Pain School for Translation and ResearchpainSTAR 202615 - 19 November 2026 | Novotel Barossa Valley

Application Portal

Successful applicant will be required to register for painSTAR 2026. The cost is AU$800, included in this registration fee is:
- Access to 3.5 day program with leaders in the field of pain research
- Shared accommodation for the duration of the event*
- All meals for the duration of the event
- Attendance at all social functions & dinners
- Transfers to/from the venue and Adelaide Airport** 

* Private accommodation is also available, at the applicants own cost. Please contact the painSTAR Secretariat for further information
** Transfers will be organised at set times. Further information will be included in communications to successful applicants in the lead up to the event. If the scheduled transfer times do not work with your travel plans, applicants will need to organise their own transfers at their own cost.

Who should apply? (Selection criteria)

painSTAR is open to Higher Degree Research (HDR) students (nearing completion), post-doctoral fellows, early career academics (within 6 years of PhD) and medical, nursing and allied health practitioners with a demonstrated commitment to, and involvement in, pain research.

Applicants will be assessed on their overall potential to contribute to the objectives of painSTAR, including:
- Research/clinical excellence
- Community engagement/potential impact
- Diversity - including research and clinical scope, plus geographical/demographic considerations (e.g. need for local support)

Successful applicants must attend the full event (including all dinners and social events) and be a member of both the IASP and their country’s IASP Chapter (e.g. The Australian Pain Society). 

Important information

- Applications open:        Tuesday 7 April 2026
- Application deadline:    Monday 25 May 2026
- Notification date:          Tuesday 30 June 2026

Application Criteria & Supporting Documents

Please complete all sections within the application portal, including;
- Who you are
- What you will bring to the painSTAR experience
- Your type/area of pain research and/or career interests; and
- Why you believe attending painSTAR will benefit/strengthen your current research/practice
- How you will share what you have gained from the event and promote future involvement amongst your peers
- Please provide a 1-page listing of your most relevant publications (No posters, uploaded in PDF)
- A short CV (4 pages maximum, uploaded in PDF)

 Terms and Conditions

• Applicants agree to complete the registration form and pay the AU$800 registration fee in full and between Tuesday 7 July - Tuesday 18 August 2026
• Applicants must have support of their supervisor to attend painSTAR for its full duration
• Acceptance of applications is at the discretion of the painSTAR Faculty and Selection Committee
• Completed application forms must be submitted by the due date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm that their application has been successfully submitted prior to the due date
• painSTAR is designed to be an immersive ‘in person’ event. As such, successful applicants must:
  • commit to attend the full duration of the painSTAR event, including participation in all dinners and social activities, and agree, in writing, to these terms and conditions within the application process
  • stay onsite at the Novotel Barossa Valley for the full duration of painSTAR 2026
  • acknowledge that family members, friends or children are unable to attend. (NB: this excludes dependent babies -  please contact the painSTAR Secretariat if you wish to discuss further)
• The organisers reserve the right to ‘carry over’ arrangements if the event is deferred due to unforeseen circumstances
• Delegates are required to provide the APS with a post-event report (500 words) in the 6 months following the completion of painSTAR regarding the impact that painSTAR has made for their practice and career trajectory
• By accepting the offer to attend painSTAR, and by registering for the event, applicants agree to abide by the following Expected Behaviour Policy:

The Australian Pain Society (APS) is committed to a respectful and safe environment for all interactions inclusive of its conferences and meetings.

 painSTAR is governed by all relevant APS policies in relation to professional behaviour and conduct, including in relation to bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment.

 painSTAR is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. Sexual language and imagery or the use of personal photos without permission is not appropriate for any event venue, including talks, workshops, parties and online.

 painSTAR participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organisers.

 Respectful behaviour is expected at all times from all participants. Appropriate behaviour respects difference and diversity, respects privacy, and handles disagreement politely. Honesty and fair dealing is expected.

 Obtaining consent to quote others, use presentations or take photographs is appropriate and shows the respect expected of participants of painSTAR.

 If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to a member of the events team who will escalate to the Chair of painSTAR Faculty. Alternatively you can make a report via email here. All personal details will remain confidential, issues raised will be investigated and necessary action taken to prevent a recurrence.