EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS COMPETITION

          

Enter Now!

About
We want to hear about your research and why it matters! 

The Early Career Researchers Competition is the annual competition run by the Cooperative Research Australia (CRA) celebrating research and challenging early career researchers to enhance their communication skills, receive peer reviews, and gain skills surrounding presentation of their research to a broad audience. 

Introduce your project to us in one minute and you could win a trip to Adelaide to present your work at Collaborate Innovate 2023, 10-12 July, the annual conference of CRA.

If you are chosen as a finalist, you will be asked to create a five-minute thesis presentation that clearly explains your research and how it can be applied to a non-specialist audience. 

The three best entries will get: 

  • A trip to Adelaide with airfares, transfers, conference registration and all social events, including the Gala Dinner and Excellence in Innovation Awards (value $3,000) 
  • The opportunity to give a five-minute thesis presentation on your work at Collaborate Innovate 2023 
  • The chance to win $5,000 

Closing Date: Friday 16 June 2023.

      

Key Dates
Thursday 16 May    Submissions open
Friday 16 June        Submissions close
Friday 30 June        Three finalists announced
Monday 10 July       5-minute thesis presentation at 2023 Collaborate Innovate Conference
Tuesday 11 July      Winner announced at Conference Gala Dinner

Rules for the Five-Minute Thesis Competition: 

  1. Submission presentations (videos) are limited to 1 minute 
  2. Five-minute thesis presentations are limited to 5 minutes and competitors exceeding this are disqualified
  3. Video entries and finalist presentations must be made in English (or Auslan with English accompaniment)
  4. Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech
  5. Videos must meet the following criteria:
    • Filmed from a static position
    • Filmed from one camera angle
    • No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds) are permitted within the recording
    • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps or songs)
  6. The decision of the judging panel is final
  7. Submissions via video format. Files sent in other formats will not be accepted
  8. Entries to be submitted online here


Eligibility
To be eligible to apply you must be, or have been, a PhD or Masters student, including latter stage HDR Scholars, who has conducted industry focused research within a CRA member organisation, and be planning to submit your thesis in the next two years, or have already submitted within the past five years. For those who have submitted and are starting post-doctoral work, the application must be based on research conducted within a CRA member organisation.

Each application must include a letter of endorsement from a senior executive i.e. CEO, VCR, Dean from your member organisation. The letter can be in the form of an email.


Prizes

  • Return flights, accommodation, and attendance to the Collaborate Innovate 2023 conference (value $3,000) 
  • Presentation of your research on day 1 of the conference at Collaborate Innovate 2023
  • Exposure on Cooperative Research Australia’s website 
  • Exposure through Cooperative Research Australia’s media release and newsletters 
  • The Winner of the Early Career Researchers Competition will receive $5,000


Judging
Video submission:

  • Did the video provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research being addressed? 
  • Did the video follow a clear and logical sequence? 
  • Did the oration make the audience want to know more? 
  • Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research? 
  • Finalists Presentation will be based on People’s Choice 
  • Some further considerations in preparation of your presentation: 
    • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence? 
    • Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed? 
    • Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/ or results of the research, including conclusions and outcomes? 
    • Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence? 
    • Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention? 
    • Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range; maintain a steady pace, and have a confident stance?


Fine Print
You must not include any confidential information in your video or presentation. 

If you tick yes at the end of the application form you agree for us to post your photo, project description and a link to your video on the CRA website and use it to help promote the competition If shortlisted, you will be available to participate in Collaborate Innovate 2023 from 10-12 July 2023 

Judges’ decisions on short listing and audience decision on the winner are final 

You understand that CRA reserves the right to shortlist more or less finalists, based on the judges view of overall quality 

Video entries and finalist presentations must be made in English (or Auslan with English accompaniment) 

Video entries must be received by CRA by midnight Eastern Australian Daylight Savings Time Friday 16 June 2023 and you understand that CRA is not responsible for any technical assistance in loading or transmitting videos 

Flights for finalists will be provided by the most economical airfare from the most appropriate Australian port 

Shortlisted finalists will make themselves available for photos, media interviews and other events during Collaborate Innovate 2023 

There is a limit of 5 entries per CRA member organisation


Enter Now
Before you fill in the online application form you will need to record your one-minute video.

Judges will be able to see the link in your entry form. If you decide to make your video public, we recommend you do not allow comments.

Thank you to our sponsors


       
                                   
                            
                                
            

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