David Vaux Research Integrity Fellowship Award
Award highlights
- The purpose of this award is to recognise individuals who have led efforts in their or other institution(s) to foster and promote integrity in science.
- The David Vaux Research Integrity Fellowship Award has been established to honour Professor David Vaux AO FAA FAHMS, who has championed scientific research integrity in Australia.
- Awardees receive up to $10,000 to present workshops and lectures around Australia.
The David Vaux Research Integrity Fellowship Award has been established to honour Professor David Vaux AO FAA FAHMS, who has championed scientific research integrity in Australia.
The purpose of this award is to recognise individuals who have led efforts in their or other institution(s) to foster and promote integrity in science. They will have promoted fairness, honesty, and consideration of others in the practice of scientific research. This may involve activities like educating scientists (especially ECRs or students) in these areas or promoting the development of formal guidelines around research misconduct as well as a culture of research integrity; advocating to government, journals, etc. for more vigorous processes to oversee research misconduct, or shown leadership in appropriately and vigorously investigating and resolving cases of alleged research misconduct. Preference will be given to mid- and early-career researchers, with the aim of recognising emerging leaders in research integrity.
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) has kindly funded this award thanks to a generous donation from WEHI alumnus Dr Glenn Begley and Mrs Merrin Begley. Their donation reflects their long-term commitment to research integrity and robust scientific methods. They are proud to be associated with a high-profile award that promotes research ethics and integrity.
Established in 2023 and funded until 2033, the inaugural awardee received their award in 2023. The award will be offered biennially from 2025-2033.
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.
This award is open to researchers at any career stage. Preference will be given to mid- and early-career researchers, with the aim of recognising emerging leaders in research integrity. The fellowship is restricted to candidates who are normally resident in Australia and who will deliver workshops and/or lectures in Australia.
Self-nominations are not accepted. Candidates must be nominated by someone else.
Candidates and nominators are not required to be Fellows of the Academy.
The Council of the Academy will award the fellowships on the recommendations of the David Vaux Research Integrity Fellowship Award Committee. Awardees will present workshops and lectures in Australia, with the aim of instilling the importance of integrity in science and its outcomes and demonstrating the critical responsibility of every scientist.
Visits to as many states and territories in Australia as possible, including Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern Queensland, are strongly encouraged, along with a spread of lectures in different institutes and locations. The production of quality online material and online delivery of lectures are also encouraged.
In the interest of supporting researchers to expand on their existing knowledge of research integrity issues and best practices, the award may also be used to fund overseas travel to research integrity conferences and other expertise-sharing opportunities.
Up to A$10,000 is available to cover economy class airfares and local transportation, lecture venue fees (when applicable) and a daily allowance. Daily allowance rates are based on the ATO Taxation Determination in effect at the date of travel.
Nominations must include the following:
- 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.
- Summary of the nominee's contributions to research integrity (max. 1,000 words). Outline how the candidate has led efforts in their or other institution(s) to foster and promote integrity in science. Describe how they have promoted fairness, honesty, and consideration of others in the practice of scientific research.
- 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 $A10,000 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.
- Contact details of two referees.
- It is the responsibility of the candidate and 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.
- Candidates can only receive funding from the same research or travelling research award once in a three calendar year period.
- Candidates 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
2025—Jennifer Byrne
2023— David L Vaux
