"How to tell their friends they saw her" - The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci being photographed in the Louvre through a crowd. Photo copyright - Image Perception.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) recently announced that Professor Julian Meyrick, Professor Robert Phiddian, Professor Richard Maltby, and Dr Tully Barnett, from Flinders’ College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, have been awarded a Linkage Project grant for a Laboratory Adelaide project investigating the public value of culture.

This follows on from Laboratory Adelaide’s preceding Linkage success in 2014 on the same research theme, building important momentum.

The 2018 – 2021 project aims to transform the way artists and cultural organisations communicate the value of what they do to governments, and how governments understand the value of culture.

"Value and how to demonstrate it lies at the heart of every major challenge facing arts and culture in Australia today," says Robert.

"In the age of big data, the trend towards reducing culture to metrics puts the cultural sector in a position where its activities are easy to misrepresent, misunderstand or dismiss. This project brings together Flinders researchers, arts industry professionals and a government arts agency to develop more effective ways of communicating culture’s value where it counts: in the annual reporting, grant application and grant acquittal documents that pass between cultural practitioners, governments and funding agencies."

The Laboratory Adelaide team were awarded $180,437 for their project Meaningfully Communicating the Value of Arts and Culture Through Innovative Reporting Frameworks that will apply humanities-based, trans-disciplinary research methods, drawing on the skills and industry connections of Flinders creative arts researchers.

In particular, it will investigate two innovative, socially responsible corporate reporting frameworks – Sustainability Reporting and Integrated Reporting – and create a dedicated framework for culture. These principles-based frameworks provide a new model for how the cultural sector can report its value honestly, holistically and effectively. They embed metrics in a more meaningful style of communication. This will lead to simpler reporting that provides room to talk about what really matters, making South Australia an exemplar nationally for the proper evaluation of arts and culture.

The partner organisations are Arts South Australia, the government’s main cultural agency, and Festivals Adelaide, the peak body for the ten major festivals that contribute so much to the state’s economy, vibrancy and civic society.

"The project is the fruition of four-years of relationship building and will contribute to further collaboration between Flinders-based creative arts researchers and South Australian cultural policy-makers," says Julian.

"It’s a shift away from rules-based assessment processes, which don’t work well for culture, to principles-based evaluation that is dynamic, stakeholder-aware and socially engaged. Over the last four years, Laboratory Adelaide has generated a significant number of new concepts that can be used to reform reporting. Given its multi-dimensional nature, the evaluation of culture has to be structured around informed dialogue between government, funding agencies and artists. This project seeks to equip, enhance and focus that dialogue."

The World Health Organization (WHO) can take you to a holiday destination, but rather than relaxation, be prepared for intense, valuable work experience. Such global opportunities have been a relatively hidden gem for current and recently graduated researchers, until now.

Flinders researcher and Doctorate of Public Health candidate, Elissa Mortimer, College of Medicine and Public Health, has used her peer networks to access a WHO Internship in tropical Fiji. For 6 weeks earlier this year, Elissa volunteered as an intern with the South Pacific WHO Representative Office in Suva, Fiji. 

The WHO internship program is open to recent or current students with an interest in global health. Elissa undertook two projects alongside of the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Technical Officer. 

“The experience was of immense value to me because of the opportunity to undertake and deliver on projects prioritised by both the WHO office and its external stakeholders, as well as apply and practise my skills in a global health setting,” said Elissa.

The first project related to development of an Implementation Plan for Front of Pack Labelling for processed and packaged foods manufactured in Fiji. Front of Pack Labelling systems such as the Health Star Rating system used in Australia, are being implemented more broadly owing to the increased accessibility of commercial food markets in low-middle income countries and the growing burden of NCDs. Front of Pack Labelling systems provide an easy to use, quick reference guide to assist consumers to make healthier choices at the supermarket.

The second project involved an analysis of data collected for the Health Promoting Schools program, being undertaken with around 200 schools throughout the main island of Fiji. Elissa conducted an analysis to determine if any relationship existed between variables measuring anthropometry (BMI-for-age) and anaemia status (haemoglobin) with survey responses measuring Diet and Physical Activity Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice.

Both of Elissa’s projects were related to NCDs, which are taking centre stage globally as the largest cause of morbidity and mortality. They are of particular relevance to Fiji, where around 80% of deaths are caused by NCDs. The bulk of funding to United Nations agencies, such as WHO, is now related to NCDs.

