Jude Byrne emerging female leader award - Call for applications
Who Should Apply?
Jude Byrne was an extraordinary person and fearless advocate for people who use drugs over a career spanning decades, holding numerous roles with the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) as well as serving as a board member of INHSU. Jude was also a founding member of INPUD and acting Chair of the Board for close to a decade. Few people have left such a lasting impact on the movement as Jude. Read more about Jude’s life and impact here.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 20 April 2026
- Awardees notified: Approximately 3-4 weeks after deadline
- INPUD mentor program kick-off meeting (online): June 2026
- INHSU Conference: 6–9 October 2026, Prague, Czech Republic
- INPUD mentor program dates: June 2026 – March 2027
We are looking for emerging community leaders who identify as female and are passionate about advancing the health and rights of people who use drugs. Successful applicants should have:
- Lived or living experience of drug use
- A strong commitment to leadership and a desire to pursue opportunities for growth and impact
- Early to mid-career experience, regardless of how long they have been involved in the sector, with an interest in taking on leadership roles. This award is not designed for people who have extensive leadership experience already
- A demonstrated track record of advocacy, community engagement, or involvement in harm reduction or drug policy reform efforts
- A willingness to participate actively in the INPUD mentorship program and INHSU conference, and a commitment to sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and advancing advocacy for people who use drugs
How to Apply?
For more information and to apply for this year’s award, visit the Jude Byrne Award page on the INHSU website and click on the ‘APPLY NOW’ button. Applications close on 20 April 2026.