Research Branch Bulletin

Round 8 of the Premier's Science & Research Fund is now open for Stage 1 "Expression of Interest" applications. Guidelines and application forms are available from:
http://www.innovation.sa.gov.au/research/premiers_science__and__research_fund.

Stage 1 applications, together with the standard University application coversheet, are due in Research Branch by Monday 23 August 2010.

Please note that there are three categories of application, being:

• Standard Research Projects (PSRF support up to 30% total project cost)
• Capability Building Projects (PSRF support up to 50% total project cost)
• ARC Laureate Fellow Support (capped at $120k p.a. for 3 years and contingent upon ARC success)

eResearch can be broadly defined as the application of advanced information and communications technologies (ICT) to the practice of research. eResearch is a growth area that will soon underpin the efforts of every researcher who analyses data or collaborates with distant colleagues. Substantial increases in research infrastructure funding were announced in the 2009 Federal budget. $312M was allocated to eResearch related activities as part of the Government's Super Science investment program.

How will this major investment best serve your research needs? Have your say by participating in the ‘eResearch Practices in South Australia’ online survey. They are interested in your research practices and opinions, whatever your discipline, and whatever the extent of ICT use in your research. 

This information will also be used to identify research fields that will benefit from eResearch support, and to establish priorities that will direct future development of eResearch infrastructure and capacity building in South Australia. Your responses will help to increase research community understanding about the role and potential of eResearch in the Australian context. 

Even if you are not currently using digital technologies in your research, you are encouraged to complete the survey. Your answers will help eResearch SA to find out about the potential of ICT in your research area and the services and tools that you will need to meet your future needs. This survey will take about 15 to 25 minutes to complete. Your participation in this research is voluntary and anonymous, unless you choose to identify yourself. To start the survey now, visit: http://www.ersa.edu.au/survey

The survey is being conducted by eResearch SA in conjunction with the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. eResearch SA is a collaborative joint venture between the three Universities. More information about eResearch SA and the survey can be found here http://www.ersa.edu.au/survey

To all NHMRC research grant holders, this is a reminder that the submission dates for scientific reports were due on the 30th of June 2010.

Please submit these reports to the Research Branch as soon as possible:

Electronic version - emailed to:raohealth@adelaide.edu.au
Signed hard copy: Research Branch, University of Adelaide, Wyatt House, Level 7, 115 Grenfell St, ADELAIDE  SA  5000

The NHMRC have advised that previous reporting forms are to be used for 2010.
Reporting templates for each NHMRC Scheme can be found here: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/admin/progreport.htm

The Project Grant application external assessments are being lodged in RGMS and the NHMRC is currently inviting Chief Investigators to read the assessments and submit their rebuttals. It is advisable that CIA’s actively monitor their email accounts from Monday 28 June until the applicant response is received.  Most applicants will receive their assessments within the period 28 June – 30 July. 

CIA’s may wish to check that they can recall their RGMS password prior to being notified about their applicant response.

For instructions on how to complete the rebuttals process, please download the instructions for Project Grants Applicant Responses.

In anticipation of the ARC’s Funding Rules for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2011, potential applicants are required to complete an Expression of Interest to the University countersigned by the appropriate Head of School and Faculty Executive Dean and returned to Research Branch by 30th July 2010.

Further information on completing an Expression of Interest can be found in the internal information sheet at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/arc/.

The Expression of Interest will be used to shortlist applicants to be invited to prepare a full proposal.

The DIISR Minister has announced that NHMRC will be running calls for Stem Cell Science funding.

• The NHMRC will also invite applications for Centres for Research Excellence in Regenerative Medicine, encouraging leading medical researchers to undertake stem cell research with clinical applications in July. Funding will commence in 2011 and be offered for five years.

If you intend to apply for NHMRC Stem Cell Science funding, please contact rb@adelaide.edu.au as soon as possible. The applications for these initiatives are normally highly competitive and complex, and will require coordination between School, Faculty and central areas.

From 20 July 2010, NHMRC will be utilising the regular RGMS maintenance window every Tuesday from 6am - 9am. During this time frame RGMS will be inaccessible to all users while maintenance and/or improvements are implemented.

