Member Notices

The VADANZ Innovation Award for Emerging Research

The VADANZ Innovation Award is designed to recognize and support emerging researchers who are advancing the field of Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Australia and New Zealand. This award aims to encourage innovative research that makes a significant contribution to the development of evidence based, high quality VAD care.

The award is intended to capture a broad definition of research including clinicians working  in health and medical research, health services research, as well as early career academic researchers.

The award will consider research that addresses all aspects of VAD, including but not limited to clinical practice, patient experiences, ethical considerations, policy development, or support systems.

Selection criteria

  • Innovation and Impact: The research should demonstrate a novel approach or offer new insights that have the potential to significantly impact the field of VAD.
  • Academic Excellence: The applicant’s research findings should be translated through relevant publications, presentations, or other relevant outputs.

Selection process

Nomination: Nominations can be submitted by peers, mentors, research collaborators or the researchers themselves.

Application materials: Nominators must complete a short application which includes:

  • a brief description of the researcher’s contribution to VAD research
  • the significance of any VAD research the nominee has undertaken or is working on
  • any evidence of other relevant achievements or publications
  • two referees that can be contacted to support the application if needed.

Review panel: A selection panel will be established, including experienced researchers and clinicians specialising in VAD and related fields. The panel will review applications based on the criteria, select finalists and nominate the overall winner.

Evaluation and selection: 

  • The review panel will evaluate applications based on how well the nominee meets the criteria.
  • The nominated winner will be recommended to the VADANZ board for the award.

Award announcement and benefits:

  • The award winner will be invited to talk briefly at the 2026 VAD Conference award ceremony.
  • The recipient will receive a formal certificate or trophy.
  • The researcher and their research will be featured in the regular VADANZ newsletter.
  • The award will be highlighted to relevant media and may lead to additional opportunities or profile for the researcher.

Do you know an emerging researcher doing great work?

Nominations close 31 August 2026