Getting Started in Medicine Scholarship for First Year Students
The Getting Started in Medicine Scholarship for First Year Students is designed to support students pursuing a career in medicine from NSW rural communities who intend to work in rural health in the future.
About the scholarship
The Getting Started in Medicine Scholarship Program is open to medical students undertaking their first year of medicine at a NSW university medical school. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for a $1500 scholarship to assist with relocation and support study commencement costs.
Download Scholarship Guidelines for full application and eligibility criteria
Who is eligible?
Applicants for the Getting Started in Medicine Scholarship for First Year Students must:
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and a resident of NSW.
- Have resided in a rural or remote area in NSW for a minimum of five consecutive or eight cumulative years since the age of five.
- Provide evidence of enrolment in the first year of medicine at a NSW-based University medical program in 2025.
- Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the future of health in rural and regional NSW.
Scholarship priorities
These scholarships are limited and competitive. While all eligible applications will be considered, the following applications will be given priority:
- Greater priority to the higher Modified Monash Model Scale of Rurality location: MM3 (low) – MM7 (high). Find Modified Monash Model (MMM) classifications on the Health Workforce Locator).
- Students from Murray Darling Medical Schools Medical Programs: Charles Sturt/WSU Joint medical program at Orange; Notre Dame Medical School; Sydney Uni Dubbo Medical Program; UNSW Wagga Wagga Medical School; UNSW Port Macquarie Rural Medical Program; University of Wollongong Doctor of Medicine Program; UNE Medical Program which is a Joint Program with Newcastle.
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. The applicant must be:
- Of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- Identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
- Be recognised and accepted by the Aboriginal community in which they live or work.
- Outcome from application assessment.
- Demonstrated intention to work in a rural setting.
How to apply
Complete the online application form by midnight Friday 4 April 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
- Upload evidence of your enrolment into your NSW University medical program (provide this as a PDF file).
- As part of this application, please respond to the following questions and upload your responses in one document:
- Describe how this scholarship will assist you to contribute to the future of rural and regional NSW Health.
- Outline any special considerations that the assessment panel should be aware of.
Scholarship timeframes
Event | Date |
Getting Started in Medicine Scholarship for First Year Students Scholarship opens | 10 February 2025 |
Scholarship closes | 4 April 2025 |
Applications reviewed | April 2025 |
Notification of outcomes to applicants | 6 May 2025 |
Acceptance of scholarship by applicant | 21 May 2025 |
Payment transferred | 30 June 2025 |