Opportunity Closed

The COMBS Career Restart Grant is here to help COMBS CI's to help academic researchers reignite their careers after significant interruptions.

Up to $20,000 is available to cover up to 50% of salary costs. 

The grant provides a unique opportunity for talented researchers to re-enter academia, regain momentum, and build future career prospects.

This initiative supports the COMBS Centre Strategy by ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talented researchers who might not otherwise be competitive for openly advertised positions.

What does this (grant) enable?

• To help you take on new people for a focused project

• Help researchers to start to rebuild a track record for new positions

• To hire people from a wider pool, where candidates' track record might not reflect their potential.

Who Can Apply?

A COMBS Chief Investigator (CI) must submit the application on behalf of a nominated researcher.
 

The nominee must:
✅ Be an Australian citizen or hold the necessary visa to undertake paid work.
✅ Have completed their PhD within the last 10 years (Full Time Equivalent). See Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) by ARC for more information.
✅ Have experienced a significant career disruption (e.g., caring responsibilities, health-related interruptions, or other major life events).

Note: The nature of career interruptions does not need to be disclosed—only their impact.

Selection Criteria

📌 Career Interruption Severity – Duration and impact on research career.
📌 Track Record & Potential – Research achievements, relative to opportunity.
📌 Impact of the Grant – How the funding will help reestablish their career.
📌 Relevance to COMBS – How the proposed research aligns with the Centre’s strategy.

What’s Required?

✔ CI Commitment: Must fund at least 50% of salary (including on-costs).
✔ Nominee Start Date: Expected within six months of award (barring exceptional circumstances).
✔ Final Report: Nominees provide a brief summary of outcomes within three months of project completion.

How to Apply

1️⃣ Budget Approval: Confirm ability to fund 50% of nominee’s salary.
2️⃣ Recruitment: Seek out potential nominees via networks, LinkedIn, or email outreach.
3️⃣ Application Submission: Work with the nominee to develop a strong proposal.

💡 Need guidance? COMBS Node administrators can help navigate university hiring processes.