The ACEMS International Mobility Programme (IMP) was launched in July 2018 and provides support for ACEMS Students and Early-Career Researchers to travel to overseas institutions to undertake small research projects and to collaborate with ACEMS’ vast network of international partners.

Since the programme’s inception, 17 grants have been awarded totalling more than $124,000 of funding and providing ACEMS members with the opportunity to build their international networks and experience, collaborating with 12 different countries.

Due to the prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty surrounding international travel, the International Mobility Programme was formally closed in 2020. Where possible, alternative project plans in a virtual or domestic setting were explored. However, due to intermittent border closures throughout 2021, alternative project plans were unable to be executed and unused project funds totalling approximately $25,000 were relinquished.

During 2021, those unused project funds were redirected to the Research Sprint Scheme which supported 21 sprint projects, one of which was awarded to an International Mobility Programme recipient whose original project was unable to commence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centre explored various options to support the International Mobility Programme in a virtual sense in 2021 with financial support considered on a case-by-case basis where required. These ‘virtual visits’ were envisaged to include the usual activities that are commonplace for an academic visit only that they would be delivered in an online format. For example, delivering online seminars and public talks, workshops, and informal mentoring opportunities. While many of these activities eventuated including via the ACEMS Public Lecture Series , The Random Sample Podcast and other Centre workshops and technical talk series, no formal requests were made for additional financial support via the virtual International Mobility Programme.