The Harold and Gwenneth Harris Endowment for Medical Humanities Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 2024 to support special programs and events in the Medical Humanities at the University of Sydney.

b. This Scholarship has been donated by the USA Foundation from Dr Rhonda L. Soricelli to honour the memory of her parents.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time in any Faculty or University School at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must indicate that they are able to enrol in Semester 2/Research Period 3 2025 and will not complete their studies before Semester 2/Research Period 3 2025.

c. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

d. Applicants must propose projects that:

I. align with Health and Medical Humanities, as broadly understood, and
II. are separate from the normal coursework or existing research required for completion of degree.

e. Collaborative group applications are also eligible. Each group member must meet the eligibility criteria. A group lead must be nominated for managing Scholarship payments and advising on changes that impact project progress.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. Faculty or University School,
II. proposed project that aligns with Health and Medical Humanities, as broadly understood,
III. cover letter (maximum of one page) introducing the applicant or the collaborative group,
IV. curriculum vitae(s) (maximum of two pages) detailing relevant experience, publications and awards previously obtained by the applicants or each group member in the collaborative group,
V. any special / extenuating circumstances (e.g. social or financial disadvantage, that may have impeded ability to undertake this project in the past), and
VI. an interview may be required.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Harold and Gwenneth Harris Endowment for Medical Humanities Scholarship Administrative Committee, which consists of the:

I. Executive Dean and Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, or their nominated delegate(s) (Chair),
II. Dean, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, or their nominated delegate(s),
III. Member of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Doctor of Medicine (MD) program,
IV. Donor’s representative, and
V. Head of School & Dean, Sydney Medical School and Head of School, School of Public Health, or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at up to $3,000 for the duration of the project.

b. If awarded to collaborative group, payment will be made to the group lead to manage the payment for the group.

c. The Scholarship value will be paid in two equal instalments. The first instalment will be made on receipt of Scholarship Acceptance Form. The second instalment will be made after the progress report due date.

d. The Scholarship funds may be utilised for the following project-related expenses, where relevant:

I. Materials or expenses - directly related to the project (a high-level budget will be required prior to commencement of the project),
II. Experts - who can function as facilitators, teachers, supporters (e.g. camera or lighting crew, an artist who will hold live drawing classes for health students),
III. Training - students may wish to undertake training in a relevant area,
IV. Research - costs such as digital copying, access, and
V. Travel - students may need to travel to access resources or join others.

e. The Scholarship funds cannot be used for conference travel.

f. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted, and it is not transferable to another university.

g. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

h. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient(s) must be remained enrolled in their degrees and committed to the project.

b. The recipient(s) must meet agreed project milestones.

c. For collaborative groups, the group lead must advise the Faculty of Medicine and Health of any changes that impact progress.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient(s):

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. withdraws from the project,
III. group lead does not inform the faculty of changes to the group,
IV. commences part-time study,
V. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance or project milestones, or
VI. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

7. Other Conditions

a. The Scholarship recipient(s) whether completing an individual or group project must complete:

I. progress report (due 25 March 2025),
II. financial expense acquittal (end of project),
III. final deliverable as proposed in their application (due 25 September 2025),
IV. presentation at a Showcase event.