Applications for the Go8 Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme close on 22 August for exchanges taking place in 2009. The scheme is a joint initiative of the Group of Eight and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The scheme aims to:

	foster research collaboration of the highest quality between Australian researchers from Go8 universities and German researchers.
	result in research outcomes and the exchange of skills and knowledge of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany.

Total Funding
The Go8 and the DAAD have each agreed to provide approximately 160,000 euros (AUD250,000) per year for the period 2008-2010 (approximately AUD1.5 million) to support the scheme.

Eligibility
Exchange participants must either be employed as academic staff members in a teaching and research or research only role at a Go8 university, or a PhD student involved in the research project submitted by an eligible staff member.

Assessment criteria
The criteria to be used in assessing Australian applications include:

	the quality of the research project;
	the experience and track record of the participating researchers/research groups and the level of involvement of early career researchers; and
	the potential of the project to result in outcomes of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany.

Application key dates
Applications for exchanges in 2009 open on 4 June 2008 and close on 22 August 2008.

Evaluation of the scheme
At the end of the second year of the scheme (2009) the Go8, in consultation with the DAAD, will conduct an evaluation of the scheme to inform decisions about whether it should be continued beyond 2010, and if so, whether any changes are required to improve it. The evaluation shall be completed no later than 1 March 2010.

Further information

Ms Olivia Langensiepen
Administrative Officer (Grants)
Phone: +61 08 6488 4708
Email: olivia.langensiepen@uwa.edu.au

BIOTECH STUDENTS - here is your chance to show off your work and attend AusBiotech 2008 - Australia's Biotechnology Conference

The AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards are national awards that are partnered exclusively by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

The awards encourage students that completed honours or started their masters or PHD in 2007 and 2008 to think strategically about their research in the biotechnology field.  Finalists are required to pitch the commercial application of their research to a panel of judges, competing against other finalists in their state.

One winner from each state will be presented with their award during a ceremony at the AusBiotech 2008 conference and are given the opportunity to display a poster of their abstract during the conference.  The award covers the students' travel, accommodation expenses and registration for AusBiotech 2008 to be held in Melbourne from 26-29 October.

Western Australian award applications close on Friday 22 August 2008.

Students are invited to attend the Western Australian launch of the AusBiotech-GSK Student Excellence Awards.

Date:           Tuesday 12 August 2008
Where:          Department of Industry & Resources
                     Level 6, 1 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth
Time:            5pm for 5:30pm – 8pm (no entry permitted after 5:45pm)
Cost:             AusBiotech student members (FREE);
                     Non-member students ($10)

Only 50 registration places available so register ASAP!  To register go to Events at www.ausbiotech.org

Canadian Studies Postgraduate Research Grants

The following opportunities exist for postgraduates and recent doctoral graduates to pursue research or teaching in Canadian Studies.  Canadian Studies is defined as research which aims at a better understanding of Canadian society and/or culture and includes most disciplines in the social sciences and humanities.  The grants are offered by the Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ), the International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) and the Government of Canada.

Please note new deadlines for selected programs as indicated.

Guidelines and application forms for all programs are available at: www.acsanz.org.au/funding.html

Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ)

Postgraduate Travel Award

Deadline: 30 September

Up to five grants are awarded each year to postgraduate students for a short research trip to Canada.  Research must be in Canadian Studies and related to the student's thesis topic.  The value of each grant is up to A$3000.  Available to ACSANZ members only (new members welcome).

International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS)

Graduate Student Scholarship

Deadline: 30 September NEW DEADLINE

Up to ten grants are awarded world-wide to Masters and Doctoral candidates to undertake thesis-related research on Canada at a Canadian university for 4-6 weeks. Up to C$3,500 is available for all expenses.

Canadian Studies Postdoctoral Fellowships

Deadline: 30 September NEW DEADLINE

This program enables Canadian and foreign academics who have completed a doctoral thesis on a topic primarily related to Canada to visit a Canadian or foreign university with a Canadian Studies program for a teaching or research fellowship. Fellowships are for a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months. Applicants must not be employed in a full-time university teaching position and must agree not to accept honoraria or salary during their fellowships. The grant will be C$2,500 per month plus the cost of a return airline ticket.

