APCDA Scholarships

What is this scholarship for?

Each year APCDA awards scholarships to cover registration as a Virtual Attendee for the APCDA Hybrid Conference.  This scholarship includes all regular events at no cost to our scholars (this is a $140 to $260 value).

For the 2025 APCDA Hybrid Conference, the dates will be,

May 12-16: 6 simultaneous breakout sessions (includes over 60 presentations plus numerous networking opportunities):

  • May 12:  9 am – 2 pm* Breakout sessions
  • May 14:  9 am – 2 pm* Breakout sessions
  • May 16:  9 am – 2 pm* Breakout sessions

May 24-25: All sessions are plenary (includes 5 keynotes by world experts, panel presentations, and the Awards Ceremony):

  • May 24: 9 am – 1 pm* – Opening Ceremony, Keynotes
  • May 25: 9 am – 1 pm* – Panel Discussions, & Closing

* These times are for China.
Click here to find the times for your time zone.

Scholarships are available to:

1. Students & recent Graduates: Students or recent graduates (within last 5 years) in our field from any country.

2.Student presenters: Students, who are accepted as a presenter at our conference.

3. Conflict-zone career practitioners: Career practitioners living in a UN defined Conflict-zone.

4. Leaders in Not High-income countries: Local leaders, mentors, and educators working with career practitioners in a not-high income country.

Applicants must also meet these requirements:

  • Have not previously won a scholarship from APCDA
  • Plan to attend the entire conference
  • Your employer will not pay for you to attend
  • Can explain how this conference will help you to provide better career services

Application Process:

  • To apply: Complete this form.
  • Submit one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor who knows your work well.
  • Applications and Recommends must be received by Saturday, February 15, 2025

After the application deadline, we will provide the applications to our Scholarship Selection  Committee, who will select the applicants who they determine can best benefit from this opportunity. 

Notification will be sent within 12 days, so those who are not selected have time to register at the Earlybird rate.

Scholarship Donors:

“APCDA deeply appreciates the long-term contribution of the Martha Russell Endowment Fund.” We are also grateful for the generous contributions from R/S Foundation and Mr. Syed Iqbal to the endowment fund.

Additionally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our members who have contributed to the 2025 Scholarship Fund. These members are:

  • Allan Gatenby, Australia
  • Atsunari Sakuma, Japan
  • Bernie McFarlane, Australia
  • Claire Priestley, Australia
  • Dipika Nand, Australia
  • Dr. Roberta Borgen, Canada
  • Dr. Sue Mate, Australia
  • Drs. Elisabeth Montgomery and Eugene Tssui; Emeryville, California and GBA China. ,
  • Drs. Sujata & Robert Ives, United States
  • Gary Gottfredson, United States
  • Jackie Simpson, Australia
  • Japan Career Development Association (JCDA)
  • Jennifer Paraiso, Philippines
  • Lena Corzo Neisser, Australia
  • Mia Bololias, Australia
  • Mrudula Josyula, United States
  • Muhammad Basit Rana a.k.a. MBR HR WALAY , Pakistan
  • Nobumasa Ohki, Japan
  • Phea Chheang, Cambodia
  • Phoenix Ho from Vietnam, Vietnam
  • Professor Redd, United states
  • Rich Feller, United States
  • Roberta Borgen, Canada
  • Sachin Kumar, India
  • Sarah McKinna, Australia
  • Selvaraj Mattathil, India
  • Sini Parampota, Qatar
  • Tracey Campbell, Canada
  • Yoshichika Iida, Japan
  • Yumian Shu, China
  • Arun Mittal, India

Testimonials

Coming from a third world country where financial limitations restrict the opportunities available to us, getting the scholarship and being able to attend the APCDA conference was undoubtedly one of the life changing moments for me. I believe attending the conference has opened a door and the prospect of a brighter future. The experiences and insights gained from the conference  has played a key role in getting towards my career goal and shaping me into the person I am today.

Urja Acharya, Career Coach, Discover Within, Kathmandu, Nepal

Receiving the scholarship means I have succeeded, for I showcased our Career Guidance Program (Envisioning and Exploring Career Lifelines). Attending the APCDA Conference through the scholarship, I have gained a lot of new ideas and have benchmarked meaningful practices from around the globe.

Jenikko Lara Quinto, Guidance Counselor and Career Advocate, University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines

I tried to make the most of the scholarship award. Got a lot to learn and had meaningful interaction with the scholars and experts in the field.  There are seven more presentations of my interest that I will watch later.

Thank you for making it possible for us.

Syeda Mohsina Hussain, Pakistan

Coming from South Africa where many things happen that clutter the hopes of many youths,  the scholarship exposed me to the outside world’s knowledge, practices and networks in career development services that are in many ways a key that continues to open doors of possibilities and in the background building ‘anew’ hope.

Morakane Madiba
– Founder of Uhunu/Uhuru Career Guidance and Learning (Non-Profit Organisation)
– Steering Committee For Future Earth Systems of Sustainable Consumption and Production Knowledge-Action Network
– Esteemed Advisory Board Member of QNext Global (India) – PhD Candidate at Rhodes University, Environmental, Learning and Research Centre (ELRC), Grahamstown, South Africa

I am very honored to be the first person to receive the Martha Russell Scholarship for my very first time attending the APCDA Conference. By attending the workshops, I have learnt how to use motivated skills cards by Richard Knowdell and Phoneix Ho; how to use Lego as a reflective career development tool by Jackie Simpson, and Linda Reardon; and how to best support organizations and our students to manage their stress, anxiety, and to other mental-health challenges in this ever changing world.

Nguyen Hanh Chi
Martha Russell Scholar
Hanoi, May 29th 2019