James Ramsay Project Grant

Open for application 25 March to 6 May 2024

Value: AUD $60,000 (per annum, up to 2 years)

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

    Recipients are required 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.

    Please also refer to the:
    - Scholarships and Grants Program 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 a:
    - RACS Fellow or
    - Specialist International Medical Graduate (SIMG on the pathway to RACS Fellowship) or
    - 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

    up to 2 years

  • Application requirements

    Your application is to include:

    - details of the proposed research to be undertaken and expected outcomes
    - an outline on commencement and conclusion timing for the proposed research activity
    - an outline of previous research experience and related activities
    - a letter of endorsement from the head of department or a senior representative of the host institution who can provide a statement advising that you are acceptable for the program.


  • Selection and awarding

    Selection
    - assessment is via written application, with shortlisted applicants proceeding to interview.
    - the selection panel is comprised of the chairs (or their nominees) of the ANZ Scholarship and Grant Committee, the Research, Audit and Academic Surgery (RAAS) Board, and SA Regional Committee; and also include a representative of the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation.

    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.

    Awarding
    - payment is made to the administering institution in one instalment by 1 March of the scholarship year (upon receipt of a valid tax 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
    Email: scholarships@surgeons.org