How you can make a difference to Australian Political Studies
APSA’s mission is to strengthen political studies in Australia by supporting researchers, nurturing emerging scholars, and expanding the discipline’s public impact. Your philanthropic support helps APSA invest in initiatives that build our capacity to serve our members better: prizes and bursaries, workshops and professional development, and new opportunities for teaching, research, and outreach. In doing so, we broadly aim to improve scholarship and public understanding of Australian politics and public policy that is necessary for a vibrant democracy.
Make a donation today and help shape the next chapter of political studies in Australia.
Choose how you’d like to give
We’re developing a suite of philanthropic initiatives to make giving straightforward, secure, and meaningful, whether you’re contributing once, supporting APSA regularly, honouring someone through a named fund, or leaving a legacy that endures.
1) One-off and recurring giving
Our website supports secure online donations with options for one-off, monthly, or annual contributions. Over time, these options will be integrated into key member touchpoints – such as membership renewal and conference registration – to help build a culture of giving and make it easy to support APSA’s work.
- $25 – Support an emerging scholar
- $75 – Help sustain APSA programs
- $150 – Contribute to bursaries and access
- $300 – Back prizes, workshops, and outreach
- Custom amount
2) Named funds and prizes
We are working to encourage members, leaders in the discipline, and supporters to sponsor new named awards and prizes, and to support existing APSA prizes and workshop/conference bursaries.
Named funds are an enduring way to recognise generosity while advancing APSA’s scholarly and public mission. They can reflect a donor’s interests and values, such as:
- teaching excellence
- research innovation
- public engagement and impact
- equity, inclusion, and access
- support for early and mid-career scholars
3) Bequests and legacy giving
Legacy giving positions APSA as a trusted steward of members’ intellectual and professional contributions – ensuring their support continues to shape the discipline for future generations.
If you’re considering a bequest, we can provide confidential information about APSA’s priorities and how legacy gifts can be directed to areas that matter most to you.
4) Selected corporate and philanthropic partnerships
Guided by APSA’s mission and values, we engage selectively with NGOs, public agencies, foundations, and corporations to sponsor teaching and research prizes, initiatives, and events. These partnerships broaden APSA’s connections beyond academia, expand opportunities for engagement, and enhance the reach and impact of APSA’s work.
We prioritise partnerships that:
- align with APSA’s purpose and values
- protect APSA’s independence and scholarly integrity
- deliver clear benefit to the discipline and community
- are transparent and appropriately governed
If you’d like to discuss the prospect of a corporate and philanthropic partnership with APSA, we can provide confidential information about APSA’s priorities and how partnerships can be directed to areas that matter most to you.
Where your donation goes
Your contribution strengthens APSA’s capacity to:
- support researchers and scholarly communities
- nurture emerging scholars through bursaries and opportunities
- invest in teaching and research excellence through prizes and recognition
- expand professional development, workshops, and convening
- enhance public engagement and impact across the discipline
Recognition
We value and recognise donor support. Depending on your preference, APSA can acknowledge gifts through:
- donor recognition on the APSA website and/or annual report
- named funds and prize recognition (where relevant)
- confidential giving (opt-in/opt-out)
APSA is committed to responsible stewardship of philanthropic support, with governance arrangements to ensure gifts are used in line with APSA’s mission and any donor intentions.
Frequently asked questions
Is my donation secure?
Yes, online donations are processed through secure payment systems.
Can I make a recurring donation?
Yes, you can choose monthly or annual giving, and you can change or cancel recurring donations through your donation receipt link (or by contacting APSA).
Can I donate to a specific prize or bursary?
Yes. Where donation designations are available, you can direct your gift accordingly. If you want to support something specific (or establish a new named fund), contact APSA and we’ll guide you through options.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes, receipts are issued automatically after online donations.
Are donations tax deductible?
Australian Political Studies Association Limited is a registered charity on the ACNC and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.