EARLY-CAREER SUPPORT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RELATED TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

REFEREE’S REPORT

The Directors of the Jack Brockhoff Foundation thank you most sincerely for assisting us to evaluate an application for early career research support. The aim of the scheme is to strengthen research capability in Victoria to conduct world-class research in health and well-being by helping establish the careers of talented young scientists, further details of which are set out below.

We ask that you provide confidential comments upon the application in light of that overall policy aim, the quality of the proposal, and its potential to add knowledge in its field, , and the quality and career trajectoryof the applicant.

Please note that we are seeking confidential assessments from experts who are not conflicted in respect of the applicant or their mentor. Please refer to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s guidelines on conflict of interest at:

Please email your assessment to .

Please DO NOT send your assessment to the applicant, but please DO advise the applicant that your assessment has been sent to the Jack Brockhoff Foundation.

Please enter name and institution of applicant here:

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please place your comments here:

Your name:………………………………………………………………………………………

Your institution (and address):………………………………………………………………

Your email address :……………………………….

Your telephone number :………………………….

EARLY-CAREER SUPPORT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH RELATED TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

Policy aim:

To strengthen research capability in Victoria to conduct world-class research in health and well-being by helping establish the careers of talented young scientists.

Proposal:

For its grant round in 2016, the Jack Brockhoff Foundation (JBF) will consider applications ONLY from research scientists with less than 3 research-active years after successfully completing their PhD examination. (Research-active means time engaged in full-time research).

The aim of the Foundation is to help support early-career researchers to demonstrate their scientific originality and their capacity to complete, relatively independently, a discrete study for publication in the scientific literature. The Foundation intends this to assist talented young researchers to build a CV that enables them later to compete successfully for research positions and research grants, and to establish the foundation of a career in research.

Applicants and their host institution will be required to show that:

1.Formulation of the research problem addressed arises within a line of research pursued in their host institution,

2.Specific hypotheses to be explored are original ideas of the applicant themselves,

3.It is feasible to conduct the research from their host institution,

4.It can be completed in the timeline proposed.

The host institution will be required to attest that:

1.The project proposal based on original thinking of the applicant, with any conceptual or methodological input from host institute mentor(s) clearly differentiated,

2.Salary support from the host institution for the applicant is guaranteed for the duration of the project,

3.At least 50% of the applicant’s time will be available to work on their JBF project,

4.Appropriate infrastructure support to undertake the JBF project will be provided (e.g., space, facilities).

Scope of research to be funded:

1.Research relevant to understanding the causation, prevention, detection, treatment and palliation of conditions affecting the health and well-being of populations or population groups.

2.Research that is significant because it addresses a problem affecting a large number of people and/or one that severely affects a smaller number.

3.Research that has the potential for timely application to benefit affected populations will be viewed favourably

Size of grants:

One- or two-year grants of up to $70000 per annum will be considered, although cost-effective smaller applications will also be welcome.

Assessment of grants:

Originality and scientific excellence will be the basis for selecting applications for funding. However, the JBF may also take into consideration capacity-building needs of certain areas of research.

Type of research:

Research conducted in any discipline relevant to disease, health and well-being outcomes will be considered. Multi-disciplinary and multi-institution applications will be considered. Research arising from these grants is expected to yield two or more peer-reviewed scientific articles in quality journals.