The Maple-Brown Family Foundation Fellowships, funded by the Maple Brown Family Foundation, are awarded to Menzies staff, to support the development and progression of early-career researchers. These fellowships aim to nurture researchers whose work benefits the well-being of the Australian community, with a particular focus on supporting disadvantaged populations, rural and remote areas, health, and environmental issues.

The fellowship is granted to the highest-ranked eligible applicant for a Menzies Fellowship and provides flexible funding. This can be used for various purposes, including covering salary, direct research costs, employing additional staff, administrative support, purchasing equipment, and engaging in professional development activities like attending conferences or receiving training. 

The Maple-Brown Family Foundation Fellowship is generously funded by the Maple-Brown Family Foundation.
 

2023 Award Recipients:

In 2023, the recipients of these fellowships were Sarah Clifford and Dr Holger Unger. 

Sarah Clifford
Sarah Clifford is an early career researcher who focuses on alcohol-related harms – a leading health and social concern in the NT. Her vision is to contribute to new evidence that helps decision-makers and the public better understand the commercial determinants of alcohol use in the NT and inform policy that can lead to better outcomes for the community.
 
 
Dr. Holger Unger
Dr Unger is an early career clinician-researcher with a clinical appointment at the Royal Darwin Hospital. His research expertise centres around malaria in pregnancy in the Asia-Pacific region, including evaluating the impacts of malaria in pregnancy, and of preventative strategies during pregnancy, on infant health outcomes in endemic settings. Dr Unger also conducts research into preterm birth in the Northern Territory, with the aim to strengthen the diagnosis and management of preterm labour. He is committed to reducing adverse maternal, pregnancy, and child health outcomes in malaria-endemic and remote settings through pragmatic and innovate interventions to maximise impact.