Lift-off Fellowships

The Australian Mathematical Society Lift-off Fellowships are designed to help recent PhD graduates in Mathematics and Statistics jump-start their career by giving them financial support after they submit their PhD thesis, but before they take up their first postdoctoral position. The Lift-off Fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. Fellowships can be used for living expenses, to attend conferences, for travel and to fund visits of collaborators.

Applications can be made at any time. Prospective applicants should obtain a copy of the template:

before submitting an application electronically to the secretary of the selection committee via the email address: Lift-off@austms.org.au.
These should be accompanied by a full CV, a letter of support from your supervisor and referees’ reports on two papers accepted for publication, or at least two examiners’ reports on your thesis.

The members of the selection committee are:

• Associate Professor Andrew Mathas
• Associate Professor Peter Stacey (Secretary, AustMS)
• Professor Peter Taylor.

Rules for Australian Mathematical Society Lift-off Fellowships

1. The fellowship scheme is to provide short-term support, including living expenses and travel grants, for students who have recently submitted for examination a PhD thesis in the mathematical sciences. To be eligible to apply for a Lift-off Fellowship candidates must have submitted their PhD thesis for examination within the previous 3 months.
2. Awards will be based on academic excellence.
3. Applicants must have been members of the Society for at least 12 months at the time of application.
4. The Society will establish a selection committee to make recommendations to Council on the award of fellowships.
5. The selection committee will recommend the amount to be granted, to a maximum of $5,000, to a successful applicant, taking account of the proposed research activities, need for support and research track record.
6. Applications must be forwarded through (and supported by) the applicant’s supervisor and must be accompanied by a thesis abstract and by referees’ reports on two papers accepted for publication or at least two examiners’ reports on the applicant’s thesis. A full CV and a research plan and budget (at most one page) should be included with each application.
7. Applications may be submitted to the secretary of the selection committee at any time.
8. Fellowship recipients must submit a report to the Society at the conclusion of the fellowship.
9. The Society expects to award up to 7 scholarships annually for the next three years. However, depending on demand, the Council may increase the amount available for the scheme.

Peter Stacey
Honorary Secretary AustMS
Lift-off@austms.org.au