IAC 2025

Sponsorship opportunities for NSSA student members

Invitation to NSSA student members
to attend the INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS SYDNEY, 2025

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF), together with the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), holds the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC); which is hosted by a different member society of the IAF each year, and also in a different country.

Apart from the general sessions the main congress has, student attendees at the event can also attend the Space Generation Congress (25th to 27th September); which is aimed at representing university students and young space professionals to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia.

The IAC will be held in Sydney in 2025, from September 29th to October 3rd inclusive.  Full program details can be found at:  http://www.iac2025.org.  This event provides unique opportunities for people from Australia to network with others interested in space applications and research.

The National Space Society of Australia (NSSA) was formed in the late 1980’s, and is a not-for-profit organisation that helps to educate the public about utilising space for the benefit of society and Australia's potential to contribute to space exploration and development.  As part of that goal, the NSSA would like to invite some of its student members to attend the IAC on behalf of the Society, and is therefore willing to pay their registration costs (and in the case of interstate students, some accommodation and airfare costs).

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY INTO COMPETITION:

  • The applicant must be a financial member of the National Space Society of Australia for the period during which the IAC is being held.

  • The applicant must be a student who is currently enrolled in either an Australian secondary school or undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at an Australian tertiary institution.

  • The applicant must agree (via the signed application form) to comply with all lawful rules and directions of both the NSSA and its Directors present at the IAC, and the IAC and authorised IAC staff present at the IAC.

  • The applicant must be under 30 years of age.

  • If the applicant is under 18 years of age, parental or guardian permission for the applicant to attend this event must be obtained in writing by that person or guardian completing and signing the relevant section of the application form.

  • The applicant be prepared to attend the conference for the majority of conference days; and ideally, for all of them.

Applicants must include with this completed application form:

  1. A scanned copy of their educational institution’s student identification card.

  2. Information relating to any dietary or health restrictions, if applicable.

  3. The requested application essay (details to follow).

AVAILABILITY OF SPONSORSHIP

  • Five (5) positions are available to students who are resident in NSW.

  • Five (5) positions are available to students who are resident in other states and territories of Australia.

APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES

To be awarded this sponsorship, the applicant will be required to submit with their application form an essay in which they should outline points from the following:

  • How attending the IAC will help with their career or study.

  • Cite an occasion when they contributed to space advocacy in Australia, or how they would do so in future. 

  • How they intend to communicate their experiences at the IAC to others (e.g.; via social media, post event presentations, active NSSA participation).

An expected response would be in the order of 200 to 300 words in length.

Applications must be received by the NSSA via our web application form by 20th May, 2025.
You will receive a confirmation e-mail upon successful receipt of your application.  Successful applicants will be notified by 15th June, 2025.

NSSA RESPONSIBILITIES

The NSSA will be responsible for registering the student attendee and paying the registration fee, as per the conditions specified on the IAC 2025 website.

In the case of interstate applicants, an allowance of up to $500 will be given to given cover airfares and some accommodation.  Applicants will be required to provide NSSA with electronic copies of relevant travel invoices to be reimbursed.

NSSA Directors will be present at this event, providing both assistance and supervision.  In relation to students under 18 years of age, all Directors have Working with Children clearances.