Are you:

An early or mid-career researcher working in women’s health and research translation?
Currently in a leadership position and want to enhance your skills?
Thinking about moving into leadership but not quite sure if it’s for you?
Wanting to participate in an evidence-based, engaging and transforming leadership development program that rates as career changing on formal evaluations?
Eager to network with senior leaders in women’s health, and other EMCRs across Australia?

Answered yes? Then apply now for WHRTN’s Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) Program 2026 scholarship offering. The Program includes participation in Monash University’s Women in Leadership (WIL) Program, and mentoring and networking opportunities.

The Women in Leadership Program alone is normally $1,980 plus GST. WHRTN will cover $1,680 of this with a residual registration fee of only $300. Further, for interstate and regional Victoria candidates, WHRTN will cover the costs of travel, meals and accommodation for the final two days of the Program, held in Melbourne.

The Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program

Program orientation and invitation to join the ELF network.
A session on leaders championing consumer and community involvement.
Group mentoring session with WHRTN CI Professor Helena Teede and WHRTN Chair Professor Deborah Turnbull.
The Women in Leadership Program that’s designed to inspire, encourage and support women in health and medical sciences research to reach their full career potential.
A speed networking event in Melbourne with senior leaders in women’s health, followed by a WHRTN dinner.

ELF Program Dates

All Program sessions and activities are mandatory, and alternative dates are not available.

30 June 2026 from 2.30-3.30 pm AEST: Program Orientation, via Zoom
7 July 2026 from 2.00-3.00 pm AEST: CCI for Leaders, via Zoom
14 July-28 July 2026, complete 8 hours of self-paced online learning
23 July 2026 from 2.00-3.00 pm AEST: Group Mentoring, via Zoom
29 and 30 July 2026: all-day Leadership Program, Melbourne
29 July 2026: networking and dinner, in Melbourne

ELF Program Inclusions

Program materials and all catering for the facilitated days in Melbourne.
Networking and dinner in Melbourne.
Accommodation, meals, flights and Melbourne airport return transportation, for interstate and regional Victoria participants.

Not included: return ground transport to your local airport.

Eligibility Criteria

Early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs), who identify as a woman, working in women’s health and research translation.
Employee or affiliate of an NHMRC accredited Research and Translation Centre; or employee or affiliate of an organisation partnering or affiliated with an NHMRC accredited Research and Translation Centre.
See AHRA.org.au for the Centres, which cover almost all Universities and most MRIs nationally.
Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
Are pursuing women’s health research or translation.
Have not received a WHRTN EMCR Award or Emerging Leader Fellowship.
Able to attend the full dates and times of the Program. (Refer to ELF Program Dates above.)
Agree to pay the substantially reduced registration fee of $300. If this tax-deductible expense is a significant financial barrier or you are unable to fund this, a waiver may be made on application. To be considered for a waiver on financial grounds, you will be asked to provide a justification in your application.

Applications

The application is via an online Google form.
Applications will be acknowledged via email.
Applications will be assessed against eligibility criteria and application form information on relevance to career trajectory.

Applications close 4 February 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST and offers made on 26 February 2026.

Further Information

Contact Linda Skinner, WHRTN Workforce Development Project Manager, if you have any questions.

Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program 2026 Scholarships for EMCRs