Associate Professor Doug Brown AM SCI PhD Top-Up Grant Guidelines and Application
GRANT OBJECTIVE
A PhD top-up grant of $10,000 per annum for up to three years is being offered to a science or allied health PhD student who is undertaking research within the spinal cord injury (SCI) field at an Australian university. The objective of the grant is to:
- Provide financial support for a PhD student to allow them to focus their efforts on full-time research.
- Raise the profile of a PhD student’s research, both nationally and internationally.
- More broadly, build capability and capacity in the SCI research field.
In addition to funding support, the SRI may at its discretion provide additional non-financial support, such as advice and assistance with consumer engagement, as determined through consultation with the grant recipient.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the grant you must be:
- a currently enrolled full-time allied health or science graduate at an Australian university,
- at the end of your first year or in the second year of the PhD program, having passed confirmation of candidature,
- undertaking a spinal cord injury related research project as the focus of your PhD,
- one of the following – an Australian citizen; have permanent resident status; a New Zealand citizen with Australian work rights; or eligible visa holder currently residing in Australia, and
- not receiving top-up funding from your university or other source.
FUNDING GUIDELINES
- The grant is a $10,000 per annum stipend, for up to three years.
- Applicants must submit their applications using the online form provided.
- Payments will be made to the administering institution of the grant recipient.
- Funds must be fully used in support of the applicant’s PhD program and as outlined by the applicant in the grant application. Funds cannot be used for university or institute expenses or administration.
- The successful applicant will be required to acknowledge the SRI and the support of the Associate Professor Doug Brown AM SCI PhD Top-Up Grant in any published work and presentations.
- The successful applicant will submit progress reports every 12 months and a final report at conclusion of the doctoral research.
- The successful applicant may be asked to talk about their research at relevant SRI events (this may be in person or via video).
You can learn more about the SRI’s process for advertising, applying, assessing and awarding the SCI PhD Top-Up Grant below.
TO APPLY
Applications are currently closed.
Applicants are required to complete an online application form. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submissions must include the following:
Applicant information
- Personal details
- Institution name and location
- Supervisor details
- PhD thesis title
Supporting statements including:
- Lay summary
- Personal statement
- Research and knowledge translation implementation plan
- Budget
Document upload
- Research Plan and Knowledge Translation Implementation Plan (maximum 2 pages text and 1 page data/diagrams)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum two pages)
- Two letters of referral (one must be from your current primary supervisor)
- Evidence that you have passed confirmation
- Academic transcript
Advertising, assessing, and awarding the SCI PhD Top-Up Grant.
The information below explains the SRI’s process for advertising, assessing and awarding the SCI PhD Top-Up Grant.
ADVERTISING AND APPLICATION PROCESS
A notification/invitation for the PhD Top-Up Grant applications is advertised, at a minimum, via
- email – to the SRI’s newsletter distribution lists for Plexus and SCoRH, the Spinal Cord Research Hub
- SRI’s social media channels – Facebook, X and LinkedIn
- SRI’s website – thesri.org
The PhD Top-Up Grant notification provides details of
- The purpose and objective of the grant
- What the grant will fund
- Funding guidelines
- Applicant eligibility criteria
- Application instructions
APPLICATION ASSESSMENT
Applications are assessed by the SRI’s Grant Review Panel (the Panel). The Panel will comprise people with research expertise, clinical expertise, and lived experience of SCI.
If a member of the Panel has an association or conflict of interest with an applicant, they will not assess that particular application.
Shortlisted candidates may be requested to attend an online interview.
All eligible applications are assessed independently by Panel members and reviewed against the following criteria.
- Scientific merit
- Likely impact and relevance of the research for people living with SCI
- Academic achievement, professional references, and potential for scholastic success
AWARDING OF FUNDING
Based on assessment results, the Grant Review Panel selects the successful applicant and recommends them to the SRI Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for the final recommendation for funding to the SRI’s Board of Directors.
The decision of the Grant Review Panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The SRI will advise applicants of the outcome of their application via email.
A Letter of Offer and Funding Agreement stipulating the grant conditions will be sent to the successful applicant. The successful applicant is asked to accept the Letter of Offer in writing.
The SRI reserves the right to not fund any application.
The SRI reserves the right to withdraw funding if it becomes aware that information provided during the application process is misleading.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about these grants, the process, or the application form, please email us at grants@thesri.org.
