South Australian Kick Start Fellowship
Supporting early career researchers based in South Australia to elevate career progress towards becoming fully funded postgraduate researchers. The fellowship aims to:
- Acknowledge and encourage promising early career researchers in cardiovascular health
- Enhance the career prospects of early-stage cardiovascular researchers
- Foster collaboration and innovation to advance cardiovascular health research in South Australia
Eligibility
Key eligibility criteria:
Must be an SA CVRN member and involved in cardiovascular research.
Must be residing in South Australia.
Must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have applied for Australian permanent residency at the time of the application closing date.
Applicants must be no more than two (2) years post‑PhD (excluding career disruptions) at the application closing date.
For the purposes of eligibility assessment, the PhD pass date is the date of the letter advising that the PhD was passed. It is not the conferral date.
Applicants who have passed their PhD but have not yet had it formally conferred may apply; however, formal conferral of the PhD must occur prior to commencement of the Fellowship.
Have support of a supervisor or research team at a South Australian university.
Must not accept funds from the tobacco industry or be affiliated with promotion of tobacco products.
What’s the value of the fellowship?
Up to two fellowships will be offered, providing competitive salary support over a two-year period.
When can you apply?
The Heart Foundation South Australian Kick Start Fellowship opens once per year.
Application open: 1 April 2026
Application close: 5:00pm ACST 20 May 2026
Review Period: June 2026
Notification: 5 July 2026
Funding commences: 1 August 2026
Please refer to the 2026 South Australian Kick Start Fellowship Guidelines for detailed eligibility criteria, assessment information and application conditions.
How should you apply?
Applications must be submitted via the Heart Foundation Grants Management Portal.
Review and outcomes
Eligible applications will undergo peer review following the application close. Applicants will be notified of outcomes after the review process has been completed.
Meet our 2025 Kick Start Fellowship recipients
The Heart Foundation South Australian Kick Start Fellowship supports early career researchers in cardiovascular health, helping them take the next step toward becoming fully funded postgraduate researchers. We are proud to introduce the 2025 recipients of this prestigious fellowship—two outstanding researchers whose work is already making a meaningful impact in South Australia.
Dr Sarena La, Clinical Cardiovascular Researcher
Affiliation: Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN)
Dr Sarena La brings a strong clinical research background to the fellowship, having completed her PhD with the Translational Vascular Function Research Collaborative—a partnership between the University of Adelaide, Basil Hetzel Institute, and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her research focuses on Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (NOCA) Syndrome, with a particular emphasis on improving patient outcomes and advocating for those affected. Dr La’s work exemplifies the fellowship’s mission to foster innovation and improve cardiovascular health across South Australia.
Dr Alexandra Manson, Public Health Nutrition Researcher
Affiliation: Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute
Dr Alexandra Manson completed her PhD at Flinders University’s Caring Futures Institute, where she investigates how school food systems can support children’s health, growth, and development. Her research aims to reduce long-term cardiovascular disease risk by shaping healthier environments for young Australians. Dr Manson’s work highlights the importance of prevention and public health in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
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