Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) - Participation support
Program highlights
- Access participation support of up to $5,000 to remove practical barriers that might otherwise prevent you from attending a conference, symposium or workshop in your field.
- Use the grant to cover eligible travel, childcare, or accessibility-related support costs, including travel for an accompanying carer where there is a clear demonstrated need.
- Make attendance possible without having to absorb the extra costs that come with caring responsibilities or accessibility needs.
The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from Australia's early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) to access participation support grants valued at up to $5,000 each, funded by the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) or TMIA.
The Participation Support grant is intended to assist Australian EMCRs who face additional barriers to attending a conference, symposium or workshop in their field of research due to caring responsibilities, accessibility needs, or mobility-related support.
Funding can be used to pay for travel costs to attend an event or to cover expenses associated with caring responsibilities, such as childcare. Funding can also be used to support travel costs for a carer to accompany the EMCR either to assist the EMCR directly or to care for their dependants. Applicants should only request support for carers or dependants where there is a clear and demonstrated need, as eligibility and alignment with the grant’s purpose will be carefully assessed as part of the selection process. The intent of this funding is to enable equitable access by removing practical obstacles that might otherwise prevent participation.
Applications should be for confirmed activities occurring within 12 months (January to December 2026). After the application submission deadline, the Academy will perform an eligibility check and use a computerised random draw generator to select application numbers based on available funding and proposed budget amounts.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
To be eligible to receive a Participation Support grant, applicants must:
- be less than 15 years post PhD, excluding career disruption or barrier*
- be a member of an Australian EMCR group, such as the Australian Academy of Science’s EMCR forum
- be currently residing in Australia and be either an Australian citizen or hold a valid Australian visa
- not have received a Participation Support grant in the 12 months prior to the application date
- be employed at an eligible Australian research organisation as outlined below.
Eligible research organisations:
- Australian tertiary education institutions (as per the Higher Education Support Act 2003)
- Australian cooperative research centres
- publicly funded research agencies
- Australian state and territory funded research organisations
- Australian public research companies
- Australian private research companies
- Australian not-for-profit research organisations
- other Australian incorporated entities.
*Career disruption or barrier: A career disruption or barrier is an interruption that has caused prolonged impact on a researcher’s capacity to conduct high-level research in the period since the conferral of their first PhD.
It may be due to reduced opportunities for research which may be due one or more of the following: prolonged absences due to unemployment, childbirth, carers’ responsibilities, limited or no access to facilities and resources, disaster management and recovery, medical conditions, disability or accessibility needs, community obligations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural practices and protocols.
An additional 6 months (pro rata) can be applied for each year of eligible career disruption to account for the time it takes to reestablish research after a period of extended leave.
Eligible applications must:
- be able to outline the need for additional support to attend an event or activity
- outline the funding requested in accordance with the funding limitations outlined in the ‘Terms of award’ section
- provide supporting documentation outlining the confirmed event or activity as specified in the application form.
Applications are welcome from EMCRs in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Successful applications will receive an offer of funding from the Academy towards the cost of attending an event or activity that will support research advancement or provide professional training, where otherwise the EMCR would not have been able to engage in the event or activity.
Terms and conditions of the grant are below, and the acceptance of these conditions is required at time of application submission.
- Funding can only be used to cover eligible expenses as approved in the application.
- Awardees must notify the Academy immediately if there is a change in circumstances that will prevent them from attending and/or engaging in the event.
- Wherever possible, steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of loss of funds through cancelled arrangements, and any unspent funds must be returned to the Academy.
- Unless otherwise approved by the Academy, a limit of one (1) accompanying carer is permitted, per application.
- The Academy will reimburse the cost of attending the conference or event upon receiving the expense documentation, not exceeding the approved amount.
- Successful applicants will be required to accept a Participation Agreement prior to the grant award.
Eligible expenses
- Direct travel costs within the below limits per each expense type: - Airfare for economy class flights up to $1,500 per person on domestic or international flights - Accommodation expenses up to $250 per room, per night, for a maximum of five (5) nights - Other direct travel costs approved by the Academy, such as train and bus fares, taxis, ride share or other local transport – up to $50 per adult, per day, for a maximum of six (6) days. Please note: this item limit does not apply to additional transport costs associated with accessibility needs.
- Childcare expenses, such as: child centre fees, out of school hours care fees, private childcare expenses, or other direct childcare costs. Please note: this item is only valid for expenses charged by a business or sole trader; funding from this expense type cannot be claimed for informal care providers.
- audio visual services, including online streaming services
- Accessibility expenses, such as: travel costs for an accompanying carer, costs associated with specific or additional transport needs, or other expenses to directly support accessibility needs approved by the Academy.
- Conference or event participation fees.
Ineligible expenses
- Food, medical and other personal expenses.
- Research expenses.
- Salaries.
- Institute overheads, managerial and administrative costs.
Submit an online application on the Academy’s grant portal when the round is open, and attach the following documents.
- Applicant’s CV.
- Confirmed activity supporting documentation (such as, an event brochure or registration website).
Applications will be assessed for eligibility by the Academy. Eligible applications will be selected for funding by a computerised random selection generator based on proposed budget and available funding.
Successful applicants will be required to submit a report one month after attending the event or activity to provide feedback on how the grant enabled their engagement and participation. The Academy will provide reporting template to the awardees.
Acknowledgement and use of assets
It is a requirement that any publication or media release resulting from the activities funded by this program duly acknowledges the support of the Australian Academy of Science and the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia).
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Past participants
Read more about the TMIA program and past activities on the related TMIA project page.
The Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) program is supported by the Royal Society.
Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) - Amplify activity
Program highlights
- Amplify an existing STEM conference or symposium with a new add-on workshop, training event or activity that creates extra benefits and opportunities for Australian early- and mid-career researchers, supported by a grant of up to $15,000.
- Be part of a competitive opportunity delivered by the Australian Academy of Science and funded by the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia), supporting high-merit, high-impact EMCR initiatives.
- Build your coordination and delivery experience by leading an EMCR-driven organising committee to design and run an add-on activity that strengthens the event for EMCRs.
The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from Australia's early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) for Amplify grants valued up to $15,000 each, funded by the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) or TMIA. The funding will support activities that demonstrate the capacity to bring additional benefits and opportunities to EMCRs through add-on workshops, training events or activities attached to existing STEM conferences or symposiums in Australia.
Amplify activities cannot be standalone events; they must be new, additional activities that amplify the benefit of the existing event for Australian EMCRs.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
To be eligible to receive an Amplify activity grant, applicants must:
- be less than 15 years post PhD, excluding career disruption or barrier*
- be a member of the Australian Academy of Science’s EMCR forum. The organising committee must have at least three members and it is encouraged to have more members on the committee. However, the committee should maintain a ratio of at least 3 EMCRs to 1 senior scientist, ensuring that the senior scientists do not outnumber EMCRs. The inclusion of a senior scientist on the committee is not mandatory
- be currently residing in Australia and be either an Australian citizen or hold a valid Australian visa
- not have received a TMIA Flagship or Amplify grant in the past three years (2023-2025)
- be employed at an eligible Australian research organisation as outlined below.
Eligible research organisations:
- Australian tertiary education institutions (as per the Higher Education Support Act 2003)
- Australian cooperative research centres
- Publicly funded research agencies
- Australian state and territory funded research organisations
- Australian public research companies
- Australian private research companies
- Australian not-for-profit research organisations
- Other Australian incorporated entities.
Eligible applications must:
- be complete at submission, including all required responses and attachments
- explain how the add-on activity will be managed by the organising committee, including an outline of the experience of the activity organising committee members
- outline the capacity of the proposed activity to provide additional benefits and opportunities at the existing event for the EMCR community in Australia
- complete the activity income and expense budgets, in accordance with the eligible and ineligible expenses in the ‘Terms of award’ section.
*Career disruption or barrier: A career disruption or barrier is an interruption that has caused prolonged impact on a researcher’s capacity to conduct high-level research in the period since the conferral of their first PhD. It may be due to reduced opportunities for research which may be due to one or more of the following: prolonged absences due to unemployment, childbirth, carers’ responsibilities, limited or no access to facilities and resources, disaster management and recovery, medical conditions, disability or accessibility needs, community obligations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural practices and protocols.
An additional 6 months (pro rata) can be applied for each year of eligible career disruption to account for the time it takes to reestablish research after a period of extended leave.
Applications are welcome from EMCRs in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Successful applications will receive an offer of funding from the Academy to support the delivery of an Amplify initiative that will bring benefits and opportunities to EMCRs participating in an existing STEM conference or symposium in Australia.
Terms and conditions of the grant are below, and the acceptance of these conditions is a prerequisite at time of application submission. A funding agreement must be executed before any grant funds is released.
- A funding agreement must be executed before any grant funds are released.
- Funding can only be used to cover eligible expenses as approved in the application.
- Any alterations to the Amplify activity must be approved in writing by the Academy, and where relevant, a funding agreement variation must be executed prior to implementing changes.
- Wherever possible, steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of loss of funds through cancelled arrangements, and any unspent funds must be returned to the Academy.
Eligible expenses
- venue hire
- event catering
- audio visual services, including online streaming services
- design, printing, and production of activity material
- travel arrangements for invited event speakers, subject matter experts or other event delegates as approved by the Academy
- travel arrangements for invited event speakers, subject matter experts, registered training providers, or other event delegates as approved by the Academy
- fees for invited speakers or registered training providers
- bursary, grant, or scholarship programs to fund the event registration fees for Australian EMCRs participating in the conference or symposium, as approved by the Academy
- other direct event expenses as approved by the Academy
Ineligible expenses
- Salary and staff costs, including contractor expenses.
- Gifts or prizes for invited speakers, registered training providers and all other amplify activity participants.
- Travel costs of organising committee members.
- Any institutional expenses, including institute overheads, managerial and administrative costs.
- The grant does not provide funds for research expenses, salaries, bench fees, managerial and administrative costs, or institute overheads. Funding can only be used for the direct project expenses as outlined in the funding agreement.
Submit an online application on the Academy’s grant portal when the round is open, and attach the following documents.
- CV of the applying EMCR and organising committee members (maximum of three pages per document).
- Letter of support from the STEM conference or symposium host organisation confirming approval of activity if the Amplify grant application is successful.
- Quotes or screenshots to support the requested budget items. Where the budget includes a bursary, grant, or scholarship program to support registration fees, applicants will be asked to outline the proposed approach and conditions.
