Science update

12 March 2008  

The Sir Robert Menzies Memorial Foundation wishes to encourage research in the allied health sciences by offering up to three research scholarships of $25,000 p.a. free of income tax each.

The award will be tenable at an Australian tertiary institution with adequate facilities for post-graduate research in the applicant’s discipline. The scholarship will be open to full-time students in a research PhD program who are likely to be completed during the two year tenure of the scholarship. The applicant will generally have completed the first stage of the PhD project. The successful applicant will be expected to take up the scholarship during 2009.

Application forms are available from University Scholarship Officers, in written request (fax 03 9417 7049), online at www.menziesfoundation.org.au or from the Menzies Foundation at the below address:

• The Scholarship Officer
  The Menzies Foundation
  210 Clarendon Street
  East Melbourne VIC 3002

Closing date: 30 June 2008.

8 February 2008  

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing are offering scholarships of up to $10,000 per year to students commencing an APAC-accredited Masters or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The Mental Health Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme (MHPSS) is a 5-year initiative aimed at addressing the current workforce shortage of qualified mental health professionals. This workforce shortage will be met by increasing the number of students who undertake postgraduate study in clinical psychology. Two cohorts of students are currently receiving a scholarship for studies beginning in 2007 or 2008, respectively. The third cohort of scholarship places will be awarded to applicants who will commence studies in a Clinical Psychology Masters or Doctorate program in 2009.

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship a student must meet one of the following criteria:

• have a rural, regional or remote residency
• come from an indigenous background
• come from  a culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) background
• be able to demonstrate a commitment to working with one or more of the above three groups

The MHPSS will make a significant impact on the number of psychologists working in these areas of need. The application kits for postgraduate students commencing an APAC-accredited Masters or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2009 will be available on the APS website from September 2008. 

9 January 2008 

The APS is currently administering a clinical supervision scheme for postgraduate psychology student trainees to enable them to undertake placements in non-government AOD services. The scheme aims to develop workforce capability to deal with comorbid substance use and mental illness by addressing the shortage of psychologists in the non-government AOD workforce. This federally-funded project will provide clinical supervision for postgraduate psychology students enrolled in Clinical, Counselling, Neuropsychology, Forensic and Health Psychology programs.

To find out more about the project, please click on the following links:

• Download Postgraduate Psychology Students brochure  (137kb)
• Download Alcohol and Other Drug Services brochure  (138kb)
• Download information for Registered Psychologists (Supervisors)  (37kb)

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the following to be offered in 2009:

1. Study Bursaries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders undertaking a postgraduate psychology degree
   
2. Financial Assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who are suffering necessitous financial circumstances

1. Study Bursaries

The Australian Psychological Society Limited (APS) acknowledges the hardship faced by many Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals with regard to the completion of postgraduate tertiary studies and so, in 2007, commenced offering a bursary to alleviate some of the financial concerns involved.

It is our hope that this funding will make a difference to the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who graduate with a postgraduate psychology degree and who are then able to make a commitment to the profession and to the community at large.

The APS would like to encourage people currently enrolled in, or applying for study of a Masters coursework degree (MPsych) or a professional Doctorate (DPsych or PsychD), who are able to demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, to apply for a study bursary.

• Download 2009 Study Bursary application form  (154kb)

2. Financial Assistance for the Relief of Necessitous Financial Circumstances

For those Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individuals who feel that they are suffering financial hardship, the APS encourages you to also make application for funding under the Financial Assistance Fund. The APS has limited numbers of study bursaries available, so an application under the Financial Assistance Fund as well may increase your chances of receiving funding.

In determining to offer financial assistance from the Financial Assistance Fund, preference will be given to people currently enrolled in, or applying for study of a Masters coursework degree (MPsych) or a professional Doctorate (DPsych or PsychD), who are suffering necessitous financial circumstances. 

• Download 2009 Financial Assistance application form  (179kb)

Closing date for applications: Monday, 15 December 2008 

Please send completed forms to:

• The President
  Australian Psychological Society
  PO Box 38, Flinders Lane VIC 8009