Arthritis NSW is pleased to offer the Bruce Williams Memorial Scholarship to Allied Health Professionals for the amount of $20,000 annually. The scholarship is intended to encourage projects in areas related to Arthritis and Musculoskeletal research.

This scholarship acknowledges the contribution made by Bruce Williams in starting Arthritis NSW in 1967.

Selection

A selection committee of relevant experts and members of the Board’s Education Committee will review the applications and decide on successful candidates using the guidelines and funding criteria outlined below.

General

• Proposals for co-sponsorship will be considered
• The applicant and Arthritis NSW will have joint ownership of the research and both parties will be acknowledged

Who was Bruce Williams?

One of the first Rheumatologists in Sydney had as her patients Bruce Williams and Nigel Palethorpe and we believe she told them that that the cause of the person with arthritis was only going to be advanced if some of those with the disease created an organisation which could speak for the patient.

Following this Bruce and Nigel formed the Arthritis and Rheumatism Patient Aid Society in early 1967.

Bruce Williams took a leading role in this Society for many years. He was a senior executive with the Swiss company CIBA-GEIGY Ltd and despite having severe Rheumatoid Arthritis achieved much both in his business life and his private life.

The Arthritis NSW Board decided in the early 90s to honour him with a research grant in his name.

Bruce Williams Memorial Scholarship 2007 Recipient

The Bruce Williams Memorial Scholarship for 2007 was awarded to Doctor Helen Englert, Department of Rheumatology, Westmead Hospital.

Doctor Englert's research project is "Finger clawing - determination of normal values for recently devised quantitative measures, application in scleroderma and correlation with hand function"

If you would like further information on Doctor Englert's research project please contact Karen Filocamo, Arthritis NSW on 1800 011 041.

Funding Criteria

• An application must be completed
• Applications close on 1 November 2007
• Preference will be given to projects that conduct research into issues related to Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions
• Funding amount available is $20,000.00
• Funding will be available for a period of one year. However proposals to consider an extension of this timeframe will be considered
• Preference will be given to projects which are sustainable but the applicant must demonstrate that the project can be completed within the are we going to set a one year or two year time frame or a choice of either elected time frame
• Preference will be given to programs that are evidence based and address priority areas
• Towards the end of the funding period a project presentation will be required to be made to the Education Committee of Arthritis NSW

Reporting

Reports will be required by Arthritis NSW at six monthly intervals.

How to Apply

Potential applicants should apply to Karen Filocamo at Arthritis NSW, phone 1800 011 041 or email info@arthritisnsw.org.au or download the application form here. Closing date for 2007 Applicaiton is 1st November 2007.