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Latest Update

Funding Round 5

  • Application window: 1 October 2019 to 31 January 2020
  • Assessment Panel review of applications: February 2020
  • Distribution of outcome letters via email: March 2020
  • CPD activity completion window: 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2022 (extended due to COVID-19)

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Funding Round 4

  • Application window: 1 December 2018 to 31 March 2019
  • Assessment Panel review of applications: April 2019
  • Distribution of outcome letters via email: May 2019
  • CPD activity completion window: 1 June 2019 to 30 June 2021 (extended due to COVID-19)

Read More »

Funding Round at a glance

Eligibility

Fellows from Specialist Medical Colleges* who live and work in rural / remote sites (at least Modified Monash 2) across Australia. You must have been practising as a specialist in a rural / remote site for at least 12 months. Proposed CPD activities must be completed within Australia.

*ACD, ACEM, ACSEP, ANZCA, CICM, RACMA, RACP, RACS, RCPA, RANZCO, RANZCOG, RANZCP, RANZCR.Read More »

Selection

The Assessment Panel prioritises applicants who: have been practicing for a longer duration in more rural / remote settings, and who can demonstrate how their proposed CPD activity will contribute to achieving their personal learning goals. Clinical attachments, mentorships, peer review, practical skills workshops and courses are prioritised over Annual Scientific Meetings (ASMs) and conferences.Read More »

Process

Grant applicants^ will be notified of their application outcome via email. Once the CPD activity has been completed, grant applicants submit copies of their receipts including confirmation of registration to the Project Management Unit (PMU). They will be asked to complete a short online survey and then the funds will be transferred to their nominated bank account.

^Note: Applicants may register and pay for their CPD activities before receiving the outcome letter but do so at their own risk.Read More »

  • “Peer review and interactive learning, the ability to ask questions and watch is a powerful learning tool. It is not commonly appreciated for those in the large hospitals where contacts is present daily.”

    RANZCO Fellow

  • “I think that this is an essential part of rural and regional practice support as due to geographic and practical difficulties it is much more difficult for rural practitioners to get to appropriate continuing professional educational events.”

    RACS Fellow

  • “This program provides excellent support and encouragement for maintaining/enhancing abilities and skills for rural specialists. Some components of the course (cadaveric workshop/veterinary laboratory) would never be available in my regional place of practice and significantly enhanced my learning at the workshop.”

    ANZCA Fellow

  • “Lots of hands on and mentored case reading means I feel more confident to tackle live cases on a daily basis on return to the practice. This has been a very easy and gratifying process and I am very grateful for the opportunity this funding process has afforded me.”

    RANZCR Fellow

  • “I have expertise in my subspecialty area of civil forensic assessments that I did not previously have; this is an internationally certified expert status. I feel highly supported professionally and engaged in an isolated major regional area with little opportunities for professional development.”

    RANZCP Fellow

FAQs:

What is the maximum amount I can apply for per Funding Round?

Maximum $10,000 per grant applicant, per Funding Round.

Can I apply for multiple CPD activities in the same Funding Round?

Yes – each CPD activity requested will be assessed individually.

You can apply for multiple CPD activities on a single online grant application form.

Your total funds and days requested must not exceed the Funding Round cap of $10,000.

Can I apply for a CPD activity / event overseas?

Unfortunately, no. All CPD activities must be completed within Australia.

Can I apply for a CPD activity retrospectively?

Unfortunately, no.

All CPD activities must be requested prospectively, planned to be completed within the designated Funding Round activity window.

How can I increase my chances of securing a CPD grant?

The Assessment Panel prioritises ‘clinical attachments, peer review, practical skills workshops/courses’ over ‘conferences/Annual Scientific Meetings (ASMs)’.

Can I apply for university degrees, diplomas, and certificates?

The Assessment Panel may consider requests to complete components individual university level study e.g. courses and workshops.

The proposed course(s) must include at least (6) hours of face-to-face learning and must be completed within the designated Funding Round activity window.

When would I receive the CPD grant funds?

Once you have completed your approved CPD activity, email your scanned receipts related to CPD expenditure to admin@ruralspecialist.org.au. Your receipts will be verified and you will be required to complete a short online evaluation survey to help improve the program. Finally, the funds will be reimbursed to your nominated bank account once you have completed the evaluation survey.

I am no longer able to attend my approved CPD course/activity, what happens to my grant?

If you experience any difficulties attending your approved CPD course/activity, contact the SRSA PMU team at admin@ruralspecialist.org.au.

Grant recipients are required to obtain permission in writing to amend the arrangements of their approved CPD grant.

If approved, you will be permitted to attend the same course/activity, as long as it is completed within your Funding Round CPD activity window. You will be reimbursed according to your originally approved CPD grant budget.