Celebrating 20 Years of Unearthing Life Insurance’s Brightest Stars
Applications are now open for the 2026 ALUCA Turks Life Insurance Scholarship (ATLIS).
This year marks a significant milestone for ATLIS as we celebrate 20 years of championing emerging talent and advancing thought leadership across the life insurance sector.
For two decades, Turks and ALUCA have partnered to provide a platform for professionals to share ideas, challenge thinking and contribute meaningfully to the future of the sector. In recognition of this milestone, we have doubled the scholarship prize pool to AUD$20,000, including funding for the winner and a companion to travel to an international conference of their choice in 2027.
Over the past 20 years, the scholarship has helped advance industry thinking through hundreds of research papers covering some of the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. By recognising excellence, promoting innovation and giving rising professionals a voice, ATLIS has become an important pathway for career development and industry engagement across the Australasian life insurance community. ATLIS is more than a scholarship. It’s an opportunity to contribute to industry dialogue, elevate your professional profile and help shape what comes next.
How to enter
Entrants are invited to submit a paper of up to 2,500 words, responding to one of ten industry questions outlined in the application form. For full entry requirements, essay questions and how to apply, download the Application Form below.
For guidance on preparing your submission, you can explore our tip sheet featuring insights from past winners and industry experts.
Entrants must submit their paper along with a completed application form to scholarships@turkslegal.com.au by 23:59pm AEST, Sunday 13 September 2026.
The 2026 winner receives a prize package valued at up to AUD$20,000, including return international travel and accommodation for two people, AUD$2,000 spending money and a single registration to attend one of the following global conferences:
- 2027 ReFocus Conference (Las Vegas, NV | March 7–10, 2027)
- 2027 Life Insurance & Annuity Conference (Kissimmee, FL | April 12–14, 2027)
- 2027 Eastern Claims Conference (Boston, MA | April 25 – 27, 2027)
- 2027 ACLI Annual Conference (Washington, DC | Oct 13–15, 2027)
In addition, the winner will contribute to the ongoing ATLIS program by joining next year’s judging panel and present their paper at an upcoming Turks Life Matters session.
The 1st runner-up receives a AUD$2,000 Visa prepaid gift card and the 2nd runner-up a AUD$500 restaurant voucher.
The scholarship is open to all ALUCA members regardless of country of residence. Each entrant must be a current financial member of ALUCA as at 23.59pm AEST on Sunday, 13 September 2026 and work in the life insurance industry. Lawyers, accountants or medico-legal professionals who meet the above criteria are eligible to enter provided they are direct employees of life insurance companies, life reinsurance companies, superannuation trustees or superannuation administrators.
Submissions are assessed on:
- Understanding of and insight into the chosen topic
- Conclusions supported by sound evidence and research
- Clarity of thought
- Commercial insight
- Presentation
The 2026 judging panel comprises the following senior industry leaders:
- Paula Bourke, Chief Executive Officer, SCOR
- Christine Cupitt, Chief Executive Officer, CALI
- Ciaran Curley, General Manager, Claims Management at AIA
- Joanne Faglioni, ALUCA Board Member & Chief Claims Officer, ClearView Wealth
- Andrew Howard, Group Executive Strategy & People, Insignia Financial
- Blake Lamont, Corporate Counsel, TAL
- Jim Minto, Chair and Non-Executive Director at Mercer Superannuation
- Jenny Oliver, Chief Executive – Group Life and Retirement, TAL
- Malcolm Weir, Head of Claims and Underwriting, Swiss Re
- Linda Winterbottom, Senior Recovery Specialist, Resolution Life Australia
- Alph Edwards, Partner, Turks
- Darryl Pereira, Partner, Turks
The winners will be announced in November 2026 at a special ALUCA hosted event. All winners will be notified by email and posted to the Turks and ALUCA websites.
