2008 ASM Frank Fenner Award

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Nominations for this award are invited from Associate Member, Senior Associate Member (SASM), Member (MASMs) and Fellows (FASMs) of the ASM of at least three years standing at the time of application. Such members must have been engaged in research at postdoctoral level or equivalent for less than or equal to fifteen years or the equivalent of less than or equal to fifteen years of fulltime research since acquiring their postdoctoral degree in cases of significant career interruption.

 

The purpose of this award is to recognise distinguished contributions in any area of Australian research in microbiology by scientists in a formative stage of their career, rather than to reward senior scientists for a lifetime of achievement. Applicants need to show that their area of research excellence was work done substantially in Australia or, for those applicants recently returned from overseas, is ongoing work in Australia that will enhance the nation’s international reputation in microbiology.

The award, which consists of a bronze plaque, plus AU$1,000 will be given at the ASM Awards Ceremony at the ASM Annual Scientific Meeting.  The recipient is required to then make an oral presentation of their submission for the Fenner Plenary Presentation at the following year's Annual Scientific Meeting - to facilitate this, the recipient will be entitled to complimentary full conference registration, daily lunches, return economy flights and up to 6 nights accommodation.

Applicants must submit a 50 word summary of their CV with their application via email to admin@theasm.com.au or to Suite 23, 20 Commerical Road Melbourne VIC 3004.

This is an ASM sponsored award.

 

NEW EXTENDED Closing Date for applications: 31 May 2008 (was 31 March)

ASM BD Student Awards

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This is a Student Travel Award sponsored by BD.

BD Awards are available each year to finance one Financial Student Member representing each ASM State Branch to attend and present at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the ASM. Each award consists of a return economy airfare, full conference registration and an allowance towards accommodation expenses.

Submission Requirements: Applicants must contact their respective State Branches to ascertain submission requirements.  Oral presentations are required at State Branch level.

 

On receiving the Award from their State Branch, the recipient must within 5 days submit their abstract to the ASM conference organisers for publication in the Program & Abstract Book.  Printing deadlines apply.

Closing date for applications: contact your local state branch for details.

(State Branches must advise ASM of who their recipient is by 31 March 2008)

 

Frequency of award: Annual

ASM Distinguished Service Award

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This ASM award provides a mechanism whereby the Society recognises the outstanding service of, or contributions by, individuals or organisations to the Society.

It is intended that both individuals and corporations be eligible for the award.

Individuals or organisations deemed worthy of recognition for Distinguished Service to the Society may be nominated, in writing and in confidence, by individual members or Branches to the President and/or Executive Director of the Society.

The information accompanying the nomination should include a summary of the individual's or organisation's contributions to the Society. The Selection Committee will consist of the Executive Committee. The Committee's recommendations shall be made to National Council, at which time a decision concerning the award will be made, usually at the second meeting of National Council.

CLOSING DATE: 30 June of any year
Frequency of award: Annual

ASM Foundation Travel Grant

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The Society's Foundation Travel Grant sponsors Australian Microbiologists, especially those in the formative stages of their careers, to undertake professional development in appropriate laboratories in Australia or New Zealand.

The Grant provides funding to assist in financing:

• short postgraduate refresher courses in Australian on aspects of microbiology;
• visits by international or Australian specialist microbiologists to and within Australia for specific purposes which would benefit many members;
• visits by Australian specialist microbiologists to international symposia or advanced courses with the prime object of the knowledge gained being disseminated to other Australian microbiologists upon return of the specialist;
• visits by Australian specialist microbiologists overseas on "Lecture Exchange Programs" with other learned societies;
• ASM scholarships for postgraduate training of members;
• Other purposes recommended by the Foundation Committee and deemed by National Council to be consistent with the aims of the Foundation.

The Foundation Travel Grant normally provides from several hundred to a maximum of $2,000 per scholarship. Applicants who have secured significant support (ca. 50%) from other sources will be assessed more favourably than those who have not.

Closing dates for applications: (Bi-annually) 31 July and 31 January of any year

ASM Research Trust Fellowship

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The Research Trust aims to promote excellence in microbiology by supporting younger microbiologists for specified research projects leading to career advancement or to Australian microbiologists returning from overseas studies to assist them to re-establish their careers in Australia.

