The Markwell Equine Clinical Placement Grant

Introduction

The Markwell Equine Clinical Placement Grant supports outstanding veterinary students who are committed to a career in equine or large animal practice, with a strong emphasis on clinical excellence and large animal surgery.

The grant is designed to reduce financial barriers to undertaking high-quality fourth- and fifth-year clinical placements and externships, particularly within specialist equine and large animal referral hospitals — including leading centres domestically and overseas.

By supporting ambitious and disciplined students who actively seek advanced clinical exposure, the grant contributes to strengthening the future standard of equine and large animal veterinary medicine.

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

Value and Payment of the Scholarship

You would receive $2,000 paid in a lumpsum to your personal account, upon confirmation of placement dates, location and specialty. Please send this proof of placement to scholarships@jcu.edu.au.

Eligibility Criteria

Markwell Equine Clinical Placement Grant is open for you to apply if you:

• Are studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences at James Cook University,
• Are in years 3, 4 or 5 of your studies,
• Have planned or are planning to undertake a specialist or referral-level equine/large animal hospitals (domestic or international) placement in fourth or fifth year, and
• Have an interest in pursuing a career in equine or large animal practice.

Selection Criteria

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

• Demonstrated commitment to equine or large animal practice,
• Interest in clinical excellence, particularly in large animal surgery,
• Academic performance in relevant clinical disciplines,
• Initiative in pursuing specialist and/or overseas placements,
• Quality and rigor of proposed fourth- and/or fifth-year placement(s) with specialist or international referral hospitals given preference,
• Involvement in the large animal hospital or broader veterinary sector,
• Professional character, discipline, and work ethic, and
• Financial need may be considered to ensure access to high-quality specialist placements.

Application Procedures

Applications must be lodged on the approved application form by the closing date set by the Selection Committee for the relevant award year. Applicants must also submit the following, where applicable:

• A copy of your resume,
• A copy of your JCU academic transcript,
• A written statement outlining:
  • Your career goals and commitment to equine/large animal practice, including experiences to date.
  • Details of proposed or confirmed placement(s) in a specialist or referral-level equine/large animal hospitals (domestic or international). Include location and clinical focus.
  • How the funds will be used and   impact it will have on your capacity to undertake the placement, and
  • The anticipated impact on your   training and professional development.

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 grant, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

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

• Head, Veterinary Sciences (CHAIR), and
• 2 other JCU Veterinary Science representative as nominated by Chair.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

Not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award.

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 of the Scholarship awardee.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• Recipient must remain enrolled, maintain a GPA 4.0 or higher, and provide proof placement to receive payment.
• If recipient is unable participate in the intended placement - equine and large animal - that the grant was awarded, the recipient can apply to have the funding transferred to another placement opportunity. The application to transfer will be review by the Chair of the Selection Committee. If application to transfer the grant is decline, the funds will need to be returned.
• If a recipient takes an approved LOA from their studies at JCU, the grant funding will be held for 12months. If an additional extension is required, recipient can apply extension. The application for extension will be review by the Chair of the Selection Committee.

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

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by Scholarships Office of the University, 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 scholarship office.

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