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R6.17 - DAVID SYME RESEARCH PRIZE

Recitals-

1. David Syme of Melbourne, on 25 October 1904, presented to the University the sum of £3,000 for the foundation of a prize to be given for the best original research work in Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Geology, produced in Australia during the preceding two years, preference being given to work of value in the industrial and commercial interests of the country.
   
   
2. David Syme and Company Limited, Publishers of The Age newspaper, ('the Company') promised to provide in 1980 and in each of the following four years, the sum of $1,000 to be added to the prize in each year after which time it will review the amount to be provided annually by the Company for addition to the prize.
   
   
3. The various sums received totalled $44,477 at 31 December 1994.

It is provided as follows-

1. The sum of $44,477 forms the endowment of a prize called the 'David Syme Research Prize' ('the fund') and the fund must be paid into an investment pool and remain there until the Council directs otherwise.
   
   
2. (1) The prize consists of a medal and of the sum of $1,000. If in any year the current net income of the fund is insufficient then the amount of the prize awarded in that year abates correspondingly.
   
   (2) There is to be added to the prize in each year such sum as the Company may pay to the University for addition to the prize.
   
   
3. Competition for the prize is open in any year to any person who has spent in Australia not less than five out of the seven years next preceding the date upon which entries for the prize closed. No professor in any Australian university is eligible to compete for the prize.
   
   
4. The prize is awarded to the candidate who in the opinion of the examiners submits the record of original research making the most important contribution to one or other of the following branches of Science: Biology, Chemistry, Geology or Physics. Other things being equal preference must be given to original research of value to the industrial and commercial development of Australia.
   
   
5. The record of original research submitted by a candidate must consist of papers published during the two years immediately preceding the date on which entries for the prize close with the optional addition of manuscripts suitable for publication embodying the unpublished results of work done during that period:Provided that where a candidate considers that knowledge of his or her previous work is necessary to the correct valuation of this record he or she may submit also a published or unpublished account of such work.
   
   
6. The record of original research submitted by a candidate may be in whole or in part the embodiment of work done in collaboration with other persons whether or not such persons are candidates for the prize. The examiners must take such steps as they think fit to assess the value of each candidate's contribution to such joint work.
   
   Provided that where two or more persons who are eligible for the prize wish to become candidates in virtue of a research which is wholly their joint work they must submit a record which is to be judged as though they were one candidate. If the prize is awarded in respect of such record they each receive a medal and share equally in the prize money.
   
   
7. Without in any way limiting the operation of section 6, if two or more records of original research of equal merit are submitted and the examiners are unable to determine which of them constitutes the most important contribution to the relative branch of Science, the prize may be shared between the persons submitting such records of original research.
   
   
8. There are such examiners as the Council on the recommendation of the faculty of Science from time to time appoints.
   
   
9. The examiners may demand any evidence which they think necessary in order to satisfy themselves as to the bona fides of the work submitted by any candidate.
   
   
10. The Council must if necessary determine the eligibility of any candidate to compete and its decision is final.
    
    
11. A candidate's entry for the prize must be made on a form approved by the faculty of Science and be accompanied by the record of original research submitted by the candidate and by a statement outlining the main purpose and trend of his or her research.

[s. 11 am. 3/6/02.]