How long have you been on the Grants Review Committee (GRC)? 

I’ve been a member of the GRC since 2021. Over this time, I’ve contributed to multiple funding rounds, supporting the assessment of high-quality applications from emerging physiotherapy researchers across Australia.

Why did you join the committee?

I wanted to contribute to strengthening physiotherapy research in Australia. 

Having benefited from competitive grant funding myself, I value the role that schemes like the Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) Seeding Grant play in building research capacity among early-career physiotherapy researchers. 

It was also an opportunity to better understand grant review processes and to contribute to fair, rigorous and transparent funding decisions.

As a member of the committee, what do you do?

My role involves reviewing grant applications, coordinating external peer reviews and contributing to panel discussions to determine funding recommendations. 

I help refine aspects of the scheme such as eligibility criteria and assessment processes and contribute to selecting new committee members.

What are the challenges of the role? 

One of the main challenges is balancing fairness with the inherently competitive nature of the scheme – many strong applications cannot be funded. 

Joshua Zadro.

It can also be challenging to compare proposals across diverse research areas and methodologies. 

Ensuring consistency in scoring and interpretation of reviewer feedback requires careful discussion and judgement.

What do you get out of it personally and professionally?

Professionally, the role has strengthened my skills in grant reviewing and writing and provided valuable insight into what makes an application competitive. 

It has broadened my perspective on emerging research areas in physiotherapy.

Personally, I find it rewarding to support early-career researchers and contribute to the growth of the profession’s evidence base.

What would you tell people considering joining the committee?

It’s a highly valuable and rewarding experience. You gain insight into the grant review process, develop critical appraisal skills and contribute meaningfully to the profession. 

It does require a time commitment, particularly during review periods, but the professional development and opportunity to support emerging researchers make it worthwhile.

>> Associate Professor Joshua Zadro APAM is a physiotherapist and academic at the University of Sydney.

Applications now open for the 2027 GRC

Are you passionate about advancing your research career and networking with fellow professionals? Do you want to help shape the evidence base of the profession? Then apply to join the GRC.

The GRC is an advisory committee of the APA Board of Directors and the Pat Cosh Trust (PCT). 

Its primary role is to review research grant applications submitted to the PRF and PCT and make recommendations.

Responsibilities include:
•    evaluating research grants including PRF Seeding Grants, PRF Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Grants and PCT Annual and Strategic Grants. Members are not expected to review applications from all streams
•    nominating and inviting independent assessors to review grant applications in their area of expertise
•    making recommendations on grant allocations
•    providing feedback on progress reports submitted by recipients
•    providing advice on APA research partnership proposals.

To be eligible to join the GRC, you must be a current financial member of the APA, hold a postgraduate qualification and have experience in conducting, supervising and/or reviewing physiotherapy research.

There is an additional opportunity to apply for an Early Career Research Fellow position on the GRC. Eligible candidates are within five years of PhD award (taking career disruption into account).

Applications close 31 August 2026. 

Access application forms and contact Jenine Fleming at Jenine.Fleming@australian.physio for more information.