Proposals will be assessed on:
- the capacity of the proposed activity to provide benefits and opportunities to Australian EMCRs that are additional to the existing STEM conference or symposium
- the relevance and value-add of the proposed activity to the existing STEM conference or symposium
- the demonstrated effective use of grant funds in the activity budget, including attaching relevant supporting material for each requested budget item. While grants of up to $15,000 may be awarded, the full amount will be considered only in special circumstances as deemed necessary. Applicants are encouraged to submit a realistic and justifiable budget that reflects their actual needs.
Applications will be carefully considered against the selection criteria by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise and recommended for final approval by the Royal Society (Australia) Pty Ltd Board. The decisions of the Board will be based on the merit and impact of the proposals. The Academy will not be able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
Successful applicants will be required to submit an interim progress report halfway through the activity and a final report (progress and financial report) within two months of the activity completion date. The Academy will share the reporting templates upon the signing of the grant agreements.
The narrative report should summarise key outputs, outcomes, achievements, and highlights, including relevant media links demonstrating that the activities met its objectives. The financial report must include a financial statement detailing the income and expenditures, confirming that the funds were used in accordance with the funding agreement or its most recent variation.
Acknowledgement and use of assets
It is a requirement that any publication or media release resulting from the activities funded by this program duly acknowledges the support of the Australian Academy of Science and the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia).
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
All proposals must include at least one EMCR (Early- and Mid-Career Researcher) Forum member on the organising committee. Becoming a member of the EMCR Forum is free and can be done online. The Academy defines EMCRs as researchers up to 15 years post-PhD excluding career breaks, irrespective of their type of appointment or type of employer. If you are not an EMCR but wish to submit a proposal, please find an EMCR to work with you.
The committee needs to be a group of people (minimum of three members) committed to contributing to your activity's success, and all members should fit your activity's needs. For example, if you want to run an interdisciplinary conference bringing together engineers with biologists, then your committee should include both engineers and biologists. The committee should maintain a ratio of at least 3 EMCRs to 1 senior scientist, ensuring that the senior scientists do not outnumber EMCRs.
EMCR involvement is strongly encouraged with at least one member on the committee registered with the Academy’s EMCR Forum. Other committee members can be researchers at any part of their career and the committee can include non-researchers where relevant. Please consider the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the composition of your committee.
It is expected that the activity’s organising committee will work closely with the Academy’s Secretariat during the project delivery. Typically, the organising committee leads the planning, execution and reporting, including providing scientific expertise and knowledge.
All committee members must agree to seek additional funding to support the activity and provide their time as in-kind support.
Yes. If you are a member of the EMCR group at your university or your scientific society or another group, you are welcome to propose an activity using this group as part or all your organising committee. Please note that the reach of the activity is part of the selection criteria, and activities which are restricted to EMCRs at a single university or organisation will not be funded. For Flagship and Amplify streams, you are not eligible to apply if you have received funding from either of these streams in the last three years. Similarly, you are not eligible for current Participation Support If you have received a TMIA participation grant in the last twelve months.
No. While you may have an exceptional idea, the Academy encourages you to craft a full-fledged proposal by responding to all the mandatory questions in the application portal. The proposal will then be assessed on the relevancy, benefit to EMCR and greater scientific community, innovation, and other aspects as mentioned in proposal guidelines.
While the Academy, as the grantor, provides oversight and support, it may also offer further assistance such as event registration, event website hosting and publicity. A minimal fee will apply if the engagement involves the design, editing and publication of visibility materials and knowledge products. However, the Academy will provide support in highlighting the activity on relevant platforms and social media as part of the Secretariat’s overall assistance to maximise impact. The Secretariat will work with the organising committee, connecting them where appropriate to other Academy staff, to deliver the best possible activity based on the proposal.
For ‘Flagship’ and ‘Amplify’ activities, the Academy’s Secretariat will also provide guidance and advice to the committee regarding scope, deliverability, and project management.
Applicants are encouraged to read the description and examples of the activity formats that are eligible to receive support from the Theo Murphy Initiative Australia in the 2026 round. This information has been designed to help applicants select the type of proposal they should submit on the application page.
The activity format and objectives will help the Secretariat and EMCR Committee of Council determine the feasibility and capacity to deliver the proposed activity within the budget.
The eligible areas of funding through different streams of Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) funding are outlined in the proposal guidelines.
While an excel sheet is not required while submitting the proposal, you must complete the budget template (mandatory questions) when you submit the proposal through the Good Grants portal. The application portal allows you to submit a detailed income and expenditure forecast of your project/activity with a provision to indicate support from other partners.
Please try to include all the costs associated with your activity to provide the most accurate representation of the budget.
All eligible and ineligible expenses are outlined in the program guidelines - please note that the funding eligibility is different for each TMIA stream (Flagship, Amplify, Participation support)
Past participants
Read more about the TMIA program and past activities on the related TMIA project page.
The Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) program is supported by the Royal Society.
Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) - Flagship activity
Program highlights
- Deliver a high-impact Flagship activity that creates tangible benefits for STEM early- and mid-career researchers across multiple Australian organisations, supported by a grant of up to $50,000.
- Be part of a competitive opportunity delivered by the Australian Academy of Science and funded by the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia), backing credible, sponsor-supported activities.
- Build your delivery experience by leading an EMCR-driven organising committee to design and run the activity.
The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from Australia's early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) for Flagship grants valued up to $50,000 each, funded by the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) or TMIA. Activities that demonstrate the capacity to provide tangible benefits to the STEM EMCRs and the wider scientific community will be supported under this scheme.
The proposed Flagship activity must benefit EMCRs across more than one Australian organisation and include sponsorship commitments from additional event partners. The Academy will provide some support to the event where required, such as event website hosting, event registration and publicity.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
To be eligible to receive a Flagship activity grant, applicants must:
- be less than 15 years post PhD, excluding career disruption or barrier*
- be in an activity organising committee where at least one committee member is a registered member of the Academy’s EMCR forum. The organising committee must have at least three members and it is encouraged to have more members on the committee. However, the committee should maintain a ratio of at least 3 EMCRs to 1 senior scientist, ensuring that the senior scientists do not outnumber EMCRs. The inclusion of a senior scientist on the committee is not mandatory
- be currently residing in Australia and be either an Australian citizen or hold a valid Australian visa
- not have received a TMIA Flagship or Amplify grant in the past three years (2023-2025)
- be employed at an eligible Australian research organisation as outlined below.
Eligible research organisations:
- Australian tertiary education institutions (as per the Higher Education Support Act 2003)
- Australian cooperative research centres
- publicly funded research agencies
- Australian state and territory funded research organisations
- Australian public research companies
- Australian private research companies
- Australian not-for-profit research organisations
- other Australian incorporated entities.
Eligible applications must:
- be complete at submission, including all required responses and attachments
- explain how the activity will be managed by the organising committee, including an outline of the experience of the activity organising committee members
- outline the capacity of the proposed Flagship activity to provide tangible benefits to the EMCR community in Australia
- complete the activity income and expense budgets, in accordance with the eligible and ineligible expenses in the ‘Terms of award’ section.
*Career disruption or barrier: A career disruption or barrier is an interruption that has caused prolonged impact on a researcher’s capacity to conduct high-level research in the period since the conferral of their first PhD. It may be due to reduced opportunities for research which may be due to one or more of the following: prolonged absences due to unemployment, childbirth, carers’ responsibilities, limited or no access to facilities and resources, disaster management and recovery, medical conditions, disability, or accessibility needs, community obligations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural practices and protocols.
An additional 6 months (pro rata) can be applied for each year of eligible career disruption to account for the time it takes to reestablish research after a period of extended leave.
Applications are welcome from EMCRs in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Successful applications will receive an offer of funding from the Academy towards the cost of delivering the approved Flagship activity.
The terms and conditions of the grant are outlined below, and the acceptance of these conditions is required at time of application submission.
- A funding agreement must be executed before any grant funds are released.
- Grant funds can only be paid to an eligible Australian research organisation as listed in the eligibility section. Grant funds cannot be paid to individuals.
- Funding can only be used towards approved eligible expenses as outlined in the executed funding agreement.
- Any alterations to the Flagship activity must be approved in writing by the Academy, and where relevant, a funding agreement variation must be executed prior to implementing changes.
- If required, the Academy can provide additional support and services to successful applicants such as event website hosting, event registration, and publicity. However, the services are subject to minimal fees as per the Academy’s universal pricing standards.
Eligible expenses
- venue hire
- event catering
- audio visual services, including online streaming services
- design, printing, and production of activity material and, if applicable, event output such as editing of online streamed events or production of a video asset of event activities that can be accessed online
- travel arrangements for invited event speakers, subject matter experts or other event delegates as approved by the Academy
- fees for invited speakers or registered training providers, and other direct event expenses as approved by the Academy
- bursary, grant or scholarships to support participating EMCRs, as approved by the Academy
Ineligible expenses
- Salary and staff costs, including contractor expenses.
- Gifts or prizes for invited speakers, registered training providers and all other Flagship activity participants.
- Travel costs of organising committee members.
- Research or project expenses.
- Any institutional expenses, including overheads, managerial and administrative costs.
Submit an online application on the Academy’s grant portal when the round is open, and attach the following documents.
- Brief CV of the applying EMCR and organising committee members (maximum of three pages per document).
- Demonstrated commitment of additional event partner sponsorship, such as an email trail or letter of support from the sponsor.
- Quotes or screen shots to support the requested budget items.
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- the capacity of the proposed activity to provide tangible benefits to Australian EMCRs from more than one institution
- the relevance and benefit of the proposed activity to EMCRs and the greater scientific community in Australia
- the design of the proposed activity, including use of innovative approaches, knowledge management strategy, and the expected outcome of the proposed activity
- the capacity of the proposed activity to demonstrate inclusiveness and to address any diversity, equity and accessibility needs relevant to the delivery of the activity
- the commitment of sponsors and additional event partners to the proposed activity by way of cash or in-kind contributions
- the demonstrated effective use of grant funds in the activity budget, including attaching relevant supporting material for each requested budget item. While grants of up to $50,000 may be awarded, the full amount will be considered only in special circumstances as deemed necessary. Applicants are encouraged to submit a realistic and justifiable budget that reflects their actual needs.
Applications will be carefully considered against the selection criteria by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise and recommended for final approval by the Royal Society (Australia) Pty Ltd Board. The decisions of the Board will be based on the merit and impact of the proposals. The Academy will not enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons an application is unsuccessful.
Successful applicants will be required to submit an interim progress report halfway through the activity and a final report (progress and financial report) within two months of the activity completion date. The Academy will share the reporting templates upon the signing of the grant agreements.
