About the program

Listen to a RACS podcast on the benefits of scholarship as past recipients Professor Greg O’Grady and Dr Deborah Wright share their experiences and discuss the benefits that scholarships have provided to each of them in their fields of research and their careers.

 

RACS scholarships, grants and Fellowships support surgeons, trainees and health professionals in their endeavours to inform, educate, facilitate change and improve the quality of surgical care and practice.

Our scholarships and grants program represents a significant philanthropic contribution to surgical research and training in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. Thanks to our generous donors and the many Fellows who commit their time and expertise to the program, we are now poised to be an international leader in the provision of scholarships for the surgical community.

Applications for 2022 are open from 1 March to 12 April 2021. Outcomes will be advised in August 2021.

Research scholarships offer recipients the opportunity to pursue a major research project over a period ranging from one to three years. They are usually undertaken through an approved research institute in Australia or New Zealand, are paid as a stipend via the institute on behalf of RACS and may include departmental maintenance.

View research opportunities.

Learning and development grants offer recipients the opportunity to pursue professional development, training or small research activities in Australia, New Zealand or overseas.

They are usually undertaken over weeks or some months and are paid as a lump sum directly to the recipient. 

Learning and development grants will open in August. Available grants for 2021 are yet to be confirmed. 

We encourage applications from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and female applicants as we support RACS’ focus on:

• removing barriers to the participation of women in surgery
• recognising that people can experience disadvantage
• continuing and enhancing initiatives designed to increase the participation of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori doctors in the practice of surgery.

To support RACS goal of improving gender equity in the surgical profession, the Scholarships and grants program aims to achieve gender balance in the awarding of scholarships, grants and Fellowships.

Find out more about RACS Diversity and Inclusion Plan (PDF 4.12MB).

The prestige of being awarded a RACS scholarship, grant or Fellowship is well recognised within the surgical community. 

The benefits of research scholarships may include:

• mentorship and networking opportunities (where available)
• a payment to be administered in partnership with the administering institution 
• departmental maintenance (in some cases)
• publishing and presentation opportunities resulting from the completion of a research project

The benefits of learning and development grants may include:

• conference/scientific meeting attendance
• presentation opportunities
• mentorship, leadership and networking opportunities
• training and experience
• professional development
• small research projects

Recipients of scholarships, grants and Fellowships also have the opportunity to input into the future of the RACS Scholarships and grants program.

Value

The value for scholarships, grants and Fellowships is listed on the respective opportunity webpage in $AUD exclusive of GST. 

Scholarships and Grants Department
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Office: 24 King William Street, Kent Town SA Australia 5067

Telephone: +61 8 8219 0924
Email: scholarships@surgeons.org