David Briggs Rural Health Research Prize

Background

Dr David Briggs AM was a UNE Alumnus and Adjunct Professor with the Faculty of Medicine and Health. An avid researcher and Director and Deputy Chair of the Board of the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, Dr Briggs was passionate about sustaining and enhancing rural primary healthcare and this prize has been set up in his honor.

Prize Summary

Value per annum: $5,000

Duration: 1 year

Payment Method: Student bank account

Number awarded in 2025: 2 - The prize will be awarded to the successful recipient/s at the PHN’s annual Quality and Innovation Awards.

Application Closing Date: Applications should be no more than one-two A4 pages (in addition to the publication) and are due by Friday 30 May 2025 to the UNE Graduate Research School grs-scholoarships@une.edu.au.

Eligibility

Enrolment status: The prize will be offered annually to a current UNE PhD student or recently finished UNE PhD student (within 3 years) for their published work related to rural health completed within their PhD series, or no more than three years post PhD.

Course Type: PhD

Degree/School/Discipline: A student studying in the area of Rural Health.

Geographic requirement: Students applying for this prize must be affiliated with the UNE and located in Australia. Eligibility for this prize is not restricted to students residing or studying within the Hunter New England Central Coast (HNECC) region.

Essential Criteria
  1. Provide a PDF and/or DOI link to a publication in rural health or health management completed within your PhD series, or no more than three years post PhD demonstrating an important contribution to the field.
  2. Demonstrate how your research is relevant to regional, rural or remote health, and the impact you anticipate your research will have on these areas.
  3. Align the relevance of the research to the HNECC region, including any recommendations that could be implemented locally in the HNECC region.
  4. Detail how this prize would assist in your professional development if successful.
  5. Provide details of one referee or supervisor for a verbal reference.
  6. If successful, attendance at the Quality and Innovation Awards in Newcastle on 1 August 2025 (note that travel and accommodation is not covered by the PHN for prize recipients).
Highly Desirable Criteria
  1. Research that aligns with the strategic goals and priorities outlined in the HNECC PHN Strategic Plan.
Assessment process

UNE will undertake an initial assessment of applications for eligibility and then an applicant report will be provided to the PHN Judging Panel. The panel will include representatives from the HNECC PHN and UNE. All eligible EOI submissions will be reviewed by the Judging Panel, and applicants will be informed of the outcome within four weeks following the submission due date indicated. If you have been successful, you will be expected to attend the Quality and Innovation Awards in Newcastle to receive your prize in person on 1 August 2025.

Reporting

In April-May of the following year, the successful recipients are expected to provide a brief overview of how the David Briggs Rural Health Research Prize has assisted them in undertaking research within rural health. This can be delivered in written format or by video (2mins max).

Payment Conditions
  1. The student shall receive $5,000.
  2. The prize is payable into the recipient’s bank account.
How to Apply

HDR candidates must provide all supporting documentation along with completing the HDR Scholarship Application form and submitting to the UNE Graduate Research School.

Only complete applications will be processed, so please ensure that you have submitted all required documentation with your application.

Acceptance

In accepting David Briggs Rural Health Research Prize, the recipient acknowledges that they have read, understand and accept the Terms and Conditions specified above.

Please note that this Terms and Conditions document must be signed and returned IN FULL no later than five (5) days from the date of the offer email.  You may contact the Graduate Research School if you need an extension to this deadline.

Prize Name:David Briggs Rural Health Research Prize
Student Name: 
Student number: 
  
Signature: 
Date: