The WMSS Scholarship was established to give medical and health related students the opportunity to undertake further education in the field of expedition, wilderness or remote medicine. This is facilitated through financial support for participation in:

• expedition, wilderness or remote medicine electives
• conferences with a focus on expedition, wilderness or remote medicine
• expedition, wilderness or remote medicine first aid/training course
• any event that could be deemed beneficial to a career in expedition, wilderness or remote medicine

Funding Rounds

There are two funding rounds, each covering 6 months to ensure that no one misses out on the opportunity to access the WMSS Scholarship.

FAQ

Who is eligible?
What events/activities are eligible?
Who will decide which applicants receive a WMSS Scholarship?
How much funding is available?
How do I apply?
What do I need to include in my application?
What will the selection committee be looking for?
What if I don’t agree with the selection committees decision?
Is there anything that is expected from me in return for the scholarship?
How will I receive my scholarship?

Who is eligible?

Applicants must be:

• Currently enrolled in a course offered by the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences OR
• Currently enrolled in a medical or allied health degree at any Victorian tertiary institution.

Eligible degrees include:

All applicants must be active members of WMSS in the year they apply and the year that they undertake the activity that is being sponsored.

Ineligible applications include those who:

• Do not meet the above criteria
• Are a current member of the WMSS Committee
• Have previously been awarded a WMSS Scholarship
• Have available and have applied for an alternative source of funding

What events/activities are eligible?

The event must be deemed to be related to expedition, wilderness or remote medicine and fall under one of the following categories:

• University approved elective
• Recognised medical conference
• Recognised expedition, wilderness or remote first aid course
• An event/activity that the committee deems will be of value to the participants future endeavours in the field of expedition, wilderness or remote medicine.

Who will decide which applicants receive a WMSS Scholarship?

The selection committee will be made up of:

• The current WMSS Committee President
• The current WMSS Committee Treasurer
• The current WMSS Committee Secretary
• The current WMSS Committee Recreational Logistics Officer
• The current WMSS Committee Academic Logistics Officer
• An independent clinician that is experienced in the field of expedition, wilderness or remote medicine.

How much funding is available?

Up to $1,000 will be available annually.

The funding will be split over two rounds each year with up to $500 available each round. The $500 will be split amongst all successful applicants with the amount each applicant receives based on the merit of the application and the event/activity being attended.

Unspent money from a previous round can be rolled over into the next round.

The scholarship awarded will never cover more than 50% of the costs associated with attending the event/activity.

How do I apply?

Applications must be emailed to president@wmss.org.au. Attach all the required information as a seperate .pdf file.

What do I need to include in my application?

Applications should be approximately 500 words/one page and include:

• Applicants details
  • current enrolment (degree and university)
  • name
  • contact details (email and phone)
• Event/activity title and description (include a link if available)
• Costs of attending the event/activity
  • Transport (if applicable)
  • Accommodation (if applicable)
  • Event registration costs (if applicable)
• An explanation of how the event/activity will benefit the participants future endeavours in expedition, wilderness or remote medicine
• Evidence of the applicants interest in expedition, wilderness or remote medicine.

What will the selection committee be looking for?

The selection committee will assess applications based on:

Suitability of the event

• Does the event fall under the field of expedition, wilderness or remote medicine?
• Is there a significant educational component to the event?
• Will the event benefit the participants future endeavours in expedition, wilderness or remote medicine?

Suitability of the applicant

• Does the applicant meet the eligibility criteria?
• Has the applicant shown a genuine interest in the field of expedition, wilderness or remote medicine?
• Previous attendance at WMSS Academic events will be viewed favourably.

What if I don’t agree with the selection committees decision?

The selection committees decision is final. If you did not receive funding you are eligible to apply in a future round.

Is there anything that is expected from me in return for the scholarship?

The successful applicant is expected to:

• Sign the WMSS Scholarship agreement. If it is discovered that anything in an application has been falsified, WMSS reserves the right to request repayment of the scholarship and pursue appropriate avenues if repayment is not received.
• Attend the event they have been supported to attend. If, for some reason, the applicant is unable to attend the event they must advise WMSS. In this case WMSS reserves the right to request repayment of the full amount awarded to the applicant.
• Provide photos and a one page (approx. 500 word) blog style article describing their experience. This article must be supplied within one month of the event/activity ending and will be posted on the WMSS website.

How will I receive my scholarship?

Payments will be deposited into the successful applicants nominated Australian bank account within 2 weeks of the selection committee receiving the signed scholarship agreement.