Start by reading the guidelines and request form to understand what funding is available and what we look for.

If you are a master’s or PhD student, discuss your project idea with us. Email research@healthway.wa.gov.au or call 133 777. We can also set up a time to talk with your supervisor, Elder or community partners if you prefer.

• Complete and sign all relevant sections in the request form.
• Provide the following attachments with your request form:
  • Curriculum Vitae: a brief current resume (no more than five pages).
  • Academic transcript: a copy of your most recent academic transcript.
  • Reference list: a reference list needs to be provided to support the literature review, research design and methodology sections of your request.
  • Certification by partner agencies: if you are a master’s or PhD student, signatures from relevant personnel at your partner agency(s) must be provided to confirm their support.

• One referee is required to complete the referee report.
• These reports are confidential and must be emailed directly to: research@healthway.wa.gov.au

Assessment process

• We review requests with our Research Assessment Committee and relevant research experts. 
• We speak with your two referees.
• Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview with Healthway staff and our Research Assessment Committee members.
• Our Board make the funding decisions and may seek more information if needed.  
• Approved projects also require the Minister for Preventative Health’s approval before funds are released. 

Assessment criteria

We consider:

• How the research algins with Aboriginal health.
• Your ability to complete the program.
• How the scholarship will support your career in Aboriginal health.
• For master’s and PhD students:
  • the quality and validity of the research design. Partnership with Aboriginal community and organisations
  • your knowledge translation plan.

We also consider your academic record, referee reports and partner organisation’s feedback. Tip: Strong projects that are community-led or co-designed, include clear community benefits, and show good planning for consent, data governance and sharing results back in plain language.

Candidates are encouraged to enrol full-time. Part-time requests may be considered if submitted with your application. Changes from full-time to part-time after an award is granted will only be approved in cases of significant and unforeseen circumstances.

• Paid work: You may work up to 8 hours per week with your institution’s approval. We can discuss increasing this under some circumstances.
• Annual leave: You receive 20 days of paid leave each year during your scholarship. Leave is not cumulative.
• Sick leave: Is provided in line with your institution’s policies. Scholarships may be paused for illness longer than one month.
• Parental leave: You may take up to 12 months of parental leave, with the scholarship paused during this time.
• Extensions or deferments: Will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and must be submitted through the Grants Portal by your institution’s research office. A deferment longer than one year means the scholarship will be forfeited. Institutions may apply to extend to a third year if a master’s is converting to a PhD.
• Acknowledgement: Please acknowledge Healthway in all publications, presentations or media.
• Other financial support: Any additional financial support must be approved by Healthway before you accept it.

• Your research grants office submits requests through the Grants Portal.
• We cannot accept requests directly from individual researchers.
• Your organisation must be registered in the Grants Portal before applying.
• For help with the Grants Portal, your research grants office can contact us on 133 777 or healthway@healthway.wa.gov.au.

Not sure? Reach out. We encourage early conversations. Email research@healthway.wa.gov.au or call 133 777 to talk about your idea and competitiveness. 

We are happy to yarn with you and your community partners.

The guidelines and request form will become available when the grant round opens. If you need an idea of what to expect, email research@healthway.wa.gov.au and we may be able to share last year’s guidelines to help you plan.