The Capstone Editing Grant for Mid-Career Researchers

June 22, 2024 - By admin

Overview

The Capstone Editing Grant for Mid-Career Researchers provides up to A$5,000 of seed funding for one researcher per year to undertake an innovative research project. The expectation is that the research project will gather preliminary data and lead to the development of a research council funding application.

The grant can be used to cover any costs related to the research project, such as software or small lab equipment; domestic or overseas travel to learn new techniques or collaborate with colleagues; academic editing of the grant proposal; and data analysis.

Why we want to help

We recognise that many mid-career researchers suffer from job instability and insecurity. According to the National Tertiary Education Union, only one-third of employees in higher education have ongoing employment. The competitive nature of securing grants, combined with procuring contracts (that are often only short term), means many mid-career researchers navigate extended periods of uncertainty about their employment.

Lack of sufficient governmental investment into the research sector has meant that funding is becoming even more competitive for mid-career researchers—especially those in the fields of science and medicine. Understandably, some academics find this instability untenable and opt to leave their research field—this represents a significant loss for research in Australia. Others move overseas to secure longer-term positions. If mid-career researchers are not better supported into permanent roles and sufficiently funded, Australia stands to continue to experience a significant ‘brain drain’ that could devastate our higher education industry.

Capstone Editing values Australian and New Zealand research careers. As such, we have targeted this grant to support mid-career researchers, particularly through the preliminary stages of their research project. We hope that the Capstone Editing Mid-Career Researchers Grant will provide the successful applicant with the funds to begin preliminary work, leading to them winning a grant that will help them progress their career.

Eligibility

Before applying for this grant, please check your eligibility against these criteria:

You must be employed in a research-only position at a research institute, university or government science agency in Australia or New Zealand (i.e. if your position involves teaching you are not eligible and if you are a professional staff member you are not eligible).
You may be employed on a continuing or fixed-term basis. Casual staff are not eligible.
You may be employed part time or full time.
You must be a mid-career researcher. This is defined as someone who 1) holds a PhD and 2) graduated from their PhD between five and ten years ago (excluding career interruptions in relation to caring responsibilities).
The research project must be one intended to lead to research output that will assist in the development of a research council funding application.
Previous recipients of this grant may not apply again.
Previous unsuccessful applicants may reapply every year if they wish.
You cannot apply if you are an employee or contractor of Capstone Editing (or a family member of an employee or contractor).

Application process

Applications are currently OPEN. Read about our 2018 winner, Dr Rachel Duckham and our 2019 winner, Dr Bridgette Semple.

Applications are open from 15 April 2021 to 24 February 2022.

The grant will be awarded on 25 March 2022. The funds must be used within 12 months of their award.

The Capstone Editing Grant for Mid-Career Researchers is awarded based on both academic merit and financial need. Each application will be carefully assessed. The successful applicant will be chosen at the sole discretion of Capstone Editing, and this decision is final.

To apply, please complete the application form below.

If you have any questions, please first visit the Scholarship and Grants Program section of our FAQs.

If you still have questions or require any further information after reading our FAQs, you can email scholarships@capstoneediting.com.au.

Apply

To apply for this grant, simply complete this form and provide your supporting documents. Please ensure you have checked your eligibility in our terms and conditions. For details on how Capstone Editing protects your personal information, please read our privacy policy.