People Support Eligibility

People support eligibility

People-support programs encompass initiatives that build research capacity and expertise, such as fellowships, scholarships, and professional development opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and students. This is represented in our Future Leaders Impact Program.

Early-Career Research Fellowship

• Applicants must have been awarded their PhD or equivalent research higher degree within 0-5 years by funding commencement (1 July). Time since PhD will be calculated from the date the PhD was passed (viva or equivalent examination).

• Applicants who are expected to have received their qualification by July 2026 are also eligible to apply.

Mid-Career Research Fellowship

• Applicants must have been awarded their PhD or equivalent research higher degree within 5-10 years prior to the anticipated funding commencement date (1 July). Time since PhD will be calculated from the date the PhD was passed (viva or equivalent examination) to the application deadline.

Clinician-Researcher Fellowship

• Applicants must be qualified clinical health professionals who directly interface with patients and have a major interest in research. 

• It is highly desirable that applicants hold or have submitted for a research higher degree/doctorate at the time of application (e.g. MD, D Med Sci, PhD, DPsych, or equivalent). The Fellowship may not be used to support the period of candidature for such higher degrees.

• Applicants must have a paid clinical full-time, part-time, or sessional appointment (minimum 0.2 FTE, where the majority of their employment is in a clinical department) during the proposed tenure of the Fellowship.

• The Fellowship will provide salary support of between 0.2 to 0.4 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of their clinical role.

Eligible Fellowship Salary Support

Fellowship awards will cover salaries at actual cost at respective institutions as determined by experience and qualifications, including on-costs up to a maximum of 20%. Funding does not cover institutional overhead costs.

A fixed annual rate of additional support will be provided for Early- and Mid-Career Research Fellowships. This support may be utilised for research expenses and/or professional development activities.

Career interruption considerations

Consideration will be given for career disruptions, including but not limited to the following scenarios, and applicants must provide appropriate documentation to support any career disruption claims, which will be assessed relative to opportunity:

• Parental leave, carer's responsibilities, or long-term illness

• Part-time employment where research was not part of the role

• Time spent in non-research employment

• Career changes between research disciplines

• Unemployment periods or limited access to research resources.

Paediatric oncology research requirements

• All research conducted under Future Leader Fellowships must be focused on paediatric oncology. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed research will contribute to advancements in paediatric cancer outcomes.

• Applicants must have a confirmed supervisor for their research project and, in addition, a co-supervisor from either a laboratory research group, clinical department, or tumour stream appropriate for their proposed program of research. At least one of these supervisors must be from another CoLaborator.

• Applicants are encouraged to seek mentorship from another CoLaborator for the duration of the award. The mentor will provide guidance, facilitate research opportunities, and assist in establishing a visible presence in the paediatric oncology research community.

• Applicants without an established track record in paediatric oncology research or not undertaking research in a paediatric oncology focused laboratory must appoint an additional co-supervisor with expertise in this field, preferably from another CoLaborator.

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Application Process

For the people-support Impact Program, the application process is streamlined, allowing interested individuals to submit a full application directly.

Applications are first reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Panel, which shortlists candidates for further consideration. The shortlisted applications are then assessed by the Scientific Advisory Committee, which makes the final funding recommendations.

Key focus areas for evaluating fellowship applications include the applicant’s academic and research track record, leadership potential, and the quality and feasibility of the proposed research project. Committees also consider the applicant’s professional accomplishments, the strength and support of their team or environment, and the potential impact and significance of their research. Additional factors such as collaboration, communication skills, commitment to the fellowship’s objectives, and alignment with Children’s Cancer CoLab's mission may also be assessed.