AOA IODA ASM Bursary Program

IODA

AOA and the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance (IODA) have established an ASM bursary to encourage and facilitate IODA member attendance at AOA's flagship national Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).

IODA is a not-for-profit organisation championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in orthopaedics worldwide with a vision for a global orthopaedic culture in which everyone can thrive. IODA provides a global platofrm dedicated to promoting diversity in orthopaedics through international leadership engagement, visible role models, education, mentorship, strategy development, research collaborations and support for diversity initiatives. Membership is free and open to orthopaedic surgeons, trainees, junior doctors, medical students, researchers and industry.

The 86th AOA Annual Scientific Meeting, with the theme ‘Celebrating 90 Years of Global Engagement and Clinical Excellence’, will take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 11–15 October 2026.

One IODA AOA bursary will provide full registration (four days) to the ASM, including the social cocktail function.

What's included?

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend:

What's covered?

Full costs of the conference registration valued at up to $3,200, including the social function. Please note all travel expenses and accommodation are payable by the successful recipient.

Eligibility criteria

Applications are open to:

  • current IODA female surgeon members from the Asia Pacific Region (excluding Australia and New Zealand)
  • applicants who have not received any other AOA or IODA bursaries or prizes in the last two years

Application and selection

Applicants are asked to provide brief supporting detail on their interest in the ASM and how their attendance will benefit their practice and career.

Applications open 29 May and should be submitted via the online form below by 30 June 2026.

Blue Button Example

You will need to log in to access and complete the application form so that your application can be associated with your details in our database. Not a member and don’t yet have an account? Just click ‘create a non-member account’ on the login page.

Allocation of bursaries will be undertaken by a conference bursary panel which may include representatives from IODA, AOA Orthopaedic Women's Link, and AOA head office allocated staff. The bursary panel will review: 

  • eligibility criteria
  • application response/input.

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 successful recipients 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