RACS Career Enhancement Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Medical Students

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Indigenous Health Committee in conjunction with the Foundation for Surgery is offering up to three scholarships to assist final year medical students, who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, to cover the costs of undertaking surgical-related education, training and/or research opportunities in Australia or New Zealand that will result in the acquisition of new knowledge and skills which strengthen their career portfolios.

Scholarship details

Value: $2,000 approx. total

Duration: 1 Year

Availability: 3 scholarships offered

Application dates

Opening Soon

Open: 25/03/2025
Close: 05/05/2025

Options


This scholarship is for:

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants
Academic merit

Areas of study:

  • Medicine

At Institution:

  • Other

Study level:

  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate coursework
  • Postgraduate research

Study Load:

  • Full Time

Location:

  • NT
  • SA
  • QLD
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA
  • ACT
  • NSW

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the scholarship an applicant must be interested in a career in surgery and:
– provide confirmation of eligibility for membership to Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa The Maori Medical Practitioners Association (Te ORA) or the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA)
– at the time of application, be enrolled in the final year of a medical degree at an Australian or Aotearoa New Zealand medical school.
 

How to Apply

Application is via the Scholarships and Grants Program online platform; RACS Unlock.
 
PLEASE NOTE – emailed applications will not be accepted.
 
Applications are to include;
– your career and employment details
– a statement addressing your aspirations and commitment to pursuing a surgical career, the relevance of the activity to your current stage of training or medical career, and current and future commitment to Maori or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
– evidence of eligibility for membership to Te ORA or to AIDA
– evidence of medical school enrolment or registration as a medical doctor in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand
– name and email addresses for two referees who will then receive an invitation to view parts of your online application and provide a recommendation. It is preferred that one of your referees is an AIDA or Te ORA representative or a community leader. 

Further Information

The scholarship may be used for one or a combination of the following activities:
Course fees, travel and accommodation to attend surgical skills training workshops in Australia or New Zealand;
Attendance or presentation of a paper and/or poster at a medical, surgical or Indigenous Health conference in Australia or New Zealand. Preference will be given to applicants presenting research project results and outcomes;
Surgical related research projects;
Other professional development activities deemed appropriate and of benefit to the applicant by the Indigenous Health Committee and/or Scholarship Selection Panel to enhance their career portfolio.