WellSouth GPCME Professional Development Grant
WellSouth provides a grant fund of $500,000 per annum to support GP Continuing Medical Education and other professional development for vocationally registered General Practitioners in the WellSouth network.
GP CME Professional Development Grant – programme refresh from 1 July 2026
Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on the GP CME Professional Development Grant. We have heard clearly that, while the fund has been welcomed, the ballot process had created uncertainty for GPs trying to plan and book CME activity.
In response, WellSouth is refreshing the scheme from 1 July 2026 to provide greater certainty, timeliness, and fairness for eligible applicants.
From 1 July, the fund will move to a monthly application window, opening 10 days at the start of each month, until the funds run out.
The ballot process will no longer apply. Instead, all applicants who apply within the application window and meet the eligibility criteria will receive a grant.
Grant amounts will be:
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$2,000 plus GST for GPs working in urban practices
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$2,500 plus GST for GPs working in rural practices
Once the application window closes, applications will be checked against the eligibility criteria, and payment will be made to successful eligible applicants within 14 days.
This means applicants will know the amount available upfront and will receive a timely decision, supporting more confident CME planning.
Eligibility criteria remain the same. Applicants must be participating in the RNZCGP Te Whanake CPD programme, normally reside in Otago or Southland, work in a general practice within the WellSouth network, and have worked on a regular basis for six months at least in a general practice within the WellSouth network prior to application.
GPs who received a grant under the earlier version of the scheme will not be eligible to apply again until the next funding round in March 2027.
To conclude this year’s grant funding, we will be commencing the revised process to use the remainder of this year’s allocation of the fund opening for 10 days from 1 July, and subsequently each month thereafter till the fund runs out.
We appreciate the constructive feedback received and hope these changes better support GPs to access meaningful professional development with greater certainty.
Who can apply for the grant?
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Applicants must be vocationally registered GPs participating in the RNZCGP Te Whanake CPD programme.
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Applicants must; be normally residing in Otago or Southland, be working in a general practice in the WellSouth network and have worked in on a regular basis for at least six months prior to application in a general practice in the WellSouth network.
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Applicants will be limited to one successful grant application per calendar year.
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A single grant application may contribute to more than one event, course or activity.
What can the grant be used for?
You can include more than one event, course or activity in a single grant application up to the total of the available grant per person. Applicants can apply for a grant of up to $4,000, or up to $5,000 for applicants working in a rural practice with a GCH classification of R1, R2 or R3, as a contribution towards any or all of the following:
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Conference registration fees
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Travel expenses related to event attendance
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Accommodation expenses related to event attendance
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Courses (online or in person)
- Journal or learning platform subscriptions
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Professional mentoring
Grants must be utilised within 12 months of an application being approved.
Please keep receipts as proof of payment for any of the events, courses or activities you have included in your application.
How will grants be paid to you?
1. You will be notified at the time of your application whether it has been successful.
2. Grants will be paid to your practice for reimbursement to you.
3. Successful grant applications will be paid within 14 business days of the approval of your application.
Grant Audit
Grants may be subject to post event audit at WellSouth’s discretion.
If audited, applicants are required to provide proof of purchase for the items claimed for. Where no proof of purchase can be provided, WellSouth may require the grant to be repaid.
Grants need to be utilised within 12 months of an application being approved; therefore, any audit will occur between 12 and 24 months from then approval of the grant.
Application Windows:
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1 - 10 July 2026
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1 - 10 August 2026
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1-10 September 2026
What if I’m a locum and/or telehealth GP in the WellSouth network? Am I eligible?
Yes, if you are a locum who meets the following criteria then you are eligible to apply
To be eligible applicants must:
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be vocationally registered General Practitioners participating in the RNZCGP Te Whanake rectification programme
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be normally residing in Otago or Southland
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be currently working in a general practice in the WellSouth network, and
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have worked on a regular basis for a general practice in the WellSouth network for at least six months prior to application.
Note, you must be employed directly by the practice. If you are contracted by an agency to the practice, you will not be eligible.
What if I am not in Otago and Southland when I submit my application, but I will be when I attend the proposed professional development?
You are not eligible to apply unless you are living/working in Otago or Southland at the time of your application. Eligibility requires the applicant to be normally resident in Otago or Southland at the time of application and working in a WellSouth-funded practice for at least 6 months prior.
How do I know if my practice is rural or urban?
The form does this automatically.
Are there terms and conditions?
Yes, please view these here.
What are the eligible expenses I can apply for?
· Conference fees
· Travel
· Accommodation
· Courses
· Subscriptions
· Mentoring
Are there any restrictions for practices putting in multiple applications at a time?
Practices cannot apply on behalf of their GPs. Applications must be submitted individually by the general practitioner.
Can I apply in anticipation of doing Professional Development?
Yes. You can apply for the grant to receive the money and then pay for your professional development. Please keep receipts as proof of payment for any of the events, courses or activities you have included in your application as grants may be subject to post event audit at WellSouth’s discretion.
If audited, applicants are required to provide proof of purchase for the items claimed for. Where no proof of purchase can be provided, WellSouth may require the grant to be repaid.
Is payment to the individual GP or the practice?
Grants will be paid to the applicant’s practice within 14 business days of the grant approval for reimbursement to the applicant.
Is there a time frame between the application and attending the event?
The application should relate to activities planned within the 12 months following the application.
Do I need to pay for the professional development before I apply?
No. You can apply for the grant to receive the money and then pay for your professional development. Please keep receipts as proof of payment for any of the events, courses or activities you have included in your application as grants may be subject to post event audit at WellSouth’s discretion.
Grants should be utilised within 12 months of an application being approved; therefore any audit will occur between 12 and 24 months from then approval of the grant. If audited, applicants are required to provide proof of purchase for the items claimed for. Where no proof of purchase can be provided, WellSouth may require the grant to be repaid.
Does the grant include GST?
The grants are $2,000 plus GST for GPs working in urban practices and $2,500 plus GST for GPs working in rural practices.
Can I make any changes to my application?
No. Once you have submitted your application, you can only make changes by submitting a new application which will override your original application.
Why can’t we fund Nurse Practitioners? Some practices only have NPs
The funding is limited, and while we discussed inclusions, at this stage, we have been unable to support nurse practitioners. We are aware of this gap and hope to be able to address this in future rounds.