On Tuesday 21 August 2018, Southgate Institute for Health, Society, and Equity will be hosting a seminar by Elissa for her to share her experience on Global public health work with a UN agency. The seminar will be held from 1 PM in Rooms 1.23, 1.27 and 1.28 of the Health Sciences building.

A new initiative in researcher professional development, Flinders’ Research Activate brought together the Flinders’ research community with the aim to inform, inspire and share strategies for research success.

The Research Activate Program ran throughout June with Research Development and Support (RDS) and Flinders Library delivering workshops that value added to knowledge and good practice in research. More than 600 participants immersed themselves in these learning opportunities.

Running between 25 and 29 June, the Research Activate Intensive saw ten workshops delivered by RDS and covered themes such as: the current and emerging research environment; finding and applying for funding; reporting research activity and track record; writing successful grant applications and fellowships; as well as how to construct a research grant budget with a focus on best practice examples from within Flinders University.

Participants came together from across Flinders’ six Colleges and included HDR students, ECRs, MCRs, senior researchers and Strategic Professors and staff who support and underpin the research process. The workshops, held at Bedford Park campus, were livestreamed to rural and remote participants throughout NT and SA, and included one Flinders’ researcher linking in from Canada. Livestreaming participants were able to send questions during the session and receive answers in real time enhancing their ability to be involved and heard in the workshops.

"Our research community has embraced this opportunity. It was great to see such a high level of engagement by our research community," said Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher Professional Development.

On the back of Research Activate, another researcher professional development intensive will run in the week of 24 September, Flinders Focus on Research Engagement and Impact. Further details, including enrolling, will be available in August 2018.

Click here to watch any of the Research Activate Intensive workshops and contact Kirsty de Ruyter if you would like any further information.

All research related professional development opportunities are listed on ienrol – Research.

Ienrol research lists all training and development opportunities related to developing skills core to the research process and doing research at Flinders University. You can book to attend workshops, information sessions, and/or seminars that aim to facilitate the ongoing development of all researchers.

This regular posting in Inspiring Research will update you as to what’s on offer in the coming month, listing current opportunities that you can participate in and book into now. Click on the links below to view the course details.

Research Governance and Organisation

University Intellectual Property Basics, , Wednesday, 25 July 2018

Publishing and Authorship

Springer Nature Author Symposium at Flinders University, Tuesday, 7 August 2018

Research Funding

Cure Cancer Australian Grants Information Session, Thursday, 9 August 2018

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods:

Introduction to Statistical Analysis, Wednesday, 18 July 2018

IBM SPSS - Advanced: Complex Sample Survey Design / ABS and DSS Confidentialised Datasets, Friday, 20 July 2018

IBM SPSS - Advanced: Programming in IBM SPSS (Syntax, Macros, Custom Dialogs and R programmability extensions), Thursday, 26 July 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Multiple Regression, Wednesday, 1 August 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: T-tests and non-parametric equivalents, Wednesday, 8 August 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis, Thursday, 9 August 2018

Research Development and Support are hosting Dr Tony Willis, Executive Director, Research Quality and Priorities, NHMRC at Flinders on Tuesday 24 July 2018. Dr Willis will be presenting at 12:30 PM in Lecture Theatre 1, Flinders Medical Centre on Preparing for the NHMRC's new grant program.

Hear directly from the NHMRC about the transition to the new NHMRC grant program and peer review process.

The changes aim to:

• encourage greater creativity and innovation in research
• provide opportunities for talented researchers at all career stages to contribute to the improvement of human health, and
• minimise the burden on researchers of application and peer review so that researchers can spend more time producing high quality research

The new grant program reflects the philosophy that health and medical research is best supported by a diverse portfolio of schemes that:

• Fund across the spectrum of health and medical research
• Invest in people with outstanding research achievement and promise
• Support the most innovative research to solve complex problems
• Meet specific strategic objectives.

Applications for funding under NHMRC’s new grant program will open in late 2018-early 2019 for peer review in 2019, and funding commencing in 2020. Further information on the changes and benefits can be viewed on the NHMRC website.

The session will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person. Access the livestream here. Enquiries to Kirsty de Ruyter, Research Support Officer: Researcher Professional Development.