The narrative report should summarise key outputs, outcomes, achievements, and highlights, including relevant media links demonstrating that the activities met its objectives. The financial report must include a financial statement detailing the income and expenditures, confirming that the funds were used in accordance with the funding agreement or its most recent variation.
Acknowledgement and use of assets
It is a requirement that any publication or media release resulting from the activities funded by this program duly acknowledges the support of the Australian Academy of Science and the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia).
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
All proposals must include at least one EMCR (Early- and Mid-Career Researcher) Forum member on the organising committee. Becoming a member of the EMCR Forum is free and can be done online. The Academy defines EMCRs as researchers up to 15 years post-PhD excluding career breaks, irrespective of their type of appointment or type of employer. If you are not an EMCR but wish to submit a proposal, please find an EMCR to work with you.
The committee needs to be a group of people (minimum of three members) committed to contributing to your activity's success, and all members should fit your activity's needs. For example, if you want to run an interdisciplinary conference bringing together engineers with biologists, then your committee should include both engineers and biologists. The committee should maintain a ratio of at least 3 EMCRs to 1 senior scientist, ensuring that the senior scientists do not outnumber EMCRs.
EMCR involvement is strongly encouraged with at least one member on the committee registered with the Academy’s EMCR Forum. Other committee members can be researchers at any part of their career and the committee can include non-researchers where relevant. Please consider the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the composition of your committee.
It is expected that the activity’s organising committee will work closely with the Academy’s Secretariat during the project delivery. Typically, the organising committee leads the planning, execution and reporting, including providing scientific expertise and knowledge.
All committee members must agree to seek additional funding to support the activity and provide their time as in-kind support.
Yes. If you are a member of the EMCR group at your university or your scientific society or another group, you are welcome to propose an activity using this group as part or all your organising committee. Please note that the reach of the activity is part of the selection criteria, and activities which are restricted to EMCRs at a single university or organisation will not be funded. For Flagship and Amplify streams, you are not eligible to apply if you have received funding from either of these streams in the last three years. Similarly, you are not eligible for current Participation Support If you have received a TMIA participation grant in the last twelve months.
No. While you may have an exceptional idea, the Academy encourages you to craft a full-fledged proposal by responding to all the mandatory questions in the application portal. The proposal will then be assessed on the relevancy, benefit to EMCR and greater scientific community, innovation, and other aspects as mentioned in proposal guidelines.
While the Academy, as the grantor, provides oversight and support, it may also offer further assistance such as event registration, event website hosting and publicity. A minimal fee will apply if the engagement involves the design, editing and publication of visibility materials and knowledge products. However, the Academy will provide support in highlighting the activity on relevant platforms and social media as part of the Secretariat’s overall assistance to maximise impact. The Secretariat will work with the organising committee, connecting them where appropriate to other Academy staff, to deliver the best possible activity based on the proposal.
For ‘Flagship’ and ‘Amplify’ activities, the Academy’s Secretariat will also provide guidance and advice to the committee regarding scope, deliverability, and project management.
Applicants are encouraged to read the description and examples of the activity formats that are eligible to receive support from the Theo Murphy Initiative Australia in the 2026 round. This information has been designed to help applicants select the type of proposal they should submit on the application page.
The activity format and objectives will help the Secretariat and EMCR Committee of Council determine the feasibility and capacity to deliver the proposed activity within the budget.
The eligible areas of funding through different streams of Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) funding are outlined in the proposal guidelines.
While an excel sheet is not required while submitting the proposal, you must complete the budget template (mandatory questions) when you submit the proposal through the Good Grants portal. The application portal allows you to submit a detailed income and expenditure forecast of your project/activity with a provision to indicate support from other partners.
Please try to include all the costs associated with your activity to provide the most accurate representation of the budget.
All eligible and ineligible expenses are outlined in the program guidelines - please note that the funding eligibility is different for each TMIA stream (Flagship, Amplify, Participation support)
Past participants
Read more about the TMIA program and past activities on the related TMIA project page.
The Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) program is supported by the Royal Society.
Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology
Award highlights
- The fund offers annual science grants of up to $20,000 each to early-and mid-career researchers in the field of marine, soil and plant biology.
- The grant is funded through a generous philanthropic bequest from the estate of the late Thomas Lewis Davies.
The Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology is funded through a generous philanthropic bequest from the estate of the late Thomas Lewis Davies to the Australian Academy of Science. The fund offers annual science grants of up to $20,000 (GST exclusive) each to early-and mid-career researchers in the field of marine, soil and plant biology.
For this grant early-and mid-career researchers are classified as scientists with up to 15 years post PhD experience. Grants are offered to successful applicants in November each year for projects to be commenced the next year. Funded activities are normally expected to be completed within two years from the date of award. Awardees can apply for project variations if their award proposals are impacted by extenuating circumstance.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines and FAQ provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
- Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.*
- Applicants should have held a PhD (or equivalent) for no more than 15 years at the time of the award closing date**.
- Grants should be spent within 24 months from the date of award.
- The work should lead to publication in high quality scientific journals.
Funded activities are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees may apply for extensions due to extenuating circumstances or to apply for variations to remove or adapt to barriers encountered to their planned research or travel.
* Includes the Special Category visa Subclass 444 for New Zealand citizens
** The Australian Academy of Science is committed to ensuring that all eligible researchers can be considered for awards and collects career interruption information to assess their opportunity to demonstrate scientific excellence. Accordingly, extensions to the post PhD eligibility requirements for early and mid-career awards will be provided for qualifying career disruptions.
A career disruption involves prolonged interruption to a nominee’s capacity to conduct full time equivalent (FTE) high-level research, either due to part-time employment or absence (for periods of one month or greater) and/or long-term partial return to work, to accommodate carer’s responsibilities, illness or other interruption.
The career disruptions here must have occurred post the date of the letter advising that the PhD thesis was passed and resulted in significantly reduced research productivity or nil research output. Career disruption periods will be taken into account for those who would otherwise be beyond the post PhD career eligibility requirements.
Funding may be used towards the costs of research assistant salaries, equipment and other costs not covered from other sources. Funding may not cover bench fees, managerial costs, insurance or visa costs or primary researcher salaries.
Funding can be used for conference expenses if it can be demonstrated that it is relevant for the project. However, this is not the primary objective of the award.
Applications must include the following:
- A research proposal structured under the following headings; aims & background, significance of the research, methodology, management implications of the project. Maximum of 1000 words.
- Itemised budget with brief justification for each item, the names and details of research funding already received (project title, funding body, amount).
- Brief CV including qualifications, summary of professional/research experience and publications/presentations. Maximum of three pages using size 12 font.
- Applicants must submit two referee reports with the application. The reports should be addressed to the Awards Committee and indicate the referee’s knowledge of the applicant’s research and their ability to carry out the project successfully. Maximum of one page using size 12 font for each report.
Late applications will not be considered.
- Applicants must commence their research within 12 months of being offered the Award, after which the offer will automatically lapse.
- The Award may be held concurrently with awards or grants from other institutions.
- Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research, severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
An annual report is required on the progress of the research project. The report should detail progress on the research goals outlined in the grant-holder’s proposal, and expected vs. actual expenditure to date.
If the Grant is held for two years, a report is also required at the end of the second year.
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Travelling awards, research grants, workshop and lecture awards
- Can awarded funds pay for salary expenses?
- The Thomas Davies Research Grant funds can cover research assistant salaries, but not primary researcher salary expenses. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award, the Margaret Middleton Fund and Max Day Fellowship Awards are not able to cover any salary expenses, for either primary researchers or research assistants.
- Can I apply for more than one research award?
- Yes – however, you can only receive one research award per calendar year. If you are ranked highly for multiple research awards, the assessment committee Chairs will decide which award is most appropriate for the project and applicant.
- Can I receive the same research award for a different project in subsequent years?
- No – once you have received a research award, you are not eligible to receive the same award for 3 calendar years.
- Can I use the funds to attend a conference?
- The Margaret Middleton Fund does not support conference expenses.
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award and the Max Day Fellowship funds can be used to cover the cost of travel to undertake research or attend relevant conferences/workshops.
- Thomas Davies Research Fund can support conference expenses if it can be demonstrated that it is relevant for the project, however, this is not the primary objective of the award.
- Can I use the funds to cover overhead expenses?
- No – each award notes the specific exclusions for use of funding; however, no award allows funds to be used towards bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance or infrastructure costs.
- Can I request feedback on my application assessment?
- No - applications are assessed based on the competitiveness of the proposal by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
- Can I apply for the Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship if my PhD has not yet been through the confirmation process?
- No. If you are a PhD student applying for a Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship you must have completed the PhD confirmation process with your institution. Please note that specific confirmation process requirements may vary between institutions. Candidates are strongly encouraged to clarify the requirements with their institution prior to submitting the fellowship application.
PREVIOUS AWARDEES
- Dr Ashley Jones, Australian National University: Creating a Eucalyptus pangenome resource for adaptive forest restoration under climate change
- Dr Ben Clifton, University of Western Australia: Uncovering the role of metabolic exchange in phytoplankton-bacteria interactions
- Dr Elena Eremeeva, Queensland University of Technology: Managing “Forever Chemical” Pollution with Aptamer Biosensors in Marine, Plant, and Soil Ecosystems
- Dr Huan Liu, University of Technology Sydney: Understanding the Fate and Functional Effects of Biosolids-Derived Microplastics in Plants
- Dr Ilaine Silveira Matos, Adelaide University: Navigating synergies between drought, heat, and fire extremes: how prepared are Australian endangered plants?
- Dr Sally Lau, James Cook University: Harnessing animal genomes to understand East Antarctic Ice Sheet melt history
- Dr Timothy Ghaly, Macquarie University: Tiny solutions to global challenges: Optimising soil microbial communities for enhanced plant growth and sustainable agriculture
- Dr Valeriya Komyakova, University of Western Australia: Tiny Spaces, Big Impact: Unlocking Habitat Functionality for Juvenile Reef Fish through Micro-Complexity Design
- Dr Xiaoxiao Zhang, Australian National University: Fast next-gen evolution to create new-to-nature crop resistance genes
More information on the 2026 Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology awardees can be found here.
- Dr Amanda Dawson, CSIRO: Decoding the biological passport: tracing microplastic journeys using the ecocorona composition
- Dr Julian Greenwood, Australian National University: Establishing a transient assay to rapidly assess resistance responses in canola
- Dr Satomi Hayashi, Queensland University of Technology: Unveiling a native Australian plant’s defence: identifying the novel resistance gene against Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
- Dr Zeinab Khalil, University of Queensland: Soil microbial innovations for sustainable agrochemicals and plant pathogen control
- Dr Eve Maunders, University of Queensland: Investigating developmental dialogues in a marine sponge holobiont
- Dr Joseph Pegler, University of Newcastle: Understanding the mechanism(s) by which plant constituents sequester per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) from contaminated water
- Dr Anne Sawyer, University of Queensland: Development of RNA-based controls for Phytophthora cinnamomi
- Dr Qi Yang, CSIRO: Uncovering microbial indicators: a sensitive and reliable approach to soil health measurement
- Dr Shima Ziajahromi, Griffith University: Fate and behaviour of biosolid-derived microplastics in Australian agricultural soils: lab-scale experiments and field evidence
More information on the 2025 Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology awardees can be found here.
- Dr Tanveer Adyel, University of South Australia: Fate and consequences of microplastics in Australian coastal wetlands
- Dr Laura Burchill, University of Melbourne: Discovery of the missing pathway for cysteinolic acid degradation in marine bacteria
- Associate Professor Nicole Carnt, University of New South Wales: Harnessing Acanthamoeba to control cyanobacteria blooms
- Dr Elena Colombi, University of Melbourne: Functional integration of nitrogen-fixation in Australian indigenous rhizobia to improve soil fertility
- Dr Florence Danila, Australian National University: Targeted approach to map the genetic switches of plasmodesmata formation in C4 leaves to improve crops
- Dr Pranali Deore, University of Melbourne: The ‘accumulation body’: an understudied autofluorescent organelle of marine microalgae
- Dr Paige Maroni, University of Western Australia: The deep sea and a deep phylogeny: reconstructing the backbone of deep-sea Amphipoda using phylogenomics
- Dr Ricky Milne, CSIRO: Furthering understanding of crop multi-pathogen resistance
- Dr Megan Outram, CSIRO: Engineering plant immunity receptors to combat rust phytopathogens
More information on the 2024 Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology awardees can be found here.
- Dr Martin Breed, Flinders University: Harnessing the root-associated microbiota of the invasive species buffel grass to improve its management
- Dr Cheong Xin Chan, University of Queensland: Deciphering the molecular regulations of heat tolerance in a coral algal symbiont
- Dr Onoriode Coast, University of New England: Exploring acclimation of wheat leaf respiration to warm nights
- Dr Maria Ermakova, Monash University: Developing a synthetic biology platform for high-throughput genetic engineering of sorghum to sustain crop productivity
- Dr Zahra Islam, University of Melbourne: The effect of fertilisers on the capacity of soil bacteria to scavenge atmospheric hydrogen
- Dr Chaoyu Li, University of Melbourne: Unravelling the newly discovered complete ammonia oxidiser (comammox) bacteria in terrestrial ecosystems
- Dr Mariana Mayer Pinto, University of New South Wales: Interactive effects of light pollution and ocean warming on herbivory in temperate reefs
- Dr Joanna Melonek, University of Western Australia: Uncovering the molecular function of mTERF proteins in fertility restoration in plants
- Dr Inka Vanwonterghem, University of Queensland: Mangrove forests’ unseen majority—unravelling microbial diversity, functions and interactions
More information on the 2023 Thomas Davies Research Grant for Marine, Soil and Plant Biology awardees can be found here.
- Dr Tatiana Soares da Costa, La Trobe University: Using supercomputers in the search for herbicides that inhibit amino acid production in plants
- Dr Orpheus Butler, University of Sydney: Uncovering the key biological role of molybdenum in soil formation
- Dr Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia: How will climate change affect the brain functioning of octopuses?
- Dr Niloofar Karimian, Southern Cross University: Arsenic and antimony co-behaviour in soil under a changing climate – resolving interactions between microbiology and mineralogy
- Dr Akane Uesugi, RMIT University: Experimental tests of driver-passenger hypotheses – effects of weeds, fire, and soil microbes on native plant restoration
- Dr Linda Armbrecht, University of Adelaide: Probing ancient Antarctic krill populations
- Dr Michael Haydon, University of Melbourne: Time for growth – integrating metabolic signals in the plant circadian clock
- Dr Laura Ryan, University of Newcastle: The rainbow connection – the importance of substrate colour on biodiversity in urbanised intertidal zones
- Dr Benjamin Schwessinger, Australian National University: Deciphering the genomes and genetics of Australian orchid mycorrhizas from the Tulasnella and Serendipita genera
- Bonnie Holmes, University of the Sunshine Coast: Investigate the movements, habitat use and population structure of great hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran) off the Australian east coast
- Amelia Wenger, The University of Queensland: Improving marine ecosystem health through better wastewater pollution management
- Jana Sperschneider, Australian National University: The rust genome in 3D: uncovering gene control mechanisms that allow fungi to devastate crops and native species
- Antony van der Ent, The University of Queensland: Novel trace element hyperaccumulator plant discovery in Australia
- Caitlin Byrt, Australian National University: Deciphering desalination mechanisms from salt-excreting mangroves
- Adam Frew, The University of Southern Queensland: How do different mycorrhizal fungal communities affect plant defences against belowground herbivory?
- Dr Jennifer Lavers, University of Tasmania: Seabirds as a vector for nutrients and pollutants on islands
- Dr Fiona Walsh, Consultant ethno-ecologist: What’s in and beyond the ‘fairy circles’? Investigation of patterns of pavements amongst desert spinifex grasslands
- Dr Danielle Verdon-Kidd, The University of Newcastle: Unlocking pre-instrumental climate secrets from the wood anatomy and isotopic composition of Avicennia marina
- Dr Edwin Lampugnani, The University of Melbourne: Marchantia; a simple model to study cellulose biosynthesis
- Dr Mark Waters, University of Western Australia: Interactions between light and smoke signals in plant development
- Dr Elisabeth Strain, The University of Melbourne: Assessing the role of restored and natural kelp forests in protecting against coastal erosion and ocean acidification
- Dr Simon Williams, The Australian National University: Establishing a synthetic biology platform for engineering plant innate immunity receptors
- Dr Joel Daniel Haywood, University of Western Australia: Structure-based investigations into plant growth pathway proteins.
- Dr Sambasivam Periyannan, Australian National University: Protecting Australia’s Eucalypt landscape from myrtle rust invasion by rapid identification of natural resistance.
- Dr Adriana Vergés, University of New South Wales Sydney: What are the food web implications of temperate reefs becoming increasingly dominated by tropical species?
- Associate Professor Tracy Ainsworth, University of New South Wales Sydney: The impact of a changing climate to New South Wales coral populations.
- Dr Staffan Persson, University of Melbourne: Monitoring fungal root wilt disease on canola in real-time.
- Associate Professor Heloise Gibb, La Trobe University: Can we restore soil microbial communities by reintroducing digging mammals?
- Dr Cindy Gunawan, University of Technology Sydney: Does the commercialised use of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles facilitate co-selection and spread of antibiotic resistance genes in marine microbiota? A metagenome study.
- Isaac Santos, Southern Cross University: Coral reef calcification in the Great Barrier Reef following widespread bleaching
- Manoj Kumar, University of Technology Sydney: Identification of the molecular response of seagrasses to heavy metal pollution and ocean acidification
- Zoe Richards, Curtin University: Enhancing coral threatened species management with integrated phylogenomics
- Ashlea Doolette, The University of Adelaide: How do Australian native plants survive on low phosphorus soils? New insights using 31P NMR spectroscopy
- Allison van de Meene, The University of Melbourne: Dissecting mechanisms of cell wall deposition and variability for improved understanding of our crop plants and products
- Mark Farrell, CSIRO: An innovative method for probing active soil microbial function
- Jan Strugnell, James Cook University: Dating the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet using next generation sequencing of marine invertebrates
- John Morrongiello, University of Melbourne: Marine extremes: understanding how marine heatwaves impact on fishes and fisheries productivity
- Jason Grant Bragg, National Herbarium of NSW: Climate cycles and blue gum populations: insights from the genome
- Peter Vesk, University of Melbourne: Testing the functional traits responsible for tree distributions in long separated branches of the eucalypt phylogeny
- Vanessa Wong, Monash University: Temperate coastal wetlands: interactions between acid and greenhouse gas generation potential
- Jeff Powell, Western Sydney University: Decomposer interactions and carbon flux: termite influences on microbial wood decay within the TERN Australian SuperSite Network
- Christopher Fulton, The Australian National University: How will marine climate change affect seaweed growth on coral reefs?
- Martin Francis Breed, The University of Adelaide: Adaptive potential in Dodonaea viscosa as a model for plant climate change adaptation
- Shu Kee Lam, The University of Melbourne: Overcoming the reduction in cereal grain protein under elevated CO2 by the use of a nitrification inhibitor
- Peter Macreadie, Deakin University: Can overgrazing of seagrass destroy ancient carbon stocks?
- Robert Sharwood, The Australian National University: Unlocking the diversity of Rubisco catalysis from deep-sea ocean α-cyanobacteria for eventual transplantation into higher plant chloroplasts to improve photosynthetic CO2 assimilation
- Melanie Bishop, Macquarie University: Developing indicators of seagrass carbon storage
- Jonathan Plett, University of Western Sydney: Enhancing root health through a better understanding of plant genetics that enable mutualistic relationships with soil microbes
- Rebecca Lester, Deakin University: Carbon sequestration by wetlands: A fresh(water) approach to tackling climate change
- Shane Powell, University of Tasmania: Effect of pH changes on biofilm communities
The WH Gladstones Population and Environment Fund
Award highlights
- The fund supports empirical research into how the size, distribution, material aspirations and other characteristics of Australia’s population are likely to affect our environment—not only our land and landscape, but also social cohesion, health, the economy and defence.
- The W H Gladstones Population and Environment Fund was established in 2010 through generous donations from the late Dr William H Gladstones.
The W H Gladstones Population and Environment Fund offers support for empirical research into how the size, distribution, material aspirations and other characteristics of Australia’s population are likely to affect our environment—not only our land and landscape, but also social cohesion, health, the economy and defence. Population pressures in other countries which may have an impact on Australia could also be part of the research.
One grant of up to $24,000 is available for award every two years.
Funded activities are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees may apply for extensions due to extenuating circumstances or to apply for variations to remove or adapt to barriers encountered to their planned research or travel.
This grant does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance or infrastructure costs.
Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research, severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
Applicants should be employed in an Australian university or research institution and should have completed a PhD not more than 10 years ago.* Persons engaged in research for a PhD may also be considered if their thesis topics are judged to be highly significant.
The Australian Academy of Science encourages applications from female candidates and from candidates from a broad geographical distribution.
