The AOA OWL ASM Bursary Program

The AOA Champions of Change Working Group has created the AOA OWL ASM Bursary Program to encourage and facilitate attendance at AOA's flagship scientific meeting among female emerging orthopaedic surgeons.

The program, provided to existing AOA OWL members, aims to achieve new and greater female member attendance at the ASM. It recognises the gender-equity issues faced by emerging OWL trainees and early-career OWL fellows.

The 83rd AOA Annual Scientific Meeting, with theme 'Rural Surgery – Build it and they will come', will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 12 to 16 November 2023.

Five OWL bursaries will provide registration the ASM, open to two AOA fellows and three AOA trainees.

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 social functions – an approximate value of $400-$1400.

Eligibility criteria

Applications are open to AOA trainees and early-career fellows (in their first five years of practice) with female gender identities who:

  • are in a part-time or full-time employment capacity
  • may be on maternity leave
  • have not received any other AOA awards or bursaries 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.

Application and selection

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

Applications should be submitted via the online form below by 30 June 2023.

Download the AOA OWL Bursary Application form.

Allocation of bursaries will be undertaken by a conference bursary panel based on the following key factors:

  • The eligibility criteria.
  • The aim to support female and early-career members from as many geographical regions as possible.
  • The aim to support female members and encourage new ASM attendance.

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

Applicants can expect notification about the outcome of their application by 15 July 2023.
 
Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the results.

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 related to the 2023 OWL ASM Bursary Program, please contact owl@aoa.org.au
 
For members interested in financially supporting future OWL ASM Bursary Programs, please contact michelle.white@aoa.org.au