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5th World Conference of Women's Shelters
15-18 Sept 2025

Sydney, Australia

Scholarships

We have scholarships on offer for those who need financial assistance to attend.

Scholarship applications have now closed

To make 5WCWS accessible to people from all walks of life, living anywhere in the world, we are offering a limited number of scholarships, especially to women from resource-limited settings, vulnerable populations, young people, survivors of violence and community representatives.

Priority will be given to participants who are recommended by their local or national shelter network, those who will bring back the experience and learnings of 5WCWS to their communities, and those who have been accepted as abstract presenters at 5WCWS.

What scholarships are on offer?

There are two types of Conference scholarships:

  1. Registration
  2. Travel

You cannot apply for both types of scholarships. Instead, please choose when submitting your application which one is your preference.

What will the scholarship cover?

Scholarships include:

  • Registration includes complimentary registration to 5WCWS including access to the four days’ sessions, delegate material, Welcome Reception.
  • Travel includes an allowance* of AUD710 including GST (approximately USD435) which can be used towards your travel and accommodation expenses for 5WCWS.

* receipts must be shown for travel and accommodation expenses for reimbursement.

What do the scholarships not include?

  • Living allowance.
  • Ground transfers in your own country or in Sydney.
  • Pre and post Conference workshops.
  • Study tours.
  • Conference dinner.
  • Personal expenses such as immunisations, gifts, laundry service, food purchased while travelling will be for your own cost.
  • Visa application costs.

Criteria

Conference scholarships will be allocated according to the following criteria:

  • Is working on/or researching violence against children, violence against women, and other forms of gender-based violence.
  • Provides a compelling reason for attending the 5WCWS.
  • Has valid travel documents.
  • Submitted a short CV and letter of support from the applicant’s organisation/institution where the applicant is working/studying.

Please note priority will be given to applicants from low- and middle-income countries, and indigenous or first nations applicants who will not be able to otherwise attend the 5WCWS.

Our expectations

Before 5WCWS

  • Scholarship recipients must have valid travel documents and are responsible for obtaining appropriate travel approvals to attend the Conference.
  • Scholarship recipients may be held liable for any/all expenses incurred if awardee does not attend the Conference. Cancellations must be communicated one month before the event to avoid liability costs.

During 5WCWS

  • Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend an opening meet and greet at 5WCWS as a great opportunity to meet other recipients from the rest of the world. More information on when and where this will be held will be provided by the Hosts closer to the Conference.
  • Scholarship recipients are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct.

Successful applicants

Applications for a Conference scholarship will be assessed individually and a response will be provided via email 1 February 2025. The decision to provide a Conference Scholarship is at the discretion of the Hosts.

Fundraising

Since demand for scholarships will inevitably outstrip supply, we strongly encourage you to seek funding from other sources. Please see our Fundraising Resources page for ideas.

Scholarship enquiries

Rebekah McIntosh

scholarship@fifthworldshelterconference.org

(+61 7) 3255 1002

Key dates

Women Gathering Elements

Express your interest

Conference starts in

42
weeks
06
days
22
hours
09
minutes

Acknowledgement of country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters throughout Australia and pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the importance of connection to culture, land, kinship and community to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families. We acknowledge the cultural practices and traditions still carried out today and being passed down to future generations.

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WESNET and GNWS are committed to UN Sustainable Development Goal no. 5:

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The 17 GOALS of Sustainable Development sdgs.un.org/goals
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