Best Doctoral Thesis in Canadian Studies

Deadline: 30 September

This International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS) Award is designed to recognize and promote each year an outstanding PhD thesis on a Canadian topic, written by a member (or one of his/her students) of a Canadian Studies Association or Associate Member, and which contributes to a better understanding of Canada.

Government of Canada

Doctoral Student Research Award (DSRA)

Deadline: 1 November

This award is designed to assist full-time graduate students at degree-granting institutions of higher education, whose dissertations are related in substantial part to Canada, to undertake doctoral research about Canada. The purpose is to increase knowledge and understanding of Canada and to support the development of Canadian Studies.

For further information, please contact:

Prue Torrance
Assistant / Adjointe
Academic Relations and Canadian Education Centre
Relations académiques et Centre d'éducation canadienne
Canadian High Commission / Haut-commissariat du Canada
Commonwealth Avenue, CANBERRA ACT 2600 Australia
Tel/Tél: +61 2 6270 4051  -  Fax/Tél: +61 2 6270 4083
prue.torrance@international.gc.ca  ~~  www.canada.org.au

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Association for Canadian Studies in Australia and New Zealand (ACSANZ)

www.acsanz.org.au

Applications are now open for the 2009 Masterclass for Emerging Researchers in Ageing
Thursday 5th and Friday 6th February 2009,
University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus

The ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well is pleased to announce that
applications are now open for the 2009 Masterclass for Emerging Researchers in Ageing.
The Masterclass will be held at the University of Queensland St Lucia Campus on Thursday
5th and Friday 6th February, 2009, and PhD students whose research is in the field of
ageing are invited to apply.

The two-day program is designed to maximise PhD students’ opportunities to increase
their research knowledge and skills, to develop greater understanding of the career
pathways available in ageing research post-PhD (and provide useful information about
how to access them), and to network with other emerging and established researchers in
the field. Sessions will be conducted by leading academics in the field of ageing and will
cover a variety of topics including funding, promoting and publishing your research. The
second day will feature a networking breakfast incorporating a panel discussion with
senior policy makers and leading academics in the field. The Masterclass will culminate
with presentations of collaborative projects to be developed by student groups across
the two days. Prizes will be awarded to the group/s with the best presentation.
There will be no attendance fee for successful applicants, and those who live more than
100 kms from the University of Queensland will be provided with bursaries to cover the
cost of flights (where applicable). Accommodation will also be provided on campus.

To submit your application for this important event, please complete the form available
online. Contact Linda Peach with any queries – L.Peach@uq.edu.au or 07 3365 4548.

Please note that delegates who attended the 2008 Masterclass cannot apply to attend
the 2009 Masterclass.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 15th October 2008

1. For more information on the Newton International Fellowship Scheme go to www.newtonfellowships.org
2. The Fellowships will cover all subject areas that fall within the remit of the three partners, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Royal Society – that is, the full range of the humanities, social sciences, engineering and the natural sciences
3. The Scheme is open to post-doctoral (and equivalent) early-career researchers working outside the UK who do not hold UK citizenship. Successful candidates will receive an annual subsistence of £24,000, up to £8,000 for research expenses, and a one-off payment of £2,000 for relocation.
4. The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency.
5. The British Academy, established by Royal Charter in 1902, is the national academy for the humanities and the social sciences. It is an independent, self-governing fellowship of more than 800 scholars. The Academy supports postdoctoral research through research grant schemes, promoting relations between researchers in the UK and overseas and recognising distinction in scholarship. It runs a varied programme of events, has an active publications programme and also advises on major policy issues in the higher education sector.
6. Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineering promotes the engineering and technological welfare of the country. Our fellowship – comprising the UK’s most eminent engineers – provides the leadership and expertise for our activities, which focus on the relationships between engineering, technology, and the quality of life. As a national academy, we provide independent and impartial advice to Government; work to secure the next generation of engineers; and provide a voice for Britain’s engineering community.
7. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership of the seven UK Research Councils. www.rcuk.ac.uk

Endeavour Research Fellowships

The Endeavour Research Fellowships, supported by the Australian Government, provide financial support for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows from Australia to undertake short-term research (min 4- max 6 months), in any field of study.  The research is to be undertaken in participating countries within the Asia/Pacific region and the Middle East.