This notice is also on the RGMS Welcome Page and the NHMRC website (RGMS and Research Help Centre web pages).

The 2010 round of the Criminology Research Council research grants are now open.

Grants are considered if they are public policy-relevant, have practical application, contribute to the understanding, prevention or correction of criminal behaviour and will make a substantial and original contribution to criminological knowledge. Grants are considered for if they are related to criminological research (including the dissemination of information and advice and the publication of reports, periodicals, books and papers in connection with criminological research and the results of criminological research) as are determined by the Council.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.criminologyresearchcouncil.gov.au/applications/

The Hospira-DBL Development Fund will provide $40,000 in professional assistance in 2010. Grants are available to fund:

• attendance at national and international conferences
• completion of national and international study tours
• purchase of textbooks and other resource material used for professional development
• research projects

Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months current membership with SHPA or 3 months for student members.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.shpa.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=SHPA/ccms.r?PageId=30

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) and Roche Products Pty Limited are proud to announce the Roche Research Grant into Safety and Quality of Medicines Use in Hospitals.

The grant of $10,000 is available to members of SHPA with 12 months current membership and student members with three months membership. Applications for funding will not be considered if the research has commenced or concluded at the time of the grant closing date.

The focus of the grant will be safety and quality of medicines use in hospitals and the research is to be undertaken in 2010-2011.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.shpa.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=SHPA/ccms.r?PageId=30

MSD (Australia) Pty Ltd and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) are pleased to make available:

• $20,000 in 2010 for SHPA members to assist pharmacists to undertake postgraduate study
• Up to $5,000 will be available per applicant to assist with the payment of fees, including examination fees and the cost of attending examinations. Grants are exclusive of GST

Courses that would be considered for this award include:

• Specialisation certification e.g. Board of Pharmaceutical Specialities (BPS) Certification in Pharmacotherapy, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support, Oncology and Psychiatry
• Postgraduate courses offered by tertiary institutions.

The grants form part of the ongoing commitment of MSD to research and professional development in Australia.

Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months current membership with SHPA and be able to demonstrate a significant contribution to hospital pharmacy practice and must be registered pharmacists and, where relevant, demonstrate that they meet the criteria for the BPS specialty area. Applications for funding will not be considered if the program of study has commenced or concluded at the time of the grant closing date.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.shpa.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=SHPA/ccms.r?PageId=30

The F. & E. Bauer Foundation donate $20,000.00, to be awarded annually to assist in the funding of a particular research project for up to one year. This grant is known as the F. & E. Bauer Research Grant. This grant is available to an institution or an individual.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.dermcoll.asn.au/public/for_medical_professionals-grants.asp#FREDBAUERREASEARCHGRANT

The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute’s (APHCRI) mission is to provide national leadership in improving the quality and effectiveness of primary health care through the conduct of high quality, priority-driven research and the support and promotion of best practice. The three goals of APHCRI are to:

• Strengthen the knowledge base of primary health care by conducting and supporting research
• Facilitate the uptake of research evidence in primary health care policy and practice
• Enhance research capacity in primary health care through strategic partnerships with other relevant national and international groups

The APHCRI Centres of Excellence in Primary Health Care Research will provide support for teams of researchers to pursue collaborative research and develop research capacity in primary health care services. The scheme provides funding for innovative, high quality primary health care research. It is aimed at established investigators with a strong track record in a domain of primary health care research who will collaborate with emerging researchers who are developing their track record in the area.

