Applications open for 2026 AMA Indigenous Medical Scholarship
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students are invited to apply now for the Australian Medical Association’s 2026 Indigenous Medical Scholarship.
Since 1994, the scholarship has helped grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce by supporting First Nations peoples who are enrolled in a medical degree in Australia.
The AMA hopes to build on the increasing success of the scholarship program, with 2025 marking the first time in the scheme’s history that three individual scholarships were awarded in a single year off the back of support from generous donors.
Applications for the 2026 scholarship opened on Saturday and will close on 31 January 2026.
AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the scholarship was a crucial part of the AMA’s long-running efforts to grow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce in the pursuit of improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Evidence shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience better health outcomes when they are directly involved in the design and delivery of their healthcare models — yet First Nations peoples remain underrepresented in the medical profession,” Dr McMullen said.
“That is why we are deeply committed to growing this scholarship and championing policies that strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical workforce and promote culturally safe care.”
The scholarship has supported many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical students on their journey to medicine, including Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon Professor Kelvin Kong, and prominent Indigenous clinician and researcher Professor Alex Brown.
In recent years, the scholarship has received an increasing number of applications from impressive candidates — signalling a positive shift in the momentum toward boosting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in medicine.
Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association acting President Dr Olivia O’Donoghue said: “This scholarship is more than financial support — it’s a powerful symbol of recognition and solidarity”.
“It sends a clear message: our communities matter, our aspirations are valid, and our leadership in medicine is essential to creating lasting change. This ongoing partnership also reflects a shared commitment to addressing the underrepresentation of Indigenous doctors and building a culturally safe and inclusive healthcare system for all Australians,” Dr O’Donoghue said.
Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a medical degree in Australia and have completed at least one year.
