2015 NHMRC Grant Review Panels: Invitation to Nominate ECR Observers, and an Assistant Chair

NHMRC are calling for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to sit as observers on the 2015 Project Grants Grant Review Panels (GRP) and for a candidate to participate as an Assistant Chair on a GRP.

ECR GRP Observers will:

·         Receive insights into the Project Grants scheme peer review process which could be advantageous in their future Project Grant applications;

·         Be provided with an opportunity to observe the discussion of applications; and

·         Assist NMHRC to expand the pool of potential GRP members for the future.

Assistant Chairs play an important role in ensuring the peer review process for project grant applications is fair and equitable. NHMRC expects to provide Assistant Chairs with insights into the Project Grants peer review process which could be advantageous in their future Project Grant applications.

The Acting Deputy Dean (Research), Professor Matthew Gillespie, therefore requires Heads of School or Department to nominate ECRs who meet the parameters outlined by NHMRC (seeAttachment A) and are available in the nominated timeframe outlined below.

When nominating an ECR GRP Observer, please consider the following:

1.      The Nominee must be a researcher who has not previously participated on a NHMRC GRP or previously as an ECR Observer;

2.      Nominees should be approximately within 5 years of completing their PhD, noting any career disruptions; and

3.      If selected, nominees are required for one day, either on Tuesday or Wednesday of a GRP week, between 27 July and 4 September 2015, in Canberra.   

When nominating an Assistant Chair, please consider the following:

·         The Nominee must be a researcher who has not previously served on a NHMRC GRP either as a panel member or Assistant Chair;

·         The Nominee should be within 10 years of completing their PhD, noting any career disruptions; and

·         The nominee is expected to fill this role for one week between 27 July and 4 September 2015 at the NHMRC office in Canberra. 

Please return completed nomination forms (Attachment B or Attachment D) to medicine.research@monash.edu by close of business Thursday May 21 for consideration by the Acting Deputy Dean (Research). Professor Gillespie will select three nominees to forward to MRO and then onto NHMRC by May 27.

Please note there is no Attachment C – this was irrelevant to the call and has been removed.