Students
FOR STUDENTS
The Sea Farmers Conference is committed to supporting the next generation of aquaculture professionals. Each year, we celebrate student innovation, research, and leadership through Student Presentation Awards, a Student Scholarship, and dedicated opportunities for students to participate in the conference program.
Whether you’re conducting research, studying aquaculture or related fields, or looking to build connections in the industry, we invite you to get involved.
Why participate?
Students gain:
Opportunities to present research to sea farmers, researchers, government, and industry
Valuable feedback from judges and conference attendees
Networking with employers, graduate supervisors, and industry partners
Access to sessions, keynotes, and the trade show
Recognition for excellence through awards and scholarships
AANS and its members generously support these programs to help build the next generation of leaders in sustainable aquaculture.
Posters & Student Presentation Awards
Awards
$500 – First place oral presentation
$250 – First place poster
Who Can Apply
Post-secondary students studying in Nova Scotia and conducting projects connected to aquaculture (any field—science, social science, engineering, etc.) that support the AANS mission.
How to Apply
Submit an abstract (max. 4,000 characters) by January 5, 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified by January 13, 2026 and assigned either an oral or poster presentation slot.
Presentation Format
Oral presentations: 12 minutes + 3-minute Q&A
Posters: Displayed in the Nova Scotia Foyer and judged throughout the conference (see floorplan on p. 3).
Winners will be announced at 10:30 a.m. on February 12 during the conference.Whether you’re conducting research, studying aquaculture or related fields, or looking to build connections in the industry, we invite you to get involved.
Student Scholarship – $1,000
In addition to the presentation awards, AANS offers a $1,000 Student Scholarship each year to support academic excellence and student engagement in Nova Scotia’s aquaculture sector.
Who Can Apply
Students enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution and participating in studies related to Nova Scotia aquaculture.
How to Apply
Submit the following by January 14, 2026:
Transcript (unofficial accepted)
Proof of enrolment
250-word essay describing your interests and future contributions to sustainable aquaculture
Publication record (if applicable)
Letter of support from an instructor or supervisor
The scholarship winner will be announced at 10:30 a.m. on February 12 at the conference.
See PDF for full instructions, including file-naming format.