Postgraduate scholarships

Purpose of the scholarship

To provide graduates in medicine or science with a chance to pursue full-time higher research degree studies in cancer at a Victorian University.

Cancer Council Victoria and cancer research

We're an independent volunteer-based charity 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.

Who can apply for the scholarship?

You must be able to show that you've arranged to undertake a full-time higher research degree (e.g. PhD, MD or D Med Sc) at a Victorian University. The research must relate to cancer aetiology, prevention, diagnosis or treatment.

Only one scholarship will be awarded per laboratory.

All applicants are encouraged to also apply for government and university-funded scholarships as well as Cancer Council Victoria's. (See conditions below in relation to other funding sources).

How much is the scholarship for and how long will it last?

The scholarship stipend will be $29,000 per annum for Science graduates or $38,500 per annum for Medical graduates. The scholarship stipend 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's available in full on the Australian Taxation Office website.

The tenure of the scholarship will be for the period the scholarship holder is enrolled as a candidate at the university, up to 3 years for a PhD or D Med Sc and 2 years for an MD.

Renewal in each year will be dependent on satisfactory progress. (See 'obligations' below.)

Subject to the production of appropriate evidence as to cost, the candidate can claim reimbursement of up to $500 plus GST for the direct production costs of the thesis, if the thesis is submitted within 12 months of the completion of the scholarship.

How will the scholarship be paid?

Payments will be made quarterly in advance to the host institution, which will make payments to the candidate according to its internal arrangements.

How will the successful applicant be selected?

Selection will involve an assessment of applications against the following criteria:

the quality of the applicant's academic record, publications record and research experience
the significance of the research proposal
the relevance of the project to cancer
the suitability of the laboratory for the research project

What are the obligations of the scholarship holder?

Reporting

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.

Recognition of the Cancer Council and naming rights

The scholarship will be known under the name 'Cancer Council Victoria Postgraduate Cancer Research Scholarship', unless the Cancer Council otherwise nominates the scholarship be named after 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 about 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.

Full-time nature of the scholarship

The scholarship is for undertaking higher research degree studies full-time. The scholarship holder must not engage in other paid activity that materially diminishes their capacity to conduct the research full-time.

Other funding sources

Due to increasing competition for cancer research funding, 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:

Cancer Council Victoria must be notified of other funding sources.
other funding must not be contingent on any naming rights pertaining to the candidate or the research.
funding will not be granted to any scholarship holder who is receiving or who is an applicant for funding from the Tobacco industry or any of its agencies or subsidiaries.
funding will be withdrawn without notice from any scholarship holder who has made an application for, or receives funding from, the Tobacco industry or any of its agencies or subsidiaries, during the currency of the scholarship.

Compliance with the conditions of the scholarship is mandatory. Depending on its nature and severity, non-compliance may result in withdrawal of the scholarship.

Commencement

Scholarships must begin within 6 months of the date on the letter of offer.

Documentation required

If offered a scholarship, you'll 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 must also be provided. The scholarship funding will not begin until all documentation has been provided.