Career Continuity Grant

The Career Continuity Grant supports early career researchers to continue their research excellence, before, during and following a period of parental leave.

In the faculty, we recognise that periods of research inactivity can have a significant impact on research momentum, particularly for early research careers. This year, as part of the Advancing Health 2030 strategy (Inclusive Communities), we are launching a pilot program to assist eligible staff to maintain their research activity and trajectory, when taking or returning from parental leave. Flexible funding will enable our future research leaders the opportunity to plan their time away to maintain research momentum, while taking the time needed with their family.

In 2025, the grant is available to Level A, B and C staff with a research allocation of 40%, who take or return from a period of parental leave of three months or greater, between June 2025 - June 2026.

Funding is available for up to $40,000 per applicant.

Eligibility for a Career Continuity Grant is based on the following:

You are a Level A, B or C academic with a confirmed salaried (fixed-term or continuing) academic appointment at 0.5 FTE* or above, in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
You have a confirmed salaried research-focussed or teaching and research role, or a role with a minimum 40% research allocation.
You are applying for or currently taking at least 3 months parental leave, or have returned from parental leave, between 1 June 2025 to 1 June 2026.
You have a reasonable expectation at the time of application of an appointment until 31 December 2026.

Applications are considered based on the following:

Capacity and potential, including career stage and trajectory, to deliver high quality research outcomes
The feasibility, resources and benefit of the proposed project and support (eg. is it practical to implement?)
Compelling need to maintain research eg. field work/data collection to maintain samples, progress longitudinal studies, complete publications/presentations, research with an external organisation, etc.
Clarity of objectives and alignment with the Inclusive Community theme in the Faculty's strategy

Submit your application online:

Check that you meet the eligibility criteria
Discuss your intention to apply with your supervisor
Start your application on SmartyGrants
Respond to the prompts about your research vision*
Attach supporting files: Current CV (4 pages) and Research Plan: An overview of the proposed project in alignment with the Faculty Strategy (1 page)
Finalise your application on SmartyGrants by 7 October 2025

Career Continuity Grant

*The online application form enforces word limits, please adhere to the page limits for attachments.

Eligible staff can apply for a grant of up to $40,000
The grant is for the continuation of research during parental leave, or to transition to and from parental leave for Level A, B or C staff with a 40% research allocation, within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS).
Funding can be used to support salary and/or research-related expenses outlined in the guidelines and include travel costs, child-care for conferences and direct research costs.
The grants are available up to a maximum period of 12 months.
The applicant is responsible for outlining a plan for the research activity during the period of leave, including how project milestones and progress will be communicated.
The supervisor is responsible for supporting the applicant's research within the department during the designated period, based on the proposed research plan.
Recipients are required to provide a short report on completion of the grant on the research achievements, outcomes and career benefits.

Grant Recipients

RECIPIENT	SCHOOL	DEPARTMENT
Dr Sidonia Eckle	SBS	Microbiology & Immunology
Dr Rachel McQuade	SBS	Anatomy & Neuroscience
Dr Xin (Daisy) Dai	MSPGH	Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr Elise Kalokerinos	MSPS	Centre for Mental Health
Dr Emily Dalton	MSHS	Physiotherapy
Dr Daniel Tan	SBS	Biochemistry & Pharmacology
Dr Grace Nixon	MSHS	Audiology & Speech Pathology
Dr Lay San Too	MSPGH	Centre for Mental Health
Dr Grace Lidgerwood	SBS	Anatomy & Neuroscience
Dr Sharmala Thuraisingam	MMS	Department of Surgery
Dr Karen Oliver Broderick	Medicine - Austin Heatlh	Department of Medicine
Dr Debbie Passey	MSHS	Centre for Digital Transformation of Health
Dr Xuling (Shirley) Chang	MMS	Infectious Diseases
Dr Stephanie Weir	MSHS	Audiology & Speech Pathology
Dr Shuai Li	MSPGH	Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Dr Jennifer Bibb	MMS	General Practice
Dr Shaza Abo	MSHS	Physiotherapy
Dr Xinyang Hua	MSPGH	Centre for Health Policy
Dr Mariana Del Rosso de Melo	SBS	Physiology
Dr Sushama Telwatte	Doherty	Infectious Diseases
Dr Sarah Lensen	MMS	Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Dr Khandis Blake	MSPS	Anatomy & Neuroscience
Dr Elena Pozzi	MMS	Centre for Youth Mental Health
Dr Brendon Chua	SBS	Microbiology & Immunology
Dr Marion Herisse	SBS	Microbiology & Immunology
Dr Ruth Braden	MSHS	Audiology & Speech Pathology
Dr Louise Freijser	MSHS	Nursing
Dr Susan Christo	SBS	Microbiology & Immunology

Dr Rebekah Anderson, Teaching and Research, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Dr Jessica Neil, Research Focussed, School of Biomedical Sciences

Dr Lakshmi Neelakantan, Research Focussed, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health

Dr Sapna Devi, Research Focussed, School of Biomedical Sciences

Dr Georgia Dempster, Research Focussed, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health

Dr Tianxin Pan, Research Focussed, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health

Dr Sanne Oostermeijer, Research Focussed, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health

Dr Shakira Onwuka, Research Focussed, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health

Dr Antonin Serrano, Research Focussed, Melbourne Medical School

Dr Helen Henderson, Research Focussed, Melbourne School of Population & Global Health