Focus of research
Research to be supported should aim to quantify various aspects of the human footprint, and to model likely ecological and other consequences.
* The Australian Academy of Science is committed to ensuring that all eligible researchers can be considered for awards and collects career interruption information to assess their opportunity to demonstrate scientific excellence. Accordingly, extensions to the post PhD (or equivalent) eligibility requirements for Early and Mid-Career awards will be provided for qualifying career disruptions.
A career disruption involves prolonged interruption to a nominee’s capacity to conduct Full Time Equivalent (FTE) high-level research, either due to part-time employment or absence (for periods of one month or greater) and/or long-term partial return to work, to accommodate carer’s responsibilities, illness or other interruption.
The career disruptions here must have occurred post the date of the letter advising that the PhD thesis was passed and resulted in significantly reduced research productivity or nil research output. Career disruption periods will be taken into account for those who would otherwise be beyond the Post PhD Career Eligibility requirements.
The purpose of the grant is to supplement the researcher’s existing resources and can be used for the purchase of such things as equipment, data, or the development of new measurement and analysis techniques.
Funding of up to $24,000 (GST exclusive) is available, in equal payments over two years. For example, an award of $24,000 would be paid in two payments of $12,000, at the start of each year. A satisfactory progress report is required before the second payment will be released (see 'Reporting requirements').
This award does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance or infrastructure costs.
Applications must include the following:
- Brief CV including qualifications, summary of professional/research experience and publications/presentations. A full publications list is not required. Maximum of three pages using size 12 font.
- Project proposal summarising the objectives and methods of research to be undertaken (maximum 1,000 words).
- Itemised budget with brief justification for each item, outlining the proposed use of the Grant over the two years. Where relevant, a declaration of external financial support should be included.
- Two referees’ reports. Referee reports should be addressed to the ‘Awards Committee’ and be no more than two pages in length and indicate the referees’ knowledge of the research and the researcher’s ability to carry out the project successfully. For PhD students, one of these reports must be from the applicants PhD supervisor, indicating that such a research proposal can be conducted from within the department and their opinion of the proposed research, the need for award funding and potential career impact of award if funded.
Grants are offered to successful applicants in early November each year for projects to be carried out in the next year.
Funded activities are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees can apply for project variations if their award proposals are impacted by extenuating circumstances.
Applications are assessed by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise based on the assessed competitiveness of the proposal. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
- Applicants must commence their research within 12 months of being offered the Award, after which the offer will automatically lapse.
- The Award may be held concurrently with awards or grants from other institutions.
- Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research, severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
An annual report is required on the progress of the research project. The report should detail progress on the research goals outlined in the grant-holder’s proposal, and expected vs. actual expenditure to date.
If the award is held for two years, a report is also required at the end of the second year.
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Previous awardees
- 2025—Dr Omid Ghasemi: Exploring the Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Attitudes, Emotions, and Behavioural Responses to Climate Change
- 2023—Dr Xuan Li: Transforming Australians’ health impact prediction due to COVID-19 using artificial intelligence
- 2021—Dr Fiona Tang: Australian grape-wine-tourism in a changing climate.
- 2019—Dr Grace Muriuki: Food security in rural and remote indigenous communities of The Pilbara; potential for resource corridors in local food systems.
- 2017—Dr Dale Graeme Nimmo: Compact cities or sprawling suburbs? Optimal design of growing cities to conserve biodiversity.
- 2015—Dr M Hadjikakou: Our ‘foodprint’ matter – Australian diets and their environmental, economical and health impacts.
- 2013—Dr Isaac Santos: Do residential canal estate developments increase greenhouse gas emissions from Australian estuaries?
- 2011—Dr Daniel Ramp: Engagement of a growing Australian population.
The Moran Award for History of Science Research
Award highlights
- The award supports access to archives that record the history of science in Australia, especially by early career researchers.
This award is aimed at postgraduate students and other researchers with expertise in the history of Australian science. Its purpose is to support access to archives that record the history of science in Australia, especially by early career researchers, and it can be used towards travel and accommodation costs.
A total of $10,000 (GST exclusive) is available biennially. This will generally be awarded to one person, but may be split between candidates at the selection committee’s discretion.
The fund was established by Jean Moran in memory of her husband P.A.P. ‘Pat’ Moran FAA FRS, Chairman of the Library Committee from 1974 until his death in 1988, with the aim of encouraging researchers, especially young people, to use the Academy’s archives. The purpose was later expanded to include any archives that record the history of science in Australia.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
Applications are welcome from all researchers with expertise in the history of Australian science. However, preference will be given to early career researchers and postgraduate students.
This award is open to applications from candidates of all genders.
Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three-award year period.
Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
Applications must include the following:
- Brief CV including qualifications, summary of professional/research experience and publications/presentations. A full publications list is not required. Maximum of three pages using size 12 font.
- A brief outline of the proposed project and the archives to be consulted.
- Please include an itemised budget with brief justification for each item. Up to $A10,000 is available to cover travel and living expenses. Daily allowance rates followed for this scheme are listed in table 1 of the ATO Tax determination ruling. They can also be found through contacting the awards team at awards@science.org.au
- Two referee reports. These reports are to be uploaded to the online form and should each be no more than one page in length. They should indicate the referees' knowledge of the researcher's ability to carry out the project successfully.
Funded activities are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees may apply for extensions due to extenuating circumstances or to apply for variations to remove or adapt to barriers encountered to their planned research or travel.
Applications are assessed by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise based on the assessed competitiveness of the proposal. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
- Applicants must commence their research within 12 months of being offered the Award, after which the offer will automatically lapse.
- The Award may be held concurrently with awards or grants from other institutions.
- Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research, severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
An annual report is required on the progress of the research project. The report should detail progress on the research goals outlined in the grant-holder’s proposal, and expected vs. actual expenditure to date.
If the Grant is held for two years, a report is also required at the end of the second year.
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Travelling awards, research grants, workshop and lecture awards
- Can awarded funds pay for salary expenses?
- The Thomas Davies Research Grant funds can cover research assistant salaries, but not primary researcher salary expenses. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award, the Margaret Middleton Fund and Max Day Fellowship Awards are not able to cover any salary expenses, for either primary researchers or research assistants.
- Can I apply for more than one research award?
- Yes – however, you can only receive one research award per calendar year. If you are ranked highly for multiple research awards, the assessment committee Chairs will decide which award is most appropriate for the project and applicant.
- Can I receive the same research award for a different project in subsequent years?
- No – once you have received a research award, you are not eligible to receive the same award for 3 calendar years.
- Can I use the funds to attend a conference?
- The Margaret Middleton Fund does not support conference expenses.
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award and the Max Day Fellowship funds can be used to cover the cost of travel to undertake research or attend relevant conferences/workshops.
- Thomas Davies Research Fund can support conference expenses if it can be demonstrated that it is relevant for the project, however, this is not the primary objective of the award.
- Can I use the funds to cover overhead expenses?
- No – each award notes the specific exclusions for use of funding; however, no award allows funds to be used towards bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance or infrastructure costs.
- Can I request feedback on my application assessment?
- No - applications are assessed based on the competitiveness of the proposal by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
- Can I apply for the Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship if my PhD has not yet been through the confirmation process?
- No. If you are a PhD student applying for a Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship you must have completed the PhD confirmation process with your institution. Please note that specific confirmation process requirements may vary between institutions. Candidates are strongly encouraged to clarify the requirements with their institution prior to submitting the fellowship application.
Previous awardees
The 2023 award round was the last annual award round.
- 2025—Dr Joel Barnes and Dr Jess Urwin
- 2023—Dr Martin Bush
- 2022—Dr L Pearce
- 2021—Ms H Byrne
- 2020—Dr Ruth Morgan
- 2019—Ms Lisa Hunt
- 2018—Dr Linden Ashcroft and Ms Kelly McKinley
- 2017—Mr Daniel May
- 2016—Dr Francesco Gerali
- 2015—Dr Andrea Candela
- 2014—Dr Danielle Clode and Ms Deirdre Slattery
- 2011—Dr Lachlan Clohesy and Ms Ailie Smith
- 2009—Dr Jodi Frawley
- 2008—Ms Kate Rogers
- 2006—Associate Professor Kevin Downard and Dr Fredericka van der Lubbe
- 2005—Ms Bernadette Hince
- 2004—Ms Bernadette Hince
The Margaret Middleton Fund for Endangered Australian Native Vertebrate Animals
Program highlights
- This fund offers annual science grants of up to $20,000 each to support field-based, high-quality ecological research.
- The objective of the grant is to provide financial support for conservation-based research of Australian ecosystems that ultimately will lead to tangible outcomes for management.
This fund offers annual science grants of up to $20,000 each to support field-based, high-quality ecological research by PhD students and early-career researchers. The objective of the grant is to provide financial support for conservation-based research of Australian ecosystems (including off-shore islands and the continental shelf) that ultimately will lead to tangible outcomes for management. The scope of the research is open to terrestrial, marine and freshwater research on endangered Australian native vertebrate animals.
The research must address ecological and conservation problems in Australian systems. Preference will be given to novel research which deals with empirical field-based data and ecological community processes with possible management implications rather than pure genetic or modelling research.
The work should lead to publication in high quality ecological or conservation/management journals.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines and FAQs provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
The grant is open to PhD students and early-career researchers (within 3 years of completing their PhD or equivalent*). Grants are offered to successful applicants in November each year for projects to be commenced the next year. Funded activities are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees can apply for project variations if their award proposals are impacted by extenuating circumstance.
Applicants must be in one of the two below categories.
- Be a student enrolled for a PhD at an Australian institute and hold an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or university scholarship.
- Be within three years of having received a PhD (or equivalent) and hold a postdoctoral position at a recognised Australian research institute, e.g. CSIRO or a university.
This award is open to applications for candidates from all genders.
In assessing applications, the committee will take into consideration:
- whether the proposed project addresses a problem of substance with regard to contemporary challenges faced in native species conservation
- the degree to which the project will include empirical field studies or studies of fundamental ecological processes
- innovation and novelty
- feasibility
- potential to lead to a publication in a leading journal.
In addition, the committee will assess the potential of the applicant to undertake the research, taking into account stage of career and any interruptions, as demonstrated by a track record of engagement in research, publication and the support of referees.
* The Australian Academy of Science is committed to ensuring that all eligible researchers can be considered for awards and collects career interruption information to assess their opportunity to demonstrate scientific excellence. Accordingly, extensions to the post PhD (or equivalent) eligibility requirements for Early and Mid-Career awards will be provided for qualifying career disruptions.
