Loans for travelling Fellows

• A fund of up to A$150,000 has been provided to be spent by the College on the scheme within a 12-month period;
• The College set up this facility for the provision of loans to Fellows who require financial assistance to undertake further research and/or training outside Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand;
• Loans will not exceed A$25,000 each and will be subject to the availability of funding;
• The level of funding will be dependent on each application, including: the type of research and/or training being undertaken and the degree of need demonstrated.

To be eligible to apply for a loan, an applicant must:

• Be a Fellow of the College with a paid subscription at the time of application
• Be in good financial standing;
• Demonstrate financial need;
• Be assessed as planning to undertake or currently undertaking an appropriate activity, such as but not limited to research and/or training that will advance their careers and/or the surgical profession
• Be undertaking an activity outside Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand within 12 months of receiving the loan
• Not receive more than one loan every five years.

All applications will be acknowledged upon receipt once it has been determined that the required information has been included and that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

Applications must contain:

• Completed Application Form
• Supporting cover letter for application
• A current CV
• The proposed research and/or training to be conducted
• The research institution details
• The Supervisor must provide a letter of confirmation from the research institution that the
  applicant has been accepted and a position has been provided
• Commencement and completion date of research and/or training
• Total funds required at a maximum of A$20,000
• Any other sources of funding
• Proposed repayment plan - The applicant will receive the funds interest free provided the loan is repaid within 12 months after the completion of the research and/or training.

Applications are assessed by the Chair, Professional Development and Standards Board (PDSB) and the Executive Director for Surgical Affairs (EDSA) for reviewing and approval. The recommendations from this review are then forwarded to the Treasurer for approval.

Please also read the Loans for Travelling Fellows policy for further information on the application process.

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9249 1220
Fax: +61 3 9249 1219
Email: travel@surgeons.org