Ross Spark and John Breinl Memorial Grants Program

The Ross Spark and John Breinl Memorial Grants Program is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Are currently enrolled in (any year level):
  • Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  • Masters of Public Health
  • Master of Public Health/Master of Business Administration
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Health or MHMS)

The value of the grant shall be up to $2,000 paid in one installment after census date of study period 1. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record; and
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Why have you chosen to study Public Health (weighting 25%)
  2. What do you hope to do with your degree? (weighting 25%)
  3. What activity do you propose to use this grant for? (weighting 50%)
  4. Proposed budget (up to $2,000)
• Curriculum Vitae

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

These grants commemorate the lives of Professor Ross Spark and Dr John Breinl.

Professor Ross Spark (1954-2013) was Head of the School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences at James Cook University Cairns in 2011 until the time of his death in 2013. He is remembered for the passion and expertise he had in health promotion, public health, tropical medicine and Indigenous health and his commitment to build workforce knowledge and skills in these areas. He spent the majority of his professional life in North Queensland

Dr John Breinl (1918 – 2013) well-known medical practitioner, former deputy mayor of Townsville and Captain in the Ambulance Unit of 11^th Infantry Brigade is best remembered for his associations with the Bush Children’s Health Scheme since its inception in 1946. A native of Townsville, John’s father, Dr Anton Breinl, established the Townsville-based Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine in 1910 and after whom the JCU Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening is named.

This grant is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the grant

The value of the grant shall be up to $2,000 paid in one installment after census date of study period 1. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Ross Spark and John Breinl Memorial Grants Program is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Are currently enrolled in (any year level):
  • Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
  • Masters of Public Health
  • Master of Public Health/Master of Business Administration
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Health or MHMS)

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

1. Academic achievement;
2. Proposed activity;
3. The impact of proposed activity on the student and community.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record; and
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Why have you chosen to study Public Health (weighting 25%)
  2. What do you hope to do with your degree? (weighting 25%)
  3. What activity do you propose to use this grant for? (weighting 50%)
  4. Proposed budget (up to $2,000)
• Curriculum Vitae

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head of academic group (Chair) (Sue Devine)
• Staff member from Public Health and Tropical Medicine (PHTM), as nominated by the Chair.

The Selection committee will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the grant awardee.

Conditions of the Grant

• Proposed activity should be undertaken within year of award.
• Recipients will be required to submit a written report after participation in their proposed activity.  Reports submitted to Scholarships Office and then to Selection Committee Chair.
• If the holder of the award defers their study or takes an official leave of absence before the proposed activity, they may be required to return their grant. A statement of reasons can be submitted to the Selection Panel Chair for assessment.
• If the proposed activity does not proceed the recipient may be required to return all monies (less non-refundable amounts). A statement of reasons can be submitted to the Selection Panel Chair for assessment.

• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Grant

The grant shall be administered by the scholarships office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the grant shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the grant.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.