Travel and Collaboration Grants

Eligible activities
Scholarships may be used to support travel that combines one or more of these activities:  

• travel and registration to attend international or national conferences focused on mito or rare disease clinical trials (e.g. Euromit, Mitochondrial Medicine conference, AussieMit)  

• short-term visits to leading clinical trial sites (in Australia or overseas) to learn methods, protocols, or trial management approaches  

• training or workshops that build trial skills relevant to mito  

• activities that directly promote collaborations between Australian and international clinical trial centres or investigators.  

What will not be funded  

• Salaries or ongoing staff positions 
• Conference attendance only without a clear plan for knowledge translation or collaboration outcomes 
• Routine clinical training or activities not linked to mito clinical trials 
• General research costs (e.g., consumables, laboratory expenses) 
• Retrospective funding for activities already completed.
• Applications will not be considered if similar applications are being reviewed through other Mito Foundation funding opportunities.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of experts, with final funding decisions made by by the Mito Foundation Board. 

Assessment criteria

1. Impact: Likelihood the activity will increase the ability for the applicant to play a role in Australian mito clinical trials. (30%)
2. Collaboration: Potential to foster meaningful collaborations across mito centres, disciplines, and/or internationally (30%).
3. Knowledge translation: Plans for sharing and applying learnings to a wider team or group within Australia (e.g., presentations, integration into practice, training colleagues) (20%)
4. Sustainability: Potential for long-term benefit beyond the funded activity (20%)

• Applicants must be based in Australia and affiliated with a recognised health service, university, or research institute.  

• Funding is limited to activities commencing between January 2026 and June 2027.  

• Successful applicants must:  

• • submit a brief written report (2–3 pages) within 3 months of completing the activity  

• • acknowledge the support of Mito Foundation in any presentations and publications arising from the funded activity  

• • share outcomes with a wider audience in Australia (e.g., seminar, webinar, or another agreed format).  

• • Funds must only be used for approved purposes and in line with the submitted budget. Any unspent funds must be returned to Mito Foundation.  

• If circumstances change (e.g., travel restrictions, cancellation of events), applicants must notify Mito Foundation immediately to agree on an alternative use of funds or arrange repayment.  

2025: Dr Judith Walker, Neuroscience Research Australia