ABC is delighted to announce the Paul Johnson Student/Apprentice Conference Grant

Thanks to a generous gift from UK based book artist, Paul Johnson, we are happy to announce the BIND25 Paul Johnson Student/Apprentice Conference Grant. Paul has gifted the NZ Association of Book Crafts an amazing artist's book entitled Te Waka O Tamarereti. The book’s eight concertina pages tell the Māori constellation legend of the Milky Way creation. 

Paul intended for his book to be displayed at the Conference and auctioned, with the funds going towards supporting a young NZ bookbinder.

Are you a student or apprentice wanting to attend BIND25?

All students or apprentices, currently attending tertiary studies and/or training as a bookbinder or who have graduated within the last six months, are eligible to apply. The Grant will be awarded to a student/apprentice who has shown initiative and is committed to the long-term development of their skills to reach a professional level and contribute to the larger book crafts community. The successful applicant will receive a Student/Apprentice Conference Grant of a BIND25 conference registration (value NZ$220).
Please note that this Grant is only available to students/apprentices studying or training in Aotearoa | New Zealand.

Your application will comprise:
1.	A Personal Statement - maximum 500 words, explaining how attendance at the Conference will contribute to your current situation, future plans and career. The statement should describe what you hope to gain from the conference, how attending might impact your study and how you plan to share what you have learned with others.
2.	Your Curriculum Vitae - including details of any relevant work, voluntary or other experiences and/or other information about your background which may be relevant.
3.	A separately emailed recommendation from a supervisor, lecturer, employer or ABC member. This need not be lengthy.

The Selection Panel will use the following criteria to guide the selection of the Grant recipient:
•	relevance of the Conference to applicant’s current study/work/experience
•	recommendation from a supervisor, lecturer, employer or ABC member
•	preference will be given to applicants who have never attended a professional organisation conference

Key information:

Entry Deadline: 27 June 2025	Prize: Student Conference Registration (value: NZ$220)Email entry to: student-competition@abc-nz.org.nzWinner announced: 31 July 2025If you have questions or need further information 
please email: student-competition@abc-nz.org.nz

A few rules:

1. 	You must be a student currently attending a tertiary institute in Aotearoa | New Zealand, or training as a bookbinder in a recognised business. 2. 	You may only enter once.3. 	In considering applications, the Selection Panel reserves the right to not award the Grant.