA Coordinator at PISA.ASAO@gmail.com​ 

Application Form: 2020 PISA Travel AwarD

    Application Instructions and Information

     Applicants must submit their applications via the online portal at the ASAO website (https://www.asao.org/apply-for-pisa.html).  If you have difficulty with portal, email applications will be accepted at pisa.asao@gmail.com.

    All materials must be received by the October 15 due date.

    Once you have joined a session by contacting the session organizer, (see the descriptions of proposed sessions and organizer contact information in the ASAO newsletter and on the association website), assemble ALL of the following documents:

    Application Checklist

    ​A complete PISA Travel Award application will consist of:
    • A completed application form (filled out online)
    • A signed applicant statement/cover letter
    • Title and abstract of your paper
    • The name and email address of the session organizer (please contact your session organizer in advance of submitting your application)
    • A PDF copy of your airfare quote from a travel agent or online airline or travel booking website (lowest price economy roundtrip airfare)
    • A current CV
    • Students are welcome to submit a letter of recommendation from their supervisor, although this is not required

    Part 1: Applicant Information

    Note: The following information will be included in the printed ASAO directory, as well as in the online membership database. Please omit any information that you don’t wish to be made public, such as a home telephone number. 
    Please note: Passports need to be valid at least 6 months beyond proposed entry date. 

    Please be aware of United States Visa requirements, if any, and attend to them well in advance. 

    More information about visa requirements can be found here.
    Please also contact a near-by consulate about the process of applying for a visa. 

    Part 2: Session Information

    I am applying for a PISA travel grant in order to present a paper in:

    Part 3: Travel Information

    Lowest available airfare for economy round-trip travel to the meeting site* (Cost in US dollars and local currency if relevant):  

    ​***Please be sure to attach a copy of the quote that shows airline, routing, and source of the airfare quote (PDF of Expedia or other online search, or travel agent quote). Documents will be uploaded in the final application section. 
    ​

    Part 4: Supplemental Support & Other Funding


    ​Note that PISA Travel Awards include full or partial airfare, conference registration and membership and a $200 stipend provided upon arrival at the conference to help defray travel costs. The remainder of conference-related costs (meals, lodging, ground transportation, and incidentals) are not covered. Applicants need to have their own additional funding to cover these other costs. Possible sources include one’s own university, a government agency, or other granting institution.

    Part 5: Application Documents


    ​Cover Letter/ Signed Application Statement

    This is the primary document that demonstrates your professional narrative, and why this award will help you with your professional development. Tell the committee about yourself, your background, your current position, and your proposed contribution to the session. Explain how this session fits into your current work and will be essential to your professional development.  Also note whether you have received a PISA award in the past – which meeting(s) and amount(s). This letter is a major part of your application. Please include enough detail to help the committee to assess your proposal. Successful applications submit letters 1-2 single spaced pages in length, and clearly articulate how participation in the session will support their future work and development.
    Max file size: 20MB

    Paper Title and Abstract

    A short (approximately 250 word) abstract of the paper or presentation you will give in your session.
    Max file size: 20MB

    Airfare Quote

    A PDF copy of the lowest round-trip economy airfare quote.  This should be inclusive of the conference dates and enable the awardee to attend the opening and closing plenaries. This document should show airline, routing, and source of the airfare quote (Expedia, Hawaiian Air, other online search, or travel agent quote). Please be sure to indicate in your application form the price in US dollars from this airfare quote. 
    Max file size: 20MB

    Current CV

    A PDF copy of your most recent CV or resume. This should include information on your education, work history, publication and/or grant background. 
    Max file size: 20MB

    Optional: Letter of Recomendation

    For students or other early career scholars you may choose to submit a letter of recommendation from a supervisor if you wish. This is NOT required.

    ​For those submitting a letter from an advisor or professional colleague: The letter should address your potential contribution to the ASAO session and how your participation will fit into your broader professional development. The letter writer should email this letter directly to the PISA Coordinator, Chelsea Wentworth at pisa.asao@gmail.com

    If you will be submitting a letter of recommendation, please provide the name and email address of your recommender:

    Please Note

    Incomplete applications cannot be considered for awards.

    Notification will be made to awardees by November 15, 2019. Awards must be accepted by December 15, 2019. 

    ​Itineraries and receipts must be submitted by January 5, 2020 for disbursement at the annual meetings.

Having trouble?

If technological barriers prevent you from using this online submission form, you may complete this Word version of the application form, and submit it along with all of the other required documents to pisa.asao@gmail.com.

​All application materials are due by October 15, 2019.