AOA Trainee ASM Bursary Program

AOA has created an AOA Trainee ASM bursary for AOA trainee members to encourage and facilitate trainee attendance at AOA's flagship national Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).

The 86th AOA Annual Scientific Meeting, with the theme 'Celebrating 90 Years of Clinical Excellence and Global Engagement', will take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 11–15 October 2026.

The AOA Trainee ASM bursary will provide full registration (four days) to the ASM, including the social cocktail function, open to all AOA associate (trainee) members.

What's included?

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend:

What's covered?

The bursary will cover the full costs of the conference registration, including the social function, four nights' accommodation and return economy fights to Cairns from place of residence (excluding Cairns based applicants).

Eligibility criteria

Applications are open to AOA trainees who:

  • are financial AOA members.
  • may be on parental leave.
  • have not received any other AOA bursaries or prizes in the last two years.
Applicants are asked to provide brief supporting detail on their interest in the AOA ASM and how their attendance will benefit their practice and career.

Application and selection

Applications open 29 May and should be submitted via the online form below by 30 June 2026.

Blue Button Example

Allocation of bursaries will be undertaken by a conference bursary panel which may include representatives from the AORA Executive, AOA Board, AOA head office allocated staff, state branch chairs, and regional managers. The bursary panel will review: 

  • eligibility criteria.
  • application response/input.

Applicants are advised to discuss their attendance at the conference with their relevant employers and supervisors.

Timing

The proposed timing is set as follows:

  • Bursary applications open 29 May 2026. 
  • Bursary applications close 30 June 2026.

The successful applicant will be notified by the 31 July 2026. 

It is not possible to provide feedback on applications, and no correspondence regarding decisions on applications will be entered into.

If you have any questions, please contact Membership and Engagement Manager Susie Obeid via susie.obeid@aoa.org.au