Members and Associate (Student) Members of the New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (NSW Branch) can apply. The scholarship is open to Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents.

All grants, awards or loans shall be made to financially assist nurses, midwives, assistants in nursing, assistants in midwifery (including students of those disciplines), and accredited nursing or midwifery organisations, schools and faculties in the furtherance of:

• accredited nursing or midwifery studies;
• such academic research programs as are approved by the Trustees in the theory or practice of nursing or midwifery work; or
• clinical nursing or midwifery education programs at graduate, post-graduate and continuing educational professional development level; in accordance with the following categories:

Category 1

Shall be available to students of nursing or midwifery undertaking full-time, part-time or distance education studies leading to initial registration as a nurse or midwife on a needs or merits basis.

A certificate of completion of the education program/course must be provided.

Category 2 (2.i or 2.ii)

Shall be available to:

• Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses;
• Midwives;
• Assistants in Nursing who have completed, or are undertaking a course to obtain, an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate III in either Aged Care or Assistants in Nursing, or who have completed or are undertaking a course to obtain a qualification which, in the opinion of the Trustees, is an equivalent qualification in a nursing or midwifery related field; or
• Assistants in Midwifery;
  … wishing to undertake or attend:
  (2.i)    Accredited clinical nursing or midwifery education programs not in excess of 6 months’ duration on a full time or part-time basis, or by distance education; or
  (2.ii) A nursing or midwifery conference or seminar relevant to the Applicant’s area of clinical practice;
  in each case awarded on a needs or merit basis.

Category 3 (3.i or 3.ii):

Shall be available to a Registered Nurse, Enrolled Nurse or Midwife wishing to:

• (3.i) undertake post-graduate studies (including honors programs) relevant to the applicants area of clinical practice, at an accredited education institution for a period or periods in excess of six months’ duration, either by full-time, part-time or distance education study; or
• (3.ii) undertake academically approved research programs at an accredited education institution in the theory or practice of nursing or midwifery work.

Applicants must hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Research grants will only be given where appropriate ethics committee approval has been obtained and research must be overseen by a qualified researcher.

Progress reports must be provided at the end of each academic semester for the duration of the scholarship or on an agreed basis for research projects.

Category 4:

Shall be available to accredited nursing or midwifery organisations, faculties and schools to conduct or fund a relevant professional or clinical nursing education project.

Progress reports must be provided on an agreed basis for education projects.

The value of each scholarship is at the determination of the Selection Committee. Scholarships will be awarded as a contribution toward the cost of courses or conferences up to a maximum value of $5,000 per applicant and amounts awarded may vary between categories.

The awarding of scholarships is at the absolute discretion of the Trustees of the Edith Cavell Trust. Trustees may co-opt appropriate persons to sit on the Selection Committee.

The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for costs associated with one (1) academic year only.

Preference in the awarding of scholarships will be given to applicants who have not previously received a scholarship from this or any other source in the last three (3) years.

Money for scholarships will be paid in Australian dollars to an Australian address. If the Trustees receive a request for money to be paid to an overseas address, then the money will be given in Australian dollars determined according to the official currency rates at the date of approval of the scholarship.

If for any reason you do not proceed with, defer, or in any other way postpone your course / conference etc or do not complete your scholarship request you must notify the Trust immediately. The Trust will then review your situation and notify you of their decision with regards to the funds that have been provided to you.

A scholarship may be suspended or terminated at any time during its currency, either at the recipient’s request or, if in the opinion of the Trustees:

1. the recipient’s performance is unsatisfactory;
2. the recipient fails to observe the conditions of the scholarship; or
3. the recipient fails to undertake the course or visit, complete research, or meet the terms of the scholarship.

If a scholarship is terminated or suspended as above, all monies of the scholarship must be returned within four (4) weeks of the suspension or termination.

Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email no later than 31 October in the year of application.

Applications must be made on the official application form of the Edith Cavell Trust.

Applications to the scholarship are for the following academic year, ie, if your application is made in 2024, the scholarship is for studies in the academic year 2025.

As outlined in the Edith Cavell Trust application form, you are required to complete / provide the following:

• The application’s Summary Form
• Attach two written and signed nursing/midwifery statements of support (see below)
• Attach a copy of current Authorisation to Practice (Registration) (applicable to RNs, Midwives and ENs)
• Attach supporting documentation as outlined on page 7 of the application form
• Budget details
• Signature of applicant

The written and signed statements of support should outline the applicants’ capacity to undertake the proposed course or study and state what advantage the proposed course or study would be to the applicant, the nursing / midwifery profession and the community. Statements of support are preferable on letterhead and should be signed by the referee.

The applicant must be a financial Member or Associate (Student) Member of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association.

Proof of enrolment/registration is only required if you are successful in obtaining a scholarship and monies are not issued until such evidence is provided.

All successful applicants will also be required to sign a letter confirming receipt of the scholarship funds once they have been transferred and received. Failure to return this confirmation within the designated timeframe will result in the applicant forfeiting their scholarship and they will be required to return the awarded funds to the Trust.

All successful applicants are also required to supply a report within 3 months of the completion of their course/conference/study or research program, and include, if applicable, their academic results from the academic year in which the scholarship was awarded, which will become the property of the Trust to publish if it so wishes.

The completed application form and all associated documents must be in the hands of the Association by 5pm, 31 July each year. Requests for extension will not be granted in any circumstance.

Applications may be submitted by:

• Email: edithcavell@nswnma.asn.au
• Fax: 02 9662 1414

Confirmation of receipt of your application will be sent within 5 working days. If this confirmation is not received, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator, details below.

For further enquiries, please phone: Scholarship Coordinator – The Edith Cavell Trust.
Metro:            (02) 8595 1234
Rural:             1300 367 962
Email:            edithcavell@nswnma.asn.au