ARA Research Excellence Awards

The ARA is pleased to be able to offer these excellence awards for early, mid and senior career researchers.

These awards align with the ARA Strategic Plan 2024-2027 and the Research Strategic Plan 2022-2024.

Some of the key priorities in the Research Strategic Plan include:

  • Build capacity
  • Engage all members of the ARA
  • Focus on communication
  • Collaboration

Details of the awards can be found below.

Please contact the ARA Secretariat if you have any questions; ara@rheumatology.org.au

Early Career Excellence Awards 

Definition and Eligibility

The Early Career  Excellence Awards recognise the outstanding contribution to research by individual ARA Members who are in the early stage of their Rheumatology careers.  The award will be offered to an individual each year for the best contribution to Rheumatology research by an early career researcher.

The award will be given for a body of productive research and selection will be based on the quality of the science and its impact. Research should be conducted, at least in part, in Australia and the researcher should be based primarily at an Australian Institution. 

The Early Career Excellence Award can only be awarded once to an individual.

All financial members of the ARA who are in the preliminary stage of their career and preferably enrolled or completed a higher degree within the past 5 years are eligible to apply. The Research Supervisor of the higher degree must be listed.

Up to two Awards are presented which may include:  

  • Early Career Clinical Science 
  • Early Career Basic Science 
  • Early Career Rheumatology Health Professional 

Value

$1,000 plus certificate 

Funding Source

Australian Rheumatology Association

Awarded

Annually

Application Process

Applicants must submit a summary (maximum 2 page) outlining their career progression to date and significant career achievements plus list of publications and presentations. Submissions are to be made to the Research Committee.

Download application form here

Review Committee

ARA Research Committee Chair plus 2 nominated members of Research Committee and 1 ARA member (external to the Research Committee)
 
When presented

Awarded at the ASM

Presented by

President ARA

Past Recipients

2024 Rachel Black and Tony Sammel
2023 Kathleen Morrisroe and Laura Ross
2022 Jessica Day and Claire Owen

Mid-Career Excellence Awards

Definition and Eligibility

The Mid-Career Excellence Awards recognise the outstanding contribution to research by individual ARA Members who are in the mid-career stage of their Rheumatology careers.  The award will be offered to an individual bi-annually for the best contribution to Rheumatology research by an mid-career researcher.

The award will be given for a body of productive research and selection will be based on the quality of the science and its impact; with special credit for evidence of an independent research program that is clearly separate from their PhD (where relevant). Research should be conducted, at least in part, in Australia and the researcher should be based primarily at an Australian Institution. 

The Mid-Career Excellence Award can only be awarded once to an individual.

All financial members of the ARA who are in the mid-stage of their career. Applicants must be between 5-12 years from confirmation of RACP Fellowship or date of PhD acceptance. 

Up to two Awards are presented which may include:  

  • Mid-Career Clinical Science 
  • Mid-Career Basic Science 
  • Mid-Career Rheumatology Health Professional 

Value

$1,000 plus certificate 

Funding Source

Australian Rheumatology Association

Awarded

Bi-Annually - next awarded 2026

Application Process

Applicants must submit a summary (maximum 2 page) outlining their career progression to date and significant career achievements plus list of publications and presentations. Submissions are to be made to the Research Committee.  

Download application form here

Review Committee

ARA Research Committee Chair plus 2 nominated members of Research Committee and 1 ARA member (external to the Research Committee)

When presented

Awarded at the ASM

Presented by

President ARA

Past Recipients

2024 Mihir Wechalekar
2022 Mandana Nikpour and Philip Robinson

Senior Career Excellence Awards 

Definition and Eligibility

The Senior Career Excellence Awards recognise the outstanding contribution to research by individual ARA Members who are in the senior career stage of their Rheumatology careers.  The award will be offered to an individual bi-annually for the best contribution to Rheumatology research by senior career researcher.

The award will be given for a body of productive research and selection will be based on the quality of the science and its impact; with evidence of an independent research program and supervision of PhD and postgraduate students.

Research should be conducted, at least in part, in Australia and the researcher should be based primarily at an Australian Institution..

The Senior Career Excellence Award can only be awarded once to an individual.

All financial members of the ARA who are in the senior stage of their career. Applicants must be more than 12 years from confirmation of RACP Fellowship or date of PhD acceptance.

Two awards will be presented every second year which may include:  

  • Senior Career Clinical Science 
  • Senior Career Basic Science 
  • Senior Career Rheumatology Health Professional 

Value

$1,000 plus certificate 

Funding Source

Australian Rheumatology Association

Awarded

Bi-Annually - next awarded 2025

Application Process

Applicants must submit a summary (maximum 2 page) outlining their career progression to date and significant career achievements plus list of publications and presentations. Submissions are to be made to the Research Committee by the due date. NB: this award will be next awarded in 2025. 

Download application form here

Review Committee

ARA Research Committee Chair plus 2 nominated members of Research Committee and 1 ARA member (external to the Research Committee)

When presented

Awarded at the ASM

Presented by

President ARA

Past Recipients

2023 Rachelle Buchbinder and Ian Wicks