Initiatives for Mawa Funding

1. MAWA Doctoral Research Scholarships

Doctoral research scholarships ($75,000 each) were established with the specific intention of encouraging new scientists to advance the development, validation and application of non-animal methods in medical research.  Funding is not made available simply in support of non-animal research per se.

• Two per annum
  • Stipend ($22,500 p.a.)
  • Identifiable costs ($2,500 p.a.)
  • A total of $75,000 each over three years
  • Six months extension may be offered after three years, on application and review by the MAWA Management Committee.
• Scholarship to remain tied to the MAWA principle of "animal replacement" and animal free, not simply human based.

MAWA Doctoral Scholarships. This funding has targeted support of doctoral student projects directed at replacing animals in research.  A maximum of two can be awarded annually, each with three year tenure, with the possibility on application of a six month extension.  Hence in any one year there is the possibility of a maximum of six MAWA Doctoral Scholars.

2. MAWA Quinn Honours Research Scholarships

Honours scholarships ($10,000 each) have been established to support students undertaking honours research projects that do not use animals or animal products and with the specific intention of encouraging new scientists to advance the development, validation or application of non-animal methods of research.

• To provide financial support for one year in the form of a stipend for Honours students engaged in non-animal research ($7,000).
• To provide support for one year to the host laboratory for the students’ research project ($3,000).
• To provide support for the student to present the research outcome at a national scientific meeting.

MAWA Honours Scholarships. Most biological science disciplines, departments, etc. offer honours scholarships ($4,000 – $9,000 pa) as a clear incentive for new graduates to do their Honours with them and then follow their research path – which is often animal based. The hiatus between honours and doctoral studies has been a concern to the MAWA management committee. It is difficult for a student to change direction having embarked on an animal-based research career in a given laboratory during honours and then wanting to continue in that research area as a doctoral student. Honours scholarships for research not using animals will attract new graduates at the beginning of their research careers to promote the scientific advantages and merit of non-animal research. In recognition of the outstanding generosity and support given by Mrs Elsie Quinn for over thirty years, the honours scholarships have been designated the MAWA Quinn Honours Research Scholarships.

3. MAWA Supplementary Research Scholarships

Supplementary doctoral scholarships (up to $10,000 per annum) may be provided to scholars who are awarded a National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) scholarship, an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA), or similar scholarship, to undertake doctoral studies that meet The MAWA Trust’s criteria and fit relevant guidelines.

MAWA Supplementary Scholarships. Many research institutions and other organisations provide supplementary scholarships or "top-up" funding. This initiative will enable The MAWA Trust to co-sponsor appropriate projects and to spread its funds more widely, thereby increasing MAWA’s profile.

4. MAWA Bridging Research Scholarships

Bridging scholarships (up to $10,000 for one semester) may be provided to scholars who: have been approved for doctoral studies; are likely to be awarded an NHMRC scholarship, an Australian Postgraduate Award or similar scholarship; are undertaking research projects that meet The MAWA Trust’s criteria and fit relevant guidelines; and who wish to commence their studies in second semester rather than at the beginning of the academic year.

MAWA Bridging Scholarships. In recognition that Australia is out of step with most overseas countries which commence their academic year mid year (ie at the beginning of Australia’s second semester) and that applications for all doctoral scholarships close 31 October each year restricting commencements to the beginning of the calendar year, these scholarships have been introduced to fill a niche by providing financial support to bridge this gap. This will be an economical way for MAWA to provide an incentive to students to undertake research projects that will further MAWA’s aims.

5. MAWA Travelling Bursaries

    A three to twelve months bursary with stipend and travel funding:

• To visit or work for a brief period in identified institutions promoting alternatives or alternative methodologies.
• To continue doctoral work on alternatives overseas through a post-doctoral Scholarship.
• To attend identified overseas training programs in the development and implementation of alternatives.
• To provide a detailed report to the MAWA management committee, identifying future initiatives, etc.

MAWA Travelling Bursaries. This initiative could be a de novo appointment or post-doctoral support for one of our doctoral scholars who seek to further the principles of The MAWA Trust by a period of overseas travel and research. It may not require a full year’s support but identifies the need for someone to spend time on the ground at different locations.

6. MAWA Conference Bursaries

To support MAWA delegates, researchers and scholars to attend focussed international conferences on issues relating to the work of The MAWA Trust.

• To provide monies to attend the conference.
• To provide monies to present a poster/paper/seminar on the condition that recipient is likely to achieve a publication in a high quality peer-reviewed journal.
• Recipients to provide a report to the MAWA management committee.
• Recipients to provide a report for the MAWA newsletter.
• Recipients to provide a copy of their presentation to MAWA.
• Recipients to provide a copy of all publications relating to MAWA support
• Payment to be made in two instalments, the first upon MAWA’s approval of accepted abstracts, the second upon publication

MAWA Conference Bursaries.  This is following up on the Berlin, Tokyo and Rome attendance of MAWA delegates at the World Congress on Alternatives and MAWA scholars attendance at various conferences, seminars and symposia.  MAWA will support conference attendance of this type in the future to keep abreast of developments throughout the world and to present posters, papers, seminars etc relating to, or furthering the aims of, The MAWA Trust.