INRIA, the French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control aims at encouraging international projects to develop its international links. This year, INRIA has a particular focus on Australia to foster new collaborations and is doing so through their Associate Team call for proposals.

An Associate Team is a joint research project created between an Inria project-team and a research team from abroad. The two partners jointly define a scientific objective with a clear added value for each of them, a research plan and a program for bilateral exchanges.

The deadline for applications is 26 September 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 14 September 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

INRIA are interested in research teams from Australia, in particular with CSIRO and Data61. Flinders University is a signatory to Data61.

For detailed information on the application process and information, visit the INRIA Associate Teams: 2019 call for proposals webpage.

Looking to get published? In cooperation with the Flinders University Library, Springer Nature is hosting an Author Symposium on Book and Journal Publishing. The Author Symposium will be held in the Noel Stockdale room, Central library, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, on Tuesday 7 August 2018.

Find out about the role of publishing in today’s academic environment; how to decide what publications are best matched to your research, and what new developments such as open access and eBooks mean for academics and researchers, particularly from the Colleges of Humanities & Social Sciences, Education, Psychology & Social Work, and Science & Engineering.

To enrol, please visit ienrol.

Springer Editors Nick Melchior and Ilaria Walker will present on the following topics:

• An introduction to Springer, Nick Melchior
• Australia in a global scientific context, Ilaria Walker
• Journal publishing with Springer, Nick Melchior
• Academic book publishing with Springer - how it works, Ilaria Walker
• Practical book publishing examples, Ilaria Walker
• A local author’s perspective on publishing with Springer

Guest presenters
Nick Melchior is Springer’s Melbourne-based Executive Editor for Education Research. He is responsible for books, book series and journals in education with a focus on authors and editors in Australia and New Zealand. He joined Springer in 2013 and has worked in Scholarly and Professional publishing for nearly 15 years with previous positions at Blackwell and Wiley. He manages a team of editors and assistants in Asia and Australia and serves on the Scholarly and Journals Committee of the Australian Publishers Association.

Ilaria Walker is Springer’s Social and Behavioural Sciences Editor based in Melbourne. She is responsible for book series and journals in Social and Behavioural sciences, and has a particular interest in Indigenous Studies, Gender Studies and Sociology. Ilaria joined Springer in 2015 and has worked in publishing for 10 years, with previous positions at Blackwell, Wiley and Lonely Planet.

The Australian Academy of Science (AAS) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist Travelling Research Award will close on 27 July 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 13 July 2018. For assistance in preparing the application, please contact Dr Marina Delpin.

The award recognises research in the natural sciences by outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander PhD students and early- and mid-career scientists. It aims to support the expansion and growth of their research networks and international knowledge exchange through visits to relevant international centres of research.

Two annual awards of $5,500 are planned, with additional support provided to attend the Academy's Annual Science at the Shine Dome event. The proposed travel must be for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of three months duration.

Grants are offered to successful applicants in early November each year for travel to be carried out in the next year.

For more information, visit the Australian Academy of Science webpage.

Applications for MND Research Institute of Australia (MNDRIA) grants in the 2018 funding round for research grants commencing in 2019 are now open. Researchers are invited to submit applications for the Betty Laidlaw Prize 2019, postdoctoral fellowships, innovator grants and a collaborative travel grant.

Applications for all grants, except PhD top-ups, close 6:00 pm AEST Friday 31 August 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 17 August 2018. For application advice and information, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

This year MNDRIA will support new ground-breaking research through Innovator Grants which must meet at least one of three priorities identified in the MND Australia Research Strategy 2018- 2021:

1. Advance MND research to understand its causes 
2. Foster the drug development process and clinical trials
3. Enhance clinical research and the evidence-base for clinical practice.

Grants available are:

The Betty Laidlaw MND Research Prize 2019

The Betty Laidlaw MND Research Prize aims to reward an outstanding *mid-career researcher with a demonstrated background of excellence in neuroscience research.

Postdoctoral research fellowships (2019 – 2021)

The three-year Fellowships aim to encourage young researchers to focus their interest on ALS/MND.

Innovator Grants (formerly grants-in-aid)

From 2018, grants-in-aid will be replaced by Innovator Grants to better reflect their purpose around seed-funding new ideas. Funding for research that is innovative and has a clear relationship to the causes, treatments or cures of MND or the support of people living with MND. Innovator Grants support research for one year commencing in the calendar year 2019.

Jenny and Graham Lang Collaboration Travel Grant 2018

Awarded to support travel and associated costs for postdoctoral fellows to investigate and establish a collaborative project with ALS/MND
researchers. This grant can be used to fund an independent project or can be combined with an innovator grant project or a postdoctoral fellowship project.

PhD Top-up Grant

The PhD Scholarship Top-up Grant is awarded as an incentive to an outstanding PhD student. The grant will provide a $5,000 per annum stipend for a PhD candidate. Applications for PhD top-up grants will close 31 January 2019.

Guidelines and application forms for all grants can be downloaded for preparation of grant proposals at the MNDRIA website.

Sinead O'Connell & Mark Bruce, Senior Commercial Managers, Research Development and Support will be presenting a workshop on University Intellectual Property Basics. The workshop will be held on Wednesday 25 July 2018 from 10 AM to 11 AM in Rm 0006, Anchor Court, Physical Sciences Building.

This presentation will cover the basics of intellectual property, including the different types of intellectual property as well as the most appropriate method of protection. The session will also highlight commercialisation of different types of intellectual property and give an overview of the University's IP Policy

Staff and students involved in the creation of new technology and intellectual property, and/or involved in the generation of research activity with external companies are encouraged to attend. RSVP at iEnrol.

Merck Group (Merck KGaA) are celebrating their 350th anniversary by offering multiple one-off research grants and monetary prizes for challenges. Merck are very keen that as many Australian and New Zealand researchers as possible have the opportunity to apply for these grants and prizes.

Up to €350,000 is available for research grants, and up to €30,000 is available for challenges.

Applications for both the research grants and the challenges close on 15 August, 2018. For application advice and information, please contact Sinead O'Connell, Senior Commercial Manager, Research Development and Support.

The research grants are being offered in four areas - Healthy Lives/Drug Discovery, Materials & Solutions, Life Reimagined/Synthetic Biology and Digitalisation/Computing. The grants range up to €350,000 per year for 3 years - with the possibility of extension or expansion.

Top submitters will be invited to a Deep Dive workshop to further advance the proposals together with Merck scientists. The deep dive workshop will include decision on grant recipients. Merck will cover all travel and accommodation costs. Furthermore, grant winners may gain access to meaningful collaborations within Merck and all the resources and connections that this allows. For more information on the research grants, visit the Merck Group website.

Merck is initiating five research challenges in the areas of compound synthesis, protein production, innovative analytics, diabetes prevention and next game-changing technologies. The prizes for the challenges range from €3,000 to €30,000.

These challenges are open to individuals and teams. For more detailed information on each challenge, visit the Merck Group website, or contact Sinead O'Connell, Senior Commercial Manager.

Up to thirteen, $75,000 capacity building Project Grants for new, early and mid-career researchers are on offer in Round 2, 2018 for the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

Applications for all the grants close Monday 13 August 2018, 5:00 PM AEST. The Flinders internal closing date is 30 July 2018. For advice and information, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

The grants on offer are:

• Ten Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grants including The Hill Foundation Project Grant and The A&L Project Grant (new, early and mid-career researchers in any area of dementia research)
• One Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care (new, early and mid-career researchers in dementia care)
• Two Dementia Australia Research Foundation – Victoria Project Grants including the Cecilia Margaret Hudson Dementia Research Grant (new, early and mid-career researchers in clinical or psychosocial areas of dementia research) 

Up to two, $30,000 Training Fellowships for Australian-based health professionals are also on offer in Round 2. These Fellowships are open to Australian-based health professionals undertaking projects in any area of dementia research. The award aims to build capacity in dementia research by encouraging health professionals to develop ideas that will ultimately improve outcomes for people living with dementia, their carers and families. The Fellowships will also enable applicants to receive mentoring by an experienced dementia researcher or team.

To submit an application or to find out more, please visit the Foundation grants page.

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation (HGF) welcomes proposals from any of the natural and social sciences and the humanities that promise to increase understanding of the causes, manifestations, and control of violence and aggression. Highest priority is given to research that can increase understanding and amelioration of urgent problems of violence and aggression in the modern world.

