Commercial Travellers Association (CTA) 4th year Medical Student Scholarship
2016 Scholarship Round Overview
RFDS Tasmania Contact
John Kirwan John.Kirwan@rfdstas.org.au
UTAS Point of Contact
Dr Nick Cooling nick.cooling@utas.edu.au
Scholarship Overview:
The Commercial Travellers Association (CTA) Student Scholarship program was established in 2016 to provide
scholarships for 4th year, University of Tasmania (UTAS) medical students who are either from a rural and remote
area and/or have expressed an interest in working in rural and remote areas. Three scholarships valued at $4,000
each are offered annually. The funding is provided to the RFDS by the former members of the CTA of Tasmania
in recognition of the past work and service given to remote and rural areas of Tasmania -and in particular the
support they received from rural and remote GPs and the RFDS. The scholarships are provided to assist UTAS
Tasmanian medical students with the costs associated with their 4th year elective placement where they have
chosen to undertake their elective in a rural or remote area of Australia.
If required, assistance will be provided by the RFDS in sourcing a placement with the RFDS, although the
placement is not exclusive to the RFDS.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be Tasmanian and enrolled full-time in the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Medicine,
Bachelor of Surgery (M3N) course.
There is a requirement for all 4th year students to undertake an assessable 4 week clinical placement or
equivalent, (i.e. it may include a combination of research and non clinical work as long as 2 weeks are in a clinical
setting). The elective period is mid November to 30th Jan each year.
http://www.utas.edu.au/medicine/medicine/programs/smile/y4-electives
Students are expected to plan their elective, often 18 months prior to travel so they are able to obtain the
placement they prefer.
UTAS requires an indicative idea of the student’s destination by 1 April and their final elective plans must be
submitted before 1 Oct annually.
Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of quality of application and the following criteria - a credit grade
average thus far in the course; evidence of high level skills in professional communication and practice; a
demonstrated interest in and understanding of contemporary rural health issues; a demonstrated intention to
undertake their 4th year clinical placement in rural health (an essential criteria) and an ability and willingness to act
as an ambassador promoting the RFDS and the University's School of Medicine. No previous RFDS experience is
required. The successful student will be required to provide a report of their
placement to the RFDS and participate in mutually agreed public engagements as an
ambassador of the RFDS in the year of their tenure.
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Ongoing Eligibility:
Recipients must remain enrolled full-time in the University Of Tasmania Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of
Surgery degree.
Selection time frame
Opening of applications: Jan
Close of applications: March
Announcement of successful scholarships: April
Elective placement for scholarship holder mid Nov –late Jan
Amount:
$4,000 is provided to each recipient to fund travel and expenses incurred as part of the clinical placement.
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Commercial Travellers Association (CTA) 4th year Medical Student Scholarship
Application Form
st
Closing Date: 1 April 2016
1.
2.
Personal Details
1.
UTAS Student Number
Date of Birth
2.
Family Name
Given Name(s)
3.
Email:
Destination preference
Students can choose to travel to any rural or remote location in Australia including RFDS bases. .Please indicate the destinations where you are
planning to undertake your elective
PREFERRED LOCATION:
First preference
Second preference
Third preference
If you have chosen an RFDS base- would you like assistance with securing a position at that base? Yes No
3.
Scholarship Benefits Statement
Please submit a 200- 500 word statement outlining why you require the Scholarship and the academic and personal benefits you expect.
3
4.
Outline evidence that demonstrates you have an interest in and understanding of contemporary rural health issues
200words
5. During your MBBS course or through other activities show evidence of high level skills in professional communication and
practice;
200words
4
6. Assessment and Ranking

Assessment and awarding of the grants will be managed by the Electives Committee of the School of Medicine

Only complete applications received by the due date will be assessed.

All applications will be treated confidentially.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.

All decisions are final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

If the quality of applications is not sufficient the funders reserve the right not to award any or all of the
scholarships
Ranking is based on:

Meeting eligibility criteria

Interest and understanding of rural health and level of professional communication skills and practice

Quality of the application including the Scholarship Benefits Statement
7. Conditions of Receiving a Scholarship

Successful applicants will be paid Scholarship funds into their Australian bank account when their electives
have been approved and a minimum of 2 weeks prior to their departure .

Scholarships are not paid retrospectively.

Recipients are expected to organise their own travel and accommodation

If a recipient of a Scholarship, for whatever reason, is unable to participate in the elective , they must repay
the grant within 4 weeks of notifying the Director of Electives & Internationalisation of their circumstances.

Students who fail to complete their elective will also be required to repay the Scholarship on their return to
UTAS.

Within 4 weeks of returning to study at UTAS, recipients of a Scholarship are required to provide
RFDS with 1-2 page report with photos - detailing their experiences, and benefits of the program.
8. Applicant’s Statement
I,
declare that the preceding information is
correct and true, and that I have read and understood the conditions by which my application will be assessed. I further
declare that I have read and understood the conditions by which the Scholarships are awarded, and will adhere to the
obligations stipulated by UTAS and RFDS if my application is successful.
I am willing to act as an ambassador promoting the RFDS and the University's School of Medicine during and after my
elective placement ☐
Signature of Applicant
Date
This application should be submitted to the Director of Electives & Internationalisation, UTAS Locked Bag 34 Hobart Tas 7001 or by
email nick.cooling@utas.edu.au