Conference Support Grants

Objectives

Financial support is available to assist Doctoral, Masters and Honours candidates enrolled through The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne who wish to attend national or overseas conferences for the purposes of presenting scientific communication(s) (either oral or poster presentations).

Applicants must be a principal author of at least one of the papers being presented, which must cover original, ongoing research, be largely the postgraduate's own work, report recent findings and be directly related to the applicant's thesis topic.

Through the Travel Awards Program, students may be given an opportunity to refine their research prior to thesis submission by exposing it to national and international peer review at a conference. Postgraduate research students will have the opportunity to meet and engage in professional debate with researchers of international standing, and in doing so promote their research careers. At an institutional level, the program aims to enhance The University of Melbourne's research reputation and promote the forging of ties between University of Melbourne researchers and those engaged in similar activities in other institutions and centres of learning.

Selection Criteria

• Full-time and part-time postgraduate research degree candidates enrolled through The Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Melbourne are eligible.

• Applicants must have applied for additional conference support (if available) from other funding agencies (eg. Conference Organiser, Ian Potter Foundation) for the conference concerned. If external funding is forthcoming, applicants will be eligible for "top-up" funding from Departmental sources.

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have reached a stage in their studies where they may obtain the best advantage from the opportunity provided by the grant.

Selection Process

Awards will be made on the basis of the significance of the conference to the applicant's and Department's research programmes and the potential benefit derived by the applicant from attending the conference.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate the significance of the conference, visit or research interaction and should outline how these will enhance the research profile of the Department.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have reached a stage in their studies where they may obtain the best advantage from the opportunity provided by the grant.

Level of Funding

During their research candidature students may receive more than one grant, but not in the same year. For any candidate a maximum of $500 for national conference attendance or $1000 for an overseas conference attendance may be made available. These funds may be used to subsidise the costs of travel expenses, registration fees or accommodation.

Method of Application

Applications must include details of the conference and relevant associated costs. A copy of the abstract to be presented and a letter of support from the student's supervisor must accompany the application. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to the conference to the Head of the Department.

Payment Details

Disbursements of funds to successful applicants will be contingent upon the provision of the appropriate receipts for legitimate expendures.