Applications are to be submitted online, and close on 1 August, Midnight (EST). Guidelines and link to the online application form are available at the HFG website. For application advice and assistance, please contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

Questions that interest the foundation concern violence and aggression in relation to social change, intergroup conflict, war, terrorism, crime, and family relationships, among other subjects. Priority will also be given to areas and methodologies not receiving adequate attention and support from other funding sources.

Most awards fall within the range of $15,000 to $40,000 per year for periods of one or two years.

Applications are now open for the two $50,000 Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research from the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia. Promising stem cell researchers are encouraged to apply.

The Metcalf Prizes are open to mid-career researchers, 5 to 10 years past their PhD or MD (research based), working in stem cell research in Australia.

Applications close Monday 6 August. The Flinders internal closing date is 23 July 2018. For advice and support, please contact Marina Delpin, Research Development and Support.

To apply online, and for a full list of criteria and conditions, head to the Foundation’s website.

If you have any questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact Tanya Ha at Science in Public, who are administering the awards for the Foundation.

Inspiring South Australia has announced that Expressions of Interest are being sought for the 2018 South Australian Regional Science-Arts Collaboration Grants program.

Expressions of Interest are sought from eligible applicants for special funding of up to $10,000 for the development and production of a science communication project that links at least two groups or organisations, including at least one identifying as 'science' and one as 'arts'.

The aim is to tell a locally relevant science-related story to the wider community. This may take the form of a performance or series of performances, an exhibition, a showing, a screening or an installation. It must be developed during 2018/19 and performed during 2018 and/or early 2019.

Information and details are now online at Inspiring South Australia.

Expressions of Interest are due 3 August 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 20 July 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

Capstone Editing have a number of grants available for female academics and postgraduate coursework students. These opportunities will close on 30 July 2018.

Capstone Editing’s grants and scholarships aim to invest in the future of academia and reward academic excellence, while easing both the financial burden of study for students and the inequities experienced by academic women in the workplace.

The Flinders internal closing date for the Carer's Travel Grant for Academic Women and for the Early Career Academic Research Grant for Women is 16 July 2018. Application support and advice for these two grants is available from Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer, Research Development and Support.

Carer’s Travel Grant for Academic Women

A grant to provide financial support for academic women who face additional childcare costs when travelling to conduct research or present a paper at a conference. The grant provides up to A$3,000 for one academic per year who is the primary carer of at least one child under five years old (or the primary carer of an older child if you are a single parent or in the case of children with disabilities.)

The grant can be used in whatever way is best for your personal circumstances, for example, to cover the cost of your child or children and a companion to travel with you or to cover the cost of childcare while you are away at a conference or on a research field trip. For more information, visit the Capstone Editing website.

Early Career Academic Research Grant for Women

A grant to provide financial support for female early career academics in recognition of the additional barriers they face in achieving academic success and advancing their careers. The grant provides up to A$5,000 for one academic per year to assist with the costs associated with a research project of her choosing leading towards a publication.

The grant can be used to cover any costs related to the research project, such as conducting a field trip; purchasing books, software or equipment; hiring a translator; travel to learn new techniques in a lab interstate or overseas; small lab equipment; key reagents to complete a project; performing surveys or interviews; and academic editing, such as for journal articles, manuscripts and conference papers. The grant can also be used to cover expenses that most university funding does not cover, such as those related to the need of academic women to secure paid child care to assist them to meet their work responsibilities and research goals, due to the continued prevalence of traditional gender roles around caring in the home. For more information visit the Capstone Editing website.

Laptop Grant for Postgraduate Coursework Students

A grant aimed at overcoming economic barriers to academic success by providing students with the computer equipment necessary to excel in their studies. The grant provides one student per year with A$3,000 (tax free) to use to purchase a computer or laptop and software. Owning a suitable computer (and all the necessary software) is crucial to academic success and this grant is aimed at students who do not currently own one. For more information visit the Capstone Editing website.

Conference Travel Grant for Postgraduate Research Students

A grant to fund postgraduate students to attend important domestic or international conferences of benefit to their research. The grant

The purpose of attending the conference should be to assist with the student’s research or professional development. The student does not necessarily have to be presenting a paper or poster at the conference to be eligible to apply for the grant, though it is preferred.

