Each year, the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia awards and celebrates two exceptional mid-career stem cell researchers with the Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research. The initiative aims to recognise and reward scientists who are conducting excellent and sustained work focused on stem cell research.The prizes recognise and honour the exceptional contribution made to stem cell research by Emeritus Professor Donald Metcalf, AC, FRS, FAA, who died in December 2014.The prizes support the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia’s mission to promote the study and use of stem cells in the prevention or control of disease in human beings and to enhance stem cell public education.The 2018 Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research have been awarded to Heather Lee and Enzo Porrello. Applications for the 2019 Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research have now closed.The Metcalf Prizes, each worth $50,000, are awarded to: one male and one female stem cell researcher working in Australia between 5-10 years past their PhD or MD (research-based). Click here to meet the Metcalf Prize alumni. Dates for 2019 Metcalf Prizes Applications open: Monday 24 June 2019 EXTENDED: Applications close: Friday 2 August 2019 The two winners will be notified in mid-September 2019 The Metcalf Prizes will be awarded at an event in November 2019 How to apply Read the selection criteria, prize conditions and FAQ. Draft your application offline using the template. Prepare your full CV including full list of publications. Complete the online application form, including uploading your CV and list of publications. (Optional) Applicants can invite colleagues, peers or mentors to write a confidential referee's letter in support of their application. Such letters should be emailed directly by the referee to the prize jury, via [email protected]. Please ask your referee(s) to write 'Metcalf Prize referee letter' in the email subject line. Sit back and wait while applications are sent to the jury panel for review and shortlisting. We encourage applicants to seek a mentor to provide advice and guidance on preparing their application.Please note: we will only receive applications via the website. Please do not send any additional information to us by email. It will not be used in the judging. If you have any questions about the online form or the application process, please contact Tanya Ha from Science in Public, which is administering the Metcalf Prizes for us: [email protected] Download the draft template We strongly recommend that you draft your application offline before submitting your application online, as you won't be able to save your online application and go back to it. You can download this template for your draft, but please note that the online form will only support basic formatting. We will not accept applications forms as Word documents or PDF. You must submit your application using the online form (active when the Prizes are open for applications). 2019 Metcalf Prizes application form - offline version  

Eligibility criteria Applicants must be involved in stem cell research. Applications are open to post-doctoral researchers who have completed their PhD or MD (research-based) within the past 5-10 years (from August 2009 to August 2014). Allowances will be made for research career breaks. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Applicants must be associated with an Australian-based research institution, and must be intending to continue their research predominantly in Australia for the next 12 months. Applications will be considered only if they are complete and submitted by the due date. Exceptions to these eligibility criteria may be considered by the prize jury. Applicants should explain their circumstances in the ‘personal statement’ section of the application form. Selection criteria The jury is looking for up-and-coming leaders in stem cell research: researchers who have already had several high impact publications and other recognition of their research including grants, prizes and invitations to speak at conferences. If you don’t yet have an established publication record, you may wish to defer applying for the Metcalf Prize for a year or two while you further establish your career. The Metcalf Prize jury will review all applications and select two Metcalf Prize winners – one man and one woman – based on: Intellectual merit, including academic record and publication record Leadership potential, including: ability to plan and conduct research; ability to work as a team member or independently; ability to interpret and communicate research findings Potential to have a continuing impact in stem cell research in Australia Professional esteem. The jury’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Conditions of the prize Financial conditions Two $50,000 Metcalf Prizes are available, but the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia reserves the right not to award one or more of the prizes in any given year. The Metcalf Prizes may not be deferred nor renewed. Metcalf Prize winners will receive the funds in two part-payments: the first at the award ceremony and the final payment six months later. Candidates will be permitted to obtain matching grants or supplemental prize grants if they do not prohibit or pose a conflict in acceptance of the Metcalf Prize. The prize money is intended to help finance and support the scientific research of the Prize winners. This can include: equipment and reagents/consumables; travel and accommodation expenses, such as the cost of attending conferences or visiting overseas laboratories of excellence and relevance; child care expenses; and support for the hire of a research assistant, if required to ensure that the applicant’s research progresses. The prize money should not be used to: pay personal costs other than child care; supplement the applicant’s salary, other than in exceptional circumstances; or pay institutional overheads. These are personal prizes and will be paid directly to the recipients, not to their research institution. Expectations The Metcalf Prizes will be announced at an award ceremony in November 2019, and the two Metcalf Prize winners will be expected to attend, with the cost of travel and accommodation (if required) covered by the Foundation. In the 12 months following their award, the Metcalf Prize recipients will be expected to act as advocates for stem cell science in Australia, and to be available for events, interviews with journalists and similar opportunities. The Metcalf Prize recipients will be offered mentoring and media training to help them make the most of the opportunities provided by the Prizes. Reporting requirements Six months after the Metcalf Prize ceremony, recipients will submit a brief status report, highlighting career achievements since receiving the award, any public engagements or media appearances and any other invitations which have been extended to them as a result of their award. This first report should be submitted to the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia and will be forwarded to jury members for review. The second prize payment will follow receipt of this report. A lay-version of activity should be incorporated into this report. One year after the Metcalf Prize ceremony, recipients will submit a report including the above, plus a reconciliation of funds spent and an indication of how these resources/activities have advanced their career. This second report should be submitted to the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia within one month of the completion of the Metcalf Prize year (ie: within 13 months of the prize award ceremony) and will be forwarded to jury members for review.

