The Cancer Council Victoria and cancer research
Who can apply for the scholarship?
How much is the scholarship for and how long will it last?
How will the scholarship be paid?
How will the successful applicant be selected?
What are the obligations of the scholarship holder?
Full-time nature of the scholarship
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide graduates in medicine or science with an opportunity to pursue full-time PhD or MD cancer research studies at a Victorian University.
The Cancer Council Victoria is an independent volunteer based charity which was established in 1936. Our mission is to lead the fight against cancer. Our core business is cancer control. We conduct and support research as well as delivering statewide support and prevention programs and advocating regulation and other interventions to reduce the physical and emotional burden of cancer.
You must be able to show that you have secured arrangements to undertake a full-time PhD or MD at a Victorian University. The research must relate to cancer aetiology, prevention, diagnosis or treatment. All applicants are encouraged to also apply for government and university funded scholarships as well as The Cancer Council Victoria's. (See conditions below in relation to other funding sources).
The scholarship will be $25,817 per annum for Science graduates or $34,753 per annum for Medical graduates. The scholarship will increase by 2% annually to reflect increases in the cost of living. An amount of $2,250 will be paid as a grant-in-aid to the Department hosting the student during the student's candidacy, to support costs associated with the research.
At present the stipend is not liable for income tax. A class ruling has been obtained in relation to the income tax status of the Scholarships. Provided various conditions are met, our scholarships are exempt from income tax. The class ruling is No. CR 2002/5 effective from 1 December 2001. It is available in full on the Australian Taxation Office website and can be accessed from http://law.ato.gov.au/atolaw/findrul.htm.
The tenure of the scholarship will usually be 3 years for a PhD and 2 years for a MD. Renewal in each year will be dependent on satisfactory progress. (See obligations).
One copy of the thesis is to be provided to The Cancer Council Victoria.
Subject to the production of appropriate evidence as to cost, the candidate can claim reimbursement of the cost of binding their thesis (up to $860 plus GST) for the direct production costs of the thesis, if the thesis is submitted within 12 months of the completion of the scholarship.
Payments will be made quarterly in advance to the host institution which will make payments to the candidate according to its internal arrangements.
Selection will involve an assessment of applications against the following criteria:
The scholarship holder must submit an annual report on the progress of the research. This report will form the basis of annual review of the scholarship. From time to time we may specify special reporting requirements or formats.
The scholarship will be known under the name 'The Cancer Council Victoria Postgraduate Cancer Research Scholarship', unless the Cancer Council from time to time otherwise nominates the scholarship as being named for the purposes of a particular fund, donation or bequest.
The candidate must acknowledge the support of the Cancer Council and (if applicable) any nominated fund, donation or bequest, in all publications and any media announcements pertaining to the research.
Also, the Cancer Council may specify from time to time a form of words to be used to acknowledge the support of the Cancer Council and any nominated fund, donation or bequest.
The scholarship is for undertaking PhD or MD research studies full-time. The scholarship holder must not engage in other paid activity that materially diminishes their capacity to conduct the research full-time.
Due to increasing competition for cancer research funding, the Cancer Council Victoria will examine very closely other sources of support that candidates are offered. Funding will not be given in respect of research that will be the subject of substantial funding from another source for any part of the same period as the scholarship. However, the scholarship holder can receive up to 25% of the Cancer Council Victoria stipend from other sources subject to the following provisos:
Compliance with the conditions of the scholarship is mandatory. Depending on its nature and severity, non-compliance may result in withdrawal of the scholarship.
Scholarships must commence within 6 months of the date on the letter of offer.
If offered a scholarship, you will need to submit copies of the relevant committee approvals e.g. Human Research Ethics Committee, Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee, Biosafety Committee. Evidence of university enrolment as a PhD or MD candidate must also be provided. The scholarship funding will not commence until all documentation has been provided.
Applications must be made on the official application form.
Please read the form carefully and complete all sections. Remember to include all attachments.
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