Nursing Scholarship Fund

STAFF SCHOLARSHIP FUND APPLICATION KIT

ROUND 4,2013/2014

Application Closing Date: 30th May 2014

CONFERENCE / WORKSHOP / SEMINAR

SUPPORT GUIDELINES

Please read the following information carefully

**Incomplete applications will not be accepted**

INTRODUCTION

The Staff Scholarship Fund from Wishlist (Sunshine Coast Health Foundation) is a funding source designed to enable anystaff memberfrom within the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service(SCHHS) – full time / part time / casual – toattend conferences, workshops or seminars (including inviting speakers to the SCHHS).

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

1. Conference Seminars and Workshop Scholarship

These scholarships are designed to assist staff in attending relevant professional conferences, seminars and workshops. Staff are invited to apply with four rounds being offered each year.

2. Academic Staff Scholarships

The Academic Scholarships are Annual Scholarships (one round yearly) to apply for financial support to participate in relevant Undergraduate or Post Graduate studies offered through university or the VET sector (complete Study / Education Application Kit). These scholarships are designed to assist staff undertake study or research and attend relevant study tours.

The Academic scholarship also includes the “Mike Kelly” Educational Bursary (awarded annually) valued up to $5000.00 and an additional $10,000.00 for Post and Undergraduate Scholarships. Staff are invited to apply via the Mike Kelly Scholarship Application Kit.

HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS / SEMINARS?

• Speak to your supervisor
• Access noticeboards in your work area and other areas of the Hospital, Community Health Centre etc
• Look in professional journals
• Speak to an Educator or staff in ODU
• Surf the Internet
• Look in the newspaper
• Check out the SCHHS library and local council libraries

WHERE DOES THE FUNDING COME FROM?

Wishlist (Sunshine Coast Health Foundation) provides the funding on an annual basis.

HOW OFTEN IS THE STAFF SCHOLARSHP FUND(CONFERENCE / WORKSHOP / SEMINAR) AVAILABLE?

There are four rounds for conference / workshop / seminar funding available each year.

WHEN CAN I APPLY?

Applications for funds will be called between two and three months prior to distribution.

SSF schedule:

Round 3 13/14 Opens 3/2/14 Closes 28/3/14 Applicants notified by 23rd April 2014

Round 4 13/14 Opens 4/4/14 Closes 30/5/14Applicants notified by 25th June 2014

Round 1 14/15 Opens 1/7/14 Closes 12/9/14Applicants notified by 29th October 2014

Round 2 14/15 Opens 1/10/14 Closes 5/12/14Applicants notified by 25th February 2015 (Academic Round)

Round 3 14/15 Opens 3/2/15 Closes 27/3/15Applicants notified by 29th April 2015

Round 4 14/15 Opens 13/4/15 Closes 29/5/15Applicants notified by 24th June 2015

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING WHO WILL RECEIVE FUNDING AND HOW MUCH?

• A multi-disciplinary sub-committee reviews all applications.
• Each application is assessed against the criteria in the application form including the information provided by your cost centre manager / supervisor / or head of division.
• Subsidy is allocated based on the number of applications received, how well the application meets the criteria and the level of support from your supervisor. It should be noted that this is a “subsidy” scheme and full funding may not be granted.

WHAT HAPPENS THEN?

These recommendations are then forwarded to the Wishlist Board for final approval. When final approval is received applicants will be notified via work email. This process may take approximately 1 – 2 months after the closing date.

To obtain funds applicants may pick up the cheque in person from the Wishlist office, or the cheque can be mailed to recipients at their request. Only one cheque will be issued – funds cannot be split. Please ensure correct payee details are submittedalong with bank details if you prefer to have the funds transferred to your account.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WON’T BE FUNDED?

• Courses which are being run as Organisational Development
• Hardware
• Salary costs or backfill
• Funds are not available for pre-existing HECS fees
• Provision of a Fleet vehicle (this must be negotiated directly with the Fleet Manager, separate from this application)

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY I MIGHT RECEIVE?

The maximum grant per individual application will be up to $1000.00 (annually reviewed).

The Selection Panel reserves the right to vary the level of assistance provided.

If subsidy funding is being sought for more than one course / workshop/ seminar, these should be submitted on separate applications.

DO I NEED TO SEND ANYTHING WITH THE APPLICATION PACKAGE?

You will need to attach all available information about the support you are requesting. Please ensure this information is relevant and concise. The information could include:

• Brochure / Flyer from facility conducting the conference / workshop / seminar
• Details of conference / workshop / seminar
• Proposals (ie research proposal)
• Details as to how you have arrived at the amounts being requested if this is not clearly defined in flyers etc (ie quotations for travel and accommodation)

To support your selection criteria responses:

• Details of current position responsibilities
• Examples of quality improvement
• Examples of personal development
• Examples of ways you have or could disseminate knowledge
• Ways in which previous conference / workshop / seminar assistance has been disseminated throughout your unit / the organisation.
• Letters of recommendation / support from other team members, peers or supervisors supporting this application and indicating it’s relevance to the selection criteria (in addition to the information requested in this application package).

Attach any documentation you feel may assist the selection panel in reviewing your application to make an informed decision. Please keep supporting information relevant and concise.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE TO CONSIDER?

Applicants need apply using the application package attached, including supporting documentation. Please note the items listed above that may comprise supporting documentation. Incomplete packages or packages received after the closing date will not be considered and will be returned. Please ensure that you obtain the current application package, as applications based on previous packages may not be accepted for consideration.

Please submit your application for sign off by your supervisor as soon as possible after the funding round opens. This will allow them time to consider the information they require in plenty of time before the closing date.

WHERE DO I RECEIVE FURTHER INFORMATION?

Read the package carefully. Talk to your supervisor. If you still have unanswered questions you may direct them to Wishlist 5470 6598

CRITERIA FOR SUPPORT

Funding will be allocated in line with application merit as assessed by the panel against selection criteria, organisational priorities and funding available.

No negotiation or correspondence will be entered into regarding the decision of the panel.

LEAVE

Accessing paid leave to attend the approved study will be at the discretion of your Cost Centre Manager / Supervisor, and this should be negotiated with the relevant Cost Centre Manager / Supervisor prior to application. Indication of access to leave must be included with application. If paid leave is not sought, or is sought and not supported, by the Cost Centre Manager / Supervisor indication should be made as to alternative arrangements that may be put in place. (ie completion in own time, leave without pay, annual or long service leave).

NOTIFICATION

You will receive notification of receipt of your application via your work email within 10 days. If you do not receive notification you must assume it has not been received. In this case please contact Wishlist 5470 6598

SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS - FUNDS

Funds will be made available in the form of a cheque made out to the workshop \ conference \ seminar or facilitator. If this is an application for reimbursement of fees, receipts must be provided before funds will be made available.

Kindly sponsored by

By completing this application form you are giving Wishlist permission to use your name and the amount granted towards your training for promotional purposes, including Wishlist website.

Return Application to: Wishlist (5470 6598)or

STAFF SCHOLARSHIP FUND – Round 4, 2013/14

Email address:

Name of Supervisor / Division Head:

Have you paid for this Conference / Workshop / Seminar and seeking reimbursement?

Name of Conference / Workshop / Seminar for which assistance is sought?

When does the Conference / Workshop / Seminaroccur?

How will the Conference / Workshop / Seminarcontribute to quality improvement?

If Yes, how has that assistance benefited the organisation? (Provide examples as to how you have disseminated information or applied information into work practices)

DECLARATION

By signing this declaration:

I acknowledge that I accept the funding offered by the Staff Scholarship Fund and that I will adhere to the conditions of approval.

The information provided in this application is accurate at the time of submission.

I have discussed this application with my supervisor / department head / head of division and have reached agreement on issues impacting on my role / attendance at work (ie suitable leave has been negotiated).

I understand that the level of assistance offered will be determined by the selection panel in line with assessment of my application against the criteria set out in the Study Support Guidelines.

In the event of approval being gained I have arranged to access leave as per arrangement with my supervisor / department head / head of division or will complete this study(please tick one where applicable):

□ In my own time

□ By accessing leave with out pay (to be approved by appropriate officer)

□ By accessing annual or long service leave (to be approved by appropriate officer)

□ Other (please specify) ______

The conditions of approval are:

A tax invoice and/or receipt detailing expenditure be forwarded to Wishlist.

Funds are not to be used towards HECS contributions (or where HECS is liable), for courses being run as Organisational Development, hardware (ie computers) or to cover salary costs or backfill.

Claims for study materials (ie text books, stationery software etc) must be supported by indicating their relativity to the approval for funding (ie how they relate to the course approved).

Funds are not to be used for other than the approved purpose.

If funds are not expended within three (3) months the funding must be returned to the Staff Scholarship Fund, (either by returning the uncashed cheque or making reimbursement).

I ______have read and understood the above Declaration and
(Print Name)

Conditions of Approval and hereby agree to be bound by these conditions.

______Date_____ / _____ / _____

Signature

Cost Centre Manager /Supervisor /Head of Division, must complete the
next page prior to submission of the application.

For Completion by Cost Centre Manager / Supervisor / Head of Division prior to submission of application

(This section must be completed by the Cost Centre Manager or Supervisor of your Department / Unit.

It cannot be completed by the applicant)

Closing Date: 30th May 2014

Name of Applicant:______

Applicants Position:______

Your Name:______

Your Position & Operational Relationship to the Applicant:______

______

Your Contact Number:______

Your Address: (for correspondence regarding this application):______

______

Please provide information regarding the applicant and the submission being made in this application in line with the following:

How do you believe this application is relevant to Organisational Values / Priorities from your department / unit perspective?

Mark on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 not very relevant. 10 extremely relevant

1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9-----10

Comment if desired: ______

______

______

How is this application relevant to the applicant’s position responsibilities?

Mark on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 not very relevant. 10 extremely relevant

1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9-----10

Comment if desired: ______

______

______

How is this Conference / Workshop / Seminar relevant to the applicants personal and career development (ie PP&R)?

______

______

______

______

Do you have record / knowledge of the applicant receiving funding for education / training / development in the preceding two (2) years?

Yes / No / Unsure

If yes, have benefits been delivered to the organisation as a result of this funding? Please give example of how this has occurred. (eg Inservices conducted, increased productivity, education conducted with other staff members):

______

______

______

______

If the applicant is presenting a paper / poster how is this relevant of the organisational values / priorities or the applicants position from the perspective of your unit /department?

______

______

______

______

What priority would you place on this application from the perspective of your unit / department? (please circle)

Mark on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 not very relevant. 10 extremely relevant

1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7-----8-----9-----10

Please provide rationale used to ascertain the priority:______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

This is not a confidential document; the employee will be provided with a copy on request

Return Completed Application to: Wishlist email

Closing Date:30th May 2014.

Page 1Round 42013 -2014 Closes 30th May2014.