Lynn Kratcha Memorial Rural Bursary

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

• I am or will be enrolled full-time in my second year of the Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery;
• I am able to demonstrate an interest in rural medicine;
• I am able to undertake a rural elective.
• I am a student of good standing with no disciplinary history.

The bursary consists of a four-week rural placement.  The bursary will include support for travel and accommodation, and can be undertaken as the 4-week Year 2 rural placement at the end of the year.

Winners must be prepared to provide an oral and written report on their return.

Prior to submitting an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules and application instructions outlined below.

There are two components required to apply for this bursary, each of which contributes to the final mark:

Stage 1 - Written application. Due by COB Monday 2nd March 2026

• Use the online application form to apply.
• Task > in 500 words or less, detail your reasons for applying for the Lynn Kratcha Bursary, comment on your independence, resilience and interest in rural medicine, providing relevant examples where possible.
• You will also need to attach a copy your current resume to your application.

Stage 2 – Interview and Oral presentation: Dates TBC early 2026

Candidates shortlisted from stage one will be invited to attend an interview with the panel and give an oral presentation.

• The interview will last approximately 10mins.  It will be conducted by a panel of at least 3 members, including a previous recipient of the bursary.
  • Students will be judged on communication skills, interview preparedness, motivation for entering and suitability as a representative of the College of Medicine and Dentistry.

  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. 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.

Successful applicants will move on to stage 2 and be invited to interview with the panel.

Introduction

This bursary was founded in 2001 by Lynn Kratcha, MD as the North Dakota Rural Bursary. Dr Kratcha was a rural doctor in North Dakota, USA, who undertook parts of his undergraduate and postgraduate training in North Queensland. Dr Kratcha passed away in 2012 and the bursary has been renamed in his honour. The purpose of the bursary is to support a medical student undertaking an international rural elective.

This bursary is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Nature of the Scholarship

The value of the bursary shall be a return economy airfare from North Queensland to the location of the elective, and support for living expenses, or such amount as the Selection Committee determines from time to time. Up to 2 bursaries will be awarded each year as determined by the Selection Committee.

Eligibility Criteria

The Lynn Kratcha Memorial Rural Bursary shall be open to competition among candidates who:

• are enrolled full-time in Year 2 of the Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery;
• who are able to demonstrate an interest in rural medicine;
• who are able to undertake an rural elective.
• who are a student of good standing with no disciplinary history.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee will, in the exercise of their absolute discretion, afford consideration to the following criteria:

• academic merit or potential;
• the character of the candidate for the award; and
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the candidate has, or will receive any other bursary assistance during their studies.

Application Procedures

Prior to submitting an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules and application instructions outlined below.

There are two components required to apply for this bursary, each of which contributes to the final mark:

Stage 1 - Written application. Due by COB Monday 2nd March 2026

• Use the online application form to apply.
• Task > in 500 words or less, detail your reasons for applying for the Lynn Kratcha Bursary, comment on your independence, resilience and interest in rural medicine, providing relevant examples where possible.
• You will also need to attach a copy your current resume to your application.

Stage 2 – Interview : Dates TBC early 2026

Candidates shortlisted from stage one will be invited to attend an interview with the panel and give an oral presentation.

• The interview will last approximately 10mins.  It will be conducted by a panel of at least 3 members, including a previous recipient of the bursary.
  • Students will be judged on communication skills, interview preparedness, motivation for entering and suitability as a representative of the College of Medicine and Dentistry.

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.

Selection Process

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

• Dean, College of Medicine & Dentistry, (Chair), or nominee
• Head of Discipline, General Practice & Rural Medicine or nominee
• Academic staff member/s from the Discipline of General Practice & Rural Medicine responsible for delivery of Year 2 in the College of Medicine & Dentistry
• Lynn Kratcha Memorial Bursary recipient from previous year.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• to award one or more bursaries in any year
• not to award a bursary in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award;
• to award a bursary for a period of one or more years; and
• to extend a bursary for the existing recipient.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the bursary.

Conditions of the Bursary:

If the holder of an award fails to comply with any of these provisions or any provision relating to a particular award, the Council may terminate the award or withhold any further emoluments or take such action as it may deem necessary to enforce compliance with the provision or performance of the condition by the holder.

The recipient of the bursary shall continue to receive the award on condition that in the opinion of the Selection Committee, and on advice from the head of the College in which the recipient is undertaking a course of study, that the recipient maintains a satisfactory level of performance. Where it is determined that the level of academic performance is unsatisfactory the Selection Committee may in its absolute discretion cancel the award or suspend the award for such time as it may determine and/or until academic performance is considered satisfactory. Where an award is cancelled pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may, for the remainder of the term for which the original holder would have been entitled to it, be awarded to another suitable candidate.

In the event the Selection Committee cancels or suspends the student's bursary, a student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

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 suspends their study, the bursary shall be suspended.

Administration of the Bursary

The bursary shall be administered by the Scholarships Office on behalf of the Selection Committee.

Monies payable in any year to the holder of an award shall be paid at such times and in such amounts as the Selection Committee deems appropriate to the circumstance of each case.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms

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