The aims of the APHCRI Centres of Excellence in Primary Health Care Research proposal are closely aligned with the National Primary Health Care Strategy and the health care reform agenda. This proposal aims to support the overall reform agenda by providing evidence for reform and key directions for change in primary health care. The key directions for change are identified as:

• Improving access and reducing inequality
• Better management of chronic conditions, including increasing the focus on prevention
• Improving quality, safety, performance and accountability

The building blocks as listed in the National Primary Health Care Strategy are: regional integration; information technology including eHealth; skilled workforce; infrastructure and financing and system performance. To support these directions, the aims of the proposed Centres are to:

• Generate quality primary health care research which informs policy and practice and leads to improved primary health care services and health outcomes for the Australian community.
• Enhance knowledge exchange between the APHCRI Network and the wider primary health care sector (including but not limited to State and Commonwealth Governments) which will enable effective translation of research outcomes into policy and practice.
• Facilitate multi-disciplinary collaboration across the Australian primary health care research community.
• Build Australian primary health care research capacity through enhanced career development of research leaders and new researchers.
• Develop positive impacts for the Closing the Gap initiative to improve the health and well being of Indigenous Australians.
• Develop internationally renowned Centres of Excellence in primary health care research.

The APHCRI network considers that a key aim of each of the Centres is to build on established excellence by developing research capacity which would enable alternative funding through grants to be sought in future years. The funding structure is designed to support this core principle. Each of the three successful applications will receive the following:

Year 1 – 2011: $500,000
Year 2 – 2012: $750,000
Year 3 – 2013: $750,000
Year 4 – 2014: $500,000

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.anu.edu.au/aphcri/Spokes_Research_Program/2010_COE.php

Applications are invited for a prestigious Research Career Development Award, sponsored by the 14th World Congress of Cardiology Education Trust of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). The Investigatorship is valued at AU$120,000 per annum for two years.

The award is specifically designed to assist a young investigator (especially those seeking to return to Australia or New Zealand after completing a period of research training overseas) with a commitment to clinical or basic research in cardiology and cardiovascular disease to establish an independent research laboratory.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.csanz.edu.au/Education/ScholarshipsFellowships/tabid/90/Default.aspx

South Australian university-based or independent researchers can apply for OHSW Commissioned Research Grants to undertake applied research that helps expand the body of knowledge on occupational health, safety and welfare in this state.

A total of approximately $600,000 is available in 2010, with a minimum of $50,000 to be allocated to each of the successful applicants. In exceptional circumstances, applications for less than $50,000 will be considered.

While research projects must normally be completed within three years, special consideration may be given to longer durations, for example when longitudinal research in undertaken. Under the selection criteria, intended projects must match the objectives of the OHSW Strategic Framework for South Australia through research aimed at preventing work-related injury and illness. Proposed research projects must also address the priorities identified in the OHSW Research Strategy for South Australia.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=8111

Australian Rotary Health invites individuals/research teams in clinical or public health fields to apply for Mental Illness Research Grants. The objectives of the fund are:

• to provide financial support to research projects within Australia that have the potential to enhance the health of the community
• to stimulate research activities within Australia by facilitating communication between participants in specified fields
• to support specific research fields for a minimum of three years

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities/Mental-Health-Research.aspx

The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is now accepting online submissions for research themes to be considered as the institute develops their preliminary research strategy.

Initial consultations occurred in January 2010 in order to seek input from key individuals within the health and medical research community. The second stage of consultations has now commenced which incorporates a broader call for submissions. The purpose of this call is to reach a wider audience within the health and medical research community to obtain written submissions in relation to research themes to be included in the SAHMRI.

The scope of research undertaken within the SAHMRI will focus on human disease and health, including research relating to:

• Detection, prevention, control and treatment of diseases in humans
• Community health and well being
• Social determinants of health, and
• Health service delivery.

If interested, please submit a submission on potential SAHMRI research themes please complete the online form by 30 July 2010.

The Australian Orchid Foundation is a voluntary organisation of 100 members, devoted to the preservation, protection, promotion and cultivation of all orchid species and hybrids. It distributes many thousands of dollars every year, all raised from voluntary contributions, towards projects that further these aims. They support:

• Studies to research orchids in their habitat and management practices to protect those orchids and their habitats
• Studies of wild populations of orchids, their biology, distribution, conservation and taxonomy
• Cultivation and propagation of orchids
• Education of the public
• Education of young people in particular in the sciences relevant to orchids
• Publications

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australianorchidfoundation.org.au/grants.html

The Native Vegetation Research Grants are established under the Native Vegetation Act 1991 to facilitate research into the preservation, enhancement and management of native vegetation in South Australia. The Native Vegetation Council manages the Native Vegetation Fund and has an annual program of grants to support research activities related to native vegetation conservation.

