Retina Australia is proud to launch the inaugural Retina Australia Awards
These Awards will recognise two outstanding individuals:
- Hall of Fame Award – to be awarded by the Board of Retina Australia
- Emerging Scientist Award – to be selected via an application process
These Awards will be announced on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at Retina Australia’s Annual General Meeting.
Hall of Fame Award
Selected by the Board, Retina Australia will be awarding a Hall of Fame Award to honour an individual whose outstanding achievements have made a positive impact on the lives of Australians affected by inherited retinal diseases.
This award aims to recognise a member, researcher, volunteer, or other member of the community, who has made a significant and sustained contribution to Retina Australia nationally or internationally.
It is intended that this prestigious award will be presented annually.
Emerging Scientist Award
The Retina Australia Emerging Scientist Award is aimed at fostering the growth and development of early career researchers working in inherited retinal disease research.
This award recognises and supports emerging scientists who have demonstrated excellence in research, leadership and advocacy, in the early stages of their careers.
It will be selected via an application process.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Retina Australia Emerging Scientist Award the applicant must:
- be directly involved in research into inherited retinal disease,
- exhibit leadership in their field of research,
- have experience in advocating for their own, or their peers, research,
- have completed less than 5 years post-PhD, or equivalent full-time in the case of significant career interruption, on the closing date in the year of application, and
- reside within Australia.
Ineligible applicants include:
- previous winners, and
- applications that do not provide all the required information.
Assessment
Applications for the Emerging Scientist Award will be assessed as follows:
Quality and Significance of Research – 50%
Evidence of Leadership – 25%
Communication, Outreach and Advocacy – 25%
- Applications will be assessed by a selection panel, appointed by the Board of Retina Australia, where at least one has experience in the field of inherited retinal disease research.
- A director will be nominated to be on stand-by for the selection panel in the event of potential conflicts of interest between panel members and applicants.
- Selection panel members will be required to declare any conflict of interest with individuals or institutions and if conflicts are high, will be removed from assessment of that application.
- Career disruption will be defined according to NHMRC guidelines.
- A Referee may only support one nomination for an award each year.
- Applications will be assessed against selection criteria, relative to opportunity.
- The selection panel’s recommendations will be provided to the Board who will make the final decision as to the recipient of the Emerging Scientist Award.
Prize
One Emerging Scientist Award will be presented each year. The award winner will:
- receive $1,000 in prize money and a certificate, and
- feature on Retina Australia website and social media channels.
Successful applications will be notified by the Chair of Retina Australia, personally and in writing.
The award recipient will be invited to share details of their inherited retinal disease research, and achievements, in a Retina Australia webinar within 12 months of receiving the award.
Applications
Applicants for the Emerging Scientist Award are required to submit an application of no more than two (2) pages (Arial or Aptos, 12pt font) that addresses the selection criteria and includes:
- A summary of the quality and impact of research in any area of inherited retinal disease research.
- A summary of significant publications, or research outcomes, and a description of the key importance of these contributions to the field for each item listed along with details of other related accomplishments.
- Details of leadership in the field of research.
- Demonstration of communication, outreach and advocacy activities.
Applicants are also required to provide:
- a current CV (maximum 2 pages)
- evidence of PhD completion date (e.g. letter of degree completion from the university), and
- a one-page letter of support from a referee who can verify the applicant’s research achievements and motivation in inherited retinal disease research.
Please submit the application together with your CV, evidence of qualification, and the letter of support to Retina Australia’s Company Secretary, Rosemary Boyd, by email to admin1@retinaaustralia.com.au.
Applications close at 5:00pm on Monday, 15 September 2025.
The Emerging Scientist Award, along with the Hall of Fame Award, will be announced on 11th October 2025 at Retina Australia’s Annual General Meeting.