Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) 2016 Guidelines for Funding Commencing in 2017 (Version 2)

Transcription

1 Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) 2016 Guidelines for Funding Commencing in 2017 (Version 2) These guidelines set out the requirements relating to applications for internal research funding via the ACURF process. Contact: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research 19 April 2016

2 1 Table of Contents 1 Overview Purpose and Objectives ACURF Guideline Changes ACURF Schemes, Definitions, Eligibility Criteria and Requirements ACURF Schemes General Eligibility Criteria and Requirements Definitions, Specific Eligibility Criteria and Requirements Research Program Grant Research Project Grant Early Career Researcher Award Industry/Partnership Research Incentive Scheme (IRIS) Women in Health and Medical Research Grant (WHAM) Use of Funds Selection Process and Assessment Criteria Reporting

3 Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) 2016 Guidelines 1 Overview The Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) process is open to all 0.4 (or higher) FTE staff at ACU and is administered and supported by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). This is the major mechanism by which research at ACU is supported internally. Other Awards administered through the Office of the DVC Research, and which are not included within the broad framework of ACURF, include the Research Award for Women Academic Staff (RAWAS), and the Research Support Program (RSP). All other centrally administered research schemes are accessed through the ACURF process. 2 Purpose and Objectives The guidelines describe the ACURF process in 2016 for funding commencing in It lists the various schemes that will be supported in this round, their eligibility criteria, selection process and criteria for the awarding of research funds, and the subsequent reporting requirements. The ACURF objectives directly support ACU s Research Intensification Strategy by: i. Promoting research excellence through an application process that involves competitive internal and external assessment; ii. Supporting ACU research activity that aligns with the University s Mission and Strategic Plan; iii. Assisting researchers who demonstrate significant research skill and expertise, or significant research potential, to develop their research track record thereby contributing to ACU s research profile; iv. Encouraging the development and extension of collaborative research across disciplines, institutions, and with industry partners, and v. Increasing ACU research income, impact, and ERA ranking through improved Australian Competitive Grant success and the generation of quality research publications ACURF Guideline Changes Applications for funding that exceed $50,000, that is Program funding, will again be considered in the current round. This round will also see the addition of a new category of project grant, namely, Women in Health and Medical Research. This commitment to overtly support women conducting health and medical research is in line with new expectations by the NHMRC of administering institutions. 3

4 4 ACURF Schemes, Definitions, Eligibility Criteria and Requirements ACURF applications for funding will be assessed on a competitive basis under one of five classifications which are governed by both general and specific eligibility criteria and requirements. 4.1 ACURF Schemes Research Program Grant Research Project Grant Early Career Researcher Grant Industry Research Incentive Scheme Women in Health and Medical Research Grant 4.2 General Eligibility Criteria and Requirements The following eligibility criteria and requirements apply to all schemes listed above: i. Applications do not constitute a RAWAS or RSP (see Overview above); ii. The application is submitted by an ACU staff member (at least 0.4 full time equivalent) the Applicant ; The Applicant must be the lead chief investigator (CI) on the application; iii. The Applicant must have an appointment with ACU (including approved joint appointments) that extends at least 12 months beyond the end of the relevant reporting timeline (see Section 7 below); iv. Researchers may be the single or lead author on only one ACURF application in 2016; v. The same application cannot be submitted to more than one ACURF scheme in 2016; vi. Researchers may be a co-investigator on only one ACURF application submitted in 2016; vii. All ACU investigators (lead and ACU collaborators) on an application must submit a current ORION Research Profile report for the past five years which includes verified publications (see ACURF Application Form for more details) viii. Successful applicants may be required to revise their budgets and anticipated outcomes according to the final amount funded; ix. Continued funding of research (for proposals of more than one year) will be subject to satisfactory progress as demonstrated in annual reports; x. A final report must be provided for all research within three months of the end date; xi. ACURF applications for funding must comply with the ACURF Guidelines and all instructions and requirements outlined in the ACURF Application Form; xii. All required questions must be completed on the approved ACURF Application Form and submitted by the due date (see below) to be considered for funding. 4

