Go8 offers support to the University of L'Aquila

The Group of Eight will offer up to eight scholarships to early career researchers in the Italian city of L'Aquila to help them continue their research in Australia while the University of L'Aquila is rebuilt.  

In the aftermath of the April 2009 earthquake in  L'Aquila which claimed nearly 300 lives and left thousands injured, the  university has virtually shut down. Fifty five of those who died were from the  university's 23,000-strong student body.

"Most of the university buildings are currently inaccessible  and it will take at least 6-12 months before research staff and students will  be allowed to access them," said Professor Silvia Bisti, who holds a chair of  neuroscience in L'Aquila's Department of Biomedical Science and Technology.

"PhD students and postdoc fellows, particularly in the  scientific fields, are the worst affected. The earthquake destroyed their  laboratories, making continuation of their research almost impossible."

Professor Anna Tozzi, PVC International Relationships  at the University of L'Aquila, said "the Go8 contribution will make an enormous  difference, providing not only practical help for researchers to continue their  work but also hope for the community."

The Go8 will offer eight one-off scholarships of $5000  each to early career researchers to travel to Australia and spend time  conducting research at Go8 member universities.

The scholarships will be administered through the  Association for Research between Italy and Australasia (ARIA) and applications  will be assessed by an expert panel.

Eligible researchers are those currently enrolled in a  research degree at the University of L'Aquila or full-time staff of the  university. Preference will be given to PhD students and early career  researchers.

Further information including the application form is  available at HERE.