Up to 90 awards will be offered to applicants in 2009. 

Closing date is 31^st July, but please allow time for gathering referee reports and host institution letters of invitation beforehand.

Maximum award is $23,500 and includes support for travel, an establishment allowance and a living allowance.

The Endeavour Research Fellowships aim to:

• enable high achieving scholars from Australia  to undertake research within the Asia/Pacific region and the Middle East

• further develop Award Holders’ knowledge and skills in their field of research

• strengthen bilateral ties between Australia and the participating countries

• showcase Australia’s education sector

• strengthen mutual understanding between the people of Australia and the Award Holders’ host country

• build international linkages and networks.

Further details: http://www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au/Australian_applicants/research_fellowships.htm

I was at a national meeting this week where we discussed, among other things, aspirations for high quality facilities for PhD students. I made the suggestion that we (the University) should supply a new laptop on enrolment for all PhD students. This suggestion was met with gasps of horror from colleagues at other universities, somewhat to my surprise. It was clearly something that seemed way out of the realms of dreaming, and then shortly afterwards the arguments about why it would be a bad thing started.

• Using laptops is bad for your health
• Laptops get stolen
• Laptops require back-up
• Laptops would require set-up with necessary software
• Licencing for software would be complicated/costly
• What happens if the student takes longer than 4 years? - should the laptop be replaced?
• Who owns the laptop at the end of candidature?

I know, however, that a number of Schools at UWA do supply their PhD students with a new computer (desktop or laptop, whichever is more appropriate or desired) upon commencement. This seems to me perfectly reasonable - I can't imagine how one could be expected to do a PhD without a computer, and if the research requires travel and/or fieldwork, then a laptop is necessary.

Is the One Laptop Per PhD Student an even wilder dream than the One Laptop Per Child? 

Top-up scholarships are available for research students holding an APA or UPA or equivalent, working on a research project with nuclear science or its applications and requiring access to the facilities at ANSTO.

The scholarships provide a supplement stipend of up to $7,500 pa as well as a travel and accommodation allowance to enable students to work at Lucas Heights.

If you are a doctoral student in the social sciences and are at the stage of writing your dissertation, you might be willing to fill in another online survey regarding supervision - this one relates to another student's research on this topic. The details of her request are given below:

The central purpose of my doctoral research is to examine factors that may influence satisfaction with the doctoral research experience. My study proposes that understanding and applying concepts of supervision, communication and personality can be significant in creating quality research experiences for students in higher education. In order to learn more about what makes the doctoral research experience satisfactory, however, I need to collect data from a large number of students doing doctoral research. Your involvement in providing the requested information is therefore very important and appreciated.

Directions:

1. Please follow the link given at the bottom of this letter and complete the online survey.
2. Read the instructions to each survey section carefully.
3. After completion, send the survey to the indicated drop box.
4. Your participation in this study is voluntary and the information obtained will remain completely confidential. No one, except the researcher, will see the completed survey. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time.
5. There are no “right” and “wrong” answers. Please select the option corresponding to your personal perception.
6. Please answer ALL questions on this survey. The entire survey should not take more than 15-20 minutes.
7. The survey is divided in five parts:    

      (a) Doctoral Research Experience

      (b) Communication with the Research Supervisor (Advisor)

      (c) Supervisory Style

      (d) Personality

      (e) General and Demographic Information

If you have any further questions regarding the study, feel free to contact nwieland@aiias.edu.

https://online2.aiias.edu/limesurvey/index.php?sid=41471&lang=en

Applications are invited from postgraduate students for travel bursaries to attend conferences relevant to studies in systematics or taxonomy.