5 4.3 Definitions, Specific Eligibility Criteria and Requirements Research Program Grant Definition Research conducted by members of an ACU Research Group (see below) that requires funding in excess of $50,000. The proposed Research Program may comprise a number of related research projects or studies and each must be fully described in the Research Program Description (see below). ACU Research Group: A collection, cluster or concentration of ACU researchers working on a common research question/s which may involve inter- or multi-disciplinary research Eligibility Research Program Grants will only be available to a Research Group. The collaboration may also include researchers external to ACU, but the Lead Chief Investigator must be an ACU staff member (see 4.2 iii). All named researchers must devote sufficient time to the proposal to ensure the satisfactory completion of all aspects of the research Research Program Grant Requirements i. Research Program Proposal (within the ACURF Application form) consists of two sections: a. Section 1: Research Group Profile (10 page maximum) articulates the broader rationale for the existence of the ACU Research Group, its intellectual scope, its structure and governance (including the current research projects or studies of the group, the staff comprising the group and their relevant roles, skills and expertise), coordination of current research themes and research training and mentoring of HDR candidates and early career researchers; b. Section 2: Research Proposal Description (15 page maximum, plus up to two pages of references) details the specific research projects or studies that constitute the Research Program for which funding is being requested; ii. Research Program duration may be for up to five years (subject to demonstration of satisfactory progress) Research Project Grant Definition Research conducted by one or more researchers that requires funds of up to $50, Research Project Requirements i. Project research description must not exceed 10 pages (excluding one page of references); ii. Project duration may be for up to two years (subject to satisfactory progress) Early Career Researcher Grant Definition The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Grant is for researchers who are within five years (30 June, 2011) of receiving a PhD or within eight years (30 June, 2008) if a career disruption 5

6 has been claimed and approved (see below for more detail). Funds of up to $50,000 may be awarded ECR Grant Eligibility Criteria i. Applicants must meet the definition of an ECR as defined by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) that is, a doctoral qualification conferred within the last five years. For the current round, staff who obtained their doctoral qualification on or after 30 June, 2011 will be eligible; or staff who, commensurate with personal career interruptions between 30 June 2008 and 30 June 2015, have been awarded a PhD on or after 30 June The following interruptions will be considered: a. maternity or parental leave; b. carer s responsibilities; c. illness; d. disruption due to relocation for international post-doctoral studies; and/or unemployment or non-research employment (not exceeding three years); ii. The application for funding may include other CIs but all must meet the ECR eligibility criteria outlined in i above; iii. Have an ACU senior mentor who is an active researcher; iv. The mentor cannot be a CI/author on the ECR Grant application; v. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the time and basic infrastructure resources to pursue the proposed activities ECR Grant Requirements i. Submit a project proposal (with research description of no more than 10 pages excluding one page of references); ii. Include in the application, a letter of agreement from the intended mentor; iii. Project funding may be for up to two years (subject to satisfactory progress) Industry/Partnership Research Incentive Scheme (IRIS) Definition The IRIS is for researchers who intend to develop new or expand existing partnerships with industry or community organisations through a specific research project. Up to $20,000 is available for seed funding for a collaborative research project that will enable the team to apply for external funding in the future IRIS Eligibility Criteria Industry and Community Partners must: i. Be prepared to contribute jointly to the project a cash contribution of between $5,000 $10,000. If the partner contribution is less than $10,000 the remainder should be provided as an in-kind contribution, and; ii. Indicate a willingness to partner with the University in applying for an external competitive grant in the future IRIS Project Requirements i. The proposed research description must be no more than 10 pages (excluding one page of references); ii. Project funding may be for up to two years (subject to satisfactory progress). 6

7 4.3.5 Women in Health and Medical Research Grant (WHAM) Definition i. A grant specifically for women researchers in health and medical research at academic levels A-C; ii. Grants will support health and medical research, notably, basic science through to clinical, public health, and health services research; iii. Funds of up to $50,000 may be awarded WHAM Project Requirement i. The proposed research description must be no longer than 10 pages (excluding one page of references); ii. The project may be of 2 years duration (subject to satisfactory progress). 5 Use of Funds ACURF funding does not support: i. Buying out of teaching; ii. Buying out of marking; iii. Conference travel and attendance. 6 Selection Process and Assessment Criteria Applications must be submitted on ORION no later than 9am on 30 th May, Late applications will not be accepted. Applications for all ACURF funding schemes (listed in 4.1 above) will first be considered by a Faculty committee established by the DVC Research and chaired by the relevant Executive Dean (or nominee). The Faculty committee will report its recommendations to the DVC Research by 9am on Monday 20 th June via to: res.acurf@acu.edu.au. The DVC Research will seek further advice from a review panel consisting of senior external assessors. Final decisions on application outcomes will be announced as soon as possible. Successful applications will undergo a budget review to determine the amount funded. All applicants will be required to demonstrate that their research will lead to applications for Australian National Competitive Grants and to high quality research publications likely to make a significant contribution to future ERA assessments. Applications will be assessed on the basis of: i. The quality and academic merit of the proposed research; ii. Research track record of the applicant(s) as judged by previous research grant success and high quality publications relative to opportunity; iii. The fit of the proposed research with the research strategy and mission of the university. 7

8 7 Reporting i. ACURF-funded research with a duration exceeding one year is subject to submission of an annual progress report against milestones and outcomes. The progress report is due by 30 September of each year in which research is conducted. ii. All funding recipients must submit a final report by the 31 March in the year following their final year of funding. This includes research of one year duration. 8