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It’s never too early to start thinking about your future. The Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research Excellence Program is your opportunity to get a taste of a rewarding career in research.
If you’re a high-performing student enrolled in Deakin University’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, you could be eligible to apply for the Research Excellence Program. The 12-week program offers selected students the opportunity to embed themselves within our thriving research environment.
Get hands-on experience
Participation in the program offers an immersive, practical research journey that unveils the extensive scope of physical activity and nutrition research within the Institute.
Why join the program?
You’ll be guided by world-renowned research leaders and gain invaluable insights into diverse career pathways and strategies for early career planning.
Successful applicants have the chance to be directly involved in hands-on activities, which may include:
- engaging with researchers in team meetings,
- data collection as part of live research projects,
- research laboratory workshops/demonstrations, and
- the chance to develop and present your own research idea/project in a conference environment.
You’ll also gain valuable research experience and access to networking opportunities that provide a smooth transition into a thriving research career.
It’s hard to put into words what my time in IPAN’s research Excellence Program meant (and still means) to me, because it was so many things: inspiring, challenging, rewarding … I could go on and on. So, what I will say is this: it completely changed my plans for the future. I now intend to dive headfirst into a career in research.”
Program details
The Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research Excellence Program is a 12-week intensive experience that starts in mid-July.
You’ll be required to attend a 2-hour workshop each week over the 3-month period (mid-July to mid-October).
Our research areas
The weekly workshops and hands-on activities connect you with leading researchers across the Institute’s four core research domains, as well as the Baker-Deakin Department of Lifestyle and Diabetes and the Centre for Sport Research.
What’s involved
The weekly interactive sessions are designed to set you up for success in a research career:
- Career pathways: Interactive discussions will focus on the various aspects of a research career, including different job prospects.
- Hands-on demonstrations: Participate in discussions and hands-on demonstrations facilitated by researchers across the various research domains, centre and department housed within the Institute.
- Professional development: Workshops will help you identify a research topic, craft a research proposal, and prepare for your conference presentation.
You’ll receive a $1500 payment as recognition for your participation in the program. Students are awarded this payment after attending all required workshops (excluding extenuating circumstances) and presenting their completed research proposal at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Research Symposium.
Application criteria
Ready to take the next big step in your academic journey? This is a highly competitive program that offers a unique opportunity to gain real, hands-on research experience. If you’re driven and interested, we strongly encourage you to put forward an application.
Eligibility criteria includes:
- You must be a high-performing second or third-year student (achieving average marks of 75% or greater) enrolled in courses or majors with Deakin University’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (including double degrees), and
- You must be able to commit to a two hour workshop each Friday afternoon to participate over a 3-month period (mid-July to mid-October).
How to apply
Click the button below to download the application form to your device.
Applications for the 2026 program close on Friday, 19 June 2026.
For further information, please email the program coordinators: A/Prof Natalie Lander, Dr Rhiannon Snipe, Dr Brenton Baguley (Burwood); and Dr Aaron Fox (Waurn Ponds).