Surgeons International Award

Expressions of interest open 26 February 2025 and close 31 March 2025. See below for further details and application portal link.

Professor Richard Bennett and his wife Enid established the Surgeons International Award in 1989. 

The objective of the Surgeons International Award is to provide awards to doctors, nurses or other health professionals from developing communities to support short-term visits, usually of four to six weeks duration, to one or more Australian and New Zealand institutions for the purpose of acquiring knowledge, skills and contacts needed for the promotion of improved health services in the recipient's country in the Indo-Pacific region.

Between its inception and 2017, the Surgeons International Award has enabled 70 health professionals (including surgeons) from 20 countries to access further training opportunities. 

The award may cover a return economy class airfare, necessary accommodation costs and living expenses for the recipient. The value of the award varies up to a total amount of A$12,000, depending on the requirements of the candidate's program.

• RACS Fellows and clinicians participating in RACS Global Health programs can nominate worthy individuals they have identified while undertaking international development activities;
• Nominee must be a health professional or clinician based in an Indo-Pacific country; and
• Surgeons who nominate worthy individuals with whom they have had contact must be willing to accept the responsibility for arranging a suitable program and acting as a personal host to the award recipient.

Nominations must include: 

• personal and professional background concerning working with the nominee;
• objectives of the proposed visit;
• anticipated benefits to the nominee and their home country in the Indo-Pacific region;
• names of the Global Health Program participants responsible for organising the visit (including accommodation, training, and Australia/New Zealand hospitals or sites);
• an outline of the proposed training program and activities;
• letters of recommendation from the nominee's hospital and/or health department with an indication of the local importance of any upskilling resulting from the award.

The award may cover a return economy class airfare, necessary accommodation costs and living expenses for the recipient, up to A$12,000. Training duration is typically 4-6 weeks and does not include AHPRA limited medical registration.  See policy for further details.

Apply via RACS Unlock application portal.

Online applications accepted only.  Only RACS Fellows and Global Health clinicians may apply; individuals cannot self-nominate.  Expressions of interest close 5pm AEDT on Monday 31 March 2025. No extension is possible due to selection committee schedules.

For any queries, contact: Scholarships Coordinator, Global Health 
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
250-290 Spring Street
East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia

Email:  [email protected]