PHERT Medicines Australia Vaccines Industry Group Immunisation Scholarship 2008

The Public Health Education and Research Trust (PHERT), the Public Health Association of Australia's (PHAA) Trust, is calling for applications for its 2008 post-Masters research scholarship for immunisation, valued at 15,000 dollars. This scholarship is competitive and is only available to financial PHAA members.

This research scholarship is enabled by the Public Health Education and Research Trust which administers the Immunisation Scholarship, the funding for which was provided by Medicines Australia Vaccine Industry Group (MAVIG). MAVIG does not have access to the researcher or the research findings ahead of the publication of results.

Background

In 2006 PHERT and Medicines Australia (Vaccines Industry Group) agreed to the provision of a sponsored post-Masters research scholarship for immunisation, valued at 15,000 dollars. PHERT gratefully acknowledges that the Medicines Australia's sponsorship is for a period of three years. This scholarship was awarded for the first time in September 2006 at the 37th PHAA Annual Conference dinner held in Sydney.

Purpose

The purpose of the award is to provide funding to a post-Masters student to undertake research on an important aspect of immunisation that has significant public health impacts or implications.

Administration

The Immunisation Scholarship is sponsored by the Medicines Australia Vaccines Industry Group (MAVIG) and is administered by the PHERT. The conditions of administration of this scholarship include:

• MAVIG is not involved in the selection of the scholarship holder;


• PHAA provides MAVIG with a written report about the successful project and scholar after selection;


• A MAVIG representative is invited to the Annual Dinner to make the presentation of the Scholarship;


• MAVIG receives a written report, including the published results, after the project has been completed;


• MAVIG is acknowledged as the sponsor of this scholarship by PHAA in articles and publications about the scholarship and at the PHAA conference dinner;


• The author acknowledges both MAVIG and PHAA by including the following statement in any publications about the research;


• This research was enabled by the Public Health Education and Research Trust which administrated the Immunisation Scholarship, the funding for which was provided by Medicines Australia Vaccine Industry Group (MAVIG). MAVIG has not had access to the researcher or the research findings ahead of the publication of results.

The PHAA will provide the successful applicant with access to the appropriate SIG Convenors, the editors of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the Vice President (Policy), the PHAA CEO and other members as is appropriate.

Applications

Calls for applications will be placed on the PHAA website and sent to all members via the PHAA email list each year.

Applicants must:

• be a financial member of the PHAA for the term of the assessment of applications and remain a member for the term of the scholarship.


• have successfully completed a Masters in an area relevant to public health (including but not restricted to Public Health and Health Administration);


• be able to undertake the work outlined above within the following 12 months.

Applicants must address the following criteria:

• designation of area of research;


• synopsis (maximum of 2,000 words) of area of research including, importance of research topic, methodology and practical implications of research;


• Referees;


• curriculum vitae including academic transcripts;


• budget indicating application of funds;


• any other support that the applicant may have to undertake the total project.


• The decision of the Trustees is final, but where possible the Trustees will provide feedback to interested applicants.

Criteria for assessment

Applicants will need to specify their specific area of research and provide a justification of that area against the criteria below.

The Trustees will assess all applications against the following criteria:

• appropriateness of specific topic to public health objectives and priorities;


• appropriateness of methodology;


• ethical clearance from appropriate body;


• value for money; and


• capacity to complete the project successfully.


• Where it is thought necessary, the Trustees will consult the SIG Convenors, or other groups in the PHAA.

Deliverables

• At the completion of their research the successful applicant will be required to:
• provide a researched background paper of no more than 40 pages on their chosen topic;
• provide a draft policy paper for the consideration of the PHAA membership, in consultation with the appropriate Special Interest Groups (SIGs), the Vice President (Policy) and State and Territory Branches;
• present their paper and policy at the PHAA Conference*; and
• provide a paper of sufficient quality to the editors of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health on the researched area.

* The successful applicant must submit an abstract for their paper to the PHAA Secretariat in accordance with the Call for Papers deadline. Costs incurred for this presentation can come from the scholarship funds, but are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

All applications must be provided in electronic form (Word document format) complete with the scholarship application form available below.

PHERT Medicines Australia Vaccines Industry Group Immunisation Scholarship 2008 Application Form (PDF)

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Applications for the scholarship close 13th June 2008

All enquires and applications to phaa@phaa.net.au