APPLICATIONS CLOSED
The Colebatch Fellowship invests in the most outstanding mid-career cancer researchers in Victoria with the drive and aspiration to become a leader and the vision to achieve the next cancer breakthrough.
This fellowship is named in memory of Dr John Colebatch AO (1909 – 2005), to mark his contribution to the work of Cancer Council Victoria and his pioneering work in the field of paediatric haematology and clinical trial practice in Australia.
The Fellowship is available for a period of five years, commencing in early 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter, at a Victorian hospital, university or medical research institute.
Eligibility
Applicants must be:
- Clinically qualified researchers with a record of research experience equivalent to an MD or PhD. Applications from medical, nursing, and allied health practitioners are encouraged. Clinical research can be interpreted broadly and includes translational, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic research.
- Mid-career researchers committed to pursuing a leadership role in cancer research. For the purposes of this Fellowship, Cancer Council Victoria stipulates that mid-career researchers need to be at least 2 years and must be less than 10 years from the date that their PhD thesis (or equivalent qualification) was passed. These times may vary subject to legitimate career disruptions.
- Registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).
- An Australian citizen or a graduate from overseas with permanent Australian resident status.
Fellowship package
The Fellowship package is for a maximum of $1.55 million over a five-year period, including salary (commensurate with the percentage time commitment to the project), salary on-costs, direct and indirect research costs, infrastructure and travel. The specific amount granted is dependent on an applicant’s proposed budget but must not exceed the maximum figure of $1.55 million.
Administering institution support
Applicants need to have the explicit support of an appropriate administering Victorian research institution for both their candidacy and their proposed research program. It is also essential that the candidate has a mentor arranged, under whose guidance the proposed research program will be conducted. The mentor will need to be a senior figure in cancer research.
It is anticipated that the successful applicant will hold a fractional clinical appointment with clinical sessions as appropriate.
The administering institute will be required to provide the Fellow with at least 50% protected time for the research project (protected from clinical and administrative duties).
The administering institution is required to enter into a funding agreement with Cancer Council Victoria. The conditions in the agreement will cover the standard research contract areas including acknowledgment, intellectual property and reporting requirements. Payments will be made quarterly in advance to the administering institution.
Selection process
All applications will be assessed by an expert panel. Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview.
Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria:
The applicant’s:
- research experience and achievements to date
- academic, research and publications record in the context of opportunity
- potential to assume a leadership position in cancer research
- clinical experience and engagement
- personal attributes including motivation, presentation and communication skills
The research plan, including:
- the quality of the proposal, its relevance to cancer, and its research significance
- the level and quality of support offered by the administering institution
- the proposed arrangements for mentorship
The impact of the Fellowship:
- on the applicant’s career and capacity to achieve
- on cancer research in Victoria
Cancer Council Victoria reserves the right not to award the Fellowship.
Conditions
Funding from other sources
The Fellowship may not be held concurrently with other significant research salary support – for example, any NHMRC Fellowship or equivalent, or a research grant which specifically provides salary support for the applicant. Additional funding for clinical sessions (e.g. part-time clinical appointment) is appropriate and expected.
Tobacco industry
Funding will not be granted to any researcher 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 researcher or research for which an application is made to, or funding received from, the tobacco industry or any of its agencies or subsidiaries during the currency of the fellowship.
Compliance with the conditions of the fellowship is mandatory. Depending on its nature and severity, non-compliance may result in withdrawal of the fellowship.
Application guidelines
To apply for the Colebatch Fellowship please prepare a single, PDF document which includes:
- a completed Colebatch Fellowship application form
- a Research Plan of no more than six pages (including references) that addresses the selection criteria outlined in the selection process above.
- budget details and justification
- your CV
The completed document should be named in the following format:
surname_firstname_ColebatchApp
e.g. Smith_Jane_ColebatchApp
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Download application form
Enquiries
Please send any enquiries to:
Research Governance Unit
Grants@cancervic.org.au
03 9514 6200
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