A career disruption involves prolonged interruption to a nominee’s capacity to conduct Full Time Equivalent (FTE) high-level research, either due to part-time employment or absence (for periods of one month or greater) and/or long-term partial return to work, to accommodate carer’s responsibilities, illness or other interruption.
The career disruptions here must have occurred post the date of the letter advising that the PhD thesis was passed and resulted in significantly reduced research productivity or nil research output. Career disruption periods will be taken into account for those who would otherwise be beyond the Post PhD Career Eligibility requirements.
Conference travel is not supported.
Journal page charges up to a maximum of $2,000 may be supported.
This grant does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance or infrastructure costs, or salaries.
Applications must include the following:
- A research proposal structured under the following headings; aims and background, significance of the research, methodology, management implications of the project. Maximum of 1000 words.
- Itemised budget with brief justification for each item, the names and details of research funding already received (project title, funding body, amount).
- Brief CV including qualifications, summary of professional/research experience and publications/presentations. A full publications list is not required. Maximum of three pages using size 12 font.
- PhD students must submit a letter of reference from their supervisor indicating that such a research proposal can be conducted from within the department and their opinion of the proposed research, the need for award funding and potential career impact of award if funded. Maximum of one page using size 12 font.
- Post-doctoral fellows must submit two referee reports with the application. The reports should be addressed to the Awards Committee and indicate the referee’s knowledge of the applicant’s research and their ability to carry out the project successfully. Maximum of one page using size 12 font for each report.
Applications are assessed by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise and based on the assessed competitiveness of the proposal. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
- This grant does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance, infrastructure costs, or salaries.
- Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research, severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
By February 28 of the year of award, grant-holders must provide:
- A timetable of their research activities, including an anticipated date of completion.
- A copy of the approval of their research by their institution’s ethics committee in relation to a Code of Practice governing the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
An annual report is required on the progress of the research project. The report should detail progress on the research goals outlined in the grant-holder’s proposal, and expected vs. actual expenditure to date.
If the Grant is held for two years, a report is also required at the end of the second year.
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Travelling awards, research grants, workshop and lecture awards
- Can awarded funds pay for salary expenses?
- The Thomas Davies Research Grant funds can cover research assistant salaries, but not primary researcher salary expenses. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award, the Margaret Middleton Fund and Max Day Fellowship Awards are not able to cover any salary expenses, for either primary researchers or research assistants.
- Can I apply for more than one research award?
- Yes – however, you can only receive one research award per calendar year. If you are ranked highly for multiple research awards, the assessment committee Chairs will decide which award is most appropriate for the project and applicant.
- Can I receive the same research award for a different project in subsequent years?
- No – once you have received a research award, you are not eligible to receive the same award for 3 calendar years.
- Can I use the funds to attend a conference?
- The Margaret Middleton Fund does not support conference expenses.
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Award and the Max Day Fellowship funds can be used to cover the cost of travel to undertake research or attend relevant conferences/workshops.
- Thomas Davies Research Fund can support conference expenses if it can be demonstrated that it is relevant for the project, however, this is not the primary objective of the award.
- Can I use the funds to cover overhead expenses?
- No – each award notes the specific exclusions for use of funding; however, no award allows funds to be used towards bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance or infrastructure costs.
- Can I request feedback on my application assessment?
- No - applications are assessed based on the competitiveness of the proposal by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise. The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons why an application is successful or not.
- Can I apply for the Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship if my PhD has not yet been through the confirmation process?
- No. If you are a PhD student applying for a Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship you must have completed the PhD confirmation process with your institution. Please note that specific confirmation process requirements may vary between institutions. Candidates are strongly encouraged to clarify the requirements with their institution prior to submitting the fellowship application.
Previous awardees
- Camille Kynoch, Monash University: Breeding on Borrowed Time: Managing Flatback Sea Turtles Amid Climate Driven Male Scarcity
- Dr Louise Tosetto, Macquarie University: Designing Better Homes: Developing a framework for developing effective and animal friendly artificial habitats.
- Benjamin Wilson, Charles Sturt University: Olfactory overload: confusing feral cats to save a culturally significant, threatened lizard
Learn more about the 2026 awardees here.
- Dr Patrick Finnerty, University of Sydney: Reintroducing endangered eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverinnus) into predator-free safe havens: a critical stepping stone for beyond-the-fence rewilding success across mainland Australia
- Dr Emily Hoffmann, University of Western Australia: Frogs on fire: Rapid assessment of wildfire impact on an Endangered peatland endemic to inform prescribed burn practices
- Emmeline Norris, James Cook University: Utilising drone-based thermal imagery to accurately estimate abundance of the endangered spectacled
Learn more about the 2025 awardees here.
- Dr Samatha Tol, James Cook University: Do green sea turtle faeces increase seagrass seed germination and seedling success through fertilisation?
- Dr Deanne (Dee) Trewartha, Flinders University: Heat, water and lizards – understanding behavioural responses to translocation in an endangered, endemic Australian grassland reptile to inform conservation practices
- Dr Anthony Waddle, Macquarie University: Hot-spot shelters to fight amphibian chytrid epidemics
Learn more about the 2024 awardees here.
The impact of this work extends beyond the scientific community. Our publications and our conference presentations have generated media interest which in turn has resulted in public outreach and education to highlight the unique ecology of the pygmy bluetongue and the importance of grassland conservation in South Australia. Importantly, the study demonstrates how targeted funding—such as the Margaret Middleton Award—can directly enhance research outcomes by enabling larger sample sizes, improving data quality, and accelerating conservation progress for threatened species.
Dr Dee Trewartha, Flinders, 2024 Middleton recipient
- Dr Shaina Russell, Macquarie University: Rrambaŋi djäma (working together): New camera trap approach to detect bio-culturally important fauna on remote Indigenous land
- Ariana La Porte, Monash University: Early-life impacts of climate warming in endangered purple-crowned fairywrens: Studying mechanisms to inform conservation strategies
- Emma Carmichael, James Cook University: Small frogs with big problems: Ecology and conservation of critically endangered mountaintop nursery frogs
Learn more about the 2023 awardees here.
- Miss Shelby Ryan, University of Newcastle: Optimising emerging drone monitoring technologies to accurately determine population density of koalas.
- Ms Melanie Wells, University of Tasmania: Investigating the health of little penguins as a sentinel of Tasmanian ecosystem health.
- Miss Chloe Robinson, UNSW Sydney: Does mammal reintroduction reconstruct arid food webs?
- Ms Angela Simms, La Trobe University: Optimising a head starting program for freshwater turtles in the Murray Darling Basin.
- Miss Finella Dawlings, Monash University: Thermal scanners for monitoring and management of cryptic, endangered endotherms.
- Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, The University of Adelaide: Molecules for conservation: Can eDNA be used to save cryptic populations of critically-endangered sea snakes?
- Ms Penelope Pascoe, University of Tasmania: Quantifying island ecosystem recovery following rodent eradication.
- Ms Dympna Cullen, University of New South Wales: Predator refuges of the crest-tailed mulgara.
- Ms Jackie O'Sullivan, The Australian National University: Quantifying the ecological role of surface rocks on reptile conservation in agricultural landscapes.
Ms Rebecca Jane Webb, James Cook University: A novel conservation tool for controlling chytridiomycosis in Australian amphibians.
Dr Teigan Cremona, Charles Darwin University: Can predator enclosures support recovery of small mammal populations in Kakadu National Park?
Ms Heather Neilly, Australian Landscape Trust: Malleefowl as ecosystem engineers and drivers of restoration.
- Dr Chris Gordon, Western Sydney University: Interacting impacts of persistent fire regimes and predation on threatened animals
- Ms Emma Spencer, The University of Sydney: Does predation threaten the endangered night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis)?
- Ms Katharine Senior, The University of Melbourne: Spatial solutions for managing fire and native mammal conservation
- Tim Doherty, Deakin University – Paying the debt: reptile dispersal and extinction in an agricultural landscape
- Catherine Price, The University of Sydney – Problem predators: can odour habituation reduce impacts of rogue predators on endangered prey?
- Benjamin Allen, The University of Southern Queensland – Releasing dingoes to eradicate goats and restore biodiversity on Pelorus Island
- Donna Belder, The Australian National University—Survival and persistence of woodland birds in restoration plantings in the south-west slopes region of NSW
- Bonnie Derne, Flinders University—Investigating the parasite biota of the endangered Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard: its importance for conservation
- Elise Furlan, The University of Canberra—Improved surveillance of the critically endangered southern corrobboree frog, Pseudophryne corroboree and northern corrobboree frog, P. pengilleyi, using environmental DNA
- Ella Kelly, The University of Melbourne—Surviving the cane toad: preventing declines in endangered northern quoll populations
- Renee Catullo, CSIRO—Cryptic diversity on Cape York: assessing conservation priorities in endemic Toadlets (Uperoleia)
- Michael Hitchcock, University of Melbourne—The decline of hollow-dwelling mammals in northern Australia: hollows be thy bane
- Robyn Shaw, The Australian National University—Halting Australia’s mammal declines: a demographic, ecological and genetic approach to fire response in Australian native rodents
- Melissa Wynn, The Australian National University—Threat mitigation to support reintroduction of critically endangered reptiles on Christmas Island
- Laurence Berry, The Australian National University – Fine-scale post-fire landscape ecology of the Mountain Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus cunninghamii
- Christopher Henderson, Griffith University – How effective are Marine Protected Area (MPAs) at protecting mobile predatory fish species?
- Stephanie Hing, Murdoch University – Stress and disease in the decline of the critically endangered woylies (Bettongia penicillata)
- Wendy Neilan, The Australian National University – The effect of matrix heterogeneity on avian diversity in commodity production landscapes of temperate and subtropical Australia
- Phil Bouchet, The University of Western Australia – Characterising the diversity of mobile ocean predators in a biological hotspot and proposed marine reserve, the Perth Canyon (32oS, 115oE)
- Amanda Edworthy, The Australian National University – Causes of decline in endangered forty-spotted pardalotes
- Bastian Egeter, University of Otago – The development and utilisation of molecular techniques to detect and quantify predation on New Zealand and Australian frog species by introduced mammals
- Claire Foster, The Australian National University – The interacting effects of herbivory and fire on understorey vegetation and its dependent fauna
- Jenny Molyneux, Charles Darwin University – Understanding the role of fire in managing brush-tailed mulgara (Dasycerus blythi) populations in central Australia
- Katrin Schmidt, James Cook University – The ecological role of tadpoles in rainforest streams
Ross Alford, James Cook University – Understanding and managing threats to wet tropics amphibians: improving management prioritisation and using novel techniques to protect frogs
Kellie Leigh, Conservation Ecology – Finding the endangered spotted-tail quoll; new detection methods for declining and low density species
Teagan Marzullo, University of New South Wales – Estuarine fidelity, home-range, habitat use and energetics of stingrays
Ben Scheele, University of Canberra – Northern corroboree frog disease dynamics and recovery
Rebecca West, University of Adelaide – Returning warru (black-footed rock-wallabies) to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia
Greta Frankham, University of Melbourne – The phylogeography and population genetics of the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus)
Michael Letnic, University of Western Sydney – How do dingoes provide conservation benefits for the dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus)?
