The Forrest Research Foundation Fellowships

Applications open now until 11:59PM AWST 30 June 2024!

The Forrest Research Foundation (‘the Foundation’) at The University of Western Australia was established in 2014 following the donation of $65 million, over 10 years, by Andrew and Nicola Forrest, through the Minderoo Foundation. Their donation is to assist Western Australia in becoming a world-class centre of research and innovation through attracting the next generation of outstanding intellects to Western Australia.

The Forrest Research Foundation Fellowships are provided to attract and assist outstanding early-career post-doctoral researchers to undertake high quality research at a Western Australian University.

Forrest Fellows will be persons of exceptional ability and resourcefulness, having the highest calibre of academic achievement and with potential to make a positive difference to the world. They will help build world class research and innovation capacity in Western Australia.

The Fellowship is to be held in conjunction with an employment contract at a Western Australian university. A proportion of the employment contract will be for the general mission of the Forrest Research Foundation (including mentoring of Forrest Scholars and ambassadorial duties). The requirement will also be for Forrest Fellows to provide leadership and mentoring within Forrest Hall.

The Forrest Fellowships are set out in accordance with the Forrest Research Foundation Strategic Plan and the employment contract with the university except as set out below.

Overview

Forrest postdoctoral fellows are more than just intellectually brilliant. They are adventurous, curious, open to ideas from anywhere. They embrace unusual approaches to problem-solving and take risks that others may not. They enjoy breaking with convention – the path less travelled is appealing because new frontiers offer new opportunities for discovery. They are intellectually generous and take time to understand and challenge ideas, collaborating to improve outcomes for the community and the world. 

Forrest Fellowships are offered to early-stage postdoctoral researchers who have outstanding academic profiles and who have already made significant personal research contributions within and beyond their discipline. Forrest Fellows will have been among the top performing students in their undergraduate and graduate cohorts. They will already have gained high-level research experience through studying and researching in several different institutions, and their innovative doctoral research will be recognised well beyond their current institutional home. Forrest Fellows will wish to extend their postdoctoral research well beyond the focus of their doctoral dissertation and will aim to do so in a way that builds intellectual bridges within and between disciplines. Forrest Fellows are also committed to communicating their research to others, to have a positive impact on the world around us.

Benefits

The Forrest Research Foundation will provide funding for:

• Salary
  • Salary consistent with a Level A Step 8 appointment (for example The University of Western Australia Salary Scales approximately $99,905 in salary plus 17% superannuation)
• Accommodation Allowance
  • An accommodation allowance of $24,128 per annum in 2024 (subject to marginal tax rate)
• Research and travel allowance
  • A once-off research and travel allowance of up to $12,000. This allowance is available for approved research-related expenses, overseas research, and conference travel. 
• Relocation allowance
  • All interstate and international Fellows can apply for a relocation allowance, including an economy airfare to Perth, which can be discussed with the Director if successful.

Forrest Fellows will provide up to 1 day per week to advance the general mission of the Forrest Research Foundation which could include providing mentoring, ambassadorial and leadership to Forrest Scholars, Forrest Hall and the Forrest Research Foundation. Appointments at Level B will be considered if supported by the employing university. 

Eligibility

Fellowship Guidelines

1. Title

Forrest Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships. Awardees will be known as “Forrest Fellows”.

2. Governed by:

The constitution of the Forrest Research Foundation of The University of Western Australia (see https://www.uwa.edu.au/about-us/leadership-and-governance/governance/senate/senate-committees/the-forrest-research-foundation-at-the-university-of-western-australia) and the relevant employment policies of the employing university.

3. Purpose:

To attract and assist outstanding early career researchers to undertake high quality post-doctoral research at one of the following Western Australian universities:

• Curtin University
• Edith Cowan University
• Murdoch University
• The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle Campus)
• The University of Western Australia

4. Value:

(1) The Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship package comprises:

a) A contribution of the salary (and on-costs) to the employing university including;

• Level A Step 8 in Year 1, 2 and 3 – based on the University of Western Australia salary scales in 2024, this is Fellow Salary of approximately $103,202, plus superannuation of 17%.
• Salary on-costs will be provided by the Forrest Research Foundation to the employing university.
• A one-off research and travel allowance of up to $12,000. The research and travel allowance is available for approved research-related expenses, overseas research, and conference travel (this will be administered by the employing university).
• A one-off relocation allowance of up to $10,000, including economy airfares to Perth.

b) An accommodation allowance to assist with living expenses of residing within Forrest Hall set at $24,128 per annum in 2024 (Note this is subject to a marginal tax rate).
c) A proportion of the Forrest Fellows employment contract will be for the general mission of the Foundation. This is an additional stipulation of one day per week (0.2FTE) in the employment contract between the Forrest Fellow and the employing university, including mentoring of Forrest Scholars and ambassadorial duties.