7. MAWA Research Grants

MAWA funds up to $30,000 for research which aims to advance medical science and improve human health and therapeutic intervention without animals or animal products

• To support, on an ad hoc basis, research projects of one to three years duration directed at the replacement of animals in medical research.
• Funding available to cover salaries, equipment, consumables, travel, etc. to a maximum of $30,000.

MAWA Research Grants.  These grants provide opportunities, as they arise, for ad hoc funding (suitably refereed etc) of worthy projects, identified by MAWA management committee members as following the MAWA principles.  There is no formal annual round of applications but all applications follow an established grant application format, refereed and approved by the MAWA management committee before funding.

8. MAWA Distinguished Scholars

Lecture tours of Australia by a distinguished figure in the field of animal replacement / alternatives whose credentials adhere to the principles of The MAWA Trust.  Also used as a vehicle to promote the activities of The MAWA Trust (research grants, scholarships, educational programs etc.):

• To provide support for an international figure in alternatives / animal replacement etc to travel to Australia and deliver a series of lectures to major disciplines in major institutions and through the media.
  • Support business class overseas and internal air travel
  • Accommodation
  • Honorarium
  • Other costs
• Lecture(s) to be prepared as a DVD for distribution nationally and internationally and through the MAWA newsletter.

MAWA Distinguished Scholar. This sponsorship is directed at international figures.  MAWA will offer a stipend and cover travel costs and production and dissemination costs of promotional and presentation material.

9.  MAWA Education in Alternative Methodologies

• To develop undergraduate and graduate courses to provide students with education in non-animal methodologies in biomedical research
• To promote and facilitate the adoption of alternative methodologies courses by Australian teaching institutions
• To attract funding to support this initiative

MAWA Education in Alternative Methodologies. Despite the fact that the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes states that "techniques that totally or partially replace the use of animals for scientific purposes must be sought and used where ever possible" compliance to this requirement is very poor.  Overseas surveys indicate that the most common reason for non-compliance is inadequate consideration of alternatives.  Commitment to the teaching of non-animal methodologies will be required in order to overcome this problem and resources must be allocated to support the development and implementation of courses and their promotion throughout Australia.

10.  MAWA Fellowship: Associate Professor in Alternatives

MAWA has awarded funds to The Australian National University (ANU) for a Fellowship and the appointment of an Associate Professor in Alternatives to Animal Research (salary package, on-costs, and research funds) in 2011 to provide scientific leadership in the field of replacement research to:

• Undertake research projects to advance alternative methodologies that replace  the use of animals and animal products, supervise research students and produce conference and seminar papers and publications
• Identify funding opportunities and develop applications for research or  program grants for replacement research
• Assist with the establishment of a university centre for alternatives to animal research
• Develop undergraduate and graduate courses to provide students with education in alternative methodologies 
• Liaise nationally and internationally, and identify and interact with organisations that are leading the way in replacement research
• Preparation of reports, briefings, submissions, media releases and articles
• Represent MAWA’s aim to universities, research institutions, government, industry bodies and opinion makers by articulating clear philosophical, policy and strategic positions
• Initiate, develop and maintain partnerships and strategic relationships with other organisations and decision-makers to further MAWA’s aims

MAWA Associate Professor. The appointment in 2011 of a senior scientist with a doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to medical research, and experience in research and research project management or policy development. The MAWA Associate Professor will provide scientific leadership in the field of alternatives and will liaise with the scientific community, government and the private sector to promote MAWA’s ideals, and identify, develop and promote partnerships and funding opportunities. 

11. The Australian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Research

To establish The Australian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Research (ACAAR) at The Australian National University (ANU). The aim of ACAAR will be to facilitate and promote the development and utilisation of non-animal experimental methodologies to replace the use of animals and animal products in medical and scientific research.

• Develop and implement strategies that will further the exploration and adoption of alternative methodologies in medical research.
• Raise funds and secure grants to further the work of ACAAR, including approaching government bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Research Council (ARC) for funding to develop, apply and promote non-animal research methodologies.
• Undertake replacement research, provide supervision of research students, and produce conference and seminar papers and peer-reviewed publications from that research.
• Develop undergraduate and graduate courses to provide students with education in the field of alternative methodologies.
• Represent the work of ACAAR to universities, research institutions, governments, industry bodies and opinion makers.
• Disseminate outcomes from ACAAR research and other research that complement the activities of ACAAR.
• Facilitate nationwide adoption of alternatives to animals in research
• Develop strategic relationships and collaborations with other organizations and institutions.
• Provide funding for replacement research by way of grants, scholarships and other financial contributions.
• Oversee the administration of research grants, scholarships, and other initiatives of ACAAR
• Monitor media, organisational, academic and industry publications, and other sources to inform ongoing projects and activities.

Work to achieve recognition for ACAAR as an international Centre of Excellence in the Alternatives.

Centre for Alternatives. The principal funding for the Centre will initially be provided by MAWA and additional funding will be sought from both the government and corporate sectors