Student Initiatives

Supporting students

We support students through scholarships, travel bursaries, and best-paper awards..

• Main Role Mandate
• Student Membership
• AAC Student Scholarships
• Student Presentation Awards
• Student Travel Awards

The main roles of the the AAC Student Affairs Committee are to 

1. coordinate fundraising activities for the AAC Student Endowment Fund,
2. organize the Joe Brown Student BBQ during the annual AAC conference, and
3. coordinate volunteers for the annual AAC Conference.

Student Affairs Committee Mandate: 

“To encourage the active participation of students in the affairs of the Association and recommend appropriate activities and pursue those approved by the board to promote the development of aquaculture education.” (Bylaws, Article 7.01(i))

The AAC encourages student membership in the association. For a membership fee of $40 per year, students are offered:

1. subscriptions to the AAC Bulletin and World Aquaculture,
2. reduced subscription rates for Northern Aquaculture & Hatchery International,
3. reduced registration fees at AAC and WAS conferences,
4. access to scholarships and awards, and
5. networking opportunities with primary aquaculture industry and regulatory representatives from across Canada and elsewhere.

The AAC Student Endowment Fund funds up to three student scholarships per year, valued at around $1,000 each. These scholarships are open to student members of AAC who are enrolled in an aquaculture-related program at a Canadian post-secondary institution. In addition, travel awards for expenses associated with student travel to make presentations at the AAC conference are also available. Finally, during the conference, cash awards are provided for the best student oral and poster presentations.

As part of its mandate, the AAC is strongly committed to student development in sustainable aquaculture. Thanks are extended to those involved in the reviewing process, as well as all sponsors of the AAC Student Endowment Fund.

Student Scholarships

Student scholarships valued at $1000 each will be awarded to winning students enrolled in a post-secondary institution in an aquaculture-related program for the current academic year.

• Students who have previously won AAC scholarships are not eligible
• Recipients must be an AAC member in good standing to receive the Scholarship
• Each recipient of an AAC Student Scholarship is responsible for how Scholarship funds are applied to their educational program.

Selection criteria include:

1. Scholastic ability – transcript of marks
2. Interest and involvement in aquaculture (e.g., summer employment)
3. Publication record (if any)
4. A single letter of support
5. A short (250 words) essay on where the applicant sees him/herself contributing to sustainable aquaculture development in Canada in the future

The review process will be administered to allow awards to be made at the Aquaculture Canada conference. Applications must be submitted to Debbie Plouffe, Chair of the awards committee, at awards@aquacultureassociation.ca by February 22nd, 2019.

Please send an electronic copy (PDF preferred) of each of the following documents:

• transcript of marks
• proof of enrolment
• short essay (described above)
• publication record (if applicable)
• letter of support from instructor or supervisor

Include your last name in each filename (e.g.: Smith_AAC_transcript.pdf )

All Scholarship essays may be published in an AAC publication

Please also provide a headshot in a separate jpg file.

The Annual Student BBQ, in memory of Dr Joe Brown (remembered for his energy, enthusiasm and dedication to students and the advancement of aquaculture research) is an event that in the true Spirit of Joe, always promises to be fun and relaxing, while allowing delegates to socialize. Through the always spectacular silent auction (and other fundraising games and activities), the student BBQ annually generates over $2,000 towards the Student Endowment Fund.

Past Recipients

Student Presentation Awards are given to the best student poster and oral presentation at the annual meeting.

Past Recipients

The AAC will provide limited travel and expense support to students who must meet the following criteria:

1. be registered at a recognised institution of higher learning
2. present a paper (oral or poster) at the meeting in person
3. be first author if the paper has several authors
4. demonstrate the need for financial assistance

Student Travel Award funding can only be used for:

1. transportation
2. accommodation, and/or
3. conference registration.

Criteria for evaluating applications:

1. Assessment is based on need and distance
2. Awards will be based on merit as judged by the quality of the abstract and a demonstrated need for funding
3. The CV will be used only when a consensus cannot be reached by the Committee

Applications for funding must include all of the following:

1. a copy of the abstract
2. a one-page CV outlining relevant accomplishments (e.g., honours/awards, publications)
3. request for financial assistance [amount requested and for what purpose (e.g., airfare, accommodation, registration)] – and any other sources of funding (this must be signed by your senior supervisor)(br /)
4. a short endorsement from your supervisor indicating why it is important for you to participate in Aquaculture Canada

Apply for an AAC Student Travel Award:

Click here to download the AAC Student Travel Award Application

Completed applications must be submitted as a single document, preferably in pdf format, to Debbie Plouffe, Chair of the Awards Committee at awards@aquacultureassociation.ca by February 22nd, 2019

Past Recipients