(2) If the employing university wishes to employ Forrest Fellows at a higher level or salary, the employer is responsible for funding the shortfall.

5. Method of payment:

• The Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship salary will be paid through the employing university’s payroll system, in conjunction with the relevant employment policies.
• The accommodation allowance will be provided by the Forrest Research Foundation to the employing university (for distribution to the Forrest Fellow), for payment towards living expenses and contribution to accommodation costs at Forrest Hall. The relocation and research travel allowance will be administered by the employing university and available to the awardee upon application.

6. Duration of Fellowship:
The duration of the Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship is up to three years on a full time basis, but is conditional on meeting satisfactory progress.

Exemptions to full-time may be considered by the Forrest Research Foundation Governors for reasons such as parental leave and is subject to the employment conditions between the Forrest Fellow and the employing university and relevant leave policies.

7. Eligibility requirements:

(1) To be eligible to apply for a Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship, an applicant must:

a) have had their PhD conferred on or after 1 January 2022, or will have successfully completed all the requirements for the award of their PhD by 31 December 2024.

b) be intending to reside at Forrest Hall for the duration of the Fellowship (exemptions may be considered by the Governors of the Forrest Research Foundation).

To be eligible to take up a Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship, an awardee must:

a) have been offered and accepted an employment contract at a Western Australian university. The Forrest Foundation will liaise with the nominated university to issue the employment contract to successful fellowship applicants.

b) have received their PhD conferral before taking up their appointment.

c) take up the Forrest Fellowship and commence employment at the relevant university within 12 months of being awarded the Fellowship.

d) agree to reporting their progress to the Forrest Research Foundation Director and the Minderoo Foundation each year.

8. Application procedure:
(1) Applications are called for by the Forrest Research Foundation and must be submitted by the advertised closing date.
(2) Applications must include the following documentation in order to be considered–

a) a completed online application form submitted through the Forrest Research Foundation website;
b) A Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages).
c) Publications list.
d) Grants and awards list.
e) Contact details for three referees (one personal (optional) and at least two academic).
f) Photograph.

9. Selection criteria:
Applications will be assessed by the Forrest Research Foundation Selection Committee on the basis of each applicant’s:
a)  outstanding academic achievements.
b)  exceptional ability, resourcefulness and originality.
c) potential to make a positive difference to the world.
d) their ability and commitment to mentoring and leadership within the Forrest Research Foundation Community (including Forrest Scholars and at Forrest Hall).
e) a demonstration of how the award would help build world-class innovation and research capacity in Western Australia.

10. Selection process:
The selection of applicants will be undertaken by the Selection Committee of the Forrest Research Foundation having regard to applicants’ academic records, completed application and supporting documentation.

The applicant’s nominated university is responsible for providing a short statement on the research environment that Forrest Fellows will be a part of (facilities, mentoring, equipment etc.) as well as a commitment to any additional resources (e.g. recommended salary level, start-up grants etc.). The applicant’s nominated university will also need to detail how the employing university will develop and mentor the Forrest Fellow, either on to a subsequent research fellowship or into teaching activities.

The Selection Committee will interview shortlisted applicants. Shortlisted applicants may be required to conduct a presentation on research at the nominated university in conjunction with the selection process.

The Forrest Research Foundation Selection Committee will refer Fellows to the Forrest Research Foundation Board of Governors for endorsement.

11. Residency:
Fellowship awardees are expected to reside at Forrest Hall. Exemptions may be considered by the Forrest Research Foundation Governors (for example in the instance of Forrest Fellows having a young family or conducting the majority of the research outside of the Perth metro area).

The Foundation will recoup a rental payment for residency at Forrest Hall.

12. Publications:
Any thesis, dissertation or other publication resulting from research undertaken by the recipient while in receipt of the Forrest Research Foundation Fellowship must acknowledge the support of the Fellowship, Forrest Research Foundation and carry the employing university’s by-line.

