Call for applications 2019

The SPARK Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Course trains students in design thinking, product development and commercialisation for unmet medical needs, to support innovation and translational research in the Biomedical Sciences

The SPARK Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Course trains students in design thinking, product development and commercialisation for unmet medical needs, to support innovation and translational research in the Biomedical Sciences.

In 2019, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS) at the University of Melbourne will award two travel scholarships to participate in this course.

Information for 2019 applicants

Dates: Sunday 25th August – Friday 6th September 2019 (arrive in Sydney on 24th August)

Venue: University of Technology Sydney

What the Travel Scholarship will cover: All costs associated with the course including course fees (lectures and tutorials), flights, accommodation (duration of the course), meals and a weekend excursion in Sydney.

Accommodation: Hotel near Central Station

Participants: Up to 30 PhD students from SPARK-associated universities globally

Course Design and Coordinator: Professor Michael Wallach, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia.

Course Leaders: Professor Michael Wallach (Director, SPARK Oceania), Professor Daria Mochly-Rosen and Professor Kevin Grimes (Co-Directors, SPARK Stanford), Professor Pasi Sorvisto (Director, SPARK Finland)

Eligibility & Application Process

These scholarships are open to PhD students enrolled within a MDHS Department and engaged in translational research.

All applicants must include a CV (<2 pages) and a letter of recommendation from their supervisor with their application.

Applicants will be assessed on:

  • whether their research is translational
  • their motivation and the anticipated impact of the course on their career pathway
  • the quality of their CV (i.e. research potential etc.)
  • the written recommendation from their supervisor

All applications (and inquiries) are to be submitted to mdhs-innovation@unimelb.edu.au by Tue 9th July 5 pm.

FAQs
What is SPARK?
The Stanford SPARK program is run in more than 12 countries world-wide as a model for translational research. SPARK fosters the translation of new biomedical research discoveries into promising new treatments for patients. It emphasises new ways of thinking to bridge the gap between bench and bedside.

SPARK was created in 2006, based on the experiences of Stanford Professors Daria Mochly-Rosen and Kevin Grimes in taking a novel therapeutic through the journey from bench to bedside.

What is the goal of SPARK?
The program develops skills in design thinking, product development and commercialisation for unmet medical needs. It trains researchers to become more creative, innovative and savvy in translational research in biomedical sciences.

What is SPARK looking for?
We are looking for the next generation of biomedical entrepreneurs with projects that solve significant clinical problems through research-based approaches.