A limited number of scholarships are offered to community people from resource-constrained settings and to young scientists and researchers. Scholarship applications are scored for each individual. You cannot swap your scholarship with someone else.

How to apply
Go to the AIDS 2010 website and look through the scholarship guidelines.

To apply for a scholarship you must first create a Conference Profile.

Tips
Read through the guidelines carefully and make sure you follow them. If you have questions, use the contact details provided with the application.

Check the Conference dates and make sure you are able to attend.

Applications for scholarships are very competetive. Give yourself enough time to plan your application well.
Criteria change year to year but priority is usually given to people living with HIV, youth, women, those from developing countries and places where AIDS is endemic, and those who have submitted applications to the Conference programme. Extra points are often given to people attending the conference for the first time.

If your abstract or programme acticities application is accepted, your chances of being offered a scholarship are stronger. Media scholarships are also available. If you write for an AIDS newsletter and can be accredited with the Conference, apply for a Media scholarship.

Sometimes it is difficult to link to the online application form in the last 48 hours before the deadline. Don’t leave your application until the last minute.

Don’t send in an incomplete application. Check it carefully before submitting.

The online application form has a “time out” function on it so prepare your application ahead of time, then fill in the online form. The form will not allow you to start filling it in and then return to it later; you have to complete it in one session.

Have a plan for raising extra money if you do not get the full amount of support you requested. For example, you could ask your employer to cover some costs, approach representatives at various levels of government, community groups or faith based organization, hold a fundraiser in your village, town or city, or make a special request to one of your organization’s funders.

For more tips on raising money to attend the conference, see Money Issues in the Youth Pocket Guide to Navigating International AIDS Conferences.

Dates to Remember:
08 December 2009: Scholarship Applications Open
10 February 2010: Scholarship Applications Close

Contact information for International Scholarships: internationalscholarship@aids2010.org

Contact information for Media Scholarships: mediascholarship@aids2010.org