Any variation from these guidelines will require approval by the Director of the Forrest Research Foundation.

13. File number: n/a

14. Donor: Andrew and Nicola Forrest

15. Selection committee: The Forrest Research Foundation Selection Committee

16. Administered by: The Forrest Research Foundation and the employing university

17. Year fellowship(s) first offered: 2018

18. Period of funding: The fellowship fund is held in perpetuity.

19. Date established: 2014

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship?

Click the “Apply” tab on the Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship web page, where you will be directed to the applications portal. This link will only be made available when the fellowship round is open.

How does my application for a Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship need to be submitted?

All applications must be submitted online through the Forrest Research Foundation application portal (available only when the Foundation is accepting applications). If you experience any issues submitting your application through the portal, contact the Forrest Research Foundation here as soon as possible.

When are the opening dates for the Forrest Fellowships?

The Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship round varies annually, however typically applications open in mid to late May and close in June each year.  We suggest you subscribe to updates from the Forrest Research Foundation using the form at the bottom of this page, so that you will receive an alert once applications open.

Who should I ask to be my referees?

Applicants are required to provide contact details for three referees (at least two should be academic) – please note that referee reports will most likely be required only if you make the interview stage.

You should ask people who will best support your application and are familiar with both your research and broader engagement activities. Where possible this should include your academic supervisors, colleagues, and key contacts who can provide relevant information about your academic achievements and professional attributes, especially in relation to the selection criteria. You are encouraged to provide referees that are not all from the same organisation, school or faculty.

If you choose to nominate personal referees, they should be persons able to comment on personal characteristics and strengths as displayed, for example, in your extra-curricular activities at university, or in your previous employment. Personal referees should not be related to you.

When will my referees be contacted?

Referees may be contacted directly by the Forrest Research Foundation after the application round is closed. Please note that referee reports will most likely be required only if you make the interview stage.

Can I defer my Fellowship if successful?

A Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship may not usually be deferred; we prefer successful awardees to commence their Fellowship early during the first year of the award (2025). The Governors of the Forrest Research Foundation may consider a request for deferral by a successful applicant in extenuating circumstances. You will need to write a letter requesting any deferral directly to the Director of the Forrest Research Foundation, which outlines your specific circumstances, who will then discuss your formal request with the Governors.

How can I prepare before applications open?

Forrest Research Foundation accepts Fellowship applications once a year, typically between May and June. The application form will ask for the following information:

• A research proposal in plain English, with an emphasis on the impact of your work.
• A chosen mentor/supervisor from one of the five WA universities who is supportive of your application.
• How you will contribute to the Forrest Research Foundation community.
• Your CV, publications list, grants and awards, and details of three referees.
• Your other, non-academic interests.

How can I make my application succeed?

There is no “formula” for a successful application. Each application should be about the particular candidate and the proposed research, while ensuring you also address the selection criteria and submit all formal requirements including uploading the documentation.

Remember: we are looking for applicants who are academically excellent, want to be part of our vibrant intellectual community, are curious and have a desire to engage with the public.

As a Forrest Postdoctoral Fellow, you will also be expected to show leadership within the Foundation through mentoring, community engagement, and leading one of our internal committees.

When should I contact my mentor?

It is a requirement that each applicant contact their proposed mentor to discuss their Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship application and ensure they are willing to mentor you. Applicants who do not have a nominated mentor (or who have not been in contact with their mentor) will not be considered.

The Selection Committee will seek the views of proposed mentors prior to interviewing shortlisted candidates.

If I am not an Australian citizen, can I apply for a Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship?

Forrest Fellowships are open to both domestic and international applicants.

How do I know if I am eligible for a Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship?

The Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowship Guidelines stipulate all the eligibility criteria.

It should be noted that each Western Australian university may have subtle differences and if you have any specific questions, we encourage you to contact their research offices. Contact details for the different research offices can be found here:

Curtin University
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
The University of Western Australia

Is there a preference for specific disciplines?

No. Forrest Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to applicants from all disciplines.

Can I submit more than one application putting forward different universities and potential mentors?

Your success will not be determined based on your choice of university or mentor. It is recommended that you nominate your proposed university and mentor based on the research environment and facilities that are most relevant to your proposed fellowship.

Please note that multiple applications will not be considered.

Click here to know more and APPLY