$5,000 CPD grants for remote specialists
The Support Scheme for Rural Specialists (SSRS) is a program aimed at improving access to continuing professional development (CPD) activities for medical specialists working in rural and remote Australia.

The SSRS is now calling for applications from individual specialists for CPD grants of up to $5,000. These grants are available to support the access, education and professional learning opportunities of remote specialists who are living and working in towns and regions classified as Rural Zone 2 - 3 or Remote Zone 1 - 2, according to the Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Areas Classification (RRMA).

Funds can be used to support costs associated with participation in CPD related activities, such as event registration, travel, accommodation and locum cover.

For further information, including the application guidelines and application form, please visit the SSRS website at http://www.ruralspecialist.org.au/ or contact the SSRS Program Management Unit at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or +61 (0)2 9256 9605.

Applications have now closed.

Congratulations to Dr Jill Pettigrew, Dr Murray Chapman and Dr Marcus Tabart who were all successful in receiving a CPD grant from the SSRS.

Rural events at Congress 2009

The Rural Special Interest Group (RSIG) have organised a number of events at Congress this year for rural practitioners and trainees. A rural symposium will be held during the week as well as rural networking drinks - All welcome!

The Rural Symposium has been scheduled for Monday 25th May; Session one from 9am - 10.30am, Session two from 1.30pm - 3pm in Meeting Room 3.

All trainees and rural practitioners are also encouraged to attend the RSIG AGM in the Boardroom on Monday 25th May from 5pm - 5.45pm. The AGM will include rural networking drinks and canapes. For more details and to register your interest please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Board of Research Trainee Award - Congress 2009 

Trainees that have been accepted to present at the RANZCP Congress are eligible to win the Board of Research Trainee (oral) presentation Award of $1,000. The award will be given to the trainee who is adjudged to have contributed and presented the most significant research paper during the Congress proceedings.  The Award comprises a citation plus a sum of $1,000. There is no formal application process for this award.

A panel from the RANZCP Board of Research will review all abstract submissions and create a short list which will be judged during Congress: 25-29 May 2009.

Young Investigator Grants

The Board of Research encourages research as an important activity for psychiatric training and belives that knowledge of research theory and methods is essential for the practice of clinical psychiatry. The Young investigator grants program provides a number of small clinical research grants each year on a competitive basis to trainees and other eligible applicants. Grants of up to $6,000 are generally available to:

• Trainees in any year of training;
• College Fellows in the first two years after Fellowship; 
• Medical students who are conducting research supervised by a Fellow of the College.

This year's Grant program will open in August 2009 and application forms will be made available at that time. 

Alzheimer’s Australia Research Dementia Grants
Alzheimer’s Australia Research is offering a range of grants as part of its 2009 Dementia Grants Program. Grants include:

New Researcher Grants
• 4 AAR Dementia Research Grants of $20,000
• 2 Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care of $20,000

Travel Grants
• Rosemary Foundation Travel Grant of $15,000

Postdoctoral Fellowships
• 3 AAR Postdoctoral Fellowship in Dementia ($45,000 per year for 2 years with payments matched by applicants’ institution)

Applications for all awards close 27 April 2009.

Link: http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?topicid=250