The purpose of the Trust is to do either or both of the following:

* fund a person to undertake scientific research in microbiology and related field in Australia; and/or
* fund a person employed by another body to undertake scientific research in those areas that may prove to be of vaue to Australia.

This award will be in the amount of up to $7,500.

CLOSING DATE: 30 October of any year
Frequency of award: Annual

ASM Teachers' Travel Award

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Announcing a new award to encourage ASM members involved in teaching microbiology at the tertiary level to attend the annual scientific meeting of the Australian Society for Microbiology.

Applicants may be employed fulltime, part time or sessionally.

To apply for this award, teachers should submit a curriculum vitae, which should include a description of their current position, together with a letter of recommendation from their Head of the Department confirming their involvement in, and commitment to, a teaching program in the department and a brief synopsis of their area of special interest in Education. This synopsis would provide the basis for their presentation of a poster or participation in a session organised by the Education Special Interest Group at the annual scientific meeting.

The award consists of up to $1,000 in travel expenses for the recipient to attend the annual scientific meeting.

Closing date: 31 March of any year

David White Excellence In Teaching Award

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Nominations are invited for the David White Excellence in Teaching Award from members of the ASM (MASMs) of at least five years standing, to recognise excellence in the teaching of, and/or innovation in the teaching of microbiology in Australia.

The award, consisting of a bronze plaque plus $1,000 will be presented at the ASM Annual Scientific Meeting. The recipient will be invited to conduct a workshop on some aspect of teaching of microbiology at that meeting subsequent to the year in which the award is given.

Applicant must submit a 50 word summary of their CV with their
application.

This is an ASM sponsored award.

CLOSING DATE: 31st March of any year
Frequency of award: Annual

Honorary Life Membership

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Honorary Life status is the highest membership recognition given by the Society and carries with it all the rights and priviledges of a Member or Fellow, together with exemption from payment of the annual membership subscription.

Nominations for election to Honorary Life membership may be forwarded to the Executive Director by 30 June in any calender year. All nominations will be reviewed and assessed by the Honours Subcommittee. This Subcommittee's recommendations shall be made by National Council usually at Council's second meeting in the year.

No more than three (3) Honorary Life members shall be elected in any one year.

National Council may elect a person as an Honorary Life member who, in its opinion, has rendered distinguished service to the science of microbiology, to the Society or both.

A person shall not be considered for election as an Honorary Life member unless the following information is received with the nomination:
* a nomination for Honorary Life membership signed by one (1) proposer, one (1) seconder and 10 other signatories each of whom shall be a Member or Fellow of the Society;
* a complete curriculum vitae together with a condensed summary and photograph suitable for publication in Microbiology Australia
* a statement summarising the nominee's major contributions to the discipline and/or practice of microbiology, to the Society, or to both, together with information attesting to the high personal and professional standards of conduct of the candidate; and
* a bibliography of scientific publications and/or contributions to the relevant area of microbiology.

CLOSING DATE: 30 June of any year

The bioMerieux ASM Identifying Resistance Award

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This is a recognition award to an individual on the basis of career achievements in the field of the identification of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in a clinical setting.

* The applicant must be a member of the ASM or NZMS.

* The applicant must submit a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), the names and addresses (including email addresses) of 2 referees, together with a brief summary of their contribution to the study of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in a clinical setting.

* The award committee will take into account the quality and originality of the published research and service to Australian microbiology in general. The award is based on the applicant's entire career rather than on a single achievement.

The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque and the provision of flights and accommodation for the recipient to attend the presentation ceremony to be held at the next ASM's annual scientific meeting.

Closing date: 31st March of any year

The award committee will consist of the ASM President, Chair of the Antimicrobials Special Interest Group and 1 other nominee of the Antimicrobials Special Interest Group

The Merck Sharp & Dohme ASM Mycology Award

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This is a recognition award to an individual on the basis of career achievements in the field of mycology.

* the applicant must be a member of the ASM or NZMS.

* The applicant must submit a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), the names and addresses (including email addresses) of two ()2 referees, together with a brief summary of their contribution to mycology.

