James Ramsay Project Grant

This scholarship is currently not on offer

Value: AUD $100,000 pa (Stipend only)

The James Ramsay Project Grant supports surgeons and Trainees to undertake an innovative project or purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

Sir John Ramsay was Surgeon Superintendent of the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) between 1896 and 1912, and as a RACS co-founder was an original signatory on its formation in 1927. His advances in surgical technique, medical firsts and hospital administration were second to none. Sir John was a pioneer in intravenous fluid replacement and surgery of the prostate and is known for a number of firsts: taking the first clinical X-ray at the LGH in 1897, being one of the first surgeons in the world to resuscitate an apparently dead patient by internal cardiac massage through an incision, and he was possibly the first to attempt the transplant of pancreatic tissue, ten years before the discovery of insulin and two generations before transplant surgery became possible.

Sir John’s son, James Ramsay AO donated $60,000 upon the 60th anniversary of RACS to establish the James Ramsay Fellowship for Provincial Surgeons, now known as the James Ramsay Project Grant.

  • Policy and guideline

    Before applying, please refer to the:
    - Research Scholarship policy (PDF 584.32KB)
    - James Ramsay Project Grant guideline (PDF 138.61KB)

  • Who can apply?

    To be eligible for this scholarship. you need to be one of the following:
    - RACS Fellow
    - Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG on the pathway to RACS Fellowship)
    - SET Trainee

    AND

    - be applying as an individual or the lead researcher in a group
    - wish to undertake clinical or research projects.

    Please note SET applicants are ineligible for this grant.

  • Activity

    Your activity needs to focus on and be supported by an approved research institute.
    Activity examples include, but are not limited to:
    - an innovative surgical research project with defined aims and outcomes
    - funding of an innovative clinical project or piece of equipment

    Should the funding be used to purchase equipment, it shall remain the property of the institute upon completion of the project. 

    Unless otherwise negotiated or stipulated in the respective guideline, the commencement date for scholarships is 1 January in the year following application.

  • Tenure

    2 years

  • Application requirements

    Your application is to include:
    - your career and employment details
    - research proposal
    - an endorsement from a research supervisor, university head of department or senior colleague 
    - uploads specific to the Research Scholarship you are applying for (as required). 

  • Selection and payment

    Selection
    Written applications will be reviewed by members of the Scholarship and Grant Committe, the Research, Audit and Academic Surgery (RAAS) Board, SA Regional Committee and a representative of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview.

    Applicants who move to the interview round and are a Lead Researcher of a research group are required to provide a document detailing the other members of the research group and their intended contribution to the project. A two-page biosketch of each member is also to be provided.

    Payment
    Payment is made in one instalment to the administering institution by 1 March in the scholarship year (following receipt of a valid tax invoice which will be requested by the Scholarships and Grants Team).

  • Recipient obligations

    All scholarship recipients will be required to provide an activity report at the end of the scholarship year when requested by the Scholarships and Grants Team.

    Recipients of multi-year scholarships will be required to submit mid-year reports in order to secure continued funding for the following year.

    Recipients are encouraged to present their research at the annual meeting of the Surgical Research Society of Australasia (or an agreed equivalent) at least once during, or in the 12 months following, the scholarship period.

  • To apply
    Applications are submitted via the Scholarships and Grants Program online platform, RACS Unlock, hosted by Survey Monkey Apply.

    You may register as an applicant on RACS Unlock at any time, however you will be unable to apply until the Research Scholarship Program application opening date. There is no need to re-register if you already have a RACS Unlock registration.

    Please note: emailed applications are not accepted.
  • Contact
    Scholarships and Grants Team
    Email: [email protected]