The Mid-Career Researcher Capability Development Initiative supports you to develop your research skills, raise your research profile and thrive in your career. Join us at the launch of the 2025 program to learn whether this opportunity is right for you.
Develop your research capabilities
About the scheme
A UTS internal funding scheme, the Initiative provides funded support of up to $20,000 for you to implement a self-devised, 9-month Capability Development Plan to progress up to 2 capabilities from the Research Outcomes Capability Framework.
In addition, the Initiative offers 5 x 2.5hr workshops run by an external facilitator to help develop your 5-year research plan in collaboration with your nominated mentors and the support of other researchers completing the program.
This internal funding opportunity is open to Level B or C academics (or equivalent) with a research component (20%).
Applications will open on Monday 17 February and close 12pm Monday 17 March.
Set yourself up for success
"The Researcher Capability Development Initiative was a really valuable opportunity for me to pursue major grant funding as a mid-career researcher,” said Dr Tisha Dejmanee of the UTS School of Communication.
“The grant offered me the opportunity to take on several strategic activities to support my research impact and reputation, while the workshop program allowed for peer learning and perspectives from interdisciplinary colleagues at the same career level."
In preparing her application, Tisha thought about how she would use this experience to generate preliminary data for future opportunities.
The grant offered me the opportunity to take on several strategic activities to support my research impact and reputation, while the workshop program allowed for peer learning and perspectives from interdisciplinary colleagues at the same career level.
“The Initiative allowed me to establish my track record and set me up for success in my next award or grant application,” she explained. “I also wanted to use the experience to support one of my publications and attend some conferences to help establish and expand my research collaborations and network with national and international mentors.”
As part of her five-year research plan, Tisha was encouraged to think about promotion, publications, grants, awards, teaching and engagement.
“It was especially interesting to think about how I would start establishing my personal contribution to my research field,” she said. “We also talked a lot about life and work balance.”
Connect with peers
Dr Qian Peter Su from the UTS School of Biomedical Engineering also enjoyed the experience of being part of the program.
One of the outcomes he valued was developing a SMART approach to goal setting - making sure goals were specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable and time bound plan.
The program inspired me a lot. It helped me focus and gave me more energy for work.
Another was sitting together with peers and discussing life as a researcher.
“People from different disciplines give you feedback, comments and there is lots of discussion. I really liked that. And the best part was getting feedback not only your team members, but also from the workshop leaders,” he said. “The program inspired me a lot. It helped me focus and gave me more energy for work. I remember that my mentor told me, ‘Do not chase success, focus on excellence, and then the success will follow.”
Advance your research career
Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Yan Liao said that participating in the Mid-Career Researcher Capability Development Initiative was a transformative experience that significantly advanced her career.
“The program enabled me to refine my research focus and establish a new direction leveraging microorganisms to benefit human and environmental health,” she said.
This program truly equipped me with the skills and confidence to achieve these milestones and further expand my scientific horizons.
“Since completing the initiative, I have been awarded an ARC Discovery Project and received several prestigious awards, recognising the strength of my research and leadership. This program truly equipped me with the skills and confidence to achieve these milestones and further expand my scientific horizons.”
Attend the 2025 program launch
Join the Mid-Career Researcher Capability Development Initiative launch and information session to learn more about this internal UTS scheme.
When: 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Monday 17 February, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: In-person at RES Hub, and online via Zoom
For more information about the scheme and to stay updated on when the guidelines are released, explore the Sharepoint page.