Scholarships

NURSING & ALLIED HEALTH

Conference SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Closing Date: Monday 30th June 2025

AIM

The SMART STROKES 2025 Conference Scholarship aims to support stroke nursing and allied health clinicians across Australasia by providing financial assistance to attend the two-day SMART STROKES 2025 Conference.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be nursing or allied health clinicians, Aboriginal Health Workers or practitioners working in Australia or New Zealand who meet the following criteria:

  • Currently employed in a specialty stroke unit and/or working with stroke survivors and their families/carers in a specialist or generalist role within an acute, subacute, or community-based setting (employment for more than six months is desirable).

  • Demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for those with lived experience of stroke through professional development and/or the implementation of evidence-based practice.

  • Hold a current Authority to Practice (Registration), if applicable to their profession.

  • Clinicians who have received a scholarship from Smart Strokes in the previous 5 years are ineligible to apply.

PhD Candidates

Full-time postdoctoral (PhD) candidates conducting stroke-related research may also be considered. A letter from the university confirming full-time study must be included in the application.

FUNDING FOR 2025

A total of Three scholarships are available:

  • Full Delegate Scholarship – Registration valued at $850

The Scholarship Review Committee will prioritize applications based on, but not limited to:

  • Selection criteria merit.

  • Oral or poster presentations at the conference.

  • Distribution of funds across different states and disciplines.

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Note: No funding will be considered for salary replacement purposes.

How do I apply?

This is a competitive scholarship process. Applicants should ensure they provide detailed responses.

Required Documents:

  1. A written response to the selection criteria demonstrating commitment to stroke management and service delivery.

  2. A copy of the current Authority to Practice (Registration) notice/receipt, if applicable.

  3. (For PhD candidates) A letter from the university confirming full-time study.

Selection criteria

  1. Describe how your current role and experience align with stroke management, rehabilitation, or related fields.

  2. Provide examples of your ongoing commitment to stroke management through clinical practice, research, or advocacy.

  3. Outline your engagement in professional development activities, such as training, workshops, or mentorship.

  4. Clearly state your learning objectives for attending the conference and how they align with your professional goals.

  5. Describe how you plan to apply the knowledge gained to enhance your clinical practice, research, or leadership in stroke care.

  6. Explain your strategy for sharing the insights gained from the conference with colleagues, teams, or professional networks.

AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

  • A receipt notice will be sent to applicants upon submission.

  • If no receipt notice is received, applicants must follow up with the Event Manager to confirm receipt.

  • The Scholarship Review Committee will convene within two weeks of the closing date.

  • Notification of outcomes will be sent via email within 10 working days after the committee meeting.

  • All funding decisions are final, and no correspondence regarding the outcome will be entertained.

  • Do not register or pay for the conference before the committee meets, as reimbursement for pre-paid registrations is not possible.

  • Successful applicants must register after receiving notification. The scholarship fund will directly cover the registration fee through the SMART STROKES Event Manager.

  • Unsuccessful applicants who still wish to attend the conference at their own expense will be eligible for the Early Bird rate, even if it has closed. Contact the Event Manager to make arrangements.

  • Travel costs should not be included in the application, as they are not considered in the review process.

  • The scholarship does not reimburse hospitals, area health services, or organizations.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS