Faculty of Science Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers

The Faculty of Science Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers was established in 2006 to recognise research excellence by early career researchers who are within 10 years of the start of their research careers. The awardee will be eligible for nomination for the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers in the same year (further details will be announced in the near future by the Monash Research Office).

• Guidelines and Nomination form (doc 121kb)

Table of contents

1. Benefits
2. Eligibility criteria
3. Selection criteria
4. Nomination process
5. Announcement of award
6. Application of the award grant

1. Benefits

One award will be made each year. An award will only be made in any year if there is at least one application of sufficient merit.

Each award will consist of a grant of $5000 to be used at the discretion of the award winner to further his or her research interests.

The awardee will also be eligible for nomination for the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers in the same year (further details will be announced in the near future by the Monash Research Office).

2. Eligibility criteria

An Early Career Researcher (ECR) is defined for the purposes of this scheme as a researcher who has had a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (or equivalent research qualification or experience) conferred within 10 calendar years from the date of application for this award.

Researchers who have had career interruptions (for example, non-research employment, misadventure, or carer responsibilities) are eligible to apply if they can demonstrate that they have had the equivalent of at least 10 cumulative years of relevant research experience.

Awardees of the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers are not eligible for nomination for the Faculty Award in subsequent years.

3. Selection criteria

Nominees must demonstrate that they have achieved the highest levels of sustained excellence in research over the previous five years. Evidence of research excellence may be represented by a combination of:

• high quality published papers;
• peer recognition by invitations to speak at conferences / meetings;
• originality and quality of research;
• success in obtaining external research funding;
• quality supervision of higher degree by research (HDR) students (as supported by completions or publications data);
• awards / prizes; and
• any evidence that is verifiable of the high impact (including commercialisation and industry engagement) of their research within the scientific and broader community.

4. Nomination process

Nominees must complete the Faculty of Science nomination form (doc 121kb) and submit this along with a curriculum vitae (CV) that addressees the selection criteria for the period 2003 - 2008 (no more than six pages in length) to the Faculty of Science office by the deadline of Friday, 29 May 2009.

The Manager, Research and Research Training will collate the nominations for the consideration of the Faculty Research Committee (FRC). All nominations will be reviewed against the selection criteria as stated above.

5. Announcement of award

The successful nominee will be announced by the dean of the Faculty of Science. The awardee will also be invited to apply for the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers.

6. Application of the award grant

The awardee will be required to advise the Manager, Research and Research Training in writing whether they wish to receive the grant as:

• A lump sum (non-superannuable) payment via the normal fortnightly Monash University payroll (in which case PAYG tax will be deducted from the gross payment); or
• A research support grant to be used for research related activities including travel, conferences, or journal subscriptions.

The funding will then be transferred to an appropriate account within the school or centre.

The award (or any balance thereof) is not transferable outside of Monash University.

Further information

Further details will be announced in the near future by the Monash Research Office regarding the nomination process for the Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers.