Current grants and awards

Following is a list of Awards and Grants that will be offered again in 2026

• ANZSBT Research Fund

  Purpose:

  To contribute towards basic science, clinical (including safe and appropriate transfusion practice, patient blood management and haemovigilance) and translational research in transfusion or related fields in Australia and New Zealand.

  The ANZSBT Council has highlighted the following research priorities for 2025:

  • Transfusion in rural and remote settings;
  • Transfusion in the foetal, neonatal and paediatric settings;
  • Transfusion in indigenous populations or minority groups of Australia or New Zealand
  • Community engaged research
  • Implementation science and quality improvement
  • Transfusion in the elderly

  Value:

  In 2026, the Society will award a total sum of $100,000 comprising either a single grant of $100,000 or smaller grants totalling $100,000.

  Eligibility:

  The Society invites applications from either individuals or groups in Australia and New Zealand who are involved in, or planning to undertake, research in transfusion or related fields.

  The Society recognises the importance of supporting career development of the next generation of transfusion researchers. The Society therefore encourages applications from early career researchers (less than 5 years since PhD, FRCPA, FAIMS or equivalent qualification) and post-graduate students. The Society encourages applications from nurses or medical laboratory scientists for funding of suitable projects. There is an expectation by the Society that if an early career researcher is awarded a grant, that awardee will see the project to completion.

  An applicant needs to be an ANZSBT member.

  You can find more information about membership and how to join here.  Application for membership alongside the grant application will be accepted.

  Process:

  The ANZSBT Research Committee will evaluate the merits of the proposed research project, to ensure that it is relevant, of a suitable standard and has potential value to Australia and New Zealand.

  The final allocation of grants will be decided by Council based on recommendations from the Research Committee.

  Criteria:

  Four key criteria on which the assessment will be based are:

  • Significance of the project and value of the potential outcomes
  • Quality of the research plan
  • Feasibility of the project including timeframe
  • Track record of the applicant(s)

  Conditions:

  The award of funds is subject to acceptance of the terms and conditions of the grant:

  • Provision of a written progress report (of up to 500 words) six months after the first grant payment is made
  • Presentation of the findings or the outcome(s) from the research project at the BLOOD annual scientific meeting
  • Provision of a brief synopsis of research outcomes for inclusion on the society’s website

  Full terms and conditions will be sent to successful applicants as part of their notification letter.

  Applications:

  Applications for the 2026 Research Fund are now open and will close at 10pm AEST, Monday 20th April 2026 to anzsbt@anzsbt.org.au.  Click for application forms or Applicant Guideline

• ANZSBT Travel Grants for Blood 2026

  It is with great pleasure that we announce travel grants for ANZSBT members to Blood 2026. The awards are designed to enable ANZSBT members to gain knowledge from and contribute to the annual scientific meeting.

  Selection will favour members without other funding sources for the meeting. One award each will be offered to a scientist, nurse and early career medical officer. The grants are to cover expenses to a maximum amount of AUD$3,000 with acquittal at completion.

  Applications should be received by the Secretariat no later than Midnight (AEST) Wednesday 20th May 2026 and should include a curriculum vitae and letter of application outlining the reasons for the application:

  1. Why the applicant wishes to attend Blood and how knowledge will be translated into local transfusion practice (no more than 200 words);
  2. Any alternative or additional possible sources of funding;
  3. A letter of recommendation from your Head of Department supporting your application, and;
  4. If planning to present at the meeting, the abstract or synopsis of presentation.

  The Society aims to ensure that members who do not normally have access to significant funds for conferences can receive assistance. While all members are encouraged to submit abstracts for Blood, submission is not a prerequisite for receiving a grant.

  Applications must be submitted directly to the ANZSBT Secretariat anzsbt@anzsbt.org.au.

   Closing Date is Midnight (AEST) Wednesday 20^th May 2026

• James Isbister Award

  The James Isbister Award will be presented for the first time at the Blood 2025 conference and is proudly sponsored by the National Blood Authority (NBA).

  James is a former Chair of the NBA’s Patient Blood Management (PBM) Steering Committee and long-time friend of the NBA and ANZSBT member. James sits on a World Health Organization Steering Committee that recently published ‘Guidance on implementing PBM to improve global blood health status’.

  James was an early advocate for moving from a blood product focus to a patient health and safety focus. This prestigious award honours his interesting and varied career spanning more than 40 years with clinical, research and teaching interests in haematology, transfusion medicine and PBM for which he received a membership of the Order of Australia in 2014.

  James is humbled by this new award and credits his lifetime achievements to not just his own efforts and a fulfilment from the work itself, but also inspiration from influential researchers, guidance from great mentors and the support, encouragement, and collaboration of many people throughout his career.

  The recipient of the James Isbister Award is nominated by ANZSBT members and receives a $5,000 prize for a significant contribution to one or more of the following areas:

  • Research into the nature and roles of blood and blood products.
  • Education of the medical community and special interest groups in the field of transfusion medicine and/or patient blood management.
  • Encouraging and promoting the importance of blood and plasma donation and their appropriate clinical use leading to better healthcare in Australia or New Zealand.

  Nominations are sought from members for a person from across the healthcare community whose work in the field of transfusion within Australia and/or New Zealand exemplifies the values of the Society.

  Nominations must come from a proposer and seconder with letters of support from both.  The proposer and/or seconder must be current financial members of the Society.

  Please complete the nomination form, include a Curriculum Vitae and send by email to: anzsbt@anzsbt.org.au  THIS AWARD BE OPENING SOON FOR 2026

• *Renewed* Peter Schiff Award

  ANZSBT is excited to announce the new look Peter Schiff Award for 2025 to celebrate 25 years of ongoing sponsorship from CSL Behring.

  The Peter Schiff award was first awarded in 2000 and named in honour of the former Medical Director of CSL Bioplasma acknowledging his outstanding service in the field of transfusion medicine

  The renewed Peter Schiff Award is NOW open to early career members of ANZSBT to foster their career development within the transfusion medicine community.

  Applicants are asked to submit a project plan to describe an innovation or idea that will further the advancement of clinical, laboratory or research in transfusion medicine.

  All applications will be presented to Council for shortlisting, and if selected the applicant ‘pitch’ their innovation or idea in a “Shark Tank” style (virtual) panel drawn from ANZSBT Council, Research or Standing Committees members.

  The successful applicant will be chosen based on the degree of innovative/novelty of the idea, feasibility for the completion of the project and the impact/benefits to the transfusion medicine community.

  The Award will be announced during the Gala Dinner at the annual Blood conference with the Certificate awarded at the completion of the project by representative of CSL Behring.

  The award will be for $5,000 **

  THIS AWARD WILL BE OPENING SOON FOR 2026