Victoria Fellowships criteria

The Victoria Fellowships in 2020 are NOW CLOSED!

The Victoria Fellowships recognise the important role of innovation in Victoria's economic future and the need for Victorians to be skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Process

All eligible Applications for the Victoria Fellowships will be considered by the Selection Panel.

The Selection Panel is drawn from leading members of Victoria’s science and technology sectors. The panel may also seek assistance from appropriate learned specialists, professional associations and consultants.

The Selection Panel will, with absolute discretion, select the proposed Victoria Fellows on the basis of the key criteria. The panel’s recommendations will be submitted to the Minister for Jobs, Innovation & Trade. The recommendations of the Selection Panel are final and appeals will not be considered. Feedback on unsuccessful Applications will not be provided by either the panel or veski.

veski and the Victorian Government reserves the right not toaward some or anyVictoria Fellowships in any given year.   

Application criteria

veski will deliver 12 Victoria Fellowships in 2020 on behalf of the Victorian Government comprising:

• Six fellowships in the Life Sciences
• Six fellowships in the Physical Sciences
• One AFAS Associate Award

Life Sciences

The Life Sciences category comprises the fields of science that involve the scientific study of living organisms and their life processes and ecosystems, covering fields such as biology, medicine or anthropology.

Physical Sciences

The Physical Sciences category encompasses the branches of science that study non-living systems, including but not limited to fields such as physics, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, ICT, mathematics and statistics, or astronomy.

Applicants with planned study missions based in Europe may wish to apply for both a Victoria Fellowship and an AFAS Associate Award.

Study missions

Study missions offer Victoria Fellows the opportunity to broaden their experience, develop networks and better identify where their activities fit into the local and international community.

If a Victoria Fellowship is awarded, confirmation of details of the study mission, including budget, must be provided by 31 January 2021. A template will be provided for this purpose.

It is understood that 2020 Victoria Fellow’s study missions, due to commence in 2021, may be affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Due to the disruption to global travel, the period for approved travel has been extended to allow 2020 Victoria Fellows to travel between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022.

Obligations of recipients

Victoria Fellows will be called upon to actively participate in veski activities as part of the veski connection, which includes veski fellows, board members and recipients of the Victoria Prize for Science & Innovation.

Media engagements and award ceremony

It is anticipated that Applicants will be notified of the success of their application in September 2020.

No date has yet been set for the Victoria Fellowships in 2020 Awards Ceremony due to the advice provided by the Australian Government’s Department of Health on 9 April 2020 regarding limits on public gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Updates regarding the Award Ceremony will be communicated directly to recipients.

It is expected that Victoria Fellowship recipients participate in media engagements where possible. 

Events

Recipients may be invited to participate in additional activities and events organised by veski subsequent to the awards, to promote the Fellowships, to provide suggestions on future directions for the Fellowships, and to present study mission outcomes at public fora or conferences.

Reporting

Victoria Fellows are expected to return to Australia immediately after completing their study mission, unless otherwise approved by veski, and to provide a detailed written project report within three months of their return. This report may be made available to the public.

Victoria Fellows are expected to fulfil any additional obligations made separately with academic organisations or companies.