Vacation Study Program
Applications close Friday 4 September 2026 at 5pm.
The ACT Vacation Study Program (VSP) offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in health research over a 6-week placement between November 2026 and February 2027, giving you the chance to work on real-world research projects that make a difference.
Benefits for students
- Build your research capability in a real-world health setting.
- Ignite a passion for research even if you’re not in a research degree.
- Develop practical skills to embed research into your future career.
At the successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to receive a $3,000 stipend.
Who can apply
The program is designed to spark interest in research and provide a foundational research experience for second, third, and fourth‑year students in an undergraduate bachelor's degree at a Canberra-based university. The program is open to students from any discipline that can impact health, including:
- medicine
- medical science
- nursing and midwifery
- allied health
- health economics
- epidemiology
- biostatistics
- public health
- preventive health
- information technology.
To support equitable access to the program, students who have previously completed a VSP placement are not eligible to apply for another placement.
Students who are based outside of Canberra or unable to attend in person are not eligible to apply. This approach is designed to:
- minimise logistical challenges for both students and supervisors
- ensure participants can attend all mandatory workshops in person
- reduce extended periods of unavailability
- support sustained engagement throughout the project
- promote richer, more meaningful interaction between supervisors and students.
Key dates
- Student applications open 9am, Monday 10 August 2026
- Student applications close 5pm, Friday 4 September 2026
- Pre-placement workshop, Friday 30 October 2026
- Student workshop 1: Introduction to data analytics, Thursday, 12 November 2026 (10am-1pm)
- Student workshop 2: Science communication, TBC
- Student workshop 3: Presentation skills, TBC
- Placements are any 6-week period between November 2026 and February 2027
- Final student presentation Friday 5 February 2027
- Final reports due 5pm, Friday 27 February 2027
Apply
Students may apply for up to four projects but will only complete one placement.
This placement is based in Canberra, and successful students will be required to attend all face-to-face components including mandatory workshops.
Submit your application form by 5pm Friday 4 September.