HEALTH INFORMATICS RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AWARD The Health Informatics Research Scholarship (HIRS) aims to encourage research into how clinicians, academics and researchers can work with health information and communication technology to improve delivery of care and outcomes for patients. This includes the development, application, and evaluation of theories, methods, and systems to optimise the design and conduct of health and medical research and the analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of the information generated. The scholarship is funded by members of the Sydney Research http://sydneyresearchhub.com.au/ and provides support up to $40,000 per annum for 3 years for a Health Informatics research project leading to a Master or PhD at the University of Sydney. Registration in a post graduate research degree (Masters/PhD) with evidence of a workplace research project plan, authorised by the department head and academic supervisor is required. ELIGIBILITY Candidates must have: Permanent resident status in Australia. Active fulltime employment at the Sydney Local Health District and or member organisation of Sydney Research. Evidence of registration in post graduate research degree (Masters or PhD) in the health informatics field. GENERAL INFORMATION This scholarship is a single applicant scheme. The applicant must be able to demonstrate for the duration of the period of support where funds have been requested, that they 1) have an appointment at the Sydney Local Health District and or Sydney Research member organisation; and 2) are registered in post graduate studies (Masters or PhD) in the health informatics field. The assessment of applications and decisions of Sydney Research in awarding funds in this scheme will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. TENURE An award shall be tenable for one year in the first instance. The scholarship may be renewed for a second year for a Masters and a second and third year for a PhD. Periods of study undertaken towards a research degree prior to the commencement of the award will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the award. The applicant may not hold another scholarship in conjunction with the Sydney Research Health Informatics Research Scholarship. The applicant must commence his or her scholarship by the date stipulated in the letter of offer. A request to defer commencement of the award will only be considered subject to the Chair, Sydney Research approval to defer commencement of candidature. See also DEFERMENT FUNDING The Scholarship provides for a clinician s salary and wages of up to a maximum $40,000 per annum (not tax exempt) to purchase dedicated research hours from standard award working hours. That is, if a fulltime applicant works 40hrs a week (1FTE) on an annual salary of $80,000, funds from the scholarship could buy out 0.5FTE of the applicants working week to undertake education and research activities. Funds are not provided directly to the applicant; rather funds are allocated to the applicants cost centre to recompense for hours (per fortnight) spent undertaking education and research activities. It is a requirement of the Scholarship that funds are not to be used for course fees, overtime, travel or the purchase of equipment. The applicant must seek authorisation from the department head as to working arrangements to be in place that secure dedicated education and research time on an ongoing and fortnightly basis. A reasonable ratio of 50% standard employment activities and 50% education/research hours may be adopted however to ensure appropriate working loads are maintained, the ratio of education/research
hours per fortnight should not exceed 65% of the total paid hours per fortnight. Fortnightly timesheets must be verified and authorised by the department head in line with these arrangements. Funds are allocated over the financial year period and proportioned accordingly. Unused funds will be returned to Sydney Research. DEFERMENT The applicant may not apply for a deferment within the first 6 months of the tenure of their award. Following this and throughout the scholarship tenure, the applicant may, under extraordinary circumstances only, apply for up to 6 months deferment. Periods of deferment are cumulative and failure to resume study after deferment will result in the award being terminated. Approval to suspend must be supported by the head of department, the academic supervisor and authorised by the Chair, Sydney Research. LEAVE ARRANGEMENTS All study and exam leave is factored into dedicated hours supporting education and research activity and are to be used within scholarship funded hours. As per FUNDING notes - the ratio of education/research hours per fortnight should not exceed 65% of the total paid hours per fortnight. Leave types including annual, long service leave, accrued days off, sick leave, public holidays, FACS leave and other leave are to be utilised from standard award employment conditions and are not to be funded under scholarship hours. STUDY REQUIREMENTS The applicant must demonstrate ongoing satisfactory academic progression. Evidence of academic performance is to be provided to the department head and academic supervisor on a semester basis. Copies of all records are to be filed in the applicants personnel folder, held at the Human Resources department. Approval to conduct research outside Australia must be sought from the academic supervisor, head of department and Chair, Sydney Research, and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. The applicant must promptly notify their department head and academic supervisor of any changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal and course transfer. If the applicant does not provide notice of the changes identified above, then Sydney Research may require repayment of any overpaid funds by the clinician. TRANSFER The applicant may convert from a Masters degree to a PhD in which case to access to the third year of funding is available under the Health Informatics Research Scholarship. TERMINATION The scholarship will be terminated on resignation or withdrawal of the applicant. This includes cessation or transfer of employment outside the Local Health District and or registration of course study outside the University of Sydney. The scholarship will be terminated upon completion of studies or expenditure of scholarship funds, whichever is earlier. The scholarship will be terminated before this time if, after due enquiry, the Chair Sydney Research concludes that the applicant has not carried out the course of study and research with competence and diligence or in accordance with NSW Health Policy or fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or has committed serious misconduct. ANNUAL REPORTS The applicant must complete an Annual Progress Report towards the end of the year. The report will be due on 1st week of November each scholarship year. The report must be signed confirming that the clinician has not applied the scholarship for course fees, travel or the purchase of equipment. The report is to be approved by the department head and academic supervisor and presented by the applicant at a Sydney Research Council meeting within four months of submission.
