Cancer Council is the largest not-for-profit funder of cancer research in Victoria. We are offering studentships to undergraduate biomedical, medical, and basic science students (who have not yet completed their final year) to work on Victorian cancer research projects during the summer period to stimulate interest in cancer research in Victoria.
2024 Key Dates
Applications: CLOSED
Outcomes advised: October/ November
Available funding
Up to 10 studentships are available, for a maximum of $3,000 per studentship ($500/week) across a maximum of 30 working days (6 weeks). The studentship must occur during the summer break.
Eligibility
Biomedical, medical and basic science undergraduate students enrolled at any Victorian university who have not yet completed their final year are eligible to apply.
International students may apply but must have a student visa that allows limited work to be undertaken. Students may submit one application for consideration per round (year).
Application process
Step 1: Find a research project
Students must first find a placement and then apply for a Cancer Council Victoria Summer Vacation Studentship. Placements need to be part of a cancer research project being conducted at a Victorian university, clinical institution, or other research institution. The research program does not have to be funded by Cancer Council Victoria.
Your university department or faculty office, or the Office for Research, may have suggestions of organisations where cancer research is currently being carried out.
Step 2: Contact a researcher
Once you find a research project you are interested in, you need to contact the cancer researcher and ask if they have a project available for you to work on that they would be willing to supervise. The application form provides for both a description of the work to be done and a written acceptance by the supervisor. Before completing the description of the work proposed to be undertaken, you should consult with the person who will supervise the work to ensure you have a good understanding of the project.
Step 3. Complete an application form
Simply fill in the application form and forward it to the person who has agreed to supervise you for this project, as well as the Research Administration Officer, for their signed approval.
If electronic signatures are not available, print the completed application form and get physical signatures, then scan the document for submission.
You will also be required to include a copy of the official statement of your full university results. If you have not yet received this semester/year’s results, please provide your most recent ones.
Submission Deadline
Submit your completed and signed application form, along with a copy of your full university results, to our Grants Management System via the "Apply Now" button below by 17:00 AEST on Friday, 6 September 2024. You will also need to complete an online form as part of the submission process.
Successful applicants
Applicants will be notified by email in late October or early November regarding the status of their application. Successful applicants and their administering institutions will need to enter into a non-negotiable funding agreement. Additionally, successful applicants are required to submit a short report after their placement, detailing the work performed and the experience gained from the studentship.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Does the research project I select need to be funded by Cancer Council Victoria?
No, the project can be from any Victorian university, clinical, or other research institution.
I am currently completing my honours year (2024) and will be going on to do a PhD in 2025. Am I eligible to apply for this year's round?
No, you are not eligible. Students must be undergraduate biomedical, basic science, and medical students enrolled at any Victorian university who have not yet completed their final year to apply.
Are postgraduate medical students eligible to apply?
No, only undergraduate biomedical, basic science, and medical students enrolled at any Victorian university who have not yet completed their final year are eligible to apply.
Are students enrolled in doctoral pathways eligible to apply?
No, students enrolled in doctoral pathways are not eligible to apply, as this program is considered postgraduate.
Are students who are intending to enrol in honours in Semester 1, 2025, eligible to apply?
Yes, these students are eligible to apply as they are still completing their undergraduate studies.
What is the 'summer break' period during which I can complete my studentship?
The summer break typically refers to the university summer holidays, which are usually from November to February.
Further information
If you have any questions about this funding, please contact:
Research Governance Unit
grants@cancervic.org.au
Complaints
Cancer Council supports advances in cancer research through its Extramural Research Grants Program which comprises several grant schemes, including this grant scheme. Each scheme is connected to a grant assessment committee, comprising independent medical and research experts and may include people affected by cancer. Committee members are from Victoria and interstate.
The Assessment Committee reviews, assesses, and recommends applications for funding. This involves an independent, peer-review process with a rigorous conflict of interest process. The process is overseen by Cancer Council’s Research Governance and Business Operations unit. Final award decisions are made by Cancer Council per its delegations of authority requirements.
When responding to complaints, Cancer Council will always act in good faith and will be transparent, responsive, and fair. Complaints handling is confidential and has no bearing on an applicant’s or institution’s future eligibility or success with Cancer Council’s research grant program.
Complaints are processed, responded to, reviewed, and reported in accordance with Cancer Council Victoria’s Complaints Policy (internal document) and Conflict of Interest Procedure (internal document). Information collected as part of handling a complaint is done in line with Cancer Council Victoria’s Privacy Policy (www.cancervic.org.au/about/about-this-site/privacy).
Types of complaints we accept
Cancer Council will only accept complaints related to the grant administration processes of its Extramural Research Grants Program. Cancer Council will not accept complaints concerning assessor ratings or comments, differences of opinion regarding quality or merit of individual applications (successful or unsuccessful), and decision outcomes.
Lodging a complaint
Complaints can be made by:
The Research Administration Office (or equivalent) on behalf of the grant applicant(s) and any partner institutions or by members of the grant assessment committee.
Complaints must be received by Cancer Council within 28 calendar days (4 weeks) of the notification date of application outcomes (e.g., if Cancer Council sends notification of outcomes on 1 October, the complaint must be lodged by 28 October). Complaints can be lodged via post, email or phone.
Attention: Research Governance and Business Operations Unit (Strategy and Support Division)
Postal address: Cancer Council Victoria Level 8, 200 Victoria Parade East Melbourne 3002
Email: grants@cancervic.org.au
Phone: +61 3 9514 6100 (Cancer Council general number)
Complaints handling
For every complaint received, Cancer Council Victoria will:
- Respond to the complaint (where the complainant is known);
- Review the complaint and escalate where required;
- Unless there is a genuine reason not to do so, communicate the outcome of a complaint to the complainant (where the complainant is known);
- Record and report the complaint, including the complaint outcome.
Complaints recording and reporting
The Research Governance and Business Operations unit maintains a log of complaints received and uses this information to undertake internal complaints tracking and reporting.