NAT-Net Emerging Leader Awards (ELA)

The Non-Animal Technologies Network (NAT-Net) is pleased to announce the Emerging Leader Award (ELA). This award supports early-to-mid career researchers in NSW who are advancing non-animal technologies and new approach methodologies. The award recognises emerging leaders with strong research potential, leadership capacity, and a clear commitment to NAT-Net’s mission.

About the Emerging Leader Award

The NAT-Net Emerging Leader Award supports early-to-mid career researchers who are developing innovative non-animal technologies and new approach methodologies in NSW.

The award is designed to strengthen NAT-Net’s visibility, foster collaboration, and support emerging ambassadors who will share their expertise across the network and the wider community.

Awardees will receive support to attend a conference, workshop, training course, lab visit, or other professional development activity aligned with NAT-Net’s mission.

In return, awardees are expected to provide a short post-award report or presentation and contribute to NAT-Net’s public profile during the 12-month award term.

Award Benefit

• Financial support of up to $2,000 per awardee, with two awards available and a total award pool of $4,000.

• 12-month NAT-Net ambassadorship, with public recognition through NAT-Net communications.

• Opportunity to co-facilitate a webinar or online seminar, or visit a NAT-Net node where appropriate.

• Appointed NAT-Net Executive Committee member 1-on-1 contact for informal advice and network introductions, not supervision.

Important Dates

Questions about ELA

Please email the NAT-Net Coordinator: Esther.Pronker@health.nsw.gov.au

Acknowledgment

The NAT‑Net Emerging Leader Awards is made possible by funding from NSW Health.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an early-to-mid career researcher within five years of PhD conferral, with allowance for documented career interruptions.

• Be based in NSW and employed by an eligible university, medical research institute, non-government research organisation, local health district, or other public health organisation.

• Be actively conducting research in non-animal technologies.

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an appropriate working visa for the full award term.

• Plan to remain in NSW for the full 12-month award term.

• Not be a current NAT-Net member in the Research Pillar, Regulatory Pillar of Infrastructure Pillar.

• Not have previously received a NAT-Net Emerging Leader Award or NAT-Net Research Pillar Competitive Grant.

The award may support:

• Conference registration, travel, accommodation, and airport transfers.

• Registration for specialist workshops, methods schools, short courses, or relevant online training.

• Webinar subscriptions or access fees.

The award cannot be used for salary or stipend top-ups, equipment purchases, or costs that can be reimbursed by the recipient’s institution through other means.

Step 1: Register your Intent to Apply

Register a ticket to indicate your intent to apply for the Emerging Leader Awards.

Step 2: What to include in your application

Applicants should provide one document with the following sections:

• Applicant and career stage details, including; name, institution, position, career stage, link to your online portfolio (LinkedIn or Institutional personal profile if available) and PhD award date if applicable.

• Details of the proposed conference, workshop, course, or event, including dates, location, price and relevance to NAT-Net.

• A brief statement describing why you wish to attend, what you expect to gain, and how you will share the benefit with NAT-Net or the broader community.

• A short summary of your research excellence and emerging contribution to non-animal technologies, limited to 150 words.

• A statement of alignment with NAT-Net, limited to 150 words.

• A justification of award use, limited to 200 words.

Step 3: Submitting Application

Please email the document before 31 July 2026 to the NAT-Net Coordinator: Esther.Pronker@health.nsw.gov.au

Include in the email subject: NAT-Net ELA - [your name].

Applications will be assessed by the NAT-Net Executive Committee against three weighted criteria:

Assessment is made relative to opportunity, including consideration of career interruptions and other relevant circumstances.