Indigenous Program - The Williams Family Grant

Open for application 26 April - 31 May 2023
Value: AUD $10,000

The Williams Family Grant supports educational opportunities or research, conducted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trainees or Fellows, which focuses on health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Islands peoples. The grant was established by Mr John (Tony) Williams and Dr Anne Sved Williams to contribute to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

RACS and the Indigenous Health Committee are committed to increasing the participation of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori doctors in a surgical career by providing education, training and research opportunities. By prioritising Indigenous Health, building the surgical workforce and increasing services, we can better meet the health needs of Māori, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

  • Policy and guideline

    Please refer to the:
    - Learning and Development grant policy (PDF 146.03KB)
    - Grant guideline (PDF 105.54KB)

  • Who can apply?

    Applications are open to SET Trainees and RACS Fellows who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, including being eligible to be a member of the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (AIDA) and who have demonstrable links to their community

  • Activity

    The grant may fund an activity or a field of study to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These costs may include but are not limited to education costs, postgraduate studies, course fees, research projects, mentoring programs, travel and accommodation expenses

    Preference will be given to applicants wishing to use the grant funding towards attaining a Master's degree or PhD.

  • Application requirements

    Your application is to include:
    - your career and employment details
    - a statement addressing your aspirations and commitment to a surgical career, the relevance of the activity to your current stage of training or medical career, and current and future commitment to Māori or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
    - evidence of eligibility for membership to Te ORA or to AIDA
    - name and email addresses for two referees (recommenders) who will then receive an invitation to view parts of your online application and provide a recommendation. It is preferred that one of your referees is an AIDA or Te ORA representative or a community leader

  • Selection and awarding

    Selection is based upon:

    - your activity proposal including the expected outcomes and proposed costs of your activity
    - your statements addressing your aspirations and commitment to pursuing a surgical career
    - how the activity will help you towards a surgical career
    - how you have contributed to or are currently contributing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health or Māori health and how you will contribute in the future.

    The selection panel is comprised of members of the Indigenous Health Committee and may include other committee members and invited representatives.

    Awarding
    - payment is made directly to the recipient by 1 March in the scholarship year (following receipt of a valid invoice)

  • To apply
    Application is 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 applications will not display on your dashboard until the Scholarships and Grants Program application opening date in April. There is no need to re-register if you already have a RACS Unlock registration.

    Please note: emailed applications are not accepted.

    Visit RACS Unlock
  • Contact
    Scholarship and grant team
    Phone: +61 08 8219 0940
    Email: scholarships@surgeons.org