Applications to be lodged by 10 March or 10 September 2008

The Australian Biological Resources Study offers financial support to postgraduate students in Australian institutions to travel to a national or international conference relevant to both the student's research program in systematics or taxonomy and the Aims and Objectives of the ABRS. A maximum of $1000 is available for an international conference and $500 for travel within Australia. In total, up to $10000 is available each year for these awards.

The Bursaries Guidelines, Application Form and Conditions of Award are available from:  
http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/admin/training/index.html
Or contact:    Business Manager
Australian Biological Resources Study
        GPO Box 787
        Canberra ACT 2601
        PH:   (02) 6250 9554
        Email: abrs@environment.gov.au

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
for the
Emerging Researchers in Ageing
2008 Masterclass
27th and 28th March 2008,
University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus

The ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2008 Emerging Researchers in Ageing Masterclass. The Masterclass will be held at the University of Queensland St Lucia Campus on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th March, 2008, and confirmed PhD students whose research is in the field of ageing are invited to apply.

The two-day program will include sessions with leading academics in the field of ageing from Australia and overseas. Sessions will focus on practical and methodological considerations for PhD students conducting research into ageing, as well as career development options and pathways, how to fund your research, how to promote your research in the media and how to publish your research in the ageing literature. The second day will commence with a networking breakfast which will feature a panel discussion with senior policy makers and leading academics in the field. The Masterclass will culminate with presentations of collaborative projects to be developed by student groups across the two days. A prize will be awarded for the best presentation.

The program is designed to maximise PhD students’ opportunities to increase their research knowledge and skills, to develop greater understanding of the career pathways available in ageing research post-PhD (and provide useful information about how to access those career pathways), and to network with other emerging and established
researchers in the field.

There will be no attendance fee for successful applicants, and those who live more than 100 kms from the University of Queensland will be provided with bursaries to cover the cost of flights (where applicable) and accommodation.

To submit your application for this important event, please complete the form available online. Contact Linda Peach with any queries – L.Peach@uq.edu.au or 07 3365 4548.

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th January 2008.

I'm on a judging panel at the moment to decide on the best computing thesis in Australia or New Zealand for 2007. So I have a box of theses to read, and no instructions on how to decide. Firstly, the good news is that this competition, like so many others that I find myself judging, is by nomination, and you'd be surprised how few people nominate for things like this. It's quite a prestigious award to have on your CV, so my first piece of advice is "apply for everything" like this. Read the instructions carefully, if there are any; take the entry seriously, because any work done for it can usually be re-packaged for something else, and then see how it works out.

But back to my task. Here's what I am looking for at the moment: a clear enunciation of the problem considered in the thesis; a clear statement of the solution or solutions found or constructed; what the implications of the thesis might be, both from what is stated in the thesis itself, and from any publications arising from the thesis. Since all these theses resulted in publications, I am also looking at the quality of the outlets (journal impact factors or the quality of the peer-reviewed conferences at which the work was presented), and whether there have been any citations (excluding self-citations). And since all these theses have resulted in publications that are co-authored, I'm also looking for a clear statement on what the candidate's contribution has been. After all that, I'm then getting a feel for the style of writing, the quality of the document in terms of publication standards, and a sense of the scholarship involved. I wonder, at the end of all this, whether my choice will coincide with that of the other judges?

Not sure what to do when you get back from your holidays? Want to meet some new research students? Can't figure out what to do with your data?

Over two days, 8-9 January 2008, the UWA Statistical Consulting Group is offering short course designed to introduce the language and software environment of R, which is extremely powerful for data analysis, statistical computing and graphics.

The course is primarily directed at postgraduate research students, but will also be of interest to other researchers and academic staff, especially  those with a background in medicine or science.

More detail about this course, including fees, can be found on their website.