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In This Section
  • Applying to the Scholarships and Grants Program
  • Scholarships and Grants Program conditions and recipient obligations
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Glossary of terms
  1. HOME
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  5. Scholarships and grants program
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  7. Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Listed below are answers to the most common questions about our scholarships and grants program.
  • Why are some scholarships or grants not open or listed?

    Our scholarships and grants are offered in two rounds:

    Research scholarships in March

    Learning and Development grants in August.

    The opportunities on offer during each round may vary year-to-year depending on funding, purpose and whether they are multi-year opportunities.

    The website is updated prior to the opening of each round with the opportunities that will be open for application.


  • How do I apply for the Scholarships and Grants program?

    Applications to the program are available annually in two rounds - Research scholarships in March and Learning and Development grants in August. 

    All applications are now made by registering and following the prompts at RACS Unlock - our online hub.

    This is accessed via links on each scholarship and grant webpage during the round opening period at www.surgeons.org/scholarships.

    Read more about RACS Unlock.

  • I meet most of the eligibility criteria for a scholarship/grant I'm interested in. Can I still apply?
    No, you must meet all of the stated eligibility criteria to apply.
  • I have previously applied for a scholarship/grant. Can I get a copy of my application?

    As applications prior to August 2021 were emailed-based, you may wish to first check your sent emails folder – addressed to scholarships@surgeons.org.

    If you can’t find your application, you can request a copy by emailing scholarships@surgeons.org – please advise the year and which scholarships/grants you applied for.

    From August 2021, all applications to the Scholarships and Grants program are made through our online hub RACS Unlock. You can access online applications by logging-in to your RACS Unlock account.


  • I have previously received a scholarship/grant. Can I apply again?

    You may reapply to the Scholarships and Grants Program as a past recipient but not necessarily for the scholarship or grant for which you have previously been awarded. The 'Who Can Apply?' section of the scholarship or grant webpage will state whether past recipients may reapply.

  • I have applied for multiple scholarships/grants. Can I be awarded more than one?
    No. You can only receive one RACS scholarship or grant at a time. When applying to multiple scholarships and grants in the one application, you are asked to rank your preferences. If you are successful in the selection stage in more than one scholarship or grant, we will endeavour to offer the one you ranked highest. If you made two separate applications to the program, we may contact you to discuss your preferred offer.
  • I wish to apply for several scholarships/grants in the same round. Do I need to re-enter my information for each one?

    No. You may apply for multiple scholarships/grants in the one application – providing the proposed activity is suited to each opportunity. When you first apply on our online hub, RACS Unlock, you are required to enter information into demographic, career and employment, and activity proposal forms and then complete a few questions for each scholarship or grant. 

    Should you wish to submit a new activity proposal that is suitable for other scholarships or grants (for example your first application was for the purpose of training and your second is to attend a conference), you will need to start a new application – you will however be given the option to retain and edit the demographic and career and employment information supplied in your first application.

    Your demographic and career and employment information will also pre-populate in future application rounds.  


  • What information will my nominated recommenders be asked to provide?

    Your nominated recommenders will be sent an invitation to complete a recommendation form on RACS Unlock. They can view your career and employment information, grant activity proposal and the grant/s for which you are applying before they complete the form. Please note, you will not be able to view their response.

    The recommender will be asked to indicate the following:

    - their relationship to you

    - their opinion on the relevancy to your professional development of your proposed activity

    - their opinion on whether the expertise or knowledge gained from the activity will be of benefit to the wider community

    - their level of support for your application

    - any further information they would like to provide as part of their recommendation

    Recommenders who do not respond will be sent reminder emails and have up to seven days past the program closing date to respond. 

    You will receive an email notification when your recommender responds to your invitation. We advise you to follow up with your recommender if, towards the application closing date, you have not received a notification regarding their response. Recommenders who have not received an email invitation should check their spam and promotions inboxes. If the email is still missing please email scholarships@surgeons.org 

  • I cannot find a document that has to be submitted with my application. Will my application be considered without it?

    No. Where evidence or a document upload is required with your application, it is a mandatory upload task on our online hub, RACS Unlock, and you will be unable to submit your application without it.

    Not all scholarship and grant applications require evidence. To prepare ahead, check whether evidence or a document upload is required by reading the ‘Applications’ section on individual scholarship and grant webpages at surgeons.org/scholarships


  • The scholarship/grant I wanted to apply for has just closed. Can I still apply?
    No. Applications will not be considered after the closing date.
  • Can I make a change to my application after I've submitted it?

    You are unable to make changes yourself to your application once it has been submitted. Depending on timing and the circumstances (for example if the conference you detailed in your activity grant proposal has just been cancelled), the Scholarships and Grants team will consider your request and may make a change on your behalf.

    To request a change, email scholarships@surgeons.org

  • Can overseas surgeons apply to the Scholarships and Grants Program?

    Overseas surgeons can apply to the Global Health program - please note this program is not open for application in 2021. 

    All other scholarships and grants are open only to citizens or permanent residents of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, unless otherwise stated under the 'Who can apply?' heading on a scholarship or grant webpage.

  • Can I conduct my research activity overseas?

    Please read the Activities subheading on each scholarship and grant webpage to understand which opportunities may support overseas-based research.

    Generally Research scholarships fund Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand-based research.

    Learning and Development grants may allow for overseas travel - predominantly for professional development and training activities. However there are a few that offer the possibility to undertake research.

  • How will I know if I need to prepare for an interview?

    Interviews may be held for Research scholarships (and less commonly for Learning and Development grants) for shortlisted applicants.

    An interview will only apply if it is stated in the Selection section on a scholarship or grant webpage.

    You will receive an email invitation if you have been shortlisted to interview.

  • When will I learn the outcome of my application?
    Research scholarships – outcomes are advised by email in July.
    Learning and Development grants – outcomes are advised by email in November.
  • Can I withdraw my application?

    Please email scholarships@surgeons.org with your request to withdraw.

  • How will I be paid for my scholarship/grant?

    Learning and Development grants are paid directly to the recipient in February of the grant activity year (unless otherwise specified), following a request to the recipient for a tax invoice.

    Research scholarships are usually paid via the administering institution from March of the research activity year. Read more


  • Are scholarships and grants tax exempt?

    The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website has tools that may assist you to determine if your scholarship or grant is taxable.

    In Aotearoa New Zealand please visit the Internal Revenue website.

    We recommend that you also seek tax-related advice from your accountant or financial advisor.


  • I am not able to undertake the activity that was approved in my application, Can I change my activity?

    Requests may be submitted to amend or defer approved activity for reasons including COVID-19, parental and family reasons or when the proposed activity is no longer feasible,

    Scholarships and grants awarded from November 2021:
    Please log in to RACS Unlock from 1 January 2022 complete an activity amendment request form.

    Scholarships and grants awarded before November 2021:
    Please email scholarships@surgeons.org to request an activity amendment request form.
    Recipients for 2022 Research scholarships will be invited to register on RACS Unlock in 2022 and may then access the activity amendment request form on RACS Unlock.

    Please note: all requests are subject to RACS approval.

Back to About the program
  • Applying to the Scholarships and Grants Program
  • Scholarships and Grants Program conditions and recipient obligations
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Glossary of terms

Related pages

Useful links

  • Australian Taxation Office - Scholarships
  • New Zealand Inland Revenue
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