AOA AIDA ASM Bursary Program

AIDA logo

AOA has created an ASM bursary for Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) members to encourage and facilitate attendance at AOA's flagship national Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and doctors, particularly those with an interest in orthopaedics.

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.
One AIDA bursary will provide full registration (four days) to the ASM, including the social cocktail function and is open to all AIDA members who meet the eligibility criteria. 

About AIDA
AIDA is a not-for-profit, member-based, professional association supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and doctors.

'Our purpose is to contribute to equitable health and life outcomes and the cultural wellbeing of Indigenous people. We do this by working towards reaching population parity of Indigenous medical students and doctors and supporting a culturally safe healthcare system'. Find out more on the AIDA website.

What's included?

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend:

What's covered?

  • Full costs of the conference registration, including the social function an approximate value of $320–$3,400 depending on the recipient's career stage. 
  • Economy return fights to Cairns from place of residence (excluding Cairns based applicants). 
  • Up to four night’s accommodation at a premium hotel in Cairns close to the conference.

Eligibility criteria

  • Applicants who are part-time or full-time employment capacity or medical students.
  • Applicants who may be on parental leave.
  • Applicants who are members of AIDA. 
  • Applicants who 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 ASM and how their attendance will benefit them and their practice or career.

Applicants who meet all of the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.

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 of AIDA and AOA head office allocated staff. The bursary panel will review: 

  • eligibility criteria.
  • application response/input.
  • the aim to support emerging Indigenous doctors from various geographical areas and career stages.

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

A decision will be made and 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.