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FAQ's on applying for NHMRC funding
2.1 |
How can I get help with making decisions on developing my career in research? |
The NHMRC webpage 'Apply for Funding' section has information on funding for scholarships , training/postdoctoral fellowships and career development awards. This information is also summarised in matrix table form. Within the range of support available, there are awards that include the following career development opportunities - overseas training fellowships, part-time fellowships and support targeted to specific career levels in defined research areas such as clinical, public health or biomedical research. For each award a scoring matrix gives the criteria against which applicants will be assessed, and applicants should also consider the guide to each funding scheme before determining the appropriate award. Research Administration Officers at major tertiary/research institutions are aware of a range of opportunities, including those available through the NHMRC.
2.2 |
What is an NHMRC Research Fellow? |
Research Fellows are funded by the NHMRC to undertake research full time. What is expected of NHMRC Research Fellows is set out in the Scheme's Policy document along with the position classification statements for the various levels. The number of Research Fellows is limited and the NHMRC Research Fellowship Scheme is prestigious and highly competitive.
2.3 |
How many NHMRC Fellows are there? |
In 2005 there are a total of 288 NHMRC Research Fellows employed in hospitals, research institutes and universities across the nation, with the following distribution across the levels:
- 66 Senior Principal Research Fellow (SPRF);
- 78 Principal Research Fellow (PRF); and
- 144 Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow (SRF).
2.4 |
What have the NHMRC Research Fellowship Policy changes meant for individual Research Fellows? |
From 2002 onwards, Research Fellows have been free to obtain their research support from any source. For Fellows previously supported on NHMRC Fellowship Grants, renewals will no longer depend on achieving research grant support from the NHMRC in conjunction with a Fellowship. In addition, the Fellowship support package has been enhanced considerably and allows Fellows more flexibility in supporting their research activities.
The Fellowship is now a full 5 year Fellowship, with a further year of support if the Fellow is unsuccessful in securing renewal. The new scheme also provides additional support for Fellows who are active in achieving NHMRC's aims of better translation of research into health care practice and growth of knowledge-based industries in Australia. These initiatives provide a more attractive Research Fellowship Scheme. On the other hand, Fellows no longer have automatic right to a five-year Project Grant, although Project Grants of this length are still possible under revised rules that commenced in 2002. Any researcher is now able to apply for a five-year grant, though the case for the grant needs to be made and Research Committee may not necessarily fund all recommended five-year grants for the duration requested. An end of triennium report gives more information about the modernisation of the Research Fellowship Scheme over the last three years.
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2.5 |
Does NHMRC employ the Research Fellows? |
No. The universities, medical research institutions and hospitals where they work employ NHMRC Research Fellows.
2.6 |
What is the Support Enhancement Option currently available and who is eligible? |
Support Enhancement Options (SEO) are available in addition to the base Research Fellowship and CDA packages. The SEO supports the practical application of research outcomes. It strengthens the capacity of the Fellow to translate research outcomes into improved health practice or to commercialise research discoveries. It helps to bridge the gap between health research and health practice or policy, or between health research and commercial or industry developments. Note that the specific requirements to demonstrate that these activities are undertaken vary from the Research Fellowship to the CDA schemes. For Research Fellowships the SEO is $15,000 per annum for 5 years in addition to the base Fellowship Package. For CDAs, this is $10,000 per annum. SEOs are not a “clinical loading” and may not be used as part of the salary of the Fellow. Two categories of SEO are available – Health Practice or Industry.
2.7 |
What support does the NHMRC offer for postdoctoral career development? |
The development of talented people into excellent independent and self-directed researchers during their postdoctoral period is one of the most important goals for the NHMRC (Summary matrix of People Support). After much consideration and discussion through 1998-2000, the Research Committee implemented significant new "People Support" initiatives during the 2000-2002 triennium:
- Introduction of Career Development Awards for researchers with 3-9 years of postdoctoral experience. This builds on the old RD Wright scheme for biomedical researchers by increasing the duration of the Award and adding specific awards for both clinical and public / population health researchers (with criteria explicitly developed for these types of researcher career profiles). The overall success rate for the 2005 awards is almost 25%;
- A Partnership/Career Development Award offers co-funding possibilities with other bodies. Currently Partnership Awards are being offered with Diabetes Australia, the National Heart Foundation of Australia, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Kidney Australia and the Prostate Cancer Foundation;
- Introduction of Australian Part-time and Health Professional Fellowships (both part-time Training Fellowships), and Practitioner Fellowships, as well as development of linkages to other People Support schemes;
- Postdoctoral support for Public Health and Clinical researchers has also been increased through the recently introduced Career Development Award scheme. This is in addition to other initiatives over recent years, including extending the eligibility of public health researchers to apply in any category of training fellowship, including the return-to-Australia Florey Centenary Fellowship. Public Health researchers may also apply for the more senior, part-time Practitioner Fellowships that are available for those who provide clinical care or work in health policy;
- As well as these initiatives, one of the most important changes for post-doctoral fellows is the move to have NHMRC Project and Program Grants funded as fully "one-line". This means that Chief Investigators and post-doctoral fellows seeking support will be able to be employed under these grants without further reference to NHMRC; and
Finally, the Overseas Biomedical (C.J.Martin), Overseas Clinical (N.H.Fairley) and Overseas Public Health (S.Sax) Fellowships provide the opportunity to enhance a post-doctoral researcher's career by providing support for 2 years full time training overseas, returning to Australia for a further 2 years. Overseas Fellows receive, apart from a salary package, Accommodation and Cost of Living Allowances that are calculated for individual host cities, based on data given to the NHMRC by a commercial provider.
2.8 |
If I am a senior researcher and I apply at an inappropriate level can my application be rejected? |
Yes. If you are a senior researcher and you apply at an inappropriate level your application can be rejected. Initial appointment will not normally be made at Principal Research Fellow (PRF) or Senior Principal Research Fellow (SPRF) level, but will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Initial Appointments at the PRF or SPRF level are recommended only for applicants who achieve a ranking in the outstanding category, who must also demonstrate exceptional circumstances for their Initial Appointment, and who must also clearly demonstrate how their appointment will bring significantly new benefit to Australian health and medical research.
The NHMRC makes appointments to the Research Fellowships scheme consistent with its aim of providing a career structure in which renewal and promotion are based on stringent review of research achievements and performance and potential for further success in the future.
Applicants for initial appointment at PRF and SPRF will be evaluated in accordance with the level of Research Fellowship requested. (For additional information see the Position Clasification Statement at Attachment 3 to the Research Fellowship Funding Policy, and item 37 a. of the Research Fellowship Funding Policy)
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