Annual Scientific Meeting

Early Career Researcher Award for Excellence in GI Cancer Research

The Early Career Researcher Award aims to foster career development and recognise an outstanding early-career clinician-researcher or translational scientist in the area of gastro-intestinal cancer.

The recipient will be announced at the 28th ASM in Nipaluna / Hobart, where they will have an opportunity to deliver a short acceptance speech outlining their current research and/or interests. They will also receive up to $2,000 to cover flights, accommodation, and registration to attend next year's ASM, and may be invited to participate in a short (1-2 minutes) video about their research, as well as present an update on their research at a future ASM.

For any enquiries, please contact GI Cancer Trials.

Request an application form

Submission deadline: Monday 7 September 2026, 9:00am AEST

Eligibility criteria

Applicant must meet the following criteria:

Awarded a PhD, FRACP, FRACS, or MD within the last 5 years of the award closing date (subsequent years are ineligible) OR currently undertaking a PhD or other higher research degree
Working either part-time or full-time
Undertaking research and/or clinical duties in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand

Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria will be based on:

Candidate’s track record (40%)
Career Development Plan (20%)
Participation and service with GI Cancer Trials (20%)
Supervisor’s/Head of Department’s recommendation letter (20%)

A signed letter of recommendation from the Supervisor or Head of Department must be sent directly to GI Cancer Trials by the closing date.

Assessment process

Management of the application and assessment process is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer.

Applications will be reviewed by the ASM Executive Committee, which may request additional information if required.

Past recipients

Congratulations to Dr Cassandra White on receiving the 2025 Award.

The Award was presented to Dr Shehara Mendis. Get to know Shehara and learn what receiving this award means to her.

The Award was presented to Dr Dmitrii Shek. Get to know Dmitrii and learn what receiving this award means to him.

The Award was presented to Dr Christina Teng. She has been involved with GCT clinical trial activities including recruitment to GCT led trials at multiple clinical locations, contribution to GCT ASM, and as a co-investigator of the OXTOX clinical trial.