PDL Student Grant Program

Providing assistance to future pharmacists

The PDL Student Grant Program aims to enhance the education and training of future pharmacists by assisting selected, individual student members to attend a recognised Australian pharmacy conference. Applications for our 2025 grant program will open in January 2025.  

Grant details

Up to three PDL grants are available nationally each year, at a value of up to $5,000AUD each. Funding is provided to attend one of the following eligible events:

  • PSA National Conference 
  • Pharmacy Connect
  • AdPha Medicines Management Conference
  • APP Conference

 

Where relevant, grants may include:

  • Full delegate registration
  • Travel*
  • Accommodation*
  • Meals
  • Additional requests in application pertaining to event attendance will be assessed on a case-by-case basis 
  • Two years of complimentary PDL membership upon commencement of pharmacist registration 
  • Mentorship and advice from PDL’s Professional Officers, Board and/or Local Advisory Committee members (where relevant)

 

*Terms and conditions apply to travel and accommodation expenses based on the location of event and location of the applicant, at PDL’s discretion. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a grant, you must:

  • be a currently enrolled full-time student in a pharmacy program at a recognised Australian university. Undergraduate and postgraduate will be considered; and
  • be a current PDL member. If you’re not a member of PDL, you can join by completing an online registration. PDL membership is free for pharmacy students and intern pharmacists.

Selection criteria

The grant recipients will be selected by the PDL Student Grants Committee from the eligible applications received.
Selection is based on:

  • interest and engagement in pharmacy as a profession; and
  • expected outcomes from attending the conference.

Read more in the Assessment Criteria

2024 Student Grant winners

Congratulations to Aaron Stockwell from Curtin University and Monash University students Yannee Liu and Riko Ngo! We are thrilled to support Aaron and Riko’s attendance at SHPA’s Medicines Management and Yannee’s attendance at the PSA National Conference. Thank you to all applicants for taking the time to apply. 

See some of our previous winners

Hear from our grant recipients

“The PDL student grant provides an invaluable and unique opportunity for pharmacy students and interns to connect with industry professionals and thought leaders from across the country. I have been able to expand my horizons, clinical knowledge, scope of practice and networks by attending PSA24 through the PDL student grant. I highly recommend applying for the PDL student grant! Go for it!”

– Yannee Liu, 2024 PDL Student Grant recipient

“In 2023, I used the PDL student grant to attend the FIP 2023 in Brisbane. This international conference allowed me to view pharmacy in a global context, increasing my knowledge of different pharmacy practices around the world, while also allowing me to appreciate where Australian pharmacy practice fits. Additionally, in attending this conference, I was able to make both domestic and international friendships, broadening my pharmacy network. I would like to thank PDL for giving me this amazing opportunity and supporting me every step of the way. The PDL team was always extremely helpful and quick to answer any questions or problems that arose. I would highly recommend any pharmacy student consider applying for this grant as it provides a great opportunity to learn about our vast profession and meet fellow professionals.”

– Alex Siu, 2023 PDL Student Grant recipient

“The knowledge and insights gained from the FIP Congress will undoubtedly influence my future career. I am eager to integrate these learnings into my studies and contribute to the evolving landscape of pharmacy as I enter my internship. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to applying the knowledge acquired to make meaningful contributions to the field of pharmacy. Thank you PDL for supporting me in making this enriching experience possible, I hope to reattend another FIP World Congress in the future.”

– Jo Cavanagh, 2023 PDL Student Grant recipient

“PDL has been very supportive and dedicated to guiding new talent and with the grant I was able to travel across Australia to Perth to present my own research, meet so many new people and academics and build so many new memories. If you are a little bit unsure about applying for the PDL student grant, take this as a little bit of encouragement to put yourself out there and say yes to new opportunities.”

– Kingston Yeung, 2022 PDL Student Grant recipient

“Thanks to PDL’s Student Grant program I was able to explore my passion for hospital pharmacy at the SHPA’s Medicines Management in Brisbane last year. When I was at the conference I got to network with many amazing hospital pharmacists, I developed new clinical skills from all the talks they were giving, and I even had the opportunity to present a poster on some research I had conducted that year. To any students thinking of applying, I would highly encourage you to do so, it’s such a unique experience and can open many doors for you in the world of pharmacy.”

– Sanam Fath Abadi, 2022 PDL Student Grant recipient

“I used my PDL student grant to attend APSAD 2022, a conference focusing on the research findings of clinical and social interventions in various drug and alcohol organisations nationwide.  I would like to thank PDL for their amazing support and the opportunity to widen my knowledge in addiction medicine. When registering for the conference, PDL’s communication and swift assistance was fantastic. The grants team was friendly and appreciated the sense of urgency I had to book this conference. I felt that PDL was excited for me to receive this opportunity and wanted to provide me with the best opportunity possible to enjoy the conference. I highly recommend every pharmacy student to apply for this grant, as this is a valuable opportunity to build your knowledge and network with others in our profession.”

– Joby Elias, 2022 PDL Student Grant recipient

“Although not what I had originally planned [because of the COVID-19 pandemic], I was able to use my PDL grant to attend the SHPA Foundation Seminar in Clinical Medication Management. I was incredibly grateful for the financial support from PDL and the opportunity to use the money to attend this event. The course was beneficial in helping me consolidate and extend on the knowledge I was gaining during my clinical placement, and touched on several topics which were not taught at university. I am now undertaking my internship in the hospital setting, and find myself using the knowledge and skills I gained on a daily basis. Most importantly, I am sure that this opportunity has meant I am able to provide better care for my patients and add more value to the multidisciplinary team.”

– Mikah Peterson, 2020 PDL Student Grant recipient