Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Australia and the Macquarie Group Foundation continue their support of excellence and innovation in type 1 diabetes research in 2011, through the annual Diabetes Research Innovation Awards.

The Awards will be presented to outstanding researchers in type 1 diabetes for the publications or patents demonstrating the highest innovation, impact and importance in the 2010 calendar year.

Awards are offered in two categories: Early Career Researcher and Established Researcher. The winners of each Award receive a personal award and a cash prize of $5,000 to be used for the advancement of their research career in the field of type 1 diabetes.

Eligibility
The research submitted for review is to have been conducted in Australia.

Applicants must:

• Hold a current position at an approved institution or organisation in Australia at the time of application; and
• Be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident currently residing in Australia, or a temporary resident currently residing in Australia and holding a JDRF research award.
• Applicants must be appropriately qualified (PhD, MB BS or equivalent). If the relevant qualifications were earned within 15 years prior to submission of the application, the applicant is eligible for the Early Career Researcher category. If the qualifications were awarded more than 15 years prior, the applicant is eligible for the Established Researcher category.

Criteria
The Diabetes Research Innovation Awards seek to recognise research, in the field of type 1 diabetes and its complications, demonstrating the highest innovation, influence and impact, published or patented in the 2010 calendar year.

All publications/patents will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Innovation in the approach to addressing a research question or medical need. Explanation of the innovative or unique aspect to the approach undertaken or methodology used to generate the research findings.
• Influence of the research findings on the field of research. Demonstrated evidence that these findings will change the understanding and direction of research in this area or improve the standard of practice.
• Impact of the research on the lives of people with type 1 diabetes, in the short or long-term. With particular reference to one or more of JDRF’s therapeutic areas: Immune Therapies, Beta Cell Therapies, Complications Therapies or Glucose Control. Refer to the Australian Type 1 Diabetes Research Agenda at www.jdrf.org.au/agenda.

The Awards are reviewed by a panel of eminent medical researchers in the field of type 1 diabetes and by a lay panel representing the type 1 diabetes community.

Applications
Applicants must submit:

• The Innovation Award application form;
• A two-page lay description of your publication/patent, with regard to the review criteria;
• A brief CV;
• A copy of your publication or proof of patent; and
• Two letters of support commenting on your publication/patent.

Applications are to be e-mailed as one document in MS Word or PDF format to mgfaward@jdrf.org.au no later than Friday, April 29th.

Award winners should be prepared to discuss research achievements with the public and media.

Download Application Form.

• PhD Studentship in Vascular Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK
• Postgraduate Studentships in Research of Energy, Environment and Health, UK
• Endeavour Awards from Australian Government
• Faculty of Medical Sciences MRes and MSc International Scholarships, Newcastle University, UK
• Radcliffe Department of Medicine PhD Scholarship, University of Oxford, UK
• La Trobe Business School Master of Management Scholarship, La Trobe University, Australia
• Endeavour Awards 2011, Postgraduate & Postdoctoral Awards by Australian Government
• Gates Vaccine Innovation Award, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA
• Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowships, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
• Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Incoming Postgraduate Award, Australia

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.