Westpac Banking : 30/06/2017 Westpac supports ground breaking research in Australia

30 June, 2017

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation is calling for talented early career researchers to apply for its annual Westpac Research Fellowship, supporting recipients to undertake ground breaking research, here in Australia.

The prestigious Fellowship is the first of its kind in Australia and is offered in partnership with four of Australia's leading research universities - The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland and The University of Sydney.

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation will contribute $330,000 towards each recipient's salary over three years, while the respective university partner will cover a professional development fund providing global opportunities and associated costs of research.

Susan Bannigan, CEO of Westpac Bicentennial Foundation said the successful applicants are selected on more than just academic excellence.

'We are looking for the best and brightest early career researchers. Not only do we select Westpac Research Fellows for their exceptional research and leadership capability, but also for their drive to contribute to the prosperity of Australia in one of the Foundation's priority focus areas of innovation and technology, enabling positive social impact and building Asia-Australia ties.'

2016 Westpac Research Fellow Sara Bice from The University of Melbourne says the Fellowship has made a big difference to her and her team.

'The Fellowship means that I can continue to pursue my research, fund and support my team members and have the confidence to push bold research ideas. There is no other program like this in Australia. The layers of support available through the Fellowship are unsurpassed and any researcher would be lucky to be part of it.'

In addition to financial support, every Westpac Research Fellowship recipient will become part of the Westpac 100 Scholars Network. Growing by 100 scholars a year across Westpac's five scholarship programs, the network connects those with bold ideas to build a better future for all Australians.

Applications close 31 August 2017.

For more information go to http://bicentennial.westpacgroup.com.au/scholarships/research-fellowship/