While the Council is willing to consider research proposals that will enhance our knowledge regarding the conservation and management of native vegetation in South Australia, it assesses applications against the following criteria:

• outcomes that inform and assist in the development of native vegetation policy by the Council 
• outcomes leading to improved management of native vegetation and/or conservation status of species or communities
• specific recommendations aimed at improving some aspect of habitat or biodiversity conservation.

Funding is available for biodiversity projects that will assist in conservation, restoration and management of native vegetation in South Australia.
Please note: This program supports research. Projects seeking on ground restoration works will not be funded through this program.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.nvc.sa.gov.au/native/nvc/grants.html

Applications for 2011 AINSE Research Awards are now open.

Researchers seeking access to ANSTO’s Institute of Materials Engineering and ANSTO LifeSciences: For 2011, the AINSE Researchers’ Guide identifies research tasks rather than facilities. You must identify the research task which aligns with your application. Draft applications including scientific objectives, background, and proposed method and program must be provided to ANSTO research task leaders by 15 August.

For Environmental Science, Archaeology, Geosciences, irradiations and other facilities, the Researchers' Guide lists the facilities available. The list of research tasks and available facilities can be found in the AINSE Researchers' Guides 2011.

AINSE will be awarding 10 honours scholarships this year. In order to be eligible, you must indicate (in the student section of your application) that the proposal is to support an honours student. AINSE will contact applicants in early December requesting supporting documentation on the honours student, including name and undergraduate transcript.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.ainse.edu.au/ainse/for_academic_researchers/ainse_awards.html

The GRDC provides sponsorship assistance to organisations wishing to conduct a conference, workshop, seminar or field day that directly benefits the Australian grains industry.

The aim is to develop the skills and capacity required to achieve grains industry and GRDC objectives. GRDC places a high priority on the dissemination and communication of knowledge gained from the experience offered by conference sponsorship.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.grdc.com.au/director/apply/idaandconferenceawards/conferenceform

The CSIRO National Research Flagships program brings together large multidisciplinary teams to focus on Australia's major challenges and opportunities. Flagship Clusters help solve specific science problems whilst also building capability and fostering collaboration between CSIRO, universities and other publicly-funded research agencies.

Flagship Clusters will be funded for three years at ~A$1 million per annum. Co-investment from partner organisations is expected and Clusters are listed on the Australian Competitive Grants Register.

Applications for clusters will be accepted from:

• eligible Australian and overseas higher education institutions
• cooperative Research Centres & not for profit research institutions
• other Australian and international publicly funded research agencies

Each cluster must include at least one Australian university. Intending applicants should advise jim.deed@adelaide.edu.au  as soon as possible

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.csiro.au/org/Flagship-Cluster-Applications.html

Celgene is a global biopharmaceutical company with a strong commitment to medical research and the health and well being of patients. Celgene endeavours to invest in key areas of Hospital Pharmacy continuing education to create and maintain industry leading programs that provide information, support and access to our innovative therapies. Celgene is proud to be an education partner of the SHPA.

In 2010, Celgene is pleased to introduce the inaugural Information Technology in Hospital Pharmacy Grant. The grant makes available a total of $10,000 to a member of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA). It is intended to enable the successful applicant to undertake research looking at innovative uses of information technology in hospital pharmacy. This may include the development of information technology that is directly applicable to hospital pharmacy, or with the application or assessment of this technology.

Applicants must have a minimum of 12 months current membership with SHPA or 3 months for student members and must be working in the field of hospital pharmacy.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.shpa.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=SHPA/ccms.r?PageId=30

Multidisciplinary

The Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) http://www.tern.org.au/index.html?page=136924 was established by the Department of Innovation, Industry and Scientific Research (DIISR) in 2009 with a grant of $20m funding from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. A further $35m is available for allocation to TERN under DIISR’s Education Investment Fund (EIF) Super Science Initiative, to enhance its role and build capacity to ensure the longevity of projects established under the NCRIS funding.

