The AOA Rural and Remote ASM Bursary Program
AOA is pleased to continue the Rural and Remote ASM Bursary Program in 2024. The bursary aims to engage with new and current rural and remote members, recognising the accessibility issues faced by these members.
The bursaries available by state are detailed below.
- VIC: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow.
- TAS*: one bursary available for an unaccredited registrar (non-member), associate (trainee) or fellow.
- WA: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow, including fly-in fly-out (FIFO) consultants who visit remote locations on regular rotations to provide orthopaedic care and services.
- QLD: two bursaries available with priority given to trainees, younger fellows or fellows contributing to the ASM program.
- NSW: two bursaries available, one for an associate (trainee) and one fellow.
- SA/NT: one bursary available for an associate (trainee) or fellow.
The
84th AOA Annual Scientific Meeting, with the theme 'Making data the solution', will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13 to 17 October 2024.
*All TAS-based applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of practice in a non-identified rural and remote area.
What's included?
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend:
What's covered?
- Full costs of the conference registration, including social functions – an approximate value of $1,400 (depending on registration category).
- Up to four nights' accommodation at a premium hotel in Brisbane's CBD.
- Economy return flights to Brisbane (excluding Brisbane-based applicants).
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must be an AOA trainee (associate) member or fellow in part- or full-time employment or on parental leave. In TAS, unaccredited registrars are also eligible to apply.
- Applicants must not have received any other AOA bursaries or prizes in the last two years.
- Applicants other than those based in WA with FIFO arrangements or those in TAS must currently practice in an identified rural or remote area.
- Applicants other than unaccredited registrar applicants in TAS must be a financial member of AOA and of the relevant state/territory branch in which they reside.
To determine if you currently practice in an identified rural or remote area, use the
Modified Monash Model M3-M7 category or
Rural, Remote and Metro Area Classification. The
Health Workforce Locator can also be used to help determine a rural or remote classification.
Applicants are asked to provide brief supporting detail on their interest in the ASM and how their attendance will benefit their career and practice. This supporting detail will be used in the assessment process.
Application and allocation
Members who meet all of the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.
Applications are open now and close 31 July.
Complete the AOA Rural and Remote Bursary application form.
Allocation of bursaries will be undertaken by a conference bursary panel which may include representatives of the Rural Surgeon Committee, AOA head office allocated staff representative, state branch chair and regional manager. Applications will be judged on the following key factors:
- eligibility criteria
- the aim of offering support to members from as many rural and remote geographical regions as possible
- the aim of offering support to rural and remote members and encouraging ASM attendance
- the aim of increasing rural and remote representation at the ASM.
Applicants are advised to discuss their attendance at the conference with their relevant employers and supervisors (if applicable).
Applicants can expect notification about the outcome of their application by the end of August.
It is not possible to provide feedback on applications, and no correspondence regarding decisions on applications will be entered into.
If you have any questions related to the AOA Rural and Remote ASM Bursary, please contact cdi@aoa.org.au