Pre-RHD Scholarships  

Pre-Research Higher Degree (RHD) Scholarships enable clinicians to further develop their research plan, methodology and supervision plans, with the goal of achieving enrolment in a Research Higher Degree (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Masters of Philosophy (MPhil)).

Program objectives

Pre-RHD Scholarship funding will be awarded to Metro North clinicians to undertake research planning activities as work toward a RHD. A maximum of $15,000 funding will be awarded per Scholarship to support protected time and will be provided as a journal transfer for backfill of clinical duties. Scholarship recipients must:

• Commit unencumbered work days to undertake work for a RHD.
• Submit and/or demonstrate significant progress towards an application for enrolment in a RHD by 31 December 2025.
• Undertake early work towards the program of research, which may include; a literature review, development of research questions, development of research methodology, attending research education, piloting data collection tools, preparing enrolment documentation etc. It may also include preparing ethics applications or grant applications if progress towards enrolment has already been made during the scholarship period.
• Metro North Research is committed to creating pathways for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to develop their research skills and capacity. Priority consideration will be given to applicants that identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a Metro North Pre-RHD Scholarship you must: 

• be currently employed and remain employed as a clinician within Metro North Health for the duration of the scholarship period; and
  (note: applicants may not undertake a secondment during the Pre-RHD Scholarship period)
• be eligible to enrol in a RHD at the preferred university; and
• be committed to submitting a RHD enrolment application (for MPhil or PhD) by 31 December 2025; and
• have the support of your line manager to commit research days, unencumbered by usual work duties, between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.

You are ineligible to apply if you: 

• have received any funding (including grants, scholarships, fellowships) to support the nominated research or RHD research project; or
  are already enrolled in a RHD; or
• are currently temporarily or permanently in a research position that includes the expectation that the individual will undertake their own research as part of their role (as per the role description); or
• have dedicated work time already allocated to RHD activities.