As such, TERN is currently calling for Applications under the Education Investment Fund. Proposals are invited from the terrestrial ecosystem research community and must be submitted to address one of the ten priority areas for long term ecosystem research in Australia defined in TERN’s Strategic Plan.
Full details and required documents can be found at http://www.tern.org.au/index.html?page=136924

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.tern.org.au/index.html?page=136924

Health Sciences

The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Research Grant Program funds research on a wide variety of topics related to the mission of LSAC. Specifically included in the program's scope are projects investigating precursors to legal training, selection into law schools, legal education, and the legal profession.

To be eligible for funding, a research project must inform either the process of selecting law students or legal education itself in a demonstrable way. The program welcomes proposals for research proceeding from any of a variety of methodologies, a potentially broad range of topics, and varying time frames. Proposals will be judged on the importance of the questions addressed, their relevance to the mission of LSAC, the quality of the research designs, and the capacity of the researchers to carry out the project. LSAC's membership includes law schools in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Comparative proposals about topics outside the United States, Canada, and Australia are welcome, but they must include some explicit connection to legal education or the legal profession within those countries.

Applicants may use methodologies derived from many disciplines, including anthropology, criminology, demography, economics, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. Projects may be qualitative or quantitative, cross-sectional or longitudinal. They may involve any of a variety of research techniques such as surveys, experiments, correlational methods, systematic observations, and ethnography. The program, however, requires that any project that is funded be planned and conducted in accordance with the best social scientific standards that are applicable to the type of research in question.

Possible topics can address a broad range of issues. Although the program welcomes research on a variety of topics, three requests for proposals have been issued in the following areas:

• Research on Pipeline Issues and Access to Law Schools for Minority Populations
• Research on Access to Law School for Students With Disabilities
• Research on Law School Academic Assistance Programs

Projects will be funded for amounts up to $200,000. The program is open to applicants from all countries. Eligible principal investigators need not be members of law school faculties; proposals are welcome from social, behavioral, and educational researchers of all kinds. Proposals from interdisciplinary teams of law faculty and researchers from outside law schools are strongly encouraged.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.lsac.org/research/lsac-legal-education-grant-program.asp

Health Sciences

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit research grant applications to conduct time-sensitive ancillary studies related to heart, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders in conjunction with ongoing clinical trials and other large clinical studies supported by NIH or non-NIH entities.

The program establishes an accelerated review/award process to support the crucial time frame in which these ancillary studies must be performed. Time-sensitive ancillary studies include those that require active longitudinal data collection and thus need to begin recruiting subjects as close as possible to the start of the parent study. The ancillary study can address any research questions related to the mission of NHLBI for which the parent study can provide participants, infrastructure, and data.

The parent studies most often will be a clinical trial, but also can be an observational study or registry that can provide a sufficient cohort of well-characterized patients. Each ancillary study application must demonstrate the time-sensitive nature of the proposal and must explicitly address why an expedited review is essential to its feasibility.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-10-024.html#SectionIII

Health Sciences

Drug discovery for frontotemporal dementias (FTD) has been hindered by the heterogeneity of the disease. FTD specific biomarkers that reflect pathological differences are needed to select appropriate patients for clinical trials and monitor target‐specific responses to investigational treatments. The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias (AFTD) challenge scientists to meet this unmet medical need by submitting applications through this Request for Proposals (RFP).

The ADDF and AFTD are particularly interested in: FTD relevant imaging agents; CSF and plasma based assays; and TDP-43 and tau-focused biomarkers specifically relevant to FTD populations. They will provide grants for one year duration (up to $150,000 each) with the possibility of follow‐on funding. Applications may be submitted by non‐profit academic institutions and for-profit biotechnology companies, both public and private, worldwide.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.alzdiscovery.org/index.php/research-programs/grant-opportunities

Health Sciences

The National Institutes of Health encourages grant applications from institutions/organizations that propose to develop research and methods to enhance the rate of membrane protein structure determination and to determine specific membrane protein structures. Innovative methods for expression, oligomerization, solubilization, stabilization, purification, characterization, crystallization, isotopic labeling, and structure determination of unique and biologically significant membrane proteins by x-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and other biophysical techniques are encouraged. Projects that will lead in the near term to determining the structures of biologically important membrane proteins are also encouraged.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-10-228.html

Sciences

The Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience invites grant applications for basic studies in the field of glycoscience.

Applicants must (a) have a doctor's degree or its equivalent, (b) have a documented capability of performing independent studies and (c) be a member of a research institute where he or she can carry out the proposed project.

As much as 7,000,000 yen may be requested. In principle, a grant will be approved for one year, however, if desired, the period can be extended up to one year with the approval of the foundation.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://mizutanifdn.or.jp/e_invite.html

The Foundation is offering a two-year postdoctoral fellowship for a research project in hypertension or related fields in basic, clinical or public health areas at an Australian institution. Applications from biomedical, clinical and public health researchers are invited.

Applications are open to Australian citizens or permanent residents. It is expected that the successful applicant will have had not less than five and not more than ten years' postdoctoral experience. The fellowship provides a salary and modest project maintenance costs.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.csanz.edu.au/Education/ScholarshipsFellowships/tabid/90/Default.aspx

The Heart Foundation and the National Stroke Foundation are partnering to offer funding for Postgraduate Scholarships for research into the prevention, causes, diagnosis, treatment and long term support for stroke.

Scholarships are only awarded to postgraduate students to support study towards a PhD. Part-time applicants will also be considered. A separate application is not required for part-time awards. Postgraduate Scholarships are offered to medical, science, allied health, nursing graduates or other relevant postgraduates seeking support for full-time or part-time studies leading to a PhD at an Australian university or institution. Postgraduate Scholarships are normally awarded for three years.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.strokefoundation.com.au/research-grants-2010

The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) invites applications from individuals holding a PhD looking to build a research career in the area of mental health for the Colin Dodds Postdoctoral Fellowship. This fellowship may be held in any University Department or Research Institute undertaking relevant research.

The Colin Dodds Postdoctoral Fellowship shall be open to individuals who hold a doctorate in an appropriate discipline. The appointee would be expected to have a strong commitment to research in the area of mental illness and to provide academic leadership in this area. Applicants must be available to attend an interview in Sydney, on Wednesday 13th or Thursday 14th October 2010.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities.aspx

The Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) invites applications from individuals holding a PhD looking to build a research career in the area of mental health for the Geoffrey Betts Postdoctoral Fellowship. This fellowship may be held in any University Department or Research Institute undertaking relevant research.

Applicants must be an Australian citizen or have Permanent Resident Status and not be under bond to any foreign government. Applicants are to provide, where appropriate, evidence of resident status. Applicants must be available to attend an interview in Sydney, on Wednesday 13th or Thursday 14th October 2010.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities.aspx

The HWK announces the launch of a focus program in the area of European studies in 2010. The HWK-Europe-Fellowships are dedicated to foster the studies of European history, politics, culture and societies and to broaden the knowledge about Europe in the world.

The Fellowships are intended for scholars of social sciences and neighbouring disciplines (such as economics, legal studies, history, ethnology, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, etc.) who want to pursue a project on Europe and whose research will benefit from the possibility to study Europe from within. The HWK strongly encourages the application of researchers who plan to set up a temporary study group on their topic at the HWK.

The HWK allows for different financial solutions regarding reimbursement of fellows, such as direct compensation or reimbursement of the home institution. Applicants should at least hold a PhD or equivalent qualification. A Fellowship is to last between 3 and up to 10 months, the fellowship can be split into two or more stays at the institute.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.h-w-k.de/wie-wird-man-fellow1.html?&L=1#c3752

HCA Foundation exists to support learned exchange between Harvard University and Australia. Its ambition is to attract quality applicants whose work will bring clear benefit to Australia. A working visit of several months is normally envisaged, during which Fellows are encouraged to interact additionally with educators and students in their vicinity. Although the scope of its current program is limited to science and technology, and in the direction from Harvard to Australia, expansion to other disciplines - and in the other direction - may occur as funds become available.

