Grants & Awards

The Sonnabend Young Investigator Grant has been introduced to encourage younger SESA members to engage in research activity, in recognition of Prof David Sonnabend, SESA Foundation President.

Research proposals must be a clearly defined body of work, though they may be part of a broader research programme.

All grant applications will be treated confidentially and will only be viewed by the SESA Research Committee and the SESA Executive.

SESA will award one Young Investigator Grant every two years.

The Grant will be valued at $20,000 plus GST, paid in two payments according to satisfactory progress.

The Research Committee will review applications and make a recommendation to the SESA Executive, who will award the Grant.

The Investigator may obtain assistance from a senior SESA member or other experienced researchers to mentor and assist them with their research.

The Grant can be used by the Investigator to assist applications for obtaining matched funding from other organisations, including the AOA Research Foundation, Australian Research Council or medical device companies.

Criteria

The Grant will be restricted to members of SESA who are within ten years of being awarded FRACS (Orth) or equivalent.

Research projects may be clinical or laboratory investigations relevant to the field of shoulder and elbow surgery.

Applications will be assessed on the following:

1. Impact and Importance

• Relevance of the research to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the shoulder and elbow
• Translation of research findings into important outcomes likely to impact on science and clinical practice
• Potential for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Opportunity for ongoing research and innovation

2. Scientific Merit and Feasibility

• Clarity of study aims and hypotheses
• Robustness of study design and methodology, including statistics
• Achievable within a designated time frame
• Ethics compliant with HREC and NHMRC guidelines
• Justification of resources and budget

3. Track Record of Applicant and Research Team

• Senior SESA colleague support
• Institutional support from a hospital department or university
• Record of other research collaborations – multicentre and/or international
• Prior success in publications, competitive or industry grants, or award of a university higher degree

Requirements of the Young Investigator

The researcher awarded the Sonnabend Young Investigator Grant will be the Principal Investigator, responsible for administering the grant and undertaking the research.

The researcher must obtain institutional ethics approval for the research and provide evidence of approval prior to accessing funding.

Research conducted must adhere to the guidelines of the NHMRC.

Applications for grants to perform animal experiments must accept and abide by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)'s Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

Communication with the SESA Research Committee is the responsibility of the researcher.

The researcher will provide an annual Progress Report, including expenditure, and a Final Report to the Research Committee.

The researcher will present the results of the research to the SESA Biennial Scientific Meeting within three years of receiving the grant.

Presentations and publications arising from the research grant must include a statement that the grant was received from SESA.

Applications

• Completion of the application form
• Nomination of one SESA member as referee to support the application
• Include a current curriculum vitae
• Include a budget for the project

Please forward applications to the SESA Secretariat, Taylored Images: Wayne@tayloredimages.com.au

Closing date for applications: 30 October 2026

Applicants will be advised of the results of their application within two months of the closing date.

The successful applicant must have their institution provide an ABN tax invoice to the SESA Secretariat, with a copy of the ethics application approval.

Further Information

Chair of SESA Research Committee:
Dr Geoff Smith – gcssmith@icloud.com

SESA Secretariat:
sesa@tayloredimages.com.au

The Shoulder and Elbow Society of Australia (SESA) is committed to fostering engagement in the science and surgery of shoulder and elbow conditions among medical students and early-career doctors in Australia.

In support of this mission, SESA is pleased to offer sponsorship for selected applicants to attend and participate in the SESA Annual Meeting in Geelong, October 2026. This initiative is designed to support those considering a career in shoulder and elbow surgery.

Eligibility

Applicants must be based in Australia and be either a medical student, junior medical officer, registrar (accredited or unaccredited), fellow, or surgeon in training.

A demonstrated interest in shoulder and elbow surgery as a potential career is essential.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates are required to submit:

1. A current curriculum vitae (CV)
2. A brief personal statement outlining their interest in the field of shoulder and elbow surgery

Award Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

1. Sponsorship to attend the 2026 SESA Conference, including registration, accommodation and airfares.
2. The opportunity to meet with established SESA members for mentorship and career pathway discussions.

Applications should be submitted via email to: sesa@tayloredimages.com.au