APHC27OPCC Scholarship and Bursary Application Process
The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) and Palliative Care Australia (PCA) are committed to nurturing passionate palliative care professionals by providing scholarships and bursaries to eliminate financial barriers by assisting with registration, travel and accommodation costs. This will allow these dedicated individuals to advance their skills and contribute to the growth of palliative care.
APHC27OPCC will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, from 20-23 April 2027, and there are several scholarship and bursary opportunities available. Please check the criteria for each before commencing your online application.
If you have any queries regarding eligibility, please contact the conference organisers via email to conference@aomevents.com.
*Please note you are able to apply for more than one scholarships but will need to submit a separate application for each scholarship you are applying for.
Scholarships and Bursary Information
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) Conference Scholarship
Everyone is welcome to apply, but priority will be given to the following categories:
- People working in palliative care in rural or remote areas in Australia, the Pacific and Oceania Region (If scholarship sponsored recipient may be selected from the same geographical area as the sponsoring organisation)
- Palliative care consumers and carers
- Palliative care volunteers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers
- People with less than three years’ experience in palliative care who have not previously attended an APHC or OPCC Conference.
DATES: Opens: Now I Closes: 31 October 2026
Round 1 will provide scholarships that will cover conference registration, pre-conference workshops, travel and accommodation. (Applicants can apply for accommodation and travel only if they live outside the Adelaide metropolitan area).
What is included?
- Travel to Adelaide – Successful applicants will be provided with funds to book their own travel to Adelaide. Travel costs equivalent to the cost of an economy class return airfare from the nearest airport, plus a ground transport allowance of AUD$100 will be provided to the successful applicant
- Accommodation in Adelaide – The conference organisers will secure up to 3 nights’ accommodation at one of the conference hotels, within easy walking distance of the conference venue
- Conference registration – Successful applicants will be offered complimentary full registration to APHC27OPCC, including any social and networking events, and pre-conference workshops
- Any variations to the above will be managed on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the scholarship recipient
Round 2 may be offered if there is funding:
DATES: Opens 10 January 2027 | Closes: 28 February 2027
Round 2 will provide scholarships that will cover full conference registration (excluding pre-conference workshops).
All travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. Applicants who were unsuccessful in Round 1 will automatically be considered for Round 2 and need not reapply.
Rosalie Shaw Travelling Scholarship
The Rosalie Shaw Travelling Scholarship (RSTS) was created in honour of the first Executive Director of APHN, Dr Rosalie Shaw.
This scholarship will provide financial assistance (up to USD$3,000) to cover conference registration, travel and accommodation for one APHN member to attend APHC27OPCC. The aim is to enhance their professional development, network with global experts, and be part of a vibrant palliative care community.
Eligibility criteria:
- Must have been an APHN individual member for at least 3 years and hold an active membership through the time of the conference
- Must have an abstract accepted for the presentation at APHC27OPCC
- Must not have received any grants from APHN in the past 3 years
- Must demonstrate leadership qualities and actively work in a palliative care service.
- Must have contributed to the development of palliative care in their region of work or residence
DATES: Opens: Now | CLOSING DATE: 31 October 2026
Please note:
- Previous recipients of this scholarship will not be considered. Priority will be given to members who have not received sponsorship to attend regional or international palliative care conferences
- The recipient of the scholarship must submit a post conference report/testimony on the benefits gained from attending APHC27OPCC within 2 months after the conference
Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) Bursary
The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) Bursary provides financial assistance of up to USD$1,000 to enable APHN members from low and middle-income regions to attend APHC27OPCC.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must have been an APHN individual member for at least 3 years and hold an active membership through the time of the conference
- Must have an abstract accepted for the presentation at APHC27OPCC
- Must not have received any grants from APHN in the past 3 years
DATES: Opens: Now | Closes 31 October 2026
Please note:
- Priority will be given to members who have not received sponsorship to attend regional or international palliative care conferences
- The recipient of the scholarship must submit a post conference report/testimony on the benefits gained from attending APHC27OPCC within 2 months after the conference
Lien Collaborative Bursary
The Lien Collaborative Bursary Award aims to support individuals who are present or past Lien Collaborative faculty members or participants to attend our upcoming biennial conference. Since 2019, bursaries were provided to enable beneficiaries to attend palliative care conferences and observerships in the region.
Recipients of this bursary will receive financial assistance to cover registration fees, accommodation, and flights to attend APHC27OPCC.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a current/past Lien Collaborative faculty member or participant
- Must have been an APHN individual member for at least 3 years and hold an active membership through the time of the conference
- Submission of an abstract is an added advantage
DATES: Opens: Now | Closes 31 October 2026
Please note:
- Priority will be given to members who have not received sponsorship to attend regional or international palliative care conferences
- The recipient of the scholarship must submit a post conference report/testimony on the benefits gained from attending APHC27OPCC within 2 months after the conference.
- Reimbursement of the bursary will only be done in person at the APHN booth
APPLICATION REVIEW AND SCORING GUIDELINES
Priority Category
If more than one category is selected, the scores will be averaged.
| Priority Category | Score |
|---|---|
| People working in palliative care in rural or remote areas | 5 |
| Palliative care consumers and carers | 4 |
| Palliative care volunteers | 4 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers | 5 |
| People with less than three years’ experience in palliative care who have not previously attended an APHC or OPCC Conference | 4 |
1. Describe your professional or personal connection to palliative care
Response: Free text (maximum 300 words)
Score: Out of 5
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 0 | No clear connection or response is irrelevant to palliative care. |
| 1–2 | Basic connection described but lacks depth or relevance to palliative care. |
| 3–4 | Strong connection demonstrated with relevant examples. |
| 5 | Deep and impactful connection demonstrating a strong commitment to the field. |
2. Why are you interested in attending APHC27OPCC?
Response: Free text (maximum 500 words)
Score: Out of 5
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 0 | Generic response or lacks alignment with the conference objectives. |
| 1–2 | Basic interest with limited explanation. |
| 3–4 | Thoughtful response connecting personal or professional goals to the conference themes. |
| 5 | Compelling explanation demonstrating clear alignment with, and enthusiasm for, the learning opportunities available at the conference. |
3. How would attending the conference support you in your role or involvement in palliative care?
This could include your work, volunteering, or personal experiences as a consumer or carer.
Response: Free text (maximum 500 words)
Score: Out of 5
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 0 | Response does not demonstrate how the scholarship would provide benefit. |
| 1–2 | Limited connection to current role or involvement, or provides a generic response. |
| 3–4 | Clear and relevant description of how attending the conference will provide practical and actionable benefits. |
| 5 | Strong response demonstrating significant or transformative impact on professional capacity, personal development, or contribution to palliative care. |
4. What are you hoping to achieve or contribute to palliative care over the next three years? How would this scholarship help you achieve this?
This could include personal growth, skills development, or supporting others in your community or network.
Response: Free text (maximum 500 words)
Score: Out of 5
| Score | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 0 | No response or goals are irrelevant to palliative care. |
| 1–2 | Goals are vague or disconnected from palliative care. |
| 3–4 | Goals are specific and relevant, with a clear explanation of how the scholarship would support their achievement. |
| 5 | Ambitious and detailed goals with a clear pathway for achievement and strong alignment with the purpose of the scholarship. |
5. Previous Scholarship Recipient
Have you previously received a scholarship to attend an APHC or OPCC Conference?
Assessment: Deduct 5 points if the applicant has previously received a scholarship to attend an APHC or OPCC Conference.