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Summer Vacation Studentships

Cancer Council is the largest not-for-profit funder of cancer research in Victoria.
We are offering studentships to undergraduate biomedical, medical and basic science students (who have not yet completed their final year) to work on Victorian cancer research projects during the summer period to stimulate interest in cancer research in Victoria. 

2024 Key Dates 

Applications open: 5 August
Applications close: 6 September
Outcomes advised: October/ November

Application process

Step 1: Find a research project

Students must first find a placement and then apply for a Cancer Council Victoria Summer Vacation Studentship. Placements need to be part of a cancer research project being conducted at a Victorian university, clinical or other research institution. The research program does not have to be funded by Cancer Council Victoria. 

Your university department or faculty office, or the Office for Research, may have suggestions of organisations where cancer research is currently being carried out.

Step 2: Contact a researcher

Once you find a research project you are interested in, you need to contact the cancer researcher and ask if they have a project available for you to work on that they would be willing to supervise.

The application form provides for both a description of the work to be done and a written acceptance by the supervisor. Before completing the description of the work proposed to be undertaken, you should consult with the person who will supervise the work to ensure you have a good understanding of the project.

Step 3. Complete an application form

Simply fill in the application form and forward to the person who has agreed to supervise you for this project, as well as the Research Administration Officer for their signed approval.
If electronic signatures are not available, print the completed application form and get physical signatures, then scan the document for submission.
You will also be required to include a copy of the official statement of your full university results. If you have not yet received this semester/year’s results, please provide your most recent ones.
Once the application form is completed and signed by all parties please submit your application, with a copy of your full university results to: Grants@cancervic.org.au

Successful applicants

Applicants will be notified by email in either late October or early November of the success of their application.
Successful applicants and their administering institutions, are required to enter into a non-negotiable funding agreement.
Successful applicants are required to write a short report after their placement covering the work carried out and the experience gained from the studentship.

 

Important documents

2023 Funding agreement

Further information

If you have any questions about this funding, please contact:   

Research Governance Unit

grants@cancervic.org.au

Frequently asked questions and answers

Does the research project I select need to be funded by Cancer Council Victoria? 
No, the project can be from any Victorian University, clinical or other research institution. 

I am currently completing my honours year (2023) and will be going on to do a PhD in 2024. Am I eligible to apply for this year's round?
No, you are not eligible. Students must must be undergraduate biomedical, basic science and medical students enrolled at any Victorian university who have not yet completed their final year are eligible to apply.