The WD2026 Media Scholarships offer a unique, fully funded opportunity for journalists and content creators worldwide to attend the Women Deliver 2026 Conference scheduled for April 27-30, 2026, in Narrm (Melbourne), Australia. This global platform highlights feminist leadership, gender equality, human rights, health, climate justice, and development issues, with a special focus on voices from the Oceanic Pacific. The WD2026 Media Scholarships to Attend a Conference cover essential expenses and support participants in delivering impactful coverage of the event, fostering diverse media representation on critical social issues globally.
University/Institution Details
The WD2026 Media Scholarships to Attend a Conference is associated with Women Deliver, the leading global advocacy organization for gender equality and the health, rights, and well-being of girls and women. The conference venue is in Melbourne, Australia, a vibrant cultural and media hub in the Oceanic Pacific region. WD2026 aims to convene advocates, leaders, and media professionals from across the globe to drive feminist agendas and social change.
Study Areas
While the scholarship is focused on media professionals, the themes covered at the conference span numerous interrelated study and reporting areas, including:
- Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
- Public Health and Reproductive Rights
- Human Rights and Social Justice
- Climate Justice and Environmental Advocacy
- Development and Global Social Issues
Applicants representing various media disciplines—reporting, editing, production, photojournalism, videography, podcasting, and digital content creation—are encouraged to apply, especially those focused on independent, factual social issue coverage.
WD2026 Media Scholarships to Attend a Conference Benefits
The WD2026 Media Scholarships provide comprehensive funding, including:
- Full conference registration
- Hotel accommodation (April 26-30, 2026)
- Roundtrip economy airfare
- Visa fees and related costs
- Per diems for local transportation and meals
- Travel insurance
- Support for one accompanying person if the participant has a disability or is under 18 needing a guardian.
Benefits Not Included
The scholarship does not cover expenses beyond the conference period, tuition or study fees (as this is not a study program), personal expenses outside the per diem allowances, or additional travel unrelated to the conference participation. Scholars are responsible for their personal spending beyond the covered travel and accommodation.
Eligibility Criteria for the WD2026 Media Scholarships to Attend a Conference
The scholarship is open globally to media professionals and content creators, including:
- Open to working media worldwide: reporters, editors, producers, presenters/anchors
- Photojournalists, videographers, broadcast teams
- Podcast and radio journalists, newsroom social/visual teams
- Freelancers with a commissioning/assignment letter
- Independent content creators producing factual social issue coverage
- Priority given to:
- Media focused on gender equality, health, human rights, climate justice, development, or Oceanic Pacific issues
- First Nations and Indigenous journalists and creators
- LGBTQIA+ people, persons with disabilities, displaced persons, refugees, under-resourced communities
- Early-career journalists/creators and those new to Women Deliver scholarships
- Selection Process:
- Reviewed by WD2026 team with regional partners
- Based on professional journalism evidence, recent relevant coverage, alignment with WD2026 themes
- Successful applicants notified by November 2025
- Recipient Expectations:
- Active participation in WD2026 and media briefings, including pre-event virtual sessions
- Publication or broadcast of conference coverage
- Timely sharing of links and clips with Women Deliver
- Adherence to embargoes, filming and photography rules, and room-specific guidance
- Follow WD2026 Code of Conduct
Required Documents for the Application
Applicants must provide:
- A completed online application form via the official portal
- Proof of professional journalism or media work (e.g., samples, portfolio)
- A commissioning or assignment letter for freelancers
- A statement demonstrating commitment to conference themes and social issues
- Valid identification documents
- Any additional documentation requested by the application portal to support eligibility and experience.
WD2026 Media Scholarships to Attend a Conference Application Process
Step 1: Prepare required documents, including media samples and assignment confirmation if applicable.
2: Access the official WD2026 media scholarship online application portal.
Step 3: Complete the application form with personal details, professional background, and motivation aligned with conference themes.
4: Submit work samples and relevant documents as instructed.
Step 5: Submit the application before the October 15, 2025, deadline.
6: Await notification of selection by November 2025.
Step 7: If selected, follow instructions for travel, visa arrangements and pre-conference virtual briefing participation.
8: Attend the conference, actively participate, and produce coverage as required by Women Deliver.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Demonstrate clear professional experience in media, especially with social issue coverage.
- Show strong alignment with conference themes such as gender equality, health rights, and climate justice.
- Provide compelling samples that reflect factual and independent reporting.
- Highlight any background or connection to the Oceanic Pacific, marginalized communities, or under-resourced groups.
- Submit the application early to avoid last-minute issues and double-check all documentation.
- Tailor the motivation statement to emphasize how attending WD2026 will enable impactful storytelling and advocacy.
Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Melbourne (in USD)
Though this scholarship relates to conference attendance rather than long-term study, some applicants may be interested in general living expenses in Melbourne:
- Rent (shared accommodation): $700 – $1,200
- Food and groceries: $300 – $500
- Public transportation: $100 – $150
- Miscellaneous (phone, entertainment, etc.): $200 – $300
- Total estimated monthly living expenses: $1,300 – $2,150
Why Choose This Conference?
- Fully funded all-expenses package eliminating financial barriers for media professionals worldwide.
- Opportunity to attend one of the largest global conferences focused on gender equality and women’s rights.
- Exposure to international feminist leaders, activists, and diverse media professionals.
- Platform to showcase reporting and content creation on critical social justice issues.
- Priority consideration for underrepresented groups ensures diverse media voices are amplified.
- Network with global changemakers and enhance professional portfolios.
- Access to pre-conference media briefings and post-conference opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the application deadline?
A1: The application deadline is October 15, 2025.
Q2: Who is eligible to apply?
A2: Journalists, editors, producers, photojournalists, freelancers with assignment letters, and social issue content creators worldwide.
Q3: What expenses does the scholarship cover?
A3: Conference registration, round-trip economy airfare, hotel accommodation during the conference, visa fees, per diems for meals and local transport, and travel insurance.
Q4: Are there priorities for certain applicants?
A4: Yes, priority is given to individuals focusing on issues related to gender equality, climate justice, health, the Oceanic Pacific region, Indigenous and marginalized communities, and early-career media professionals.
Q5: What are the obligations of scholarship recipients?
A5: Recipients must participate fully in conference activities, provide coverage and share media content promptly, and adhere to the WD2026 Code of Conduct.
Official Link:
This scholarship is a remarkable gateway for media professionals passionate about advancing global awareness on gender and social justice through impactful storytelling at WD2026 in Australia.