The Foundation is offering grants providing financial assistance to a maximum of $50,000 each for a one-and-a-half-year period (18 months) as well as one-on-one mentoring support from a leading research expert.

In this grant round, the Foundation is offering grants providing financial assistance to a maximum of $50,000 each for a one-and-a-half-year (18 months) period as well as one-on-one mentoring support from a leading research expert.

The financial assistance provided should support research and career progression and may be used for any one, or a combination of, the following purposes: 

• To increase research productivity (e.g. employ a research assistant, cover direct research costs, contribute to childcare costs additional to those that would usually be incurred by the applicant and/or contribute to costs of parking closer to the workplace);
• To increase the scientific profile of the researcher by supporting attendance at national or international conferences. Applicants requesting funding for conferences must present their research at the conference.
• To reduce administrative burden (e.g. employ support staff to assist with grant applications and/or compliance including research ethics / governance submissions, etc.); 
• To attain key resources (e.g. research equipment, access to expensive enablers / technologies such as biobanks);

Proposed uses of funding should be clearly defined in the budget section of the grant application with a detailed justification as to how the use of funds will progress the researcher’s career. If awarded a grant, the researcher must use the funds as specified throughout the award period; any variation of more than 10% of the Approved Budget item must be approved in advance by the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Grant recipients shall ensure all travel, accommodation, meals and incidental costings are in accordance with the relevant travel policies and procedures of their Administering Institution. The Children’s Hospital Foundation reserves the right to request evidence of compliance with the relevant institutional guidelines.

Who can apply?

Applications are subject to the following eligibility requirements: 

• The Applicant identifies as female.
• The Applicant must hold a salaried position with Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CHQ), or a formal conjoint appointment between CHQ and a university, with a paid CHQ component.
• The Applicant can apply into only one of the three available streams:
• Novice Researcher (pre-PhD) – the Applicant is enrolled in a PhD (at the round closing date).
• Early-career Researcher (ECR) – the Applicant has held a PhD in a biomedical or health-related field of research for no more than five years, taking into account Career Disruptions (see Glossary and description on page 9).
• Mid-career Researcher (MCR) – the Applicant has held a PhD in a biomedical or health-related field of research for more than five years, but no more than fifteen years, taking into account Career Disruptions (see Glossary and description on page 9).
• The Applicant must have a demonstrated commitment to the field of paediatric research.
• The Applicant must not have previously received a Mary McConnel Career Boost Program grant.
• The Applicant’s research program aligns with the CHQ Research Strategy 2023–2025.
• The Applicant must submit a letter of support from the CHQ Director of Research.
• No more than one application per grant round is to be submitted by an Applicant.
• The grant application is to be submitted via SmartyGrants.
• The Applicant must be available to attend an interview (via Microsoft Teams) on the morning of 5 June 2024 if shortlisted.
• Mary McConnel grants will be administered by CHQ.
• The Applicant must be willing to participate in public events promoting their research and/or the activities of the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
• The Applicant must be located in Queensland, and at least 80% of the Award Activity must occur in the state of Queensland.

• Email: grants@childrens.org.au