* The award committee will take into account the quality and originality of the published research and service to Australasian mycology in general. The award is based on the applicant's entire career rather than on a single achievement.

The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque and up to $1,000 in travel expenses for the recipient to attend the presentation ceremony to be held at the next ASM's annual scientific meeting.

Closing date: 31st March of any year

The award committee will consist of the ASM President, Chair of the Mycology Special Interest Group and 1 other nominee of the Mycology Special Interest Group.

The Oxoid ASM Culture Media Award

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This is an encouragement award to assist an individual to attend and make a presentation on the use of culture media at the ASM's annaual scientific meeting.

* The applicant must be a member of the ASM or NZMS.

* It will be a necessray requirement for the winner to present a paper or poster relevant to the use of culture media in microbiology at the Meeting. This may be based on original research, a method evaluation or validation or a review of a culture based diagnostic method, for example this may include improved isolation methods, rapid or presumptive identification or novel ways of using culture media.

* A curriculum vitae, current position description and the names and addresses (include email addresses)of two (2) referees, together with a brief synopsis of the presentation and a copy of the abstract to be submitted for presentation.

* The award committee will take into account the eligibility of the applicant for an encouragement award, together with the quality and originality of the planned presentation and its relevance to the use of culture media in microbiology.

The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque and up to $1,000 in travel expenses for the recipient to attend the presentation ceremony to be held at the ASM's annual scientific meeting.

Closing date: 31st March of any year

The award committee will consist of the ASM President, Chair of the Culture Media Special Interest Group and one other nominee of the Culture Media Special Interest Group.

The Pfizer ASM Mycology Encouragement Award

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This is an encouragement award to assist a laboratory scientist/technician to attend and make a presentation in the field of medical mycology at the ASM's annual scientific meeting.

* The applicant must be a member of the ASM.

* It will be necessary requirement for the recipient to present a paper or poster in the field of medical mycology at the annual scientific meeting. This may be based on original research, case reports, a new or updated methodology of a review of a particular mycosis etc.

* A curriculum vitae, current position description and the names and addresses (including email addresses) of two (2) referees, together with a brief synopsis of the presentation and a copy of the abstract to be submitted for either an oral or poster presentation.

* The award committee will take into account the eligibility of the applicant for an encouragement award, together with the quality and originality of the planned presentation and its relevance to medical mycology.

This award consists of a return economy class airfare, conference registration, cheque for $500, an allowance of $120 per day for five (5) nights towards hotel accommodation and a commemorative plaque.

CLOSING DATE: 31st March of any year

The award committee will consists of the ASM President, Chair of the Mycology Special Interest Group and one other nominee of the Mycology Special Interest Group.

The Roche Molecular Diagnostic Award

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This is an encouragement award to assist an individual to attend and make a presentation on the use of PCR in the field of Diagnostic Infectious Diseases at the ASM's annual scientific meeting.

* The applicant must be a member of the ASM or NZMS.

* It will be a necessary requirement for the winner to present a paper on the use of PCR in the field of Diagnostic Infectious Diseases at the meeting. This may be based on original research, case presentations or a review of a PCR method used to diagnose an infectious disease.

* A curriculum vitae, current position description and the names and addresses (including email addresses) of two (2)referees, together with a brief synopsis of the presentation and a copy of the abstract to be submitted for presentation.

* The award committee will take into account the eligibility of the applicant for an encouragement award, together with the quality and originality of the planned presentation and its relevance to molecular diagnostic microbiology.

The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque and up to $1,000 in travel expenses for the recipient to attend the presentation ceremony to be held at the ASM's anual scientific meeting.

Closing date: 31st Match of any year

The award committee will consist of the ASM President, Chair of the Molecular Microbiology Special Interest Group and one (1) other nominee of the Molecular Microbiology Special Interest Group.

Vic Skerman Student Prize

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This ASM sposnored prize is awarded annually to a student member of the Society who has contributed, while enrolled as a Student Member of the ASM, the best review article to the Society's journal for the period 1 July to 30 June in any year.

The prize consists of $500 and a certificate, and will be awarded at the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting.

The applicant must submit a 50 word summary of their CV with their application.

CLOSING DATE: 31st Match of any year
Frequency of award: Annual