Expression of Interest: Attend Japan Primary Care Conference in Kyoto

This opportunity has now closed for application dates. 

 

APNA is seeking expressions of interest from current and future primary care nurse leaders for this exciting opportunity. 

The Leadership in Action: Empowering Nurses in Primary Care project is a collaboration between APNA, Hiroshima University and the Japan Primary Care Association.

Through this project, up to five grants will be awarded to nurses to support attendance at a symposium at The 17th Annual conference of Japan Primary Care Association in Kyoto, Japan 29 to 31 May 2026.

Page navigation Background information The opportunity - information about the grant Eligibility requirements Key dates

Background information

In both Australia and Japan, primary care plays a central role in supporting population health, with nurses and midwives being key contributors, working in partnership with communities to promote and maintain local wellbeing.　 

The Leadership in Action: Empowering Nurses in Primary Care project, funded by the Australia Japan Foundation, provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on learnings, explore future directions, and support knowledge exchange between primary care nurses in Australia and Japan. Through professional exchange, this project will provide opportunities for nurses in both countries to advocate for the role of primary care nurses. By fostering mutual learning and collaboration, the project aims to raise awareness of the vital role nurses play in disease prevention, management, and community health. 

The long-term aim is to enhance disease prevention and chronic disease management, ultimately supporting better health outcomes for local populations. Nurses from Australia and Japan will explore how primary care nursing advocacy has evolved in their respective countries and identify ways to enhance recognition and understanding of their contributions. Together, they will codesign a forward-looking action plan that includes practical strategies to advance leadership in primary care nursing across health systems and broader communities. This will establish sustainable, nurse-led solutions to improve primary care and elevate the voice of nursing in shaping future models of care. 

 

The opportunity 

Up to 5 grants will be awarded to nurses and midwives to support attendance at The 17th Annual conference of Japan Primary Care Association.

During this conference a special symposium focusing on nurse leadership with speakers from the Leadership in Action project will be held. A virtual workshop following the symposium will also be held in June to codesign the action plan to advance primary care nurse leadership in both countries.

Each grant will be up to a total value of AUD $2,375 which includes: 

• Up to AUD$1,500 to go towards economy fare return flights from Australia to Japan 
• Up to $750 to go towards accommodation (AUD$150 per night for up to 5 nights) 
• A daily allowance to cover the cost of meals as per Hiroshima University guidelines (equating approximately AUD$25 per day for up to 5 days).  

Air fares and accommodation will be booked via the Hiroshima University travel agent. Please note that participants will need to cover any additional travel costs associated with participation beyond the amount in the grant (e.g. travel insurance, or flight costs above the $1,500 included in the grant). 

IMPORTANT: The grant does not cover any other costs associated with travelling to Japan to attend the conference. Other costs that grant recipients will need to self-fund include: registration fee to attend the conference (approximately $100), airport transfers and other internal travel within Australia or Japan, travel insurance, passports and visas. It is a prerequisite for being awarded the grant that recipients will arrange and pay for travel insurance and any required passports or visas.

 

Eligibility requirements 

Nurses registered with Aphra who are either enrolled or registered nurses and/or midwives and or nurse practitioners. We will require your Aphra registration number for verification. 

Experience working in an Australian primary health care setting. This includes working in non-hospital settings that are part of the first level of contact with the health system, including, but not limited to: 

• Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations 
• Aged care 
• Community health 
• Corrections health 
• General practice 
• Refugee health 
• Schools and pre-schools 
• Other primary health care settings 
• Agree to self-fund any additional costs to attend the conference (as outlined above). 
• Committing to participate in a virtual workshop in June to codesign an action plan (date to be confirmed) 

Up to five nurses will be selected to participate. We are looking for a mix of nurses including experienced nurses who have demonstrated high levels of advocacy and leadership in primary care nursing as well as nurses earlier in their career who may be newer to nursing but can demonstrate a commitment to becoming future leaders.   

Prioritising applications: Applications will be evaluated by the General Manager, Policy and Advocacy, and the Research & Evaluation Manager, according to responses in the expression of interest form including:  

• Registering and attending the 3-part webinar series (14 January, 18 February and 20 April 2026). You can register to attend here: Leadership in Action: empowering nurses in primary care. Reasons for not being able to attend all sessions will be taken into consideration.  
• Commitment to strengthening the role of primary health care nursing, through advocacy and leadership roles and activities, including engagement through professional bodies. 
• Demonstrated leadership and advocacy in supporting vulnerable populations.  
• Referees may be called upon to provide additional input to evaluate applications.

 

Key dates 

• Expression of interest due: 5:00PM, 1 February 2026 
• Successful applicants notified: 13 February 2026 
• Successful applicants accept grant offer: 16 February 2026 
• Unsuccessful applicants notified: 16 February 2026 
• 17th Annual Conference of the Japan Primary Care Association: 29 to 31 May 2026