Philanthropists Stan and Jean Perron with some of the Institute’s up-and-coming researchers
Philanthropically-minded members of the community are lending their support to The Kids Research Institute Australia’s up-and-comers. Through a suite of scholarships and awards, their generosity is helping cultivate and inspire future generations of child health researchers.
Below are a few of the scholarships and awards on offer:
Stan and Jean Perron Award for Excellence
One way the Institute supports its strong research culture is to reward those post-graduate students who show exceptional promise.
The Stan and Jean Perron Award, valued at $5000, is provided to students whose efforts are particularly outstanding and whose work strongly reflects the aims of the Institute.
“Top-up” scholarships are also made available through the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation. These awards accompany scholarships won by the recipients through partner universities and include $5000 per year, paid in conjunction with the main university scholarship for the duration of the scholarship and $10,000 to be used towards the candidate’s studies.
Peter and Anne Hector Award
A desire for positive and lasting change in the lives of Aboriginal children motivated the establishment of this award, funded by Peter and Anne Hector. It is given to exceptional students who undertake translational research projects in Aboriginal children’s health and development at the Institute.
Masters students are eligible for an award of $5000 per annum for two years, Honours for $5000 for one year and Doctor of Medicine students $5000 per annum for two years in their third and fourth years.
Barbara May Scholarship
Collaboration is an important part of research, inviting the exchange of new ideas and perspectives that may be crucial to unravelling difficult scientific problems. The Barbara May Scholarship, established by Lorene Bruce in memory of her sister, is designed to help facilitate this by supporting the development of new collaborations or consolidating existing ones.
Two awards are available for mid-career researchers, those 7-12 years post PhD, valued at up to $5000 each.
Bendat Family Foundation Children’s Research Scholarship
Made possible by the generosity of businessman and philanthropist Jack Bendat and his family since 2012, the scholarship is also designed to promote collaboration.
Mid-career researchers can apply for two awards of up to $5000 each.
Rachel Kierath Scholarship in Paediatric Cancer Research
Rachel Kierath was a friend of The Kids Research Institute Australia with a vision to help the Institute’s Cancer Centre achieve new discoveries in personalised, translational medical research.
Rachel sadly succumbed to cancer after a prolonged battle in late 2016 and this scholarship has been established in her honour thanks to the support of her family and friends.
The purpose of this PhD or MD/PhD scholarship is to support exceptionally qualified postgraduate research students to undertake cancer research at the Institute and takes the form of a supplementary (top- up) stipend plus a dedicated research and travel fund.
Allegra Scafidas Development Award
Allegra Amelie Scafidas died from pneumococcal disease at the age of 6 months.
To honour her memory Allegra’s family has established two awards, worth up to $5000, to help further the innovative, translational work of researchers in the field of infectious diseases and vaccines.
Aspire Conference Award
An initiative of the Perth Convention Bureau, this program assists in the professional development of Institute researchers by providing up to $10,000 to fund their attendance at an international conference in their chosen field. Established in 1999, the Aspire program has allowed dozens of researchers to broaden their knowledge and networks by attending conferences around the world. On their return, recipients share how that conference could be attracted to WA.
Mike Schon-Hegrad Award
Technology and information management are crucial to the scientific endeavour underway at the Institute. Recognising the importance of innovative and novel applications in the field, the Mike Schon-Hegrad Award was established in 2005 to promote professional development in the area or the purchase of equipment or software.
The award, worth $2000, was named after Mr Schon-Hegrad, an important member of the Institute team who passed away in 2002.
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