Former IEAA foundation president Tony Adams

The number of grants available are unlimited; staff could receive up to AUS$1,500 for professional development, while researchers could get $3,000 and doctoral students $1,500 annually, for up to three years.

Those from Australia or overseas may apply and do not have to be IEAA members.

Tony Adams, who passed away in May 2011 after a battle with cancer, has been called “a pioneer of international education in Australia”. As well as working for IEAA he was board vice chairman of ISEP – a network of over 300 colleges and universities in 50 countries cooperating to provide affordable access to international education.

IEAA said in a statement: “Tony was the association’s foundation president, but played many other important roles over his long and influential career.

There is no limit to the number of grants available

“He was an inspiration to many of us in international education in Australia but also around the world.”

Organisers say they are “expecting a great response from people internationally” for the grants. The deadline for applications is Friday August 31, 2012, and awardees will be announced in October at the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC), Melbourne.