2007 Young Investigator Awards
Guidelines
To apply for this award, complete information within Step 5 of the Abstract Submission Form.
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Young Investigator Awards (YIA) is to stimulate interest in research training by rewarding outstanding examples of excellence amongst those involved in research training or in the early stages of their independent research activities.
The word "young" has an historic basis rather than a discriminatory one, since the age of the Investigator is irrelevant as opposed to the stage of their research training and experience. However, the term "YIA" will be retained because of the wide recognition and acceptance of this title within the Society.
2. Definitions
- Awards:
Awards will be made at Australian Gastroenterology Week in recognition of the most meritorious research contributions to the scientific program by a Young Investigator in Basic and Clinical Research. - Clinical Research
Clinical research is defined broadly as research predominantly involving human subjects. It may involve clinical or physiological studies of patients or volunteers, studies based on diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, clinical epidemiology, population studies, observational studies, clinical practice, treatment trials or evaluation of medical technology. There may be a component of laboratory studies, but applications for predominantly laboratory-based work should be directed to the Basic Research Category.
3. Nature of Awards
There will be two awards available one each in Basic and Clinical Research. Each Award consists of a certificate and a cheque.
4. Poster only Submissions
Abstracts submitted for assessment under "Poster Only" will not be considered for this award.
5. Eligibility
An Investigator will be eligible for the Awards if:
- The Investigator is a member of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, or is nominated by a member of the Society.
- The Investigator is not a previous recipient of this award.
- Not more than three (3) years has elapsed between the completion of the Investigator's higher degree as determined by the letter of acceptance by the Board of Examiners; or Fellowship as determined by a letter from the appropriate College.
- The Investigator has had a major role in the planning and performance of the research work and has been responsible for the preparation of the abstract and its presentation at Australian Gastroenterology Week.
- The research has been performed entirely within Australia.
- At the time of submitting this abstract the data has not been presented to any other meeting nor published as a proffered paper in Australia.
- The research falls within the guidelines endorsed by the NHMRC regarding human and animal experiments.
6. Responsibility
The investigator is responsible for:
- Indicating in which category they wish the abstract to be assessed under: clinical or basic science.
- Ensuring that the abstract, payment, and application are submitted and received at the secretariat by the closing date 12 midnight on Wednesday, 6 June 2007.
- Each investigator may nominate only one abstract for consideration in either the Basic Science or Clinical category at any individual meeting.
- If more than one abstract is submitted all abstracts will be classified illegible.
- Investigators must provide information, confirming that the research work falls within the guidelines, endorsed by the NHMRC regarding Human and Animal Experimentation: and
- Details of the supervisor who can confirm the investigators work.
7. Method of Selection
The following procedure will be observed in selecting the Young Investigators:
- Nominated abstracts from eligible investigators, which have been selected for presentation by the Abstract Selection Committee, will be circulated to members of the Research Committee.
- Abstracts will be graded according to originality, presentation, scientific method and validity, relevance and general interest.
- Four finalists will be selected from each category. Supervisor’s of the finalist’s will be contacted and asked to supply a confidential assessment of the research work. This report is to include information as to the originality of the research and comment on the extent to which the investigator has contributed to the development of the research plan, the performance of the research reported and the preparation of the abstract.
8. Presentation
- In liaison with the Program Committee, presentation of selected abstracts will be scheduled for presentation.
- Supervisors of award applicants must not ask questions of any finalist in the same category during presentations at AGW.
9. Assessment
- Members of the Research Committee attending the conference will observe and assess the presentation of selected abstracts.
- If insufficient members of the Research Committee are attending the meeting or are unavailable to adjudicate, the Chairman may co-opt additional members from the Society membership, having due respect for the area of expertise of the absent/available member.
- The final selection of the Young Investigators will be made at a meeting of the Research Committee as soon as possible after the last Young Investigator presentation at AGW and will be based on:
- Quality of abstract
- Supervisor’s report
- Scientific merit
- Quality of presentation
- Ability to defend work
An appraisal of the maturity of the Young Investigator as a clinical or basic research scientist will be made.
- The Research Committee may, on occasion, recommend that no Award be made because a contribution of sufficient merit has not been presented.
10. Presentation of Awards
All finalists will be presented with a certificate at the Awards Ceremony to be held during AGW. The winner of each category will be announced at the AGW dinner.
Final Program
Click here to download
the Final Program
GESA
The GESA web site