The grant can be used for flights, accommodation and conference registration up to a total of A$3,000. It is expected that a student attending a conference internationally may use all the available funds, whereas a student attending a conference domestically will use only part. Students will need to include an itinerary, budget and letter of support from their supervisor in their application. For more information visit the Capstone Editing website.

The Lung Foundation have applications open for new Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) awards, made possible by a generous donation from the Greenwood Family. The awards support research to increase understanding of the disease and achieve better outcomes for those affected. 

Applications close 3 August 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 20 July 2018. For advice and information, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

Grant-in-Aid

The Lung Foundation Australia Eleanor Greenwood Memorial Grant-in-Aid for Interstitial Lung Disease Research (ILD) 2018/19, offers funds of $10,000 to any individual health professional or scientist, to undertake and publish a specific research project on ILD. The research can relate to any aspect of ILD including the molecular basis of the disease, its diagnosis and treatment, improved management and care and the evaluation of palliative strategies in the advance disease setting. 

Travel Grants

Applications are also open for three travel grants, valued up to $3,000 each, to attend the International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis (ICLAF) 2018. The Lung Foundation Australia/Eleanor Greenwood Memorial ILD Travel Grants 2018 are available to health professionals or researchers in Australia whose work is focused on improving the understanding of ILD.

Further information and how to apply, please see the Lung Foundation website.

Cure Cancer Australia will be visiting Flinders to inform about their single investigator grants for ECRs working in any area of cancer research.

Kate Christian, Research Alumni Program Manager for Cure Cancer Australia will present an information session about these grants, specifically designed as "start up" grants for ECRs working in any area of cancer research. The information session will be on Thursday, 9 August 2018 from 2 PM - 3 PM in the Function Room, Ground Floor, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer (FMC). Please rsvp for the information session via ienrol.

These grants are offered through Cancer Australia's Priority driven Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS), for up to $100,000 per annum.

• 1 year funding for researchers up to 3 years post doctoral
• 2 year funding for researchers 4-6 years post doctoral

Higher Degree Researchers, Early Career Researchers (ECRs) working in cancer research, and supervisors of ECRs working in cancer research are encouraged to attend.

Information on the Cure Cancer grant application process is available at their website.

Suicide Prevention Australia is offering scholarships to assist candidates complete a higher degree by research.

The aim of the scholarship program is to support outstanding graduates early in their research career to be trained to conduct research that is relevant to all aspects of suicide prevention, is internationally competitive and will assist in developing a capacity for original independent research within Australia.

Applicants seeking funding should address one of the following priority areas:

1. What works to prevent suicide and suicidal behaviour? For whom? Why? Studies of indicated, selective and universal interventions will be considered, with particular emphasis being given to studies of indicated interventions. Studies employing any type of research design will be considered, providing they can yield meaningful data on effectiveness and, where possible, cost-effectiveness.
2. What factors are protective against suicide? What are the mechanisms by which these protective factors operate? How might we bolster these protective factors for individuals in different communities and/or from different target groups and/or social and/or cultural backgrounds? Studies employing any type of research design will be considered, providing they can yield meaningful data on protective factors and their promotion.

There will be up to six scholarships offered during 2018. Each scholarship is valued at a maximum of $105,000 over three years, paid according to a schedule negotiated with each successful candidate. Three scholarships will be funded directly through the Suicide Prevention Research Fund. Up to a further three scholarships will be supported by SPA funding partners.

Applicants must already be accepted by a university as a candidate for a higher degree by research. PhD candidates working in, or alongside, community based organisations are especially encouraged to apply and SPA will explore flexible funding options to assist in the completion of the degree for such candidates.

Applications close 6 August 2018. Further information can be sought on the Suicide Prevention Australia website.

Professor Robert Saint, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) is inviting nominations for the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Early Career Researchers.

The Awards recognise the outstanding contributions to the University of individual Early Career Researchers, embarking on their research career. These awards will recognise, reward and encourage excellence in research across all Colleges.

Up to ten awards can be made each year. Each award is valued at $2,500, and should fund opportunities to broaden the recipient's networks and enhance their standing and recognition as a staff member of Flinders University.

Details together with the nomination form are available at the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Early Career Researchers webpage.

Nominations should be forwarded to dvc-research@flinders.edu.au or to marie.reitano@flinders.edu.au by the close of business Friday, 31 August 2018. The nomination form must bear the signature of the nominator, one supporter and the nominee's supervisor.