Awards & Scholarships

The Nigel Clarke Memorial Education Bursary

Nigel Clarke (1966-2015) was outstanding both as a clinical geneticist and a scientist, taken too early from our community at the peak of his career by glioblastoma.  Nigel’s research led to the discovery and characterisation of a plethora of muscle disease-causing genes.

In recognition of the importance and the cost of education, the AACG offers an annual bursary worth $2,000, open to all trainees who are financial members of the HGSA and AACG. While the bursary may be used for any educative experience, applications which have the capacity to benefit the Association as a whole will be looked upon favourably. 

Applications to the bursary will open each year at the March AACG annual meeting and will remain open until 30th June that same year. The successful applicant will be announced at the AACG Annual General Meeting.

More information can be found here.

AACG Trainee prizes

Each year the AACG offers three cash prizes for the top three presentations at the HGSA Annual Scientific Meeting. Trainees must be current financial HGSA and AACG members.  The executive reserve the right not to award prizes should there be insufficient quality presentations. Presentations must be in the main conference program (i.e, abstracts submitted to and accepted by the Scientific Program Committee for the ASM, not SIG satellite day presentations).

• Prizes judged on merit, regardless of format (oral or poster presentation) 
• Nigel Clarke Bursary winner will be excluded from prizes
• First prize, $800
• Second & third prizes, $400 each

This award is named in honour of Karen Snow Bailey (1961 – 2006) in recognition of her significant and lasting contribution to diagnostic genetic services in Australasia.

The Karen Snow Bailey Award is for the best oral presentation with a focus on diagnostic genomics within the programme at the Annual HGSA Scientific Meeting, inclusive of the ASDG SIG day.

Candidates for this award must have performed a major component of the work presented which can have a diagnostic and/or research focus. In addition candidates must also be current members of the ASDG and the HGSA. Applicants must commit to retain membership in ASDG and HGSA for a minimum of two years post nomination.

The value of this award is currently $500AUD that is to be used for continuing education. Approval must be obtained from the ASDG executive for the intended use of the award and all receipts submitted for reimbursement.

The SIG reserves the right to not present this award if the candidates do not meet the expected minimum standard.

The award must be used within ONE calendar year of it being awarded.

The successful candidate will be expected to give a short presentation at the next SIG meeting detailing how the money was spent and what was gained in doing so. This would usually be in the form of a short conference report.

Successful recipients of the award will not be eligible to reapply for this award within 5 years of receipt.