The applicant will present their work at Sydney Innovation and Research Symposiums during the tenure of scholarship. I hereby agree to abide by the Conditions of Award and accept the Sydney Research Health Informatics Research Scholarship. Name (Please print) Signature and date Department Head name and signature Academic Supervisor name and signature Intended commencement date: Degree course:
HEALTH INFORMATICS RESEARCHER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CHECKLIST General Guidelines 1. Applicants must submit a completed application and supporting documents via email. Applications cannot be considered unless they are complete. 2. Applications close 5pm Friday 13 May 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. 3. All Applications should be emailed to SydneyResearch@sswahs.nsw.gov.au 4. Final list of applicants may be called for interview and will be notified accordingly. 5. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Mr Nobby Alcala on 9515 9827 or SydneyResearch@sswahs.nsw.gov.au Application Checklist All applications must be submitted electronically. Each attachment should also include your name in the upper left corner. Please check to make sure that each item listed below is complete. SECTION 1: Personal Details Application Form: Complete Please indicate SECTION 2: Employment History and Qualifications SECTION 3: Statement of Professional Objectives SECTION 4: Project Plan SECTION 5: Project Approval SECTION 6: Applicant Disclosure Statement Attachments: Attachment 1: Project Workplan as per Section 4 Attachment 2: Curriculum Vitae Complete: Please indicate
SECTION 1: PERSONAL DETAILS 1. Name: Title Surname First Other 2. Telephone: Work Mobile 3. E-mail address: 4. Home address: 5. Contact address (if not as above): 6. Australian resident status Permanent Australia resident status (Y/N)
SECTION 2: EMPLOYMENT HISTORY AND QUALIFICATIONS 1. Current position: Position & employee number Employer Address 2. Area of Specialisation: 3. Academic qualifications, most recent first: Degree Field Institution Date started Date completed 4. Course registration - Post Graduate degree: Masters/PhD at the University of Sydney: Degree Field Commencement date Projected completion 5. Do you currently hold, expect to receive or have you applied for any other Scholarships (Y/N) details
SECTION 3: STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES 1. What are your short and longer term career objectives? (No more than 150 words) Short Term: Longer Term: 2. Describe your professional accomplishments or experience you feel best demonstrate your qualifications or potential to take advantage of the Health Informatics Researcher Scholarship. (No more than 250 words) 3. Give an example of how you have integrated evidence from research in policy and programs to improve the quality of health services. (No more than 150 words)
SECTION 4: PROJECT PLAN Please give details of your proposed program, outlining the relevance and potential long term benefits of your project 1. Title: May be used in media releases and should be understood by the general public. 2. Abstract or Summary of Proposal: Please provide a brief statement describing the proposed research and its objectives (No more than 150 words): 3. Purpose and context - how will this project address a question of significance to your employing agency? (no more than 100 words) 4. Project Workplan: Over two years (Masters) or three years (PhD) Scholarship (Attach as a separate document - 2 page max) Please include statement on proposed working, study and research time arrangements. See Terms and conditions. The Workplan must be signed off by your Department Head and if registered in post graduate studies, you re Academic Supervisor. 5. Proposed Local Mentor and Academic Supervisor (if registered) 6. Proposed Placement
SECTION 5: PROJECT APPROVAL 1. Department Head approval: Name of Department Head: Title: Department: Address: P/Code Phone (BH) Mobile Email Signature Date
SECTION 6: APPLICANT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT I certify that the information given in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Name: Signature: Date: