Funding Opportunities
Current Western Alliance Funding Opportunities
Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Scholarships
Western Alliance is pleased to announce that we will shortly be opening expressions of interest for our new HDR (Higher Degree by Research) scholarship program. This program will be available to existing employees of our member health services and PHN, for study to be completed at our member universities (Deakin and Federation). Two scholarships, with stipends of up to $15k per year of the degree will be awarded (depending on full time/part time completion), with up to $45k per candidate in total for the duration of the degree.
UPDATE: 12/11/2021
We have recently received feedback from our health service members that in light the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the proposed timing of our EOI process would make it difficult for prospective candidates to meet the requirements of the application. With this in mind, we have decided to instead use the next 5 weeks as an opportunity for those interested in this initiative to learn more about it and to start planning for a formal EOI process early the new year. As part of this, we will host an online information and Q&A session alongside our university partners. Details of this will be posted here and circulated amongst our networks, along with further details of the scholarship program over the coming week. In the mean time, we would encourage you to touch base with your local Research Translation Coordinator to discuss your interest. We apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of these changes, but as always, the welfare of our health workforce remains our highest priority.
Background:
Health practitioners face practical barriers to combining higher degree by research (HDR) study with their practice, including difficulty juggling work, study and family commitments in addition to financial disincentives associated with reduced paid work hours. As part of the approach to building research culture and capacity among health service and PHN members, Western Alliance is proposing an initiative that minimises barriers to health professionals undertaking health sector embedded HDR studies whilst enabling candidates to continue to progress their professional practice.
Objectives:
- Improve research career development opportunities for health practitioners in regional and rural western Victoria
- Increase research capacity and capability within Western Alliance health sector partner organisations
- Improve collaboration between Western Alliance academic and health sector partners
- Support the development of regional/rural, translation-focussed health sector led research
Mental Health research grant round 2021
UPDATE: 5/10/2021
Due to the increasing COVID-19 case numbers and the expected impact this will have on our health services, we have been advised to postpone our mental health research grant round until early 2022. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and we look forward to releasing the EOI for this round as soon as we are able.
Western Alliance is pleased to announce our next thematic research funding round which will focus on Mental Health. With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation strategies (including lockdowns) on the mental health of our communities, as well as the release of the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System in early 2021, it is an opportune time to support translation-focused mental health research in our region.
This grant round will see the total allocation $50,000 (split across up to two projects) towards solving a key problem, based on mental health priorities from our health sector member organisations and communities across rural and regional western Victoria.
Expressions of Interest will open on October 4th 2021, and you will be able to access the EOI form and further details right here here.
Please note that this opportunity is only available to employees of Western Alliance member organisations.
Funding support to major external grant applications
Western Alliance is formally offering support to applicants for major external grant opportunities, for example NHMRC partnership grants or similar, where the objectives of the proposed project align with those of the Western Alliance and its member organisations. Projects must involve at least one Western Alliance health sector member organisation (Barwon Health, Ballarat Health Service, St John of God, South West Healthcare, Colac Area Health, East Grampians Health Service, Western District Health Service and the Western Victoria Primary Health Network).
Financial support of up to $20k (in total), as well as in-kind support, will be offered to prospective bids who meet the criteria as indicated below:
- Collaboration of Western Alliance member organisations
- Alignment with Western Alliance principles and themes/platforms
- Focus on translational research which will improve health outcomes for regional/rural communities across Western Victoria
Please click on the link to be directed to the expression of interest form: Western Alliance support for major external research grants EOI