A Fellowship award can cover travel to/from Australia, reasonable salary / living expenses in Australia for several months (US$ 8,000 per month is a guide figure), research-related travel within Australia, and perhaps purchases of research-specific materials, instruments or equipment. In some cases, the host institution may decide to enhance the project's outcomes by co-contributing, ie supplementing the Fellowship grant. Applications are invited from scientists who:

• are normally based at Harvard University or one of its closely affiliated institutions
• have links with research or science education activities in Australia

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://hcag.org.au/Australia-Harvard_Fellowship.html

Multidisciplinary

The Matsumae International Foundation is offering another round of fellowships, founded as a result of Dr Shigeyoshi Matsumae's call. The Foundation hopes to accept researchers from as many nations as possible, but first priority will be given to the fields of natural science, engineering and medicine.

Applicants must be of non-Japanese nationality and meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Hold a PhD
• Not of the age of 40 when submitting an application
• At least basic conversational ability in English or Japanese
• Not travelled to Japan previously
• Substantial/honarary position at the University
• Have not been invited to attend this program previously
• Sound health

Funding is up to 240,000 yen monthly and 100,00 yen on arrival, plus airfare and insurance. Fellowships are for 3 - 6 months in duration.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~mif/

Multidisciplinary

The AISEF Postgraduate Fellowship is directed at promoting scientific exchange and collaboration between Israel and Australia and provides funding to assist a student enrolled in a postgraduate research degree at an Australian University to spend up to 6 months working in a research laboratory in Israel.

The long-term objective of the Foundation is to foster exchange and collaboration between Israel and Australia. Eligibility for the Fellowship is restricted to Israeli or Australian nationals or those holding permanent residency visas for either country. The research activity undertaken by the student must be part of, or contribute to, the Australian postgraduate degree for which they are studying. The period spent at the Israeli research laboratory can occur at any point during the student's study for the Australian degree but must be completed in 2011 and prior to submission of the thesis for examination. The minimum period of the Fellowship is 3 months. One Fellowship will be offered.

The funds cover economy return airfares from the student's home university to the Israeli research laboratory and contribute to living and accommodation costs for a period up to 6 months to a maximum of A$5000. Successful applicants will be expected to arrange accommodation through the Israeli laboratory in which they will be working.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/hosting/aisef/aisefpgfellow-app-aust.html

The Heart Foundation offers funding to support researchers working in the area of cardiovascular disease and related disorders. We are now calling for applications for round three of Travel Grants in 2010.

Travel Grants are available to support Australian researchers travelling to present their cardiovascular research at a conference overseas. They are also available to Indigenous health researchers travelling to present their research in Australia.

Please visit, their website in January for further information and application instructions:
http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Professional_Information/Research/Available_Funding/Travel_Grants/Pages/default.aspx

The Foundation has awarded 219 individual Travel Grants since 2003. The grants are offered to further the career opportunities of early career Australian post-doctoral researchers by enabling them to make presentations of their research findings at international conferences/meetings/related activities ("conferences") where they may meet colleagues and establish the foundations for ongoing research collaborations. Application forms will be available on the website from 1st July. Internal closing date is 13 August for conferences / travel between 1st November 2010 and 31st May 2011.

Please visit, their website in January for further information and application instructions:
http://www.cassfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=17&Itemid=54

Health Sciences

The ASPET-Astellas Awards in Translational Pharmacology are intended to extend fundamental research closer to applications directed towards improving human health. The awards will be given to 1) recognize those individuals whose research has the potential to lead to the introduction of novel pharmacologic approaches or technologies that may offer significant advances in clinical medicine in the future and 2) to facilitate that translational process. The awards are made possible by a grant to ASPET from the Astellas Foundation.

Three (3) awards of $30,000 each will be made to individuals. The money may be used for supplemental research funding, travel, training, or in any way that furthers the goals described above. In addition to the $30,000, award winners will receive travel to and lodging at the ASPET annual meeting for the winner and his/her spouse.

