ANZEF Scholarships

ANZEF supports eye health equity with scholarships and grants aimed at easing financial barriers and enhancing opportunities for ophthalmic training and professional development.

ANZEF scholarships and grants are available for the following individuals:

  • First Nations medical students and junior doctors in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand with an interest in eye health
  • Eye health professionals from low-resource settings in the Asia-Pacific region
  • RANZCO VTP trainees with an interest in First Nations eye health

ANZEF gratefully acknowledges the following donors and sponsors for their generous support:

The Finemore Family
Mrs Roslyn Packer AC
The Yarranabbe Foundation
Alcon Australia
Bayer Australia

2024 Scholarship Opportunities

Now Open

These scholarships aim to increase access to ophthalmic education and networks, and contribute to efforts to grow the Māori and Pacific ophthalmology workforce, in line with the RANZCO Te Tiriti o Waitangi Action Plan and Pasifika Action Plan.

Eligibility

These opportunities are open to Māori and Pacific medical students and junior doctors interested in ophthalmology as a career.

Scholarship Value

Each scholarship has a value of up to AU$2,000. To be considered for funding, professional development activities must demonstrate capacity to strengthen the applicant’s knowledge and experience, with the ultimate aim being to one day apply to RANZCO’s Vocational Training Program (VTP).

Key Dates

A limited number of opportunities are available throughout the year.

How to Apply

Applications are open. To apply, please complete and submit this online application. Please contact anzef@ranzco.edu for more information.

These grants aim to increase access to ophthalmic education and networks of aspiring ophthalmologists through participating in the 2024 RANZCO Congress, taking place 1-4 November, on Kaurna Country (Adelaide, South Australia).

Eligibility

These opportunities are open to Māori and Pacific medical students and junior doctors interested in ophthalmology as a career. These grants are available for recipients of a RANZCO Trevelyan-Smith Indigenous Scholarship who intend to use those scholarship funds to attend the RANZCO Congress.

Scholarship Value

This grant provides “top-up” funds of up to AU$1,600 towards registration, travel and accommodation costs to attend the RANZCO Congress. These “top-up” funds are available to recipients of a RANZCO Trevelyan-Smith Indigenous Scholarship – which has a value of AU$2,000 – who intend to use those scholarship funds to attend the RANZCO Congress.

Key Dates

  • Applications for the RANZCO Trevelyan-Smith Indigenous Scholarship will open approximately mid-late May 2024 (currently open).
  • Applicants to the RANZCO Trevelyan-Smith Indigenous Scholarship will be advised of the selection outcome by approximately mid-October 2024.
  • RANZCO Congress: 1-4 November 2024.

How to Apply

An online application for the RANZCO Trevelyan-Smith Indigenous Scholarship is currently available via ranzco.edu/scholarships. Please contact anzef@ranzco.edu for more information on the ANZEF “top-up” grant to attend RANZCO Congress.

Keep an eye on...

Reimbursement of the application fee to RANZCO’s Vocational Training Program (VTP) is part of a broader program that seeks to encourage the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pasifika applicants to the VTP in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Eligibility

This initiative is available to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pasifika applicants to RANZCO’s VTP. Indigeneity is confirmed as part of the VTP selection process.

Scholarship Value

Reimbursement is for the cost of the VTP application fee, which is currently AU$1,800 + GST (per 2024 pricing). Funding is available for one attempt per applicant.

Key Dates

Refer to the selection process for RANZCO’s VTP, which includes important dates for applying to the VTP.

How to Apply

Read the selection process for RANZCO’s VTP to learn how to apply for the VTP. For more details on application fee reimbursement contact anzef@ranzco.edu.

The ANZEF Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VTP Trainees, in combination with RANZCO’s selection policy which allocates additional points for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants, aims to generate interest and support the retention and success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees in RANZCO’s Vocational Training Program (VTP) by easing the financial barriers to pursuing ophthalmology specialisation.

This Scholarship was established thanks to the generosity of the Finemore Family and Mrs Roslyn Packer AC.

Eligibility

The Scholarship is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander who are accepted into the RANZCO VTP. Indigeneity is confirmed as part of the VTP selection process.

Scholarship Value

AU$30,000 across the duration of RANZCO’s five-year VTP training program, which is credited annually towards RANZCO training fees and associated expenses.

Key Dates

Refer to the selection process for RANZCO’s VTP, which includes important dates for applying to the VTP.

How to Apply

Read the selection process for RANZCO’s VTP for information on how to apply. For more details on the ANZEF Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VTP Trainees, contact anzef@ranzco.edu.

The Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) holds a national members’ conference each year. The RANZCO Eye School session at AIDA is an effective educational and networking opportunity, providing attendees with a hands-on introduction to the field of ophthalmology and the chance to speak with ophthalmologists. In 2024 AIDA will host the biennial Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress – PRIDoC 2024 in conjunction with the AIDA Conference, on 2-6 December on Kaurna Country (Adelaide, South Australia).

PRIDoc 2024 will bring together member organisations representing Indigenous doctors from across the Pacific, including AIDA, ‘Ahahui o nā Kauka, Association of American Indian Physicians, Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC), Medical Association for Indigenous People of Taiwan (MAIPT), and Te Ohu Rata O Aotearoa (Te ORA).

Eligibility

These scholarships aim to facilitate the participation of aspiring ophthalmologists in PRIDoC 2024. They are available to First Nations junior doctors and medical students, who are members of AIDA and Te ORA.

Scholarship Value

Scholarships will cover the cost of conference registration, travel to and from PRIDoC 2024 on Kaurna Country/Adelaide, and hotel accommodation for the duration of the Conference. Please note that for Adelaide-based successful applicants, the scholarship will cover the cost of conference registration only.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 31 August 2024
  • Applicants will be advised of the selection process outcome in the second half of September 2024.
  • Conference: 2-6 December 2024

How to Apply

Applications for these scholarships in 2024 are now closed. Details for 2025 scholarships to attend the AIDA Conference will be available from mid-2025.

This workshop convened by RANZCO Fellows aims to increase access to ophthalmic education and networks and contribute to efforts to grow the First Nations ophthalmology workforce, in line with the RANZCO Te Tiriti o Waitangi Action Plan and Pasifika Action Plan.

Eligibility

Opportunities to participate in this one-day workshop are open to Māori and/or Pacific doctors or medical students interested in ophthalmology as a career and likely to apply for RANZCO’s Vocational Training Program (VTP).

Scholarship Value

Workshop attendance in November 2024 in Auckland and a contribution to travel costs for participants based outside Auckland.

Key Dates

The Mentoring Workshop/Eye Camp will take place in September 2024, in Auckland.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2024 hui are now closed. Details for next year’s event will be available in early 2025. Feel free to contact anzef@ranzco.edu for information and to express your interest.

The 2024 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Conference (NATSIEHC24) will take place on nipaluna country (Hobart, Tasmania) from Wednesday 22 to Friday 24 May 2024.

Eligibility

ANZEF scholarships aim to facilitate the participation of aspiring ophthalmologists in the Conference. The following eligible applicants are invited to apply:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors and medical students who have an interest in eye health and ophthalmology
  • All RANZCO VTP trainees (Indigenous and non-Indigenous)

Scholarship Value

Scholarships can be used to cover or contribute towards the cost of conference registration, travel to and from NATSIEHC24 in nipaluna/Hobart, and hotel accommodation for the duration of the Conference, up to the value of AU $1,600. Please note that for Hobart-based successful applicants, the scholarship will cover the cost of conference registration only.

Key Dates

  • Applications open: Wednesday 14 February 2024
  • Applications close: Monday 18 March 2024 at 11:59pm AEDT
  • Applicants will be advised of the selection process outcome by mid-April 2024

How to Apply

Applications for these scholarships in 2024 are now closed. Details for 2025 scholarships will be available here from February.

These grants aim to increase access to ophthalmic education and networks of aspiring ophthalmologists through participating in the 2024 RANZCO Congress, taking place 1-4 November, on Kaurna Country (Adelaide, South Australia).

Eligibility

These opportunities are open to AIDA member Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students and junior doctors interested in ophthalmology as a career.

Scholarship Value

Scholarships will include Congress registration, and up to $1,600 towards travel to and from the 2024 RANZCO Congress on Kaurna Country/Adelaide, and hotel accommodation for the duration of the Congress. Please note that for Adelaide-based successful applicants, the scholarship will cover the cost of conference registration only.

Key Dates

  • Application deadline: Sunday 8 September 2024. Applicants will be advised of the selection process outcome by late September 2024.
  • RANZCO Congress: 1-4 November 2024

How to Apply

Applications for these scholarships in 2024 are now closed. Details for 2025 scholarships will be available here from August 2025.

These grants aim to increase access to ophthalmic education and networks through participating virtually in the 2024 RANZCO Congress, taking place 1-4 November.

Eligibility

These opportunities are open to medical students, junior doctors and RANZCO trainees who are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori and/or Pasifika, and interested in ophthalmology as a career.

Scholarship Value

The scholarship will cover the cost of virtual registration to the 2024 RANZCO Congress.

Key Dates

  • Applications deadline: Sunday 8 September 2024. Applicants will be advised of the selection process outcome by late September 2024.
  • RANZCO Congress: 1-4 November 2024.

How to Apply

Applications for these scholarships in 2024 are now closed. Details for 2025 scholarships will be available here from June 2025.

These grants aim to increase access to ophthalmic education and networks through participating virtually in the 2024 RANZCO Congress, taking place 1-4 November.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to ophthalmologists from the Asia-Pacific Region. Eligible countries of origin are:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Cambodia
  • Cook Islands
  • Fiji
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Kiribati
  • Laos
  • Maldives
  • Micronesia
  • Mongolia
  • Myanmar
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Niue
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Sri Lanka
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu
  • Vietnam

Scholarship Value

The scholarship will cover the cost of virtual registration to the 2024 RANZCO Congress.

Key Dates

  • Application deadline: Sunday 8 September 2024. Applicants will be advised of the selection process outcome by late September 2024.
  • RANZCO Congress: 1-4 November 2024.

How to Apply

Applications for these scholarships in 2024 are now closed. Details for 2025 scholarships will be available here from June 2025.

RANZCO Scholarships

Scholarships offered by RANZCO can be found here.