Deadline: 27-Jul-2026
Applications are now open for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, which supports early-career researchers in Australia to advance innovative dementia research and accelerate their progression toward independent research careers.
The fellowship provides substantial salary and research funding, along with mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities. It aims to strengthen the next generation of dementia researchers while supporting research that improves prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and ultimately the search for a cure.
About the Fellowship
The Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program is designed to support emerging researchers who are building careers in dementia research.
The programme encourages high-quality research across biomedical, clinical, psychosocial, and knowledge translation fields while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and the translation of research findings into real-world practice.
In addition to funding, fellows receive structured career development support through mentorship, networking opportunities, and engagement with national and international experts.
Focus Areas
The fellowship supports research related to:
- Causes of dementia
- Dementia prevention
- Risk reduction strategies
- Disease progression
- Early diagnosis and detection
- Diagnostic tools and technologies
- Dementia treatments
- Clinical interventions
- Care and support models
- Quality of life for people living with dementia
- Family and caregiver support
- Dementia rights and advocacy
- Knowledge translation
- Health service improvement
- Biomedical research
- Clinical research
- Psychosocial research
- Dementia cure research
Purpose of the Fellowship
The programme aims to:
- Support early-career dementia researchers
- Accelerate independent research careers
- Build future research leaders
- Advance dementia science and innovation
- Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
- Improve dementia care and treatment
- Promote translation of research into practice
- Increase future funding competitiveness
Fellowship Funding
Standard Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The standard fellowship provides:
- Salary support of $122,000 per year
- Funding for three years
- Salary subject to indexation
- Research project grant of $85,000
- Up to $15,000 for:
- Professional development
- Travel
- Collaboration activities
Long-Term Fellowship Stream
A parallel long-term fellowship stream provides:
- Funding for up to five years
- Formal review after three years
- Total project funding package of $125,000
- Research cost allocations
- Secondment-related funding support
- The same salary structure as the standard fellowship
Fellowship Duration
Funding is available through:
- Three-year standard fellowship
- Up to five-year long-term fellowship stream
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be:
- Australian citizens
- New Zealand citizens residing in Australia
- Permanent residents of Australia
Applicants cannot:
- Hold temporary work visas
Research must be conducted in Australia.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have completed their PhD within the last six years
- Complete their PhD thesis before the fellowship commences
- Meet eligibility requirements after consideration of approved career interruptions
Eligible Research Fields
Researchers may come from:
- Biomedical sciences
- Clinical research
- Psychosocial research
- Knowledge translation research
- Public health
- Health services research
- Other dementia-related disciplines
Supervisor Requirements
Each applicant must be supported by an experienced dementia researcher who:
- Serves as the primary supervisor
- Is based at an appropriate institution
- Provides scientific guidance and oversight
- Supports career development and research progression
Where the supervisor does not hold tenure:
- A co-supervisory arrangement is required
Professional Development Opportunities
The fellowship includes:
- Structured mentorship
- Professional networking
- Research career development
- National collaborations
- International collaborations
- Industry engagement opportunities
- Skills development activities
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The programme encourages collaboration among:
- Biomedical researchers
- Clinicians
- Public health experts
- Psychologists
- Health service researchers
- Knowledge translation specialists
- Industry partners
- International research teams
Expected Outcomes
The fellowship aims to support:
- Independent research careers
- Research excellence in dementia
- Improved diagnosis and treatment
- Better care and support services
- Stronger research translation
- Increased international collaboration
- Future research leadership
- Progress toward dementia prevention and cure
Importance of the Fellowship
Dementia remains one of the most significant health challenges globally. Supporting early-career researchers is essential to developing new knowledge, treatments, and care approaches that improve outcomes for people living with dementia and their families.
Key benefits include:
- Significant salary support
- Dedicated research funding
- Mentorship and supervision
- Career development opportunities
- National and international networking
- Enhanced research independence
- Stronger future funding prospects
Application Tips
Strong applications typically demonstrate:
- A clear and innovative research proposal
- Strong alignment with dementia research priorities
- High scientific quality
- Potential for real-world impact
- Strong career development plans
- Effective mentorship arrangements
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Clear pathways for research translation
Common Application Mistakes
Applications may be weakened by:
- Weak alignment with dementia research goals
- Unclear research methodology
- Limited impact potential
- Insufficient career development planning
- Weak supervisory arrangements
- Lack of collaboration opportunities
- Incomplete eligibility documentation
- Poor research translation strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program?
- To support early-career researchers conducting dementia research.
- To accelerate progression toward independent research careers.
- To advance research that improves prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.
How much funding is available?
- $122,000 per year in salary support.
- $85,000 research project grant.
- Up to $15,000 for professional development, travel, and collaboration activities.
How long is the fellowship?
- Three years for the standard fellowship.
- Up to five years for the long-term fellowship stream.
Who can apply?
- Australian citizens.
- New Zealand citizens residing in Australia.
- Permanent residents of Australia.
What research areas are supported?
- Biomedical research.
- Clinical research.
- Psychosocial research.
- Knowledge translation research.
- Other dementia-focused disciplines.
What are the PhD eligibility requirements?
- Applicants must have completed their PhD within the last six years.
- Career interruptions may be taken into account.
- The thesis must be completed before the fellowship begins.
Is supervision required?
- Yes.
- Applicants must have support from an experienced dementia researcher.
- Co-supervision is required where the primary supervisor does not hold tenure.
Conclusion
The Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program provides comprehensive funding and career development support for emerging dementia researchers in Australia. Through salary support, research funding, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, the programme helps early-career researchers build independent scientific careers while contributing to advances in dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, and the long-term pursuit of a cure.
For more information, visit Dementia Australia Research Foundation.