The AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship Foundation

The AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship Foundation is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical doctors by providing financial support to Indigenous students studying medicine at Australian universities.

Overview

Established in 1994 with an initial contribution from the Australian Government, the Foundation recognises the vital role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors play in improving health outcomes for Indigenous communities. The Foundation supports First Nations students who are enrolled full-time in a medical degree and who demonstrate a strong commitment to both their community and the medical profession.

Scholarship Details

The Foundation awards the AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship, which currently has a value of $11,000 per annum. This scholarship is offered for the entire duration of the medical degree, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and continued full-time enrolment. The scholarship aims to alleviate financial barriers that may prevent Indigenous students from pursuing or completing their medical education.

Eligibility criteria for applicants include:

• Being of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Self-identification as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Acceptance by the Indigenous community in which the applicant lives or has lived.
• Full-time enrolment in a medical degree at an Australian university.
• Successful completion of at least the first year of the medical degree.
• Provision of an official letter from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation supporting the applicant’s Indigenous status.

Impact and Community Commitment

The Foundation prioritises applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to their communities and the medical profession, reflecting the scholarship’s broader mission to support Indigenous leadership in healthcare. By increasing the number of Indigenous medical practitioners, the Foundation contributes to addressing health disparities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Funding and Donations

The AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship Foundation receives donations to sustain and expand its scholarship program. Donations valued over $2.00 are tax-deductible and support Indigenous medical students throughout their studies. The Foundation acknowledges various donors who have contributed to its mission, including charitable foundations and universities.

Application Process

Applications for the scholarship open annually on November 1st and close at the end of January the following year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students currently enrolled in Australian universities are encouraged to apply.

References

This summary is based on information provided by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and affiliated sources regarding the AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship Foundation and its scholarship program[1][2][4][5].

[1] https://www.ama.com.au/about/indigenous-medical-scholarship [2] https://www.ama.com.au/indigenous-medical-scholarship [3] https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/ama-indigenous-peoples [4] https://www.ahmrc.org.au/ama-indigenous-medical-scholarship/ [5] https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/study/scholarships-prizes/australian-medical-association-ama-indigenous-medical-scholarship