The Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes support the University of Sydney's commitment to developing excellent researchers relative to opportunity across all disciplines. Up to 10 Research Excellence and Inclusion Prizes are typically awarded each year.

Awardees receive: 

• Up to $55,000 in research funding and/or teaching relief
• An academic mentor who will work with them over the course of their prize
• A researcher development workshop program, which may include topics such as having difficult conversations, powerful external engagement, or how to lead teams effectively.

Target audience

The program has three application streams:

• Laffan (for colleagues with disabilities)
• Brown (for colleagues with significant carer’s responsibilities) and
• Thompson (for high-performing women seeking promotion to levels D and E).

The University of Sydney values the unique perspectives and ways of knowing and doing that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues bring to research and education. The University strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues to apply for research prizes. One prize will be specifically designated to support the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicant.

Eligibility

Scheme Guidelines outline full eligibility criteria, but key criteria include:

• Academic at levels B to D (who have not applied for level E yet)
• Fulfill the requirements of one of the three streams: Brown, Laffan, Thompson
• Employed at least 0.5FTE (0.4FTE for the Laffan stream only) at the University of Sydney
• Having a valid employment contract spanning the entire length of the program

Awards in each category will be decided by an academic panel chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Training). 

The key selection criteria for all streams are research excellence and the transformative potential of the award for each applicant, as outlined in the application.