Early Career Researcher (ECR) Placement Award

Purpose

The purpose of the annual HCSNet Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network Awards is to provide opportunities for new researchers to build professional networks and high-level research collaborations. The scheme provides financial support for an ECR to spend a block of time (two weeks or longer) at a participating Australian research lab, university department or facility with an interest in human communication. The proposed visit should be designed to develop knowledge or a skills base, build professional networks, and provide an opportunity to collaborate with experts in the field. Longer-term goals to be encouraged are joint publications involving the ECR and the host institution, and/or presentation of a joint paper at an international conference and publication in the corresponding conference proceedings.

Eligibility

For the purposes of ARC Research Network activities, an ECR is defined as a researcher who is within five years of the start of their research careers when they submit their applications. This normally means that you have been awarded a PhD or equivalent research doctorate within the last five years. You will also have been a member of HCSNet for at least six months prior to submitting an application for this award and be a fulltime staff member at an HCSNet-participating institution within Australia.

Funds

Financial support from HCSNet is up to $2,500 to the ECR plus $500 to the host lab, centre, group or department to assist with local expenses. The winners and host institutions will each receive a certificate and the winners may be invited to present a keynote address at SummerFest. HCSNet reserves the right not to award any grants during any one year.

How to Apply

  1. The ECR should make contact with the nominated person in the host Lab/Centre/School/Facility and, together with the host supervisor, apply to the HCSNet ECR Network Awards. HCSNet Priority Area Leaders will call for applications in early September. Participating laboratories and facilities may also call for applications in a particular area via the HCSNet Newsletter.

  2. Applications for the HCSNet ECR Network Awards (a maximum of 4 pages plus CVs) should include: name, affiliation and contact details of the ECR, and of the supervisor at the host institution; year of PhD graduation; a statement outlining the relevance of the visit for the ECR's research program; a program of activity at the host institution (e.g., seminars, meetings, data collection, skill acquisition, joint paper at SummerFest and/or journal); anticipated outcomes of the visit; a budget showing costs including any cash and/or in-kind support from either the host or source institution; CVs from the applicant and the visit supervisor at the host institution; and written and signed recommendations from the ECR's Head of School/Centre and the host institution.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed by the appropriate HCSNet Priority Area Leader (which is dependent on the submission) along with one Executive Committee member based on the following criteria:
  • Demonstrated opportunity to build professional networks and high-level research collaborations
  • Significance and innovation of the proposed program of activity
  • Track record of applicant and nominated host supervisor
  • Relevance of the program of activity for professional development
  • Specification of clear outcomes with respect to Human Communication Science and the goals of HCSNet
  • Demonstration of interdisciplinarity
  • Appropriateness of, and justification for, budget

Application Procedure

The due date for applications will be 31st October each year.

Applications should address the assessment criteria in completing their application and submit online. Please note that applications will not be considered unless all the relevant documents have been attached (see point 2 in 'How to Apply' section). If you have a query about your application please email Mel Gallagher (m.gallagher@uws.edu.au) who can assist you.



Application Form

Applicant Details

Name
Year of PhD Graduation
Institution Name
School/Department Name
Postal Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Fax Number
Head of School/Centre

Host Institution Details

Institution Name
Postal Address
School/Department Name
Host Supervisor's Name
Host Supervisor's Phone Number
Host Supervisor's Email Address

Research Program

Please provide a statement outlining the relevance of this application to your current research program (i.e. how will a placement to your nominated host institution benefit your current work)?

Program of Activity

Please provide details of the activities you will undertake at your nominated host institution and a timeframe for these activities (i.e. seminars, meetings, data collection, experiments, skill acquisition, joint paper/publication etc).

Outcomes

Please identify your anticipated outcomes (including any quantifiable outputs) of completing a placement at your nominated host institution.

Budget

Please provide a budget for your application, including any costs associated with travel and accommodation. Your budget must include a total of funds requested from HCSNet and should also include any cash and/or in-kind support from either your host or source institution.

Attachments

Please ensure you attach the following documents to your application* (max. size per file: 1MB):

Your CV
Host Institution Supervisor's CV
Supporting statement from your Host Institution Supervisor

* Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Declaration

By ticking this box, I confirm that the information I have provided above is accurate. I also confirm that I have contacted both my supervisor and the host institution supervisor and have the full support of both for this application.