Nominations are now open for the Bethlehem Griffiths Research Foundation’s Emerging Researcher of the Year for 2026. This award is for Victorian researchers, generally within five years of their PhD who are under 35 years of age, but other researchers with special circumstances where ‘productivity relative to opportunity’ has been affected would also be eligible. This would allow consideration of outstanding applicants delayed by parental leave and also those whose academic career commenced later in life.
Please note that the successful researcher must be working in one of the following fields:
- progressive neurological diseases
- stroke
- palliative care
Nominees must be Victorian and have the support of a strong research team with good supervision to ensure that they achieve their early promise.
The award winner will be announced at our annual presentation ceremony to be scheduled mid-year, where the winner and their nominated mentor or supervisor will both give speeches. The prize includes a plaque and $5,000 for research related travel, to be administered through the winner’s institution.
Past winners (including Dr Bradley Turner, Dr David Nisbet, Dr Bruce Campbell, Dr Adam Vogel, Dr Bernadette Fitzgibbon, Dr Janet Bray, Dr Scott Ayton, Dr Yen Ying Lim, Dr Robert Galinsky, Associate Professor Piero Perucca, Dr Anna Collins, Dr Carolina Gubert, Dr Emma Foster and Dr Lachlan Dalli) emphasise the significant career boost and opportunities that flowed from their award.
You are invited to nominate up to three outstanding candidates on behalf of your institution by providing an electronic copy by return email as well as one hard copy of the following:
- a cover page with applicants name and institution, title of their research area, contact details (including mobile phone)
- an explanation of their particular situation if not within 5 years of their PhD and under 35
- a full CV including grants and publications,
- a NH&MRC fellowship application or similar,
- a letter of support from a supervisor, and
- a one–page summary demonstrating the nominees’ leadership potential, innovation, commitment and productivity
Please ensure that the name, institution, supervisor and contact telephone number of the applicant is clearly marked on a dedicated cover page of the application.
Please provide a single electronic PDF file for each entry, clearly labelled with the applicant’s name and institution as well as one hard copy of each of your nominations before 5.00 pm on Thursday 2 April 2026 (extended from 30 March 2026) at the address below:
Ms Julienne Lewis
CEO, BGRF
29/120 Cambridge Street,
Collingwood VIC 3066
