Applications are now open for the 2026 International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference Scholarship Programme. AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference , will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and virtually from 26 to 31 August 2026. The AIDS 2026 Scholarship Programme provides financial ncial
assistance to selected applicants from around the world to attend AIDS 2026 in person or virtually. The programme is intended for individuals who would otherwise not have the financial means to attend AIDS 2026. It supports applicants who contribute to the conference programme, as well as those who can demonstrate that they will transfer the skills and k nowledge acquired at the conference to the work they undertake in their own organizations and communities.

The IAS will award both in-person and virtual scholarships for AIDS 2026.

Support for in-person attendance includes:

• In-person plus virtual registration, including:
  • In-person access to all conference sessions, satellite sessions, poster discussion sessions, the exhibition, the Global Village and pre-conferences
  • Online access to all conference sessions, satellite sessions and pre-conferences streamed live on the platform, session recordings and on-demand content, the e-posters and the virtual Global Village
• Travel support (pre-paid economy class return ticket from the nearest international airport in your country of residence) for the dates of the conference
• Accommodation (single room in a budget hotel) for the duration of the conference
• Daily living allowance for each day of the conference

Support for virtual attendance includes:

• Online access to all conference sessions, satellite sessions and pre-conferences streamed live on the platform, session recordings and on-demand content, the e-posters and the virtual Global Village

Support for virtual attendance includes:

• Online access to all conference sessions, satellite sessions and pre-conferences streamed live on the platform, session recordings and on-demand content, the e-posters and the virtual Global Village

All scholarship recipients will also receive free IAS membership for two years after the conference.

Requirements

The following candidates will be given priority: 

• Abstract presenters, workshop facilitators and co-facilitators, and Global Village organizers and co-organizers whose submission has been selected for the conference
• Applicants from low- and middle-income countries
• Applicants who are part of key populations and people living with HIV
• Young people and early-career investigators below the age of 35
• Applicants who did not previously receive a scholarship for an International AIDS Conference 

Application Timeline:

• 20 November 2025: Submissions open
• 27 January 2026: Submissions close
• February/March 2026: Review and selection
• Early April 2026: Announcement of results

How to Apply

Eligible candidates will have to complete the online application form and answer questions about their organization or institution, experience in the HIV field, motivation to attend the conference, and how their participation would benefit their community.

You will also have to upload a letter of recommendation. The letter must: 

• Be written in English by a manager or colleague who is familiar with your work, volunteer experience or studies in HIV and can be your referee
• Be on the official letterhead of your referee’s organization, company or institution
• Be dated within two months of your application submission and signed (original or digital signature) by your referee
• Clearly mention you and support your scholarship application for AIDS 2026, explaining why you would be a good candidate for the scholarship