Professor Caroline Gargett Endometrial stem/progenitor cells, endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapse, regenerative medicine, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, tissue engineering, women's health Professor James Angus Cardiovascular science with regard to stroke, hypertension and coronary artery reactivity Professor Andrew Elefanty Cardiac stem cells, gene targeting, development and differentiation, blood cells Associate Professor Ngaire Elwood Cord blood stem cells, cancer, cellular therapy Professor Geoff Lindeman Breast stem cells, breast cancer cells of origin, molecular genetics, epigenetics, hormonal signalling, stem cell regulation, clinical translation Professor Susie Nilsson HSC biology, transplantation and microenvironment,  murine & human.  xenograft models, ESC derived HSC, HSC mobilisation Professor Jane Visvader Breast stem cells, breast cancer cells of origin, molecular genetics, epigenetics, hormonal signalling, stem cell regulation Professor George Yeoh Molecular genetics, molecular and cellular changes during liver carcinogenesis, liver stem cells, regenerative medicine

Please read these FAQ alongside the eligibility criteria and conditions of the prize. We can't write criteria that cover every eventuality. If you don’t precisely meet the criteria, but feel that your particular circumstances merit consideration, you are invited to nominate and to explain your circumstances in the personal statement – the last question on the online form.The jury and prize organisers will assess every application – but the jury’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Questions about the application process Q. Where can I explain my special circumstances?A. The last question on the online form is a personal statement, which allows you to outline your particular circumstances more fully. Q. Should I include my work or home address on the application form?A. Use the address where you are happy to receive mail. Q. Will I get a confirmation email after submitting the online form?A. Yes you will receive an email once your application has been received. Q. How should I format my CV?A. Your CV should be no more than five pages and will include a full list of publications, either included in your CV or attached as a separate document.The jury will consider these alongside the application that you have already submitted. A CV in a similar format to NHMRC/ARC guidelines would be fine. It should include the following details: Personal details: name, address, contact details Qualifications, awards and prizes: all tertiary degrees or diplomas, and relevant certificates, prizes and awards Employment history: starting with your current role and continuing in reverse chronological order Appointments, leadership roles and professional memberships: please list any relevant activities including seats on committees, memberships of professional societies and editorial roles, etc. Conferences, seminars, talks and lectures: please list any relevant presentations and seminars Patents and other achievements: details of any relevant patent applications, software packages developed etc. Grants and funding: for projects in which you have played a significant role Full publication list: including impact factors and citation scores. Papers in press should also be included. We would prefer you to name these files using the format “lastname_firstname_CV.ext” – for example, Smith_Jane_CV.pdf Questions about eligibility for the Prizes Q. I don’t meet the eligibility criteria to the letter; can I still apply?A. Yes, you can still apply. Make note of why you believe your application should still be considered in the personal statement – the last question on the form – and the jury will take it into account. Q. I received my PhD or MD more than ten years ago, but I have less than ten years post-doctoral experience. May I still apply?A. We are looking for mid-career scientists, with 5–10 years post-doctoral experience. You should have received notice of approval of your PhD or MD (research-based) between August 2009 and August 2014 to be eligible. Exceptions will be made for research career breaks including: Maternity, carer or family leave. Note: applicants can claim 1.5 years per child for maternity/parental leave. This applies to parents of any gender. Periods of part-time work Time spent on non-research related clinical work. You should outline your circumstances in the personal statement section of the application form. Q. I am currently working part-time. Am I still eligible?A. Yes. Indicate your circumstances and it will be taken into account by the judges. Q. Do I need to be employed by a university or a research institution?A. You must be employed as a stem cell researcher, but you may have associations with more than one employer. Your main employer should be an Australian institution. Q. I am not an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Am I still eligible?A. The Metcalf Prizes are intended to support Australian citizens and permanent residents who are carrying out research at Australian research institutions. The jury will consider exceptions to this rule on a case-by-case basis. If you feel your situation merits special consideration, outline your circumstances in the personal statement section of the application form. Q. What counts as stem cell research?A. The Prizes support the Foundation’s mission to promote the study and use of stem cells in the prevention or control of disease in human beings and to enhance stem cell public education. If you feel that it’s a stretch to claim your work is truly ‘stem cell research’, it’s likely the jury will also feel that way. That said, if your work pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between stem cell research and another field in novel and exciting ways, the jury will certainly consider your application. However, the prize aims to recognised sustained research focused on stem cell science. Q. I've got a different questionA. send us an email -  [email protected]