Adam Polkinghorne, Queensland University of Technology – Towards an effective conjugate vaccine to combat debilitating chlamydial disease in the koala
Qamar Schuyler, University of Queensland – Sea turtles threatened by marine debris: do they have a choice in the matter?
Arian Wallach, James Cook University & Adam O’Neill, C&A Environmental Services Pty Ltd – Restoring ecosystem function from the top
Bastian Egeter, University of Otago – Predation on Leiopelma species and Litoria raniformis
Adam Kerezsy, Bush Heritage Australia & Leanne Faulks, Macquarie University – Population genetics and captive breeding – red-finned blue-eye and the Edgbaston goby
Vee Lukoschek, James Cook University – Sea snake declines and extinctions on Australia’s coral reefs
Jane Melville, Museum Victoria – Immunogenetics of Pardalote species in south-eastern Australia
Nicola Mitchell, The University of Western Australia – Predicting the sex ratios of loggerhead turtles
- Diana Fisher, University of Queensland – Conservation ecology of the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger)
- Felicia Pereoglou, The Australian National University – Fire, genetics and the Eastern Chestnut Mouse (Pseudomys gracilicaudatus)
- Anja Skroblin and Sarah Legge, Australian Wildlife Conservatory – Phylogeography and Conservation Biology of the Purple-crowned Fairy-wren (Malurus coronatus)
- Jan Slapeta, The University of Sydney – Epizootiology of a Myxozoan parasite in the green and endangered green and golden bell frog
- Yiwei Wang, University of Queensland – Bridled nailtail wallaby – evaluating the mesopredator release theory in the context of endangered species management
- Aaron Fenner, Flinders University – Long term conservation of the endangered pygmy bluetongue lizard (Tiliqua adelaidensis)
- Gerhard Körtner, University of New England – Habitat use of the endangered spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and its interactions with wild dogs
- Ivan Lawler, James Cook University – Locating and protecting nesting sites of Irwin’s Turtle (Elseya Irwini)
- Meri Oakswood and Peter Foster, Envirotek: Ecological Research, Survey and Education – Monitoring extinction of the northern quoll
- Arian Wallach, The University of Adelaide – Disruption of stable social structure in a top-order predator triggers the extinction crisis across Australia
- Peter Gill, Australocetus Research – Fine-scale foraging and feeding behaviour of endangered blue whales in the Bonney Upwelling, southern Australia
- Christopher Izzo, University of Adelaide – Changes in telomere length may provide a non-lethal means of determining the ages of free-living Chondrichthyan populations
- Menna Jones, University of Tasmania – Investigating causal factors underlying changes in genetic diversity in Tasmanian Devils associated with population decline from devil facial tumour disease
- Marissa Parrott, University of Melbourne – Maximising captive breeding success and conservation of endangered marsupials in the southern dibbler and dunnart species using mate choice and cross fostering techniques
- Peter Spencer, Murdoch University – Conservation conundrum: the population and epidemiological dynamics associated with recent decline in woylies in Australia
- Jessica van der Waag, University of Western Australia – How to support mallee fowl recruitment in a fragmented landscape
- Peter Banks, University of Wollongong – Wildlife general – protecting prey with chemical camouflage
- Meri Oakwood, University of New South Wales – Northern quoll – monitoring extinction
- Andrea Phillott, Central Queensland University – Hatchling flatback turtles – dispersal and swimming behaviour
- Jessica van der Waag, University of Western Australia – How to support mallee fowl recruitment in a fragmented landscape
- Terry O’Dwyer, University of Wollongong – Where do endangered Gould’s petrels forage during breeding? Assessing the potential effects of commercial fishing activities.
- Glen Gaikhorst, Perth Zoo – Sandhill dunnarts WA: Survey, ecology and conservation biology
- Sarah Pryke, University of New South Wales – Conserving the Gouldian finch – the species and the morphs
- Monica Ruibal, The Australian National University – Applying faecal DNA to investigate the social ecology of the spotted tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus)
- M Morgan, The Australian National University – Northern and Southern Corroboree frogs
- J Melville, Museum Victoria – Earless dragons
- Ross Crozier, James Cook University – Conservation genetics and ecology of the Gouldian finch
- Mark Eldridge, Macquarie University – Adaptive genetic variation in Australian island macropod populations
- Alistair Glen, University of Sydney – Competitive and predatory effects of the red fox on the spotted-tailed quoll
- Andrea Taylor, Monash University – Genetic marker studies of the endangered Leadbeater’s possum
- Shaun Barclay, University of New South Wales – The genetic management of Greater Stick-Nest Rats
- Danielle Clode, Friends of Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System Inc. – A community-based monitoring, environmental enhancement and dietary study of brush-tailed phascogales
- Karen Firestone, Australian Museum – The conservation genetics of the northern quoll
- Glenn Shimmin, University of Adelaide – The translocation of hairy-nosed wombats
- Peter Banks, University of New South Wales – Transmission of toxoplasmosis from feral cats to native mammals
- Russell Palmer, University of Queensland – Impact of feral cats on the Bilby in the channel country of western Queensland
- Jonathan Webb, Northern Territory University – Restoring the habitat for the broad-headed snake in the Sydney basin
- Jean-Marc Hero, Griffith University – Movement and habitat use of rare and endangered frogs in south-eastern Queensland
- David Taggart, Zoological Parks and Gardens Board – Cross fostering for the conservation of the critically endangered south-east Australian brush-tailed rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)
- Patricia Woolley, La Trobe University – Conservation of the Julia Creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi)
Selby Fellowship
Award highlights
- Fellowships are awarded to distinguished overseas scientists to visit Australia for public lecture/seminar tours and to visit scientific centres in Australia.
- Fellows are expected to increase public awareness of the physical and biological sciences and scientific issues and accordingly will be outstanding lecturers to the general public.
The Fellowship is financed through the generosity of the trustees of the Selby Scientific Foundation. In 1980 the Directors of H B Selby Australia recognised the need for a continuing source of funds to help finance education, research and development in the fields of science and medicine, with which the company had been involved for some 80 years as a supplier of scientific instruments, laboratory apparatus and chemicals. Accordingly, the Selby Scientific Foundation was established with contributions from HB Selby Australia Ltd, members of the Selby family and a number of shareholders in the Selby company. One award of up to $A15,000 is offered each year.
This was offered as an early-career Fellowship from 1961 to 1975, before being offered as a senior Fellowship.
This award is open to nominations for candidates from all genders. The Australian Academy of Science encourages nominations of female candidates and of candidates from a broad geographical distribution.
Fellowships are awarded to distinguished overseas scientists to visit Australia for public lecture/seminar tours and to visit scientific centres in Australia. Fellows are expected to increase public awareness of the physical and biological sciences and scientific issues, and accordingly will be outstanding lecturers to the general public.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the nomination process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
Fellowships are awarded by the Council of the Academy on the recommendations of the Selby Fellowship Selection Committee. Prospective candidates should not only be outstanding scientists but also should have strong public lecturing abilities. It is intended that awardees will present advertised public lectures and provide strong evidence for their ability to effectively communicate their scientific work to a broad audience with no expertise in the field.
Fellowships are tenable for visits of not less than two weeks and not more than three months. Visits to as many areas of Australia as possible, including Western Australia, are encouraged.
Nominators should be based in Australia, with appropriate connections to be able to support the candidate in organising their visit. It is the responsibility of the nominator to nominate hosts for the arrangement of both public and scientific lectures in the various centres to be visited.
Fellowships are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees may apply for extensions due to extenuating circumstances or to apply for variations to remove or adapt to barriers encountered to their planned travel.
Up to $A15,000 is available to cover direct return economy class airfares between the Selby Fellow’s city of residence and Australia, economy class airfares within Australia for an itinerary approved by the awards committee, and a daily allowance. The amount offered is subject to a budget and detailed itinerary.
Lectures are encouraged to be held at the Academy's Shine Dome and this is accordingly made available free of charge, although caretaking charges apply for weekends and on weekdays from 5 pm. Nominators are also encouraged to contact the secretariat to determine costing for anything in addition to week day venue hire.
The Academy does not, in general, have the resources to offer support to partners and children to accompany an awardee of a travelling fellowship or scholarship, but will on a case by case basis and subject to the availability of funds, consider support for a carer to accompany an infant if this allows the carer to accept the award.
Individuals cannot self-nominate for this award.
Nominations must include the following:
- The nominee's curriculum vitae. Include a full publications list and any evidence of international standing, major awards, fellowships and invited, keynote or plenary talks, where appropriate to the award.
- 10 most significant publications. Upload a list of up to 10 of the most significant publications (of most relevance to this Fellowship), each including up to 50 words on why they are significant. Outline the nominee's specific role in the research and indicate percentage contribution.
- Nominee's brief citation.
- Evidence of the nominee's scientific achievements and honours (max. 150 words).
- Summary of the nominee's career achievements.
- Evidence of the nominee's lecturing capabilities (max. 100 words). Provide a summary of lecturing capabilities, including the ability to communicate with scientific and lay-audiences.
- Aims and benefits of the nominee's tour and an outline of the planned itinerary.
- Itemised budget with brief justification for each item. Up to $A15,000 is available to cover travel and living expenses. Daily allowance rates followed for this scheme are based on the Daily Travel Allowance set by the Australian Tax Office (see the ATO Tax determination ruling). They can also be found through contacting the awards team at awards@science.org.au.
- (Optional but recommended) Supporting documents, such as letters of support/invitation from potential hosts.
- It is the responsibility of the nominator to nominate and contact hosts for the arrangement of both public and scientific lectures in the various centres to be visited.
- This grant does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance, infrastructure costs, or salaries.
- Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
A report is due after the completion of travel. The report should include the purpose and outcomes of the tour, along with details of venues, approximate attendee numbers (with specifics on EMCR attendee numbers), and expected vs. actual expenditure.
