Victoria Fellowships criteria

The call for applications for the 2020 Victoria Fellowships are yet to be set.

 

Please note:  The 2019 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation was announced on Tuesday, 19 November 2019.

 

Application requirements

 

veski on behalf of the Victorian Government will deliver 12 Victoria Fellowships in 2019 to undertake a short-term study mission overseas comprising of:

 

• Six fellowships for Life Sciences
• Six fellowships for Physical Sciences.

 

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.

 

Applications are sought from:

 

• early-career individuals who have an original and innovative idea which needs development; 
• individuals employed in research and development in industry, research institutes or universities; and
• postgraduate students undertaking a 100% research based degree, nearing the completion of their studies.

 

Proposals that demonstrate a link to Victoria’s knowledge base or technological strengths or show significant potential for innovative advances are encouraged.

 

At the closing date for applications (Wednesday, 17 July 2019) applicants must be:

 

1.An Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia.

 

2.Either:

 

a)currently employed in Victoria in a field relating to science, engineering or technology; or

 

b)currently enrolled in Victoria in postgraduate studies in either science or technology.

 

3.A current resident of Victoria and either: 

 

a)working or studying in Victoria for the previous two years (study or work missions spent outside Victoria must not exceed six months in total); or

 

b)working or studying in Victoria for the previous three years (study or work missions spent outside Victoria must not exceed one year in total).

 

There is no age limit but preference will be given to applicants at an early stage in their career (5 years post PhD study at 1 FTE).  Fellowships are not intended to support the completion of PhD studies.

 

 

 

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Assessment criteria and selection

 

Applications will be screened for eligibility on the basis of Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency by veski.  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 assess applications against the following key criteria: 

 

• the quality of the candidate including demonstrated achievements to date and future potential in their field of research.
• the extent to which the proposed study mission would contribute to the applicant’s career development in research and development, innovation and/or industry.
• the innovation potential of the study mission and its impact for industry, and/or public benefit.

 

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 and Trade . The recommendations of the selection panel are final and appeals will not be considered. veski and the Victorian Government reserves the right not to make awards in any given year.

 

The application must include:

 

1. endorsement by the head of the applicant’s organisation or department
2. contact details for two referees qualified to assess the application.  International referees and referees outside the applicant’s organisation or department are strongly encouraged. Referees must not be the head of the applicant's organisation, department or institute
3. professional photo of you facing the camera in a smiling, relaxed pose in front of a plain background; head and shoulders must be included with space above and to each side of your head; landscape orientation; jpeg format; high resolution (minimum 300 DPI, 1 MB); full colour; 20 cms wide.

 

 

 

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AFAS Associate Awards

 

Additionally, Fellows can apply for the Australian French Association for Science and Technology (AFAS) Associate Award valued at up to $3,500.

AFAS Associate Awards support study missions in France in conjunction with the Victoria Fellowship and aims to facilitate science and technology innovations to mutually benefit Victoria and France. 

Applicants must provide a one-page statement outlining how the Study Mission will be mutually beneficial to France and Victoria, including details of organisations in France to be visited, a plan of the research to be undertaken in France, the proposed duration and how they plan to foster networks developed during your trip.

 

AFAS can further assist Fellows by providing research and company contacts in France, including access to the 3,000 member organisations in UBIFrance (www.ubifrance.fr), a French company for international business development.  AFAS also offers subsidised French lessons in Melbourne prior to the study mission, and complimentary membership to AFAS for two years.

 

 Applicants with planned study missions based in Europe may wish to apply. 

 

 

 

 

Study missions and activities

 

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. 

 

Reasonable costs will be met for:

 

• accommodation and living expenses; 
• medical and travel insurance;
• reasonable out-of-pocket expenses while overseas;
• child care costs and;
• approved materials required for the completion of the study mission;

 

within a maximum budget of $18,000 from the Victoria Fellowship (plus up to $3,500 if eligible for an Associate Award).

 

Other sources of funds available to the applicant should be declared, including the source of salary during the study mission. Living expenses should not exceed the level set by the Australian Tax Office in “reasonable amounts for overseas travel allowance expenses for individuals” earning less than $119,650. It is expected that Victoria Fellows will travel in Economy Class.

 

If a Victoria Fellowship is awarded, confirmation of details of the study mission, including costings, must be provided by 31 January 2020. A template will be provided for this purpose.

 

Study missions should not commence before 1 November 2019 or after 1 December 2020. In exceptional circumstances, veski may approve study missions that commence in October 2019.

 

Activities that may be supported by a Victoria Fellowship during the overseas study mission include:

 

• attending a laboratory or industrial site(s) to learn practices which will assist with the rapid advancement of the Fellow’s Victorian activities;
• undertaking specialised advanced technological courses or training not available in Victoria;
• using test facilities not available in Victoria;
• delivering an oral presentation at an international meeting;
• progressing start-up initiatives or a commercial idea which would be assisted by work or development within a professional environment not available in Victoria.

 

 

 

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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 and board members.

 

Media engagements and award ceremony 

 

It is anticipated that applicants will be notified of the success of their application in September 2019 and that the Fellowships Award Ceremony will be held on 19 November 2019 (not the 22 October). 

 

Victoria Fellows are required to attend the Fellowships Award Ceremony and to 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.

 

Recipients of an AFAS Associate Award may be expected to present their outcomes at an AFAS meeting and assist the AFAS network.

 

Curriculum vitae 

 

Victoria Fellows are required to include a reference to the Fellowship as a significant achievement or equivalent on their curriculum vitae and professional biography and in media releases for a period of 10 years.

 

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, including details of the Associate Award program. 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.

 

Recipients of an AFAS Associate Award will be expected to provide a detailed written report of their study mission in France as part of their report for the Victoria Fellowship program.