Re: SpineCare Foundation PhD RESEARCH FUND APPLICATION

Transcription

1 To the research applicant, Re: SpineCare Foundation PhD RESEARCH FUND APPLICATION Thank you for your interest in the SpineCare Foundation Research Fund sponsored PhD scholarship. The SpineCare Foundation was established in 1981 as the Children s Spinal Research Foundation. It was created in order to: disseminate knowledge to the public about spinal disease and disorders in children; to disseminate knowledge to the public about the prevention of spinal disease and disorders in children; to support research; to administer scholarship grants to tertiary students who use a wheelchair. The SpineCare Foundation is a division of Northcott, an innovative and dynamic not-for-profit organisation that provides support to over 11,000 people with a broad range of disabilities and their families and carers across NSW and the ACT by offering a variety of services to promote a genuinely inclusive society. The SpineCare Foundation PhD Scholarship (for commencement in 2014) is an exciting opportunity available to a scholar who wishes to complete research to establish an Australian national database on incident cases of spinal cord injury in children. The establishment of a register is proposed in order to enable those working in the field to better collaborate on research, treatment and prevention of such conditions. While a national database exists for adults, there is a fragmented collection of information on children across Australia. Following you will find the application criteria along with The SpineCare Foundation Research Fund Application Form-PhD This form is to be submitted via by 5pm on Monday 30 September 2013 to Deanna Mooney deanna.mooney@northcott.com.au We wish you well in your application process and look forward to SpineCare Foundation supported research resulting in improved outcomes for children with spinal disease and disorders. Yours sincerely Kerry Stubbs Chairperson

2 SpineCare Foundation PhD SCHOLARSHIP 2014: INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS 1) What are the selection criteria? The SpineCare Foundation PhD Scholarship (for commencement in 2014) is available to a scholar who wishes to complete research to establish an Australian national database on incident cases of spinal cord injury in children. The scholarship is available for three years in accordance with stipends equivalent to the National Health and Medical Research Council postgraduate scholarships scheme, and will be dependent on the area of study of the selected scholar, ranging from $24,653 - $36,706 per year tax free. The following criteria will be used to consider applications. The scholar: Should plan to enrol and commence doctoral studies full-time at an Australian university in 2014 (plans for part-time study will be considered on an individual basis); Have a prerequisite academic record allowing automatic entry to PhD candidature at selected host university; Have a primary supervisor selected and available at selected host university; Should have a demonstrable commitment to public health education and research activities; Have a demonstrable commitment to the dissemination of knowledge of spinal disease and disorders in children; in addition to knowledge aimed towards the prevention of spinal disease and disorder in children. 2) How do I apply? To apply applicants should complete the SpineCare Foundation PhD Research Fund Application form and submit the application via to deanna.mooney@northcott.com.au by 5pm on Monday 30 September ) How will applications be determined? Applications will be determined by the SpineCare Foundation Selection Committee in the following way: Written applications will be reviewed and short-listed by the Selection Committee in early October, 2013; Shortlisted candidates will be required to meet with the Selection Committee in late October/early November, 2013; A final decision will be announced during November, 2013.

3 4) Other opportunities available for scholar within the SpineCare Foundation The SpineCare Foundation intends to invite the successful candidate to become a sitting member of Northcott s Quality in Research Standing Committee (QiRSC). This committee aims to ensure that Northcott conducts and participates in research and quality improvement activities in an ethically appropriate way according to the NHMRC Act. Further enquiries can be directed to Deanna Mooney, SpineCare Coordinator; deanna.mooney@northcott.com.au; phone: (02)

4 THE SPINECARE FOUNDATION RESEARCH FUND APPLICATION FORM- PhD 2014 INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Please provide responses to each item in the column marked YOUR RESPONSE. 2. Please type your responses in the spaces provided. 3. If you have any further questions regarding this process please contact Deanna Mooney, SpineCare Coordinator; phone: (02) ITEM YOUR RESPONSE 1. The proposed title of the project 2. Today s date 3. The applicant s details (this is the person that the SpineCare Foundation will liaise with) Name Contact phone number Contact address 4. The details of your primary supervisor Name Contact phone number Contact address 5. The details of your associate supervisor(s) Name Contact phone number Contact address Name Contact phone number Contact address

5 6. Proposed date of project commencement 7. Proposed date of project completion 8. Planned approach to achieve research aims

6 9. Brief summary of your experience/knowl edge with database design and evaluation 10. Brief summary of your experience/knowl edge of statistical analysis 11. Brief summary of the proposed method (MAXIMUM 600 words).

7 12. Detail how you plan to measure the outcomes of the research? 13. State how you plan to ensure that the research findings feed back in to SpineCare Foundation activities 14. Do you intend to present your results in the public domain? e.g. conferences/ formal publications. (Please circle your response) YES NO If YES please list how you plan to present your results in the public domain. If NO please summarise reasons: 15. Summarise your personal motivation for this application (e.g. detail of skills you d like to develop, fit with career plans, other motivations?)

8 16. Name/ signature of applicant Name: Signature 17. Names/ signatures of primary/associat e supervisors Name: Signature: Name: Signature: Name: Signature: Applications are to be submitted via to deanna.mooney@northcott.com.au by 5 pm Monday 30 September 2013.