top of page

SCHOLARSHIP FOR ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES & IMMUNISATION CONFERENCE 2026
Sponsored by Pfizer

Overview

Applications are now open for scholarships supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to attend the Communicable Diseases & Immunisation Conference 2026 (CDIC 2026), to be held in Melbourne/Naarm on Wurundjeri Country, VIC from  Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 June 2026. 

The scholarship is open to applicants who may otherwise be unable to attend such a conference. It can be used to cover registration and a contribution to travel and accommodation costs. There is a limited budget for this initiative. The sum offered to each applicant will be influenced by the number of applications received and the individual cost of attending the conference.​

The conference theme is ‘Public Health at Risk – Collective Solutions to New Challenges’. CDIC 2026 is an opportunity to hear about ideas how to drive improvement in communicable disease control and prevention. The conference will provide opportunities to learn about the changes happening nationally and internationally, about local solutions and successes, and about ways how to together to improve disease control in Australia.

​

Eligibility for Applicants

  1. To be eligible, applicants must be individuals who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Applicants can be residing in any Australian State or Territory.

  2. Preference will be given to healthcare workers living in remote areas and working in the area of communicable diseases and/or immunisation.

  3. The sum offered to each applicant will be influenced by the number of applications received and the individual costs of attending the conference. Please note that we are generally unable to cover the full costs of conference attendance so it is essential that you identify how the balance of your costs will be funded.

​

Key Dates

  • Applications open Monday 16 March 2026.

  • Applications close at 11:59pm AEST, Sunday 3 May 2026.

  • The successful applicant(s) will be notified by Monday 18 May 2026. 

Application Form available 16 March
Applications close 11:59pm AEST, Monday 3 May 2026
 
Scholarship Assessment

Assessment of applications will be based on the applicants’ anticipated benefits of attending and the applicant’s eligibility based on the criteria. The Panel’s decision is final, scholarships will be made available at their discretion. 

​

Application Process 

To apply for this scholarship, please follow these steps:

  1. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria

  2. Complete the Application Form (button link at the bottom of this page) and provide justification for the nomination, specifically addressing each of the selection criteria noted above.

  3. Ensure the form is fully completed. 

  4. Ensure the Application Form has been received by email 11:59pm AEST, Monday 3 May 2026 events@phaa.net.au  

​

Successful Scholarship Recipients Benefits

  • Full conference registration including morning/afternoon teas and lunches from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 June 2026.

  • Ticket to the Networking Function on Monday 15 June 2026.

  • Ticket to the Conference Dinner on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

  • Scholarships will include funding to go towards travel & accommodation, but may not fully cover this.

​

Scholarship Exclusions

Please note the scholarship will not include:

  • Meals (apart from conference catering: morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)

  • Incidental expenses

​​

Application Form available 16 March
bottom of page