Postgraduate Research Scholarship: $40,109 annually to aid a PhD student from the Faculty of Medicine and Health in conducting research on food systems and nutrition policy.
Key Details:
- Value: $40,109 p.a. (up to 3.5 years)
- Eligibility: Domestic students pursuing a PhD at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, focusing on research in food systems and nutrition policy.
- Application Period: 18 December 2023 to 16 January 2024
How to Apply:
Interested candidates can submit their applications here.
Benefits:
The scholarship offers a living allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney’s Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate (adjusted annually on January 1st) for a maximum of 3.5 years, contingent on meeting academic progression criteria. Unfortunately, no extensions are possible.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be domestic students.
- Possess an unconditional offer of admission for a full-time PhD at the Faculty of Medicine and Health.
- Hold an honors degree (first class), a first-class equivalent, or a master’s degree with a substantial research component (i.e., 25% of one year full-time study load).
- Have a background in neuroscience, psychology, medicine, engineering, or a related health field.
- Be willing to undertake research in food systems and nutrition policy under the supervision of Associate Professor Anne Marie Thow.
Applicants without an unconditional offer of admission may apply and be considered, but no scholarship offer will be extended until the applicant secures unconditional admission.
Background:
The Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Food Systems and Nutrition Policy aims to support an outstanding postgraduate research student in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. The research focuses on food systems and nutrition policy and aligns with the NHMRC Partnership Project: Strengthening policy for healthy and sustainable diets: learning from innovation in practice.
This scholarship, backed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Sydney, contributes to a partnership project addressing policy actions outlined in Australia’s recent National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030 and National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032. These strategies align with global best-practice recommendations from the World Health Organization. The project seeks effective, evidence-based measures to transform food systems, including improving access to healthy food, restricting unhealthy food marketing, and realigning incentives across the food system.
While there is clear evidence on ‘what works,’ there’s a gap in understanding the ‘how’ of effective design, coordination, and implementation of food system policies. The project involves collaboration with government partners in Australia and the WHO European Region, employing rigorous political science methodologies co-designed with policymakers. The goal is to learn from successfully implemented best-practice policies in Australia and the European region, generating academic and policy outputs for wider implementation of effective food system policies to enhance nutrition.
