Stronger Together – protecting children from online pornography by inviting a public health response - is a world-first initiative to address this issue globally. The Summit will facilitate the provision of expert-led educational and collaborative sessions on strategic responses to protect children and young people from the harms of accessing online pornography. We aim to: 

• Connect, educate, and mobilize key stakeholders globally, to prevent and address the negative impacts caused to children and young people accessing legal pornography online  
• Identify and educate key individuals globally to champion a strategic response to help align all countries initiatives globally 
• Establish membership in the Connecting to Protect Global Coalition  
• Establish a Connecting to Protect Global Resource & Research Hub 

We are inviting scholarship applications for the Connecting to Protect Global Virtual Summit. The summit will provide opportunities to learn and interact with colleagues about the mental health and safety implications of children and young people accessing online pornography. A global multi-sectoral public health response is emerging as a framework for exploration as we work together across the disciplines of medicine, neuroscience, sociology, psychology, social work, education, technology, and legal settings, recognizing and applying the experiences of front-line professionals to protect children from harmful content on the internet, including online pornography. 
 
By bringing countries together, we aim to create a united response to challenge the development of resources and research-based solutions. 
 
Please ensure you have read all the information prior to commencing your application. 

About the scholarships 
 
Connecting to Protect is offering summit scholarships to eligible applicants that will cover costs associated with the full summit fee (excluding any pre-summit workshops). Applications close on February 9, 2022, and successful recipients will be notified by February 14, 2022.  
 
Successful applicants will be required to produce a written report within 2 weeks of attending the summit (500 – 800 words). The report will be due for submission by March 4, 2022, and will be considered for publication on the Connecting to Protect website and summit report. 
 
The written report may cover questions such as, but not limited to:  

• Why did you apply for a CTP scholarship?  
• What did you gain from attending the Connecting to Protect Global Virtual Summit?  
• What was the highlight of the summit for you?  
• How will the knowledge gained from your attendance benefit your studies/practice/organization/ country? 
• What initiatives are likely to be undertaken or furthered due to your attendance? 

Who can apply?  
 
Applications are open for students or recent graduates, not-for-profits, and individuals unable to attend without support. The selection process will aim to redress barriers to participating in the summit which may be experienced by those unable to participate due to financial strain or other disadvantages. Applicants must: 
 
Be unable to pay the fee (as an individual or NFP), however, can demonstrate the likelihood of a significant positive impact being achieved by attending the summit; or  
Be undertaking relevant university research around pornography impacts, child sexual exploitation, online harms, or ‘other’ topics. 
 
How will applicants be selected?  
 
The scholarships will be awarded after consideration of the responses to the selection criteria. Selection will also consider diversity in gender, location, and fields of practice. The selection of successful applicants will be determined by the CTPGC Board following a review from a panel of experts. 
 
How to apply?  
 

1. Prepare a written response to address each of the selection criteria and submit below (up to 150 words per section). 
2. Prepare a Curriculum Vitae which includes study and university experience, qualification, and year of completion (if applicable), or if still studying, the year of your degree you are in; work or volunteer experience (if relevant); and the name of two referees and their contact details. 
3. Submit your completed application by February 9, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by February 14, 2022. Unsuccessful applicants will be offered the opportunity to take advantage of a reduced summit fee. 

Only completed applications will be considered. Enquiries can be directed to tamara@connectingtoprotect.org.

Applicants are asked to provide a response (up to 150 per criterion) for each of the following:

For acknowledgment

Please access the Connecting To Protect Memorandum of Understanding.

As a condition of being considered for a scholarship to attend the Summit, I agree to:

Please submit your application no later than January 14, 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by January 31, 2022. Unsuccessful applicants will be offered the opportunity to take advantage of a reduced summit fee. Enquiries can be directed to tamara@connectingtoprotect.org.