Overview

Mitigating the impact of extraordinary personal circumstances on academic careers

Momentum Grants support the research momentum and retention of Level B and C academics whose extraordinary personal circumstances have impacted their career progression. This includes staff whose health, illness, disability and/or disproportionate caring responsibilities have significantly impacted their capacity to progress their academic career.

Examples may include but are not limited to: the impact of losing a partner and becoming a primary carer; caring for a loved one with high needs; undergoing treatment for a serious illness; acquiring a disability or chronic condition that impacts their capacity to pursue their research.

The Grants help staff to maintain research momentum at pressing points in their careers, and to develop a plan to obtain external research funding.

Please note: This program was previously known as the Momentum Fellowship and has now been restructured as the Momentum Grant in 2027.

Providing support for success

The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences awards up to two Momentum Grants each year.

They include a maximum award of up to $82,500/year for 2 years ($165,000 total). Funding may cover the recipient's salary, team salary support, and/or other research-related costs.

Grant recipients retain their existing appointment with the Faculty for the duration of the Grant, and are expected to develop and agree on a plan to achieve research independence and sustainability with their supervisor and Department/Centre Head, and to apply for external research funding during this term.