As proud supporters of professional nursing education in ostomy care, Coloplast ANZ are pleased to announce the Patricia Blackley Postgraduate Education Scholarship Program. These scholarships honour the pioneering work of Patricia Blackley as a clinician, educator, author, and journal editor in stomal therapy nursing.

This program is being conducted in collaboration with the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses (AASTN) and the New Zealand Nursing Organisation College of Stomal Therapy Nurses (NZNOCSTN). Applications will be reviewed and assessed by a panel of AASTN members and a member from the NZNOCSTN.

What is the aim of the program?

• To enable nurses working in ostomy care to undertake postgraduate education in stomal therapy management or a related area of practice.
• To improve the quality of ostomy care for people in Australia and New Zealand by advancing postgraduate nursing education.

Three scholarships are available. The value of each scholarship is AUD $5000.

What courses are eligible for the scholarship grants?

These scholarships may be used to support:

• Course fees for the Graduate Certificate of Stomal Therapy Nursing through the Australian College of Nursing or the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Nursing (Wound, Ostomy and Continence Practice) through Curtin University.
• Course fees for another post-graduate course relevant to Stomal Therapy Nursing practice. For example; Master of Nursing, Master of Advanced Nursing Practice, Master of Counselling, Master of Business Administration, or Master/Graduate Certificate in another relevant skill set.

Who can apply?

These grants are open to interested nurses in Australia and New Zealand who:

• hold a Bachelor of Nursing or registered nurse equivalent qualification,
• are currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) OR the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ),
• can provide evidence of being employed in an appropriate clinical setting (relevant to Stomal Therapy Nursing) and a letter of support from their manager,
• are a member of the AASTN or NZNOCSTN or are willing to become a member or associate student member once the scholarship has been awarded.

Please note: Additional criteria may apply as per the scholarship application form.

How do I apply?

Applications open from March 1, 2026. Applications must be made in writing on the relevant application form. The application form and full criteria is also available from the AASTN website at: www.stomaltherapy.au/scholarships

Applications close on September 30, 2026.  Late applications will not be considered.  

Applications close on September 30, 2026.  Late applications will not be considered.  

Scholarship recipients will be announced by the AASTN and the NZNOCSTN in November 2026.