Become a Supervisor for the Research Futures Scholarship Program

The 2027 program will run from 11 January to 19 February 2027

Student information
A group of students and supervisors in a lab smiling at the camera

Inspire the next generation of researchers

The Research Futures Scholarship Program (RFSP) provides undergraduate and Master of Naturopathic Medicine students with a six-week immersive research experience under the guidance of experienced academics and researchers. As a supervisor, you can mentor emerging researchers while progressing a project that aligns with your research interests and priorities.

We are now accepting project proposals. Please contact ncnmresearch@scu.edu.au

“Taking part in the Research Futures Scholarship Program was a wonderful experience. The program facilitated new collaborations and an in-depth investigation of an area I had always wanted to explore but had just not found the time. I connected with a new student who really did a fantastic job, and the project is being developed for publication. The student was so motivated that she had decided to apply for a PhD to continue the research she started during the program. I cannot recommend the program enough.”

Associate Professor Eric Brymer 2024 Research Futures Scholarship Program Supervisor
A group of students and supervisors in a lab smiling at the camera

Why become a RFSP supervisor?

Supervising an RFSP scholar can help you

  • Advance a research project with dedicated student support 
  • Identify talented students who may progress into Honours or HDR pathways 
  • Build your supervisory and mentoring skills 
  • Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties and institutions 
  • Contribute to developing the future research workforce 

* Applications for the 2027 program will open in October.

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs below or email NCNM Research.

RFSP impact at a glance

Completions

42 students have completed the program since 2020

Mentorship

30 academic supervisors have participated in the program

Study pathway

10 students have progressed into HDR degrees

Publications

10 peer-reviewed publications have been produced

Information for Supervisors

Proposals are welcome from Southern Cross University academic and professional staff engaged in research, or researchers from external institutions and organisations. Early Career Researchers are encouraged to participate. 

Primary supervisors outside the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) must partner with a co-supervisor from the Centre for active collaboration throughout the project. 

Eligible projects are well planned, appropriately scoped, and capable of providing a meaningful research experience within the six-week scholarship period. Projects should contribute to NCNM's research priorities areas and are encouraged to foster collaboration across disciplines, faculties, institutions and industry partners. Projects requiring ethics approval should already have approval in place or be well advanced in the ethics process, so that the project can be up and running during the summer term. 

Project examples may include systematic reviews, scoping reviews, meta-analyses, secondary data analyses, qualitative studies or data analysis, survey-based research or laboratory or clinical projects with appropriate approvals (e.g., ethics) already in place. 

NCNM provides administrative and program support to assist supervisors throughout the Research Futures Scholarship Program. This includes managing student recruitment and selection, scholarship administration, student onboarding, induction and research training activities, as well as coordinating the program throughout the scholarship period. NCNM will also provide the scholarship to students (currently $2,100 per scholarship). Support is also available to both students and supervisors, including assistance with any issues that may arise during the program. 

To support project delivery, supervisors may request a project budget of up to $500 for direct project costs. Funding may be used for project-related expenses; project funding requests are subject to approval and the availability of program funds. 

The Research Futures Scholarship Program is an opportunity to support aspiring researchers, contribute to a meaningful project, and strengthen research capacity across the sector. 

Submit your project proposal today. 

vital.ly logo

Proud supporters of the Research Futures Scholarship Program

"At vital.ly, we believe a sustainable profession is built on strong clinical reasoning and evidence-led practice. Universities play a central role in shaping that foundation. The Research Futures Scholarship Program provides practical research experience that strengthens how future practitioners think, question, and apply evidence in clinic. We support the Centre to help build a more capable profession, where research, clinical practice, and industry work together to improve patient outcomes.” 
Kent Weathers, Chief Executive Officer, vital.ly

“This program has been mutually rewarding and a wonderful catalyst for my own development. Guiding students through complex methodologies, whether navigating qualitative coding frameworks or refining search strings for systematic reviews, has sharpened my supervisory style and communication skills. Additionally, working alongside passionate students often revitalises my own approach to problem-solving, reminding me why I fell in love with research in the first place. ”

Profile shot of Jessica Bayes
Dr Jessica Bayes 2026 Research Futures Scholarship Program Supervisor

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Academics and researchers from outside the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) can supervise a Research Futures Scholarship Program project, provided an NCNM academic is included as a co-supervisor. 

Collaborative supervision is encouraged and can strengthen interdisciplinary research projects. If you are interested in supervising a project but do not currently have an NCNM collaborator, please contact an NCNM academic to discuss a potential project and co-supervision arrangement. 

The Research Futures Scholarship Program follows an annual application and selection process, with projects typically taking place over the summer term.

Project timeline infographic

Supervisors are welcome to attend Orientation Day and are encouraged to connect with students before the project begins to discuss preparation, induction activities, and project expectations.

Yes. Research projects can continue beyond the six-week scholarship period if both the student and supervisor agree. 

Many students choose to remain involved in their project after the scholarship concludes, particularly when there are opportunities to prepare publications, present findings, or undertake further research activities. 

The time commitment depends on the scope and complexity of the project, but supervisors are expected to provide regular guidance, feedback, and mentorship throughout the program. 

Students are expected to commit approximately 20 to 30 hours per week to their project, including training, project work, meetings, and supervision activities. Supervisors should plan regular contact and ensure appropriate support is available throughout the scholarship period. 

Supervisors are expected to actively support students throughout the Research Futures Scholarship Program. 

This includes: 

  • Developing a clearly defined and achievable research project. 
  • Meeting regularly with the student. 
  • Providing mentorship, guidance, and constructive feedback. 
  • Establishing realistic project goals and milestones. 
  • Maintaining regular communication throughout the scholarship period. 
  • Supporting a positive, inclusive, and respectful research environment. 
  • Upholding research integrity, ethical conduct, and professional standards. 

Supervisors play an important role in helping students develop research skills and gain meaningful research experience. 

Research Futures Scholarship Program project funding can only be used for direct project expenses. 

Funding cannot be used for research staff salaries, conference attendance, or other costs unrelated to delivering the approved project. If your project requires funding, please indicate this when submitting your project proposal and provide details of the expected costs. 

Yes. More than one supervisor can be involved in a Research Futures Scholarship Program project. 

Co-supervision is encouraged, particularly for interdisciplinary projects that benefit from expertise across different disciplines, research methods, or professional fields. 

No. Submitting a project proposal does not guarantee that a student will be allocated to your project. 

The Research Futures Scholarship Program offers a limited number of scholarships each year, and students can nominate preferred projects as part of their application. As a result, some approved projects may not receive a student allocation in a particular funding round. 

If your project is not selected, you are encouraged to submit it again in future Research Futures Scholarship Program rounds. 

 

 

Contact the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

ncnm@scu.edu.au +61 2 6626 9255