Scholarships

What is this scholarship for?

Each year APCDA awards scholarships to cover registration for the APCDA Hybrid Conference. This scholarship includes all regular events at no cost to our scholars. You can choose to attend virtually or in-person.  If you choose the in-person option, you must pay your own travel, hotel, and miscellaneous expenses.

A Virtual Scholarship ($240 to $150 USD value) includes these events at the 2026 APCDA Hybrid Conference:

April 20-24: 6 options at each breakout session time (includes over 60 presentations plus numerous networking opportunities):

  • April 20:  9 am – 2 pm* Breakout sessions
  • April 22:  9 am – 2 pm* Breakout sessions
  • April 24:  9 am – 2 pm* Breakout sessions

April 28-29: All morning sessions are plenary:

  • April 28: 9 am – 2 pm* – Opening Ceremony, Keynotes
  • April 29: 9 am – 1 pm* – Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Closing Ceremony

* These times are for Malaysia.

An In-Person Scholarship ($360 to $230 USD value) includes everything included in a Virtual Scholarship, plus in-person afternoon breakout sessions (3 time periods with 5 options during each time) on April 28 and 29, plus two dinners, two lunches, and two tea breaks.

Regular 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 have been accepted as a presenter at our conference.
  3. 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

Regular Scholarship Application Process:

Note:  All applicants except Student Presenters are required to answer these questions:

  1. How has your interest, work, or research contributed to the field of career development?
  2. How do you plan to use the information you obtain at this conference to contribute to the field of career development?
  3. Describe any financial or logistical challenges that make this scholarship important for your participation.

Application Steps:

  • Complete this form. 
  • Submit one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor who knows your work well.

Application closed on February 15, 2026.

Resilience Scholarships are available to:

  • Career counselors, advisors and paraprofessionals, leaders, teachers, and mentors in the field of career development who are currently in war zones and/or conflict areas, as designated by the UN Security Council. These conflict-zones are listed here.

Resilience Scholarships cover registration to attend the events listed above under Virtual Scholarship. The process of applying for a Resilience Scholarship is separate from the regular scholarship application process.

Resilience Scholarships Application Instructions

  • English proficiency
  • Plan to attend the entire conference virtually (synchronous or asynchronous mode)
  • Submit their CV and a cover letter

Deadline for receiving the letter, CV, and application form is Sunday, March 15, 2026.

To apply for Resilience Scholarship Click Here

All applicants will be contacted for a virtual interview prior to confirming acceptance.

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, Dr. Marilyn Maze, Mr. Syed Iqbal, and Dr. Constance Jenkins Pritchard, Ocean City, NJ US, Past Treasurer, APCDA, to the endowment fund.

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

  • Angella Griffin
  • Arun Mittal
  • Brenda Holland-Page
  • Daisuke Yamakawa
  • David Blustein
  • Doring Bruno
  • Dr Gerry Torpy
  • Dr Sachin Kumar
  • Dr. Brian Hutchison, Past President APCDA
  • Dr. Jacqueline J. Peila-Shuster
  • Dr. LeAnn Morgan
  • Dr. Michael Stebleton
  • Dr. Roberta Borgen
  • Dr. Sawitri
  • Drs. Elisabeth Montgomery and Eugene Tssui
  • Felix Fu
  • Feller Rich
  • Gatenby Allan
  • Ives Sujata
  • Japan Career Development Association
  • Jeffrey Wai Meng Chan
  • Jennifer Luke
  • Jon Woodend
  • Kuki Kunimitsu
  • Luke Jennifer
  • Ma. Asuncion Clara Pantaleon
    Mai Kato
  • McCann Danielle
  • McKinna Sarah
  • Mr Simon Sim
  • Mrs Sini Parampota
  • Mrs. Natalie Kauffman, Towson, MD, U.S.
  • Ms. Miwa Omori
  • Ms. My Vu
  • Ms. Yumian Shu
  • Nguyen Tam
  • Ohki Nobumasa
  • Paraiso Jennifer
  • Peyman Abkhezr
  • Rich Feller
  • Shu Yumian
  • Sonja Robinson
  • Tam Nguyen
  • Tran Thuy
  • Yasuhide Tobita
  • Yumian Shu

*Updated on February 9, 2026 (Period August 1 to January 31, 2026)

Testimonials

Salah Saleem Saeed Ali, University of Aden, Yemen

Participating in the APCDA Conference was a transformative experience. It offered invaluable insights into career development trends throughout the Asia-Pacific region. I especially appreciated the collaborative atmosphere, the quality of the research presentations, and the chance to connect with career development professionals from diverse backgrounds who are truly committed to advancing the field.

What I love most is how APCDA bridges global career development ideas with local needs. It’s not just theory—it’s about what actually works in our communities. APCDA is more than an association; it’s a dynamic community that empowers career professionals to make a meaningful impact.

Laila Al-Himi, Hadramout University, Yemen

I would like to express my appreciation for the opportunity to attend the APCDA 2025 Conference. It was an inspiring and enriching experience that allowed me to connect with professionals from around the world, gain new insights into career development practices, and explore innovative strategies to support students and job seekers in my community.

One of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the diversity of sessions, which provided me with practical tools and global perspectives that I can apply in my work. I especially enjoyed the interactive discussions and the chance to learn about different cultural approaches to career guidance.

Gaini Yessembekova, Director NU | Career and Advising Center, Kazakhstan

I am truly honored to have received the Martha Russell Career Services Award and to have participated in the APCDA 2025 Hybrid Conference in Zhengzhou, China. It was an incredibly inspiring and enriching experience — connecting with over 120 professionals from across the Asia Pacific region, exchanging ideas, and learning from the best in the field of career development.

Being recognized by such a meaningful and supportive organization as APCDA is a great motivation to continue contributing to our shared mission. I am deeply grateful for this experience and look forward to staying engaged with the community.

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

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. 

 

 

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

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.