Richard Hays Foundation Dean of Medicine Bursary

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship.

• I am an Australian citizen;
• I am an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
• I am admitted to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery;
• I am enrolled full-time;
• I am in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th year of study in the year the bursary is awarded; and
• I have not previously been a recipient of the Richard Hays Foundation Dean of Medicine Bursary.

If you are a successful applicant of this bursary, you will receive a single payment of $1,500 after census date of study period 1. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Prior to completing an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules below. Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents:

• a copy of your academic record or a certified copy from any other academic institution;
• no more than three references attesting to your character and/or suitability to receive the bursary;
• a written statement (500 - 2000 words) demonstrating your community engagement, leadership, and advocacy for health; and promoting aspirations of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you answer all the questions and include all relevant documents.  Your application and relevant documents must be submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

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. The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

Introduction

The Bursary was founded in 2013 with funds donated by Professor Richard Hays founding Dean of Medicine at James Cook University and recognises the academic achievement and community involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students. This bursary is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the Bursary

If you are a successful applicant of this bursary, you will receive a single payment of $1,500 after census date of study period 1. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Richard Hays Foundation Dean of Medicine Bursary shall be open to competition among applicants who:

• are Australian citizens;
• are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• are admitted to the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery;
• are enrolled full-time;
• in their 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th year of study in the year the bursary is awarded; and
• have not previously been a recipient of the Richard Hays Foundation Dean of Medicine Bursary.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• academic merit or potential;
• demonstrated community engagement, leadership, and advocacy for health;
• promoting aspirations of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate.

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 copy of their academic record; or a certified copy  from any other academic institution;
• no more than three references attesting to the applicant’s character and/or suitability to receive the bursary;
• a written statement (500-2000 words) demonstrating their community engagement, leadership, and advocacy for health; and promoting aspirations of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you answer all the questions and include all relevant documents.  Your application and relevant documents must be submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s suitability to receive the bursary, which includes authorisation 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 bursary shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Dean, College of Medicine and Dentistry (Chair), or nominee,
• Indigenous Academic, College of Medicine and Dentistry nominated by Chair,
• Other members deemed appropriate, as determined by the Chair.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• not to award a Bursary in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no applicant of sufficient merit to warrant an award; and
• to extend a Bursary for the existing recipient.

The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection process.

Conditions of the Bursary

• At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to you.
• The requirements of the Bursary shall not make the awarding of the Bursary conditional upon the recipient providing unremunerated services or products to the donor
• In the event that the recipient undertakes an approved leave of absence, the bursary shall be suspended.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Bursary

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

The funds of the bursary 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 bursary.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms