Osiecki Family Foundation Clinical Placement Scholarship

The Osiecki Family Foundation Clinical Placement Scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and/or the Master of Naturopathic Medicine, who are undertaking external, specialised, community‑based, regional or remote clinical placements that offer unique learning experiences not available within Southern Cross University clinics. 

The scholarship seeks to expose students to diverse clinical environments and community‑impact settings, particularly those supporting disadvantaged, under‑resourced or remote populations. By supporting placements outside the university clinic system, the scholarship enables students to engage deeply with real‑world healthcare contexts that broaden clinical capability, cultural understanding, and professional confidence. 

At its core, this scholarship reflects a strong commitment to service, equity and access to healthcare, while investing in the next generation of practitioners through immersive, purpose‑driven clinical learning. 

Applications for this scholarship are now open until 19 June 2026. Apply here. 

Health at Southern Cross University

At the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, our mission is to contribute meaningful solutions to healthcare through naturopathic education, research, and advocacy, in communities throughout Australia and worldwide.

Quick facts

Value

Up to $5,000 – see FAQs for further information

Number available

Two or more

Course of study

Enrolled in the

Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) or the Master of Naturopathic Medicine
Female doctor consulting with patient

Scholarship details

Purpose of the scholarship 

The Osiecki Family Foundation Clinical Placement Scholarship exists to intentionally expand students’ clinical education beyond the university setting. 

The scholarship prioritises: 

  • Exposure to diverse and specialised clinical environments
  • Service to disadvantaged, regional or remote communities
  • Meaningful community impact alongside professional learning 

By directly supporting placements that may otherwise be financially inaccessible, the scholarship enables students to engage in learning experiences that deeply shape their professional identity and commitment to service. 

Applicants must: 

  • Be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia 
  • Be enrolled in the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and/or Master of Naturopathic Medicine and making satisfactory academic progress 
  • Be currently undertaking, or intending to undertake, a confirmed external clinical placement that meets the Definition of Regional/Remote: Generally, this means locations outside major metropolitan areas (Inner Regional, Outer Regional, Remote, Very Remote). Please see the  Australian Statistical Geography Standards (ASGS) for further detail.  
  • Demonstrate how the placement aligns with the purpose and intent of the scholarship 
  • Meet any additional University eligibility requirements 

Applications will be assessed based on: 

  • Alignment of the placement with the scholarship’s purpose 
  • The specialised, external and/or community‑impact nature of the placement 
  • Contribution to regional, remote or disadvantaged populations 
  • Demonstrated financial need and placement‑related costs 
  • Strength and clarity of the application 

Details on how to apply, including opening and closing dates, will be published on this page when applications open. 

Applicants must complete the scholarship application form and respond to the selection criteria. Please review the information on Scholarship Funding types and amounts in the FAQ below. 

Applicants may be required to provide evidence of placement-related expenses.

  • Successful applicants will receive detailed information regarding scholarship payment arrangements and the associated terms and conditions once the scholarship has been awarded.  
  • Students must also grant Southern Cross University permission to use their placement story for promotional purposes and for reporting outcomes to the scholarship donor. 
  • On completion of their clinical placement, students will also be asked to complete a reflection template outlining the impact that their clinical placement had on their studies and future career.  

Frequently Asked Questions

This scholarship supports students undertaking external clinical placements that provide specialised learning experiences not available within SCU clinics, particularly those with community impact in regional, rural, or disadvantaged settings.  

This scholarship is particularly suited to students who:  

  • Are undertaking external clinical placements, not SCU clinic‑based placements  
  • Seek experience in specialised, regional, remote or community‑focused settings  
  • Are motivated by service, equity and real‑world impact  
  • Face additional financial barriers due to travel, relocation or placement demands 

An external placement is: 

  • Outside SCU-operated clinics, and 
  • Hosted by an independent organisation (e.g. community health service, specialised clinic, not-for-profit, or regional provider)  

No. Placements within SCU-operated clinics are not eligible.

Eligible placements may include: 

  • Specialised or integrative health clinics  
  • Community-based or not-for-profit health services  
  • Regional, rural or remote clinical settings  
  • Clinics supporting disadvantaged, marginalised or culturally diverse populations  

Priority will be given to placements that provide learning experiences beyond those available within SCU clinics, including exposure to: 

  • Diverse patient presentations and community health needs  
  • Different clinical models of care delivery  
  • Multidisciplinary or outreach-based health services  

Applications are particularly encouraged for placements that are specialised, community-focused, located in regional, rural or remote areas, or support under-resourced populations. 

To ensure the scholarship strongly supports its intended purpose, two funding levels are available depending on the nature of the placement. 

You must select one funding tier in your application.  

Tier 1: Remote and regional external placements 

Up to $5,000 

This funding level supports students undertaking clinical placements in regional, rural or remote settings, provided the placement is: 

  • External to SCU clinics, and 
  • Offers specialised learning experiences or community‑impact service not available within the university clinic environment. 

This tier recognises the higher costs and logistical complexity often associated with remote and regional placements, including travel, accommodation, and relocation expenses. 

Tier 2: Travel support for students living away from SCU clinics 

Up to $1,000 

This funding level supports students who: 

  • Live away from SCU clinics, and 
  • Are required to travel in order to undertake an eligible external clinical placement. 

This tier acknowledges the financial burden that travel alone can place on students, even when placements are not remote, and ensures broader access to specialised learning opportunities. 

Select the tier based on: 

  • Where your placement is located 
  • Whether it is regional/remote, or 
  • Whether you primarily need travel support 

Choose based on the overall placement context, not just distance.

Funding can support placement-related expenses, including: 

  • Travel and transport 
  • Accommodation or relocation 
  • Essential placement costs (e.g. uniforms or equipment) 

You must clearly show how the funding enables your placement.

Start by carefully reviewing the “ Before you apply - student checklist” to ensure you understand all requirements and have gathered the necessary information.  

Apply via the SCU Scholarships Portal. 

You must: 

  • Respond to all selection criteria
  • Provide clear, detailed answers with examples
  • Ensure placement details and costs are accurate 

Incomplete applications or vague responses may not be considered. 

You will be asked to: 

  • Describe your placement (location, organisation, community served, and how it differs from SCU clinics) 
  • Select a funding tier 
  • Explain how you will use the funding 
  • Describe the impact and learning outcomes  

Strong applications: 

  • Clearly explain the placement and its value 
  • Demonstrate community impact 
  • Show how the experience supports your future practice 
  • Provide detailed and accurate cost breakdowns 

Avoid vague or generic responses.  

Applications are assessed on: 

  • Alignment with the purpose of the scholarship 
  • The external and specialised nature of the placement 
  • Community impact 
  • Financial need 
  • Overall clarity and quality of responses  

You must be confirmed to or planning to undertake a placement and be able to provide a clear description of your confirmed or intended placement.
You may also be asked to provide supporting documentation.

Not necessarily. Funding is: 

  • Capped at the tier maximum, but 
  • May vary based on costs, placement details, and number of applicants

Yes. Recipients must: 

  • Complete a reflection on the impact of the scholarship 
  • Agree to share their story for promotion and donor reporting

Contact the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine for any queries. 

Contact the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

ncnm@scu.edu.au +61 2 6626 9255