The purpose of the Career Development Fellowships (CDF) scheme is to further develop Australian health and medical early to mid-career researchers. It aims to enable investigators to establish themselves as independent, self-directed researchers; expand capacity for biomedical, clinical, public health and health service delivery research, and for evidence-based policy development in Australian health systems; and encourage the translation of research outcomes into practice.
A Guide for Researchers Applying for Career Development Fellowships
Applications for appointment as Career Development Fellows are considered by peer review panels, whose task is to consider and rank the applicants. In doing so, they take into account all the material submitted by applicants (see Career Development Fellowships Selection Criteria and Scoring Matrix in Attachment 3 of the Career Development Fellowships Funding Rules).
In 2012, it is anticipated that around 65 Career Development Fellows will be appointed. NHMRC has been concerned about the rapid growth in the number of applications in recent years, rising from 136 in 2002 to 428 in 2010 and 356 in 2011, the majority of which are not competitive against the top applicants.
To help researchers contemplating applying for a Career Development Fellowship, NHMRC provides the below information on a “typical” successful applicant, to guide researchers who are deciding whether to apply. This was derived from information provided on the successful application forms received by NHMRC in 2009. These “typical characteristics” must not be regarded as a “bar” above which applications will be successful, because the peer review panels take into account all the selection criteria, and there are marked differences between even the top ranked individuals each year. These are produced as a guide to applicants.
In 2009, successful applicants typically, in the past 5 years, had:
- published 15 or more peer reviewed journal articles, with the peer review panel also taking into account first authorship (usually the majority of articles), and quality of the published work, and one or more review articles or book chapters;
- presented at international meetings at least twice;
- obtained research funding as a first named Chief Investigator in a competitive granting scheme;
- international postdoctoral experience;
- led their own (small) research group.
Please note that this is a guide only and there are many variations to this profile, depending on individual achievements.
Applying for Funding
Prior to submission of an application for Career Development Fellowships funding, applicants are to ensure they:
- read all relevant reference material; and
- liaise with their Administering Institution to identify any specific requirements that the Institution may have.
Key Dates
The key dates for the Career Development Fellowships 2012 application round for funding commencing in 2013 are:
- Applications open: 16 January 2012
- Application close: 17:00 hrs (5:00 pm) AEDST, 28 March 2012
How to Apply for a Career Development Fellowship
- Review the current CDF Funding Rules, in particular the eligibility requirements:
- The NHMRC’s Research Grants Management System (RGMS) must be used to access/enter your CV and Profile, and submit your Career Development Fellowship application.
- Applicants who are not yet registered in RGMS should contact the Research Help Centre at help@nhmrc.gov.au for more information.
- View further information regarding RGMS.
- Applicants should read the CDF Advice and Instructions carefully when completing their application:
- CDF Advice and Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2013 (PDF, 280KB)
- Applicants are encouraged to use the Word templates (RGMS Offline Forms) provided by the NHMRC to assist applicants complete their applications without logging in to RGMS. Information entered into these templates can be copied and pasted into the application in RGMS. If you are intending to use the Offline Forms, please ensure you begin an application in RGMS in order to obtain an application identification number.
- RGMS Offline Forms are available here
- CDF Referee Report:
- Shortlisted applicants and their referees will be notified via email when referee reports are required. Applicants should ensure their referee completes the following template and submits it to the NHMRC by 5 July 2012 as outlined in the template.
- CDF Referee Report Template (WORD, 118KB)
- For applicants wishing to apply for a Co-Funded Career Development Fellowship,the following document details current NHMRC Career Development Fellowship funding partners:
Further Information
Peer Review Guidelines
- Career Development Fellowships Peer Review Guidelines for funding commencing in 2013 - available soon
This document describes the general process, procedures and timeline for peer review of applications for Career Development Fellowships. The guidelines also contain important information about the conduct of peer review.
If you require more information, direct your inquiry to your Research Administration Office in the first instance.
If you require assistance and are unable to satisfy your concern by seeking assistance through your Administering Institution, please contact the Research Help Centre on 1800 500 983, or by email help@nhmrc.gov.au.