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Research scholarship and grant opportunities for 2023 If we knew what we were doing it would not be called research, would it? - Albert Einstein
Applications open 1 March 2022 and close 13 April 2022 Thanks to our Fellows’ dedication and donors’ generosity, RACS scholarships, grants and Fellowships have grown over the decades. RACS and the Foundation for Surgery are proud to offer up to 28 research scholarships for funding in 2023. Including seven continuing scholarships from 2022, the total funding for 2023 is valued at more than $2.2m. This represents a significant philanthropic contribution to surgical research and training in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. RACS continues to be an international leader in the provision of scholarships for the surgical community. On behalf of the ANZ Scholarships and Grants Committee, I thank the many Fellows and RACS members who commit their time and expertise to the program. We can be proud that these opportunities benefit not only the individuals who receive them but also contribute to the development of research, surgical practise and leadership in our local and global surgical communities.
The Scholarships and Grants Program year Research and Learning and Development opportunities Scholarships and grants are offered in two rounds each year – Research (opening in March) and Learning and Development (opening in August). Research scholarships provide opportunities to pursue major research projects of one to three years duration. They are usually undertaken through an approved research institute in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand. Research opportunities are paid as a stipend, often via the institute, on behalf of RACS and may include departmental maintenance. Learning and Development grants offer the opportunity to pursue professional development, training or small investigative research activities in Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas. They are usually undertaken over a shorter timeframe of several weeks or months and are paid as a lump sum directly to the recipient. Scholarship recipients are required to report on their activities. Improving the digital experience A dedicated online platform–Unlock—has been developed to enable streamlined applications, selection, recipient reporting and administration. Importantly, the platform will allow RACS to improve the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the program to steer the strategy for future success. Promoting social inclusion and gender equity A series of affirmative actions are being implemented to encourage equity and diversity in our processes and communications. Boosting our marketing and promotion Our marketing and promotion efforts will be boosted as we include multimedia to promote scholarships through our partner networks, social media and online, raising the program’s profile and encouraging high-quality applications.
Dr Sarah Coll Chair, Australia & New Zealand Scholarship and Grant Committee