There are no restrictions on nominees for this award. Any ASPET member in good standing may nominate an individual for this award. Awards will be judged in two categories, viz. junior and senior investigators, with at least one award being given in each category. Junior investigators are defined as individuals at the assistant professor or equivalent level. In the event that there are insufficient meritorious candidates in either the junior or senior category, the committee reserves the right to make all awards in a single category. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.aspet.org/awards/ASPET-Astellas/

H&SS

The Crawford Medal is awarded bi-annually in recognition of the outstanding achievements of scholars in the Humanities in Australia who are currently
engaged in research and whose publications contribute towards an understanding of their disciplines by the general public. The Medal celebrates the outstanding career of the late Max Crawford, Foundation Fellow of the Academy and eminent historian who greatly influenced the teaching of history in Australian universities and schools. The nominee must meet the following five criteria:

• Quality and Impact
• Enrichment of Cultural Life
• Media
• Goal Focussed
• Early Career Research

The award is funded through the proceeds of a bequest to the Academy by Professor Crawford.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.humanities.org.au/grants/Crawford/crawford.htm

The Department of Defense (DOD) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) is promoting research into regenerating damaged spinal cords, arthritis research, and improving rehabilitation therapies that offer real promise for enhancing long-term care of wounded soldiers. This program is administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) through the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

1. Clinical Trial Award- Rehabilitation: The Clinical Trial Award - Rehabilitation (CTA-R) supports rapid implementation of Phase 0, I, or II clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the understanding of spinal cord injury and amelioration of its consequences. All studies must be focused on rehabilitative aspects of SCI. All studies must also be applicable to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, their family members, and/or the U.S. veteran population. The maximum period of performance is 4 years and the maximum allowable direct cost for the entire period of performance is $750,000.

2. Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA): The IIRA is intended to support studies that have the potential to make an important contribution to SCI research and/or patient care. Projects should be innovative, address an Area of Encouragement, and be applicable to the health care needs of the Armed Forces, their family members, and/or the U.S. veteran population. All applications must specifically and clearly address the military relevance of the proposed research. Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged.

Research projects may focus on any phase of research from basic through translational, including preclinical studies in animal models or human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from laboratory discovery, population-based studies, a clinician’s first-hand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data.

3. Qualitative Research Award: is intended to support qualitative research studies that make an important contribution to SCI research and/or patient care and quality of life. Qualitative research is a form of social inquiry that focuses on understanding the way that people interpret and make sense of their experiences and the world in which they live (i.e. seek to understand the human experience). Qualitative research projects using open-ended outcome variables must be directly applicable to the health care needs of the Armed Forces and combat veterans with spinal cord injuries, including family members and caregivers; therefore, collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged.

4. Translational Research Partnership Award (TRPA): The intent of the Translational Research Partnership Award (TRPA) is to promote multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary partnerships among clinicians and laboratory scientists that accelerate the movement of promising ideas in spinal cord injury research into clinical applications. This award is intended to support both new and established scientists across a broad spectrum of disciplines in research projects that are likely to have a major impact on spinal cord injury research. Training of the next generation of scientists and clinicians is encouraged; therefore, graduate and medical students, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and clinician-scientists are encouraged to be part of the application.

Detailed descriptions of each of the funding opportunities, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements can be found in the FY10 SCIRP Program Announcements. Each Program Announcement is available electronically for downloading from the following website:
https://cdmrp.org/Program_Announcements_and_Forms/index.cfm?prg=SCIRP&prg_fy=2010

The Future Water Leaders Award is designed to recognise young researchers who have new results to communicate about a water-related topic. The Award promotes excellence in the development of those who are capable researchers, communicators and innovative thinkers. It gives postgraduate students the opportunity to raise the profile of their research and receive recognition for their work. 

Opportunity to enter the 2010 Riversymposium Future Water Leaders Award is now open to any PhD student 35 years old or younger currently undertaking postgraduate research on a water related topic through any recognised institution within Australia.

Postgraduate research students are encouraged to apply - entry will be open shortly.  The entry process involves the submission of a 200 word abstract and a 4-page extended summary. To recognise postgraduate water researchers, the International Riversymposium will present an award to the winner of the Future Water Leaders Award at the 13th International Riversymposium held in Perth from 11 - 14 October 2010.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.riversymposium.com/index.php?page=YWS+Award.