MDHS Pathways to Impact

Explore how your research could make a real-world difference.

MDHS Pathways to Impact is a research impact planning competition designed to help PhD candidates explore how their research could contribute to changes in policy, practice, healthcare and communities.

The top 10 applicants will receive $200 and will be invited to participate in an interactive event to discuss their entries with experts and receive tailored feedback.

Unlike traditional research competitions, there is no formal presentation or research pitch. The focus is on developing a clear and realistic pathway towards research impact.

How to enter

Submit a Research Impact Logic Model through the Expression of Interest form by 12 November 2026:

Submit your Expression of Interest

Eligibility:

  • You must be a currently enrolled MDHS PhD candidate
  • You must have successfully completed your Confirmation milestone
  • You must be available for the final event on Wednesday 25 November 2026, 9am - 12pm (in-person only)

Finalists will be notified by 17 November 2026.

Why participate?

  • Develop your skills in planning for research impact.
  • Identify opportunities to translate your research into real-world change.
  • Receive feedback from experts across research, healthcare, policy, community and industry.
  • Strengthen your research impact pathway without the pressure of a formal presentation or pitch.

You don't need to have achieved research impact to participate. The program focuses on your planning and ideas for future impact, regardless of your research topic.

How the competition works

Step 1: Develop your Research Impact Logic Model

  • A Research Impact Logic Model is a simple visual planning tool that helps map how your research could lead to meaningful change. It outlines the intended impact of your research, the steps needed to achieve it, the people who may need to be involved, and factors that could influence its success.
  • To help you get started, the Research Impact Canvas module provides practical guidance on developing your impact pathway and preparing your logic model. Completing the module is encouraged but is not a requirement for entry.

Enrol in the Research Impact Canvas Module

Step 2: Submit your Expression of Interest by 12 November

  • Applications will be assessed on the clarity, feasibility and quality of the proposed research impact pathway. The ten highest-ranked applicants will be invited to participate in the final event, involving interactive discussions with experts and opportunities to refine their plans.

Step 3: Participate in the final event

The ten finalists will be invited to an interactive, in-person event on Wednesday 25 November 2026.

  • Finalists will take part in small-group discussions with experts from areas including healthcare, policy, community engagement, research translation and industry.
  • Finalists will have time to revise their logic models following these discussions and will receive confidential written feedback.

Important information

  • Applicants should discuss their proposed submission with their supervisors or research teams where appropriate. Confidential, culturally sensitive, commercially sensitive or potentially patentable information should not be included where disclosure may be inappropriate.
  • Any use of generative artificial intelligence in preparing submitted materials must be disclosed in the application form.

Have questions?

For enquiries about MDHS Pathways to Impact, please contact:

mds-researchsupport@unimelb.edu.au

This project is funded by a 2026 MDHS Graduate Research Development Grant.