If you are in the early stages of working in or working toward a career in learning, teaching or training, the AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity to support your career and growth. This scholarship champions the future of learning, development and training across Asia Pacific.
Congratulations to Evonne Ng, winner of the 2026 AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship.
Evonne’s essay examined how AI and learning technology can be used without displacing human judgement and connection. Using Alice in Wonderland as a framing device, she explored designing with empathy from the learner’s context, building experimentation and continuous learning into practice, prioritising connection over polish, and embedding ethics and transparency in the use of AI — all grounded in real workplace experience.
The essay will be published in the next edition of Training & Development magazine.
Thank you to everyone who applied - we really appreciate the quality of your submissions, time and effort taken.
📸 The photo above is of Evonne's grateful reaction to winning when Abbie Taylor (AITD National President) and Ben J Campbell (AITD CEO) shared the news with her over Zoom.
Applications for next year's scholarship will reopen later this year.
Prize package (valued at over $4,500 AUD)
- A ticket to the AITD Conference
- One year of AITD professional membership
- A mentoring meeting with an AITD Board member to develop a professional development plan, including free access to designated AITD courses over the year in consultation with the CEO
- $1,000 to support your studies
Eligibility
To qualify for the AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship, you must:
- be in the early stages of working in or working toward a career in learning, teaching or training and be currently studying, or have completed your L&D qualifications within the past two years; and/or
- be within two years of your first dedicated learning, teaching or training role, with the intention of a career in L&D.
Entry Requirements
Applicants complete an online application form addressing the following Entry Questions (max 150 words each):
- What led you to a career in learning, teaching or training?
- How will this scholarship help your career?
- How do you see yourself contributing to L&D?
- If you were a speaker at the next AITD Conference, what would be your message?
In line with previous years, applicants must also submit an essay (maximum 1,000 words) responding to one question below. A panel of judges will assess the essay as the major selection criterion. The winning essay may be published in Training & Development magazine, so it can take a journalistic or creative tone.
Essay Questions
(aligned to AITD’s National Conversation 2026)
- Human-centred innovation – How can L&D practitioners integrate AI, automation and other digital tools into learning programs without losing sight of human values and ethical considerations? Describe practical strategies that ensure technology enhances rather than replaces human connection in learning.
- Learning in the flow of work – What approaches can organisations use to embed microlearning and just-in-time resources into daily workflows? Consider tools, practices or design principles that allow learners to access support exactly when they need it.
- Reskilling for a changing world – With rapid change and emerging technologies, how should L&D teams proactively identify future skill gaps and design reskilling initiatives? Explain how you would integrate emotional intelligence, wellbeing and cultural competence into reskilling programs.
- Sustainable business impact and organisational resilience – In what ways can learning programs build organisational resilience and demonstrate measurable impact? Discuss strategies for using learning analytics to show business benefits, maintain data ethics and foster community building through mentoring and peer learning.
Assessment Criteria
Essays are assessed against the following areas:
- Essay Content and Structure – clear introduction, logical flow, strong conclusion, stays focused on the prompt
- Essay Argument and Analysis – clear position, relevant evidence/examples, critical thinking
- Essay Writing Quality – grammar, spelling, punctuation, concise and professional tone
- Essay Originality and Insight – unique perspective, creativity, meaningful personal insight
- Scholarship-Specific Criteria (Entry Questions) – alignment with scholarship goals, demonstration of desired qualities, how the scholarship will be utilised
- Overall Impact – engagement, positive impression, convincing case for why the applicant deserves the scholarship
How to Apply
Applications will reopen later this year.
Please prepare your responses to the Entry Questions and your 1,000-word essay before commencing the form.
