Application process opens: 31 October 2024
Deadline for applications: 30 January 2025
A limited number of bursaries are available to attend World Physiotherapy Congress 2025 in Tokyo, for physiotherapists who are members of a World Physiotherapy member organisation and a resident of a low or lower middle income country/territory.
Download and read the guidelines for the bursary programme application process.
Find out which countries/territories are classified as low or lower middle income.
View the registration fees and register for congress.
To qualify for a bursary, applicants must:
- be a qualified physiotherapist either employed or enrolled in a relevant postgraduate education programme (physiotherapy entry level education students are not eligible)
- be a member in good standing of a World Physiotherapy member organisation
- be a national and resident of a low or low-middle income country/territory with a World Physiotherapy member organisation, as defined by the World Bank; these are countries/territories that pay the reduced World Physiotherapy membership fee
- be able to commit to returning to their home country/territory after congress
- have not previously been awarded a World Physiotherapy congress bursary
- have a commitment to return to their home country/territory if undertaking postgraduate studies in another country/territory
- display efforts to secure funding from other sources (in addition to the bursary programme) to attend congress
Submission of applications
Applicants must complete an online application form which will open on 31 October 2024. The deadline for applications is 30 January 2025.
Assessment criteria
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate how they will:
- use the personal benefits for their continuing professional development
- share the benefits with the practice or organisation they work for
- use the knowledge they gain to impact their local community
- use the learning and opportunities provided to support the development of the profession locally/nationally
- make efforts to secure funding from other sources
Assessment of applications
A World Physiotherapy review panel will assess applications. All applicants will be notified of the outcome in March 2025.
Find out more about the bursary allowance, items not included in the bursary programme, and your responsibilities.
Bursaries contribute towards the cost of:
- return flight (economy class) or ground transportation from country/territory of residence to destination city
- accommodation in designated hotel and breakfast for four nights covering the congress dates
- full three-day congress registration
- World Physiotherapy organised social event ticket (if applicable)
- USD 75 allowance to cover congress and immediate travel days for local public transport (no taxis) and meals (no alcohol). Allowance will be paid after congress on completion of an expenses form with accompanying receipts
- travel insurance
- visa cost
Not included:
- additional items connected to congress such as clinical visits or extra welcome reception tickets
- other personal expenses
- costs associated with getting a visa eg embassy travel if required
Bursary recipients will be sent instructions on how to register for congress and payment arrangements as part of the acceptance letter. Bursary recipients will be required to sign an agreement indicating that any expenses/payments made on their behalf will need to be repaid if they do not attend World Physiotherapy Congress 2025.
Bursary recipients must prepare a written report on their experiences within one month of the event and submit this to World Physiotherapy. Information provided within these reports may be used by World Physiotherapy on its website, e-newsletters and other promotional media.
The decisions of World Physiotherapy are final. World Physiotherapy is not responsible or liable for the successful bursary recipients during their stay in Tokyo.
Neither World Physiotherapy nor the Japanese Physical Therapy Association accepts any responsibility or liability for the visa application procedure.
