🌟💸🌍 Travel Bursary

In keeping with the collaborative spirit and international focus of IAFMHS, the Association is proud to offer financial support to individuals from countries classified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as emerging and developing economies, who face financial barriers to conference attendance. This support is intended to help recipients attend our annual conference and share their research with the global community.

For the 2026 IAFMHS Conference in Helsinki, we are pleased to offer several bursaries valued at approximately $2,500 CAD each. These awards are designed to assist with travel costs for attendees who have an accepted presentation. The goal of the bursary program is to reduce financial barriers, increase participation from underrepresented countries and institutions, and support researchers and clinicians working to improve forensic mental health services in their regions.

The Bursary Award is valued at approximately CAD$2,500 and includes:

• Complimentary conference registration
• Complimentary one-year membership 
• $1500 CAD Cash*

Eligibility Criteria

Complete the travel bursary award application form (now closed) with the Abstract IDs from the Submission Portal (see HERE for details). Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Residency & Employment: Must reside and work in one of the eligible countries (see country list HERE).

• Lack of Other Travel Funding: Must not possess any other travel funding to attend the conference.

• Accepted Presentation: Must have a first-author accepted paper, poster, or symposium presentation at the IAFMHS conference (see HERE for details) 

• Commitment to Attend: Must physically attend the conference and present their accepted submission.

• Previous Awardees: Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a bursary 

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Financial Need: The applicant does not have access to other funding sources to support conference travel or attendance.
• Institutional and Country Representation: The applicant’s institution and country have had limited representation at current or past IAFMHS conferences. Consideration will be given to the potential for the applicant’s attendance to increase awareness of and engagement with IAFMHS in their home context.
• First-Time Attendee Priority: Preference may be given to applicants who have not previously attended an IAFMHS conference.

*The $1,500 cash portion of the bursary will be disbursed in person at the conference registration desk. Recipients must attend the conference in person and participate in their accepted presentation to receive the award. If this policy creates a barrier to attending (e.g., difficulty covering travel costs upfront), IAFMHS may be able to assist with pre-booked hotel accommodation or other arrangements.

Applications must be received by 11:59 PM PST on March 6th, 2026 to be eligible for consideration.

Questions about the award should be directed to alicia.nijdam-jones@iafmhs.org