Australian College of Midwives NSW Branch Inc
SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES
One of the key roles of the Australian College of Midwives NSW Branch (ACM NSW) is to provide opportunities to support its members to reach their full potential and to facilitate the ongoing education of its members in NSW by provision of a wide variety of educational opportunities.
AIMS
The Australian College of Midwives NSW Branch’s scholarship program aims to provide members with assistance to undertake continuing professional development in relation to midwifery and maternity services. The program’s objective is to give financial support to members wishing to further their knowledge through attending conferences, undertaking research, or attending workshops or short courses. The experience and knowledge gained will then be disseminated to other members through specific feedback requirements to ACM NSW.
APPLICANT CRITERIA
the applicant:
• is a current financial member of ACM NSW BRANCH
• has been a financial member for at least the previous two (2) consecutive ACM NSW Financial years.
NB: Current ACM NSW BRANCH Executive Committee members are eligible to access scholarship funds.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE & SELECTION CRITERIA
*The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to refuse an application if it is not completed as required. Selection criteria must be completed as detailed below:
The application must include:
• a completed application form – available on our website www.nswmidwives.com.au
• a summarised curriculum vitae (maximum length two (2) A4 pages)
• a detailed submission of the proposed project detailing the following:
o amount of funds being sought;
o the purpose for which it will be used;
o the benefit to the member, midwifery and maternity care.
• Details of any other financial support/paid leave or other benefits received in relation to the project.
• A complete copy (2nd copy) of your application without any personal identification so that the application can be judged anonymously
Research Scholarship applications are to be accompanied by a full submission of the research project and agreement by the relevant ethics committee.
This will, with the application form, include;
1. A detailed proposal (maximum length three A4 pages) including the following;
co-researchers,
objectives,
method,
proposed schedule,
estimated budget and justification for the budget (in no more than 3 pages)
2. The name and address of a nominated referee to support the proposal
3. The name of organisation where the research will be undertaken and evidence of ethics approval from the organisation
4. Supporting evidence of the value of the research to midwifery and maternity services provision.
Attendance at National or International Conference or Study Tours (priority will be given to those members who are presenting papers). Application shall also include;
1.Detailed itinerary (including any professional visits)
2.Conference program (with proof of paper acceptance if relevant)
3.Detailed costing in Australian dollars
4.Demonstration of how attendance will benefit your professional development
SELECTION COMMITTEE AND PROCESS
The Selection Committee makes recommendations to the Executive Committee. The selection committee will consist of at least three (3) current ACM NSW BRANCH Executive Committee members.
Applications will be de-identified and provided to the Selection Committee. Committee members should declare any conflict of interest in relation to the applications and withdraw forthwith from the selection process.
The amount of financial assistance granted in any year, and the number of projects among which the available funding will be distributed, are at the absolute discretion of the Executive Committee.
There is a funding limit of $1000 per application to attend conferences in Australia and a funding limit of $2500 per application to attend international conferences. There is a $5000 limit per application for Research scholarships.
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their proposal before the end of August each year. The decisions of the Executive Committee relating to applications received will be final and reasons for decisions will not be given to applicants. A successful candidate cannot reapply for a scholarship until more than two (2) ACM NSW financial years has lapsed. For example, if you are awarded a scholarship in 2007 you are ineligible to reapply until 2010.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
The scholarship funds available for distribution will be a percentage of the profits from the previous year’s Annual State Conference and from fund raising throughout the year. The ACM NSW BRANCH Executive Committee will assure that the availability of scholarship awards will be advertised annually in our newsletter.
The ACM NSW BRANCH Executive Committee may, on occasion, prioritise an identified area of research or activity that will be supported to advance midwifery care in Australia.
The Margaret Lambert Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in 2002, to honor Margaret Lambert, who was a very active and long-serving member of the Australian College of Midwives NSW Branch’s Executive Committee. Funds for this scholarship are generated by the Professional Development Sub-committee from workshops, raffles at the Annual Conference and other fund raising activities held through the year. The scholarship is to be awarded only for conference attendance. In addition, funds from this scholarship are only available to midwives or midwifery students.
AWARDEE REQUIREMENTS
Successful applicants are required to:
1.Sign an agreement to this effect before any money is dispensed.
2. Submit a full report on the completed project (or conference etc report) within a period of three (3) months of completion of the project (or conference attendance).
3. Provide an article for inclusion in Midwifery Matters within three (3) months of completion of the project (or attendance at conference etc). This article can be similar to the report but not exceeding 1000 words.
4. For successful research submissions, the researcher is required to present a paper on the project at a conference and submit a report for inclusion in midwifery matters within two years of completion of the project.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS
Written submissions on the prescribed application forms and supporting documentation must be received by the ACM NSW BRANCH Executive Committee, no later than June 30th each year. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Branch's offices to confirm receipt of the application.
Completed applications and particulars requested are to be returned to:
Convenor
ACM NSW BRANCH Scholarship Applications
ACM NSW BRANCH Executive Committee
PO Box 62
Glebe NSW 2037
Enquiries:
Ph: 02 9281 9522 or admin@nswmidwives.com.au
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