Nominations are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Nominate button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Previous awardees
Senior Selby Fellows
- 2026—Andrea Dutton
- 2025—Judith Sluimer
- 2024—Benjamin Halpern; Annette Hosoi
- 2021—Matthias Wessling
- 2019—Herbert Huppert
- 2018—Stefanie Dimmeler
- 2017—Xi-Cheng Zhang
- 2016—F Rosei
- 2015—R Jayawardhana
- 2014—U Steiner
- 2013—R Warner
- 2012—R de Grijs
- 2011—JS Higgins
- 2010—PJ Sadler
- 50th Anniversary—PJ Gregory
- 2009—RP Kirshner
- 2008—RB Gennis
- 2007—J Silk
- 2006—GM Hewitt
- 2005—BL Bassler
- 2004—D Pritchard
- 2003—CJ Arntzen
- 2002—LA Smith
- 2001—J Jouzel; KA Moffatt
- 2000—I Pepperberg
- 1999—G Schatz
- 1998—DS Dearborn
- 1997—CJ Humphreys
- 1996—J Barber
- 1995—M Longair; J Thiede
- 1994—J Lyklema; DJP Barker
- 1993—CF Bohren
- 1992—SC Morris; FH Shu
- 1991—H Bolhar-Nordenkampf
- 1990—JV Smith
- 1989—ER Andrew; M.L. Good
- 1986—OE Bjorkman
- 1984—MD Houslay
- 1983—P Rakic
- 1982—WA Gambling
- 1979—FJ Dyson
- 1978—BJ Bok
- 1977—JW Cornforth
Junior Selby Fellows
- 1975—T Hatta
- 1971—M Aoki
- 1965—T Nikara
- 1964—R Maud
- 1963—M Matsuyama
- 1962—FA de la Cruz
- 1961—WM Deuchars
Rudi Lemberg Travelling Fellowship
Award highlights
- The purpose of the Fellowship is to enable either Australian or overseas scientists of standing to visit Australian scientific centres and to deliver lectures.
- The Fellowship commemorates the contributions of Professor M.R. Lemberg, FAA, FRS to science in Australia.
The Rudi Lemberg Travelling Fellowship commemorates the contributions of Professor M.R. Lemberg, FAA, FRS to science in Australia. The Fellowship is financed through the generous bequest of Mrs Hanna Lemberg and the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. It is offered every two years.
The purpose of the Fellowship is to enable either Australian or overseas scientists of standing to visit Australian scientific centres and to deliver lectures. Up to $A15,000 (GST exclusive) is offered. The Lemberg Fellow may be drawn from any field of biology but special consideration will be given to those areas in which Professor Lemberg had an especial interest, namely biochemistry, conservation and the Australian flora.
The financial support of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is greatly appreciated.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the nomination process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
The Lemberg Fellow may be drawn from any field of biology but special consideration will be given to those areas in which Professor Lemberg had an especial interest, namely biochemistry, conservation and the Australian flora.
As well as having outstanding scientific credentials, the successful candidate must also have a proven ability to inspire the next generation of scientists and reach the lay public outside of his/her field.
Nominators should be based in Australia, with appropriate connections to be able to support the candidate in organising their visit. It is the responsibility of the nominator to nominate hosts for the arrangement of both public and scientific lectures in the various centres to be visited.
The Fellowship is tenable for visits to and within Australia of not less than two weeks.
The Australian Academy of Science encourages nominations of female candidates and of candidates from a broad geographical distribution.
Fellowships are normally expected to have been undertaken within two years from the date of award. Awardees may apply for extensions due to extenuating circumstances or to apply for variations to remove or adapt to barriers encountered to their planned travel.
Up to $A15,000 is available to cover economy class airfares and assistance towards living expenses. The amount offered is subject to a budget and detailed itinerary.
Lectures are encouraged to be held at the Academy's Shine Dome and this is accordingly made available free of charge, although caretaking charges apply for weekends and on weekdays from 5 pm. Nominators are also encouraged to contact the secretariat to determine costing for anything in addition to week day venue hire.
The Academy does not, in general, have the resources to offer support to partners and children to accompany an awardee of a travelling fellowship or scholarship, but will on a case by case basis and subject to the availability of funds, consider support for a carer to accompany an infant if this allows the carer to accept the award.
Individuals cannot self-nominate for this award.
Nominations must include the following:
- The nominee's brief curriculum vitae. Maximum of three pages using size 12 font.
- Evidence of the nominee's scientific achievements and honours (max. 150 words).
- Evidence of the nominee's lecturing capabilities. Must be no more than 100 words. Provide a summary of lecturing capabilities, including the ability to communicate with scientific and lay-audiences.
- List of up to 5 of the most significant publications (of most relevance to this Fellowship), each including up to 50-words on why they are significant. Outline the candidate's specific role in the research and indicate percentage contribution.
- Aims and benefits of the nominee's tour and an outline of the planned itinerary.
- Itemised budget with brief justification for each item. Up to $A10,000 is available to cover travel and living expenses. Daily allowance rates followed for this scheme are listed in table 1 of the ATO Tax determination ruling. They can also be found through contacting the awards team at awards@science.org.au
- Contact details of two referees.
- It is the responsibility of the nominator to nominate and contact hosts for the arrangement of both public and scientific lectures in the various centres to be visited.
- This grant does not provide funds for bench fees, managerial, visa, insurance, infrastructure costs, or salaries.
- Applicants can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Applicants may apply for more than one award but can only receive one Academy travelling or research award per calendar year.
- Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Severe breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
A report is due after the completion of travel. The report should include the purpose and outcomes of the tour, along with details of venues, approximate attendee numbers (with specifics on EMCR attendee numbers), and expected vs. actual expenditure.
Nominations are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Nominate button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Previous awardees
- 2026—Katrina Dlugosch
- 2024—Peter Reich
- 2020—Robert Edwards
- 2018—Christina A Kellogg
- 2016—Lawrence J Berliner
- 2012—Peter Jones
- 2010—Johann Deisenhofer
- 2008—John F Allen
- 2006—Jan Vymazal
- 2004—Gerard C Dismukes
- 2002—Petra Fromme; Richard N Perham
- 2001—D.M.J.S Bowman
- 1999—Vern L Schramm
- 1997—Martin Brand
- 1996—Tim F Flannery
- 1993—Winslow R Briggs
- 1992—Edward M Kosower
- 1991—Robert Huber
- 1990—Jerker Porath
- 1989—Michael L Rosenzweig
- 1986—Hugo Scheer
- 1985—Michael G Rossmann
- 1984—Owen T G Jones
- 1983—Jack Heslop-Harrison
- 1982—Wolfgang K Joklik
- 1981—Emanuel Margoliash; Peter H. Raven
- 1980—Leonard E Mortenson; Gustav J V Nossal
- 1979—Britton Chance; John B. Gurdon; Gunther S Stent
The Douglas and Lola Douglas Scholarship in Medical Science
Award highlights
- The scholarship is offered as a ‘top up’ scholarship to PhD candidates awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Postgraduate Scholarship in one of the areas of Indigenous or primary health care, with preference given by the Academy to the area of Indigenous health research.
- The Douglas and Lola Douglas Scholarship in Medical Science was made possible through a generous bequest made by Lola Rachel Maude Douglas, a philanthropist with a keen interest in medical research.
The Douglas and Lola Douglas Scholarship in Medical Science was made possible through a generous bequest made by Lola Rachel Maude Douglas, a philanthropist with a keen interest in medical research. Her main charity was the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney but one of her great wishes was to support young researchers and this bequest enables the Academy to help to fulfil this wish.
Applications are not sought for this award. Highly ranked recipients of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Postgraduate Scholarship will be contacted by the Academy and invited to apply.
The scholarship is offered as a ‘top up’ scholarship to PhD candidates awarded an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship in one of the areas of Indigenous or primary health care, with preference given by the Academy to the area of Indigenous health research. It is awarded initially for one year (currently $7,000 per annum) with funding available for a maximum of two years. It is awarded on condition that the scholar continues to hold the NHMRC scholarship and is enrolled in a PhD program, and the Academy receives a satisfactory annual report. The scholarship’s purpose is to cover costs of small items of equipment, research materials, travel, or research assistance. The funding may not cover bench fees, managerial, insurance or visa costs or go towards stipends.
Supporting institutes and awardees are required to ensure that any research they undertake that is funded by the Australian Academy of Science adheres to the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of research. Breach of these codes may result in the withdrawal of current and refusal of future funding support. Research involving Indigenous Australians must comply with the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies.
Past awardees
- 2025—S.Bates: Enteral rather than intravenous electrolyte replacement in critical care (LEANER)
- 2024—J Birrell: Epidemiology and equity of kidney failure in Australasia.
R Kha: Prevalence, risk factors and impact of visual impairment in Australia - 2023—A Clarke: Improving dementia care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- 2022—L Holland: To help design a culturally appropriate model of care so that disability, social disadvantages and trauma are no longer criminalised offences.
- 2020—R Jones: To understand the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children admitted to paediatric intensive care units.
E Papadimos: Understanding the impact of in-utero diabetes exposure on early childhood growth outcomes and cardio-metabolic risk - 2019—M Hare: Intergenerational metabolic health in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians – Understanding trends, determinants and outcomes.
- 2018—S Cooray: A co-designed patient-centred model-of-care for gestational diabetes
- 2017—B Middleton: Strategies to reduce the burden of gastroenteritis in Aboriginal children
- 2016—A Pisaniello: The impact of omega-3 fatty acids on the inflammatory mediators of heart disease.
- 2015—G Diplock: Alice Springs Hospital Readmission Prevention Project
- 2014—D Tsai: Improving antibiotic dosing of Piperacillin-Tazobactam, Meropenem, Ceftriaxone and Vancomycin in critically ill Australian Indigenous patients
- 2013—E Grant: Understanding the immune response to infleuenza in the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations
- 2012—K Hare: Study on bacteriology of bronchiectasis in Australian Indigenous children
- 2011—M Bunks: Vitamin D and acute lower respiratory tract infection in Indigenous children
- 2010—A Bowen: Randomised controlled trial of co-trimazole versus intramuscular penicillin for impetigo in Aboriginal children
- 2009—T Kearnes: Beating Scabies and strongyloidiasis in a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory
- 2008—J Hughes: The relationship of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with diabetes mellitus and renal impairments
- 2007—N Bar-Zeev: Burden of severe disease due to influenza and other respiratory viruses in Aboriginal children in the Northern territory
- 2006—J Boyle: Polycystic ovary syndrome in Indigenous women
- 2005—K O'Grady: Pneumonia in children territory-wide using radiological endpoints, and the impact of pneumococcal vaccine strategies
