The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical Scholarship

The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
• Are a commencing student in the year the scholarship is to be awarded; and
• Are studying Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; and
• Are enrolled full-time (min 12 credit points per study period) at the Cairns, Nguma-bada campus.

The value of the scholarship shall be $30,000 per year for the minimum duration of degree (up to $180,000) paid in equal instalments after census date of study period one and study period two. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Tell us about you and your circumstances. In this section you should discuss: your educational history and any challenges you may have faced, your family situation, where you grew up and if you needed to relocate to attend university, if you have any disabilities that may impact on your studies.
  2. Tell us why you have chosen to study medicine, what you academic goals and career aspirations are.
  3. Tell us about the financial barriers that inhibit you from achieving your academic goals. In the section you should include any other non-government funding you may be receiving.
  4. Tell us about your commitment to community. In this section you could outline work, volunteer, family cultural commitments as well as regular sporting activities and leadership roles you have undertaken.
• A copy of your academic record from any other academic institution, including secondary school; and
• A written reference attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship; and
• Documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

The Balnaves Foundation is a private philanthropic organisation established in 2006 by Neil Balnaves AO. Neil’s vision for the Foundation was to make a significant and lasting impact for Australia. Continuing to build on Neil’s legacy, the Foundation supports organisations that create a better Australia through education, medicine and the arts with a focus on young people, the disadvantaged and Indigenous Australians.

‘The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical Scholarships’ commence at JCU in 2023 and support Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders studying medicine at JCU’s Nguma-bada campus in Cairns.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship shall be $30,000 per year for the minimum duration of degree (up to $180,000) paid in equal instalments after census date of study period one and study period two. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Medical Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
• Are a commencing student in the year the scholarship is to be awarded; and
• Are studying Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; and
• Are enrolled full-time (min 12 credit points per study period) at the Cairns, Nguma-bada campus.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

1. Financial need (60% weighting).  Based on a variety of factors including the following:
   • Need to relocate to attend university
   • Financial situation (supported by self/by family/by partner)
   • In receipt of other scholarships or funding (including AbStudy)
   • Living with a disability
   • Dependants / carer responsibilities
2. Academic merit (20% weighting)
3. Commitment to community (20% weighting). Demonstrated by:
   • Volunteer work
   • Community engagement
   • Sporting activities
   • Cultural activities etc

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Tell us about you and your circumstances. In this section you should discuss: your educational history and any challenges you may have faced, your family situation, where you grew up and if you needed to relocate to attend university, if you have any disabilities that may impact on your studies.
  2. Tell us why you have chosen to study medicine, what you academic goals and career aspirations are.
  3. Tell us about the financial barriers that inhibit you from achieving your academic goals. In the section you should include any other non-government funding you may be receiving.
  4. Tell us about your commitment to community. In this section you could outline work, volunteer, family cultural commitments as well as regular sporting activities and leadership roles you have undertaken.
• A copy of your academic record from any other academic institution, including secondary school; and
• A written reference attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship; and
• Documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy or  nominee, (CHAIR),
• Dean College of Medicine and Dentistry, or nominee,
• Other members as suggested by Chair.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

The Selection committee will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the grant awardee.

Ongoing Eligibility

• The recipient must satisfactorily complete the previous semester of studies in order to continue to receive funding. This includes KU grades.
• The recipient must be enrolled full time.
• The recipient is eligible to apply for special consideration from the selection committee should they fail to pass a semester.  The selection committee may approve on-going funding at their discretion, however the total awardable to the student will not exceed $180,000 over 6 years.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• At the end of each academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to the student.
• The Student may take a leave of absence of 12 months before the scholarship is terminated.
• If the recipient does not meet the ongoing eligibility requirements, they are required to submit a statement of reasons to be reviewed by the Selection Committee for consideration of scholarship extension. The Committee may decide not to extend the scholarship.

A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the scholarships office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the grant.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.