2016 NHMRC Project Grants for funding in 2017

Information to consider before submitting a NHMRC Project Grant EOI:
Context

The NHMRC Project Grants scheme is a competitive grant scheme that supports the creation of new knowledge by funding the best investigator-initiated medical research project plan of five years, or less, in any area relevant to human health.The scheme is a highly competitive one and the figure below shows the success rate across the sector during the period 2010–2015:

EOI Assessment

The EOI process will examine criteria such as:

  • Excitement, rigour and innovation of the proposed project
  • Potential impact beyond academia – research translation
  • Publication intensity, citation analyses and academic impact in the field – team track record
  • Capability and experience of the research team
  • Supportive research environment
  • Alignment with UWS research strengths and themes

Only one (1) Expression of Interest (EOI) with the University of Western Sydney (UWS) as the administering institution should be completed for each named CIA.

Purpose

The purpose of this EOI process is to ensure applicants are provided with the best possible support, to maximise the University’s success and reputation in major competitive rounds, and to ensure that only high quality proposals are submitted.

Process

The EOI process will be lead by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) and assessed by an EOI Assessment Panel comprising a HASS and STEM Lead Strategist, the AOU Research Director, Professoriate, Director of Research Services, Senior Project Development Manager and Research Development Officer. The EOI which includes the track record of all the CIs will be assessed according to NHMRC Funding Rules and Selection Criteria.

EOI Outcomes

The ORS will provide written feedback to each researcher who submits an EOI in this round.

NHMRC Project Grant Expression of

Interest (EOI) Form
This form must be completed and submitted in Word format to

by 5pm onTUESDAY, 30 JUNE 2015

An Expression of Interest (EOI) should be completed for each application (including applications to be administered by another university) on which you are a named CI.

I aim to submit this application through:
University of Western Sydney (UWS) / COMPLETE ALL PARTS 1-10
Another university / COMPLETE PARTS 1-5 ONLY
Please indicate:

Part 1: Preliminary discussions
Have you discussed this project with your Dean or Research Director?

No / Yes

Part 2: Proposed Project Title(No more than 20 words)

Part 3: Proposed Research Team – CIA-CIJ(do not add AI)

CIA / First name / Family name / Employing institution / Employment status / FTE / Area of expertise
CIA / e.g. Joshua / Jones / School of Medicine / Permanent / 1.0 / Neuroscience
CIB
CIC
CID
CIE
CIF
CIG
CIH
CII
CIJ

Part 4: Which organisational unit will you be submitting your EOI through?

e.g. Centre for Health Research

Does this EOI relate to an application that is being resubmitted to the NHMRC?
No Yes – Please attach NHMRC assessor’s reports and rebuttals.

Part5: Research Classification
Select the UWS Research Theme where your research is best categorised:

Urban Living and Society: People, Culture, Economy and Built Environment
Health and Well Being: Translation, Service and Innovation
Education: Access, Equity, Pathways and Aspirational Change
Environmental Sustainability: Climate, Agriculture and Resources

Complete the Classification Codes for your Proposed Project Proposal:

Research Type / % / FOR Code / % / SEO Code / % / Keywords
Pure Basic
Strategic
Applied
Experimental / Note: Provide 6 digit FOR & SEO codes (see Category Codes)

Part 6: Research Proposal

Provide a detailed Research Proposal(no more than 1 page)

(i) Background, including significance of the problem
(ii) Aims and objectives
(iii) Methods*
(iv) Expected outcomes and timeline

* Consider technique used, justification of controls, appropriate blinding (if applicable), justification of sample size (power calculations), ethical implications, type of data needed and how the data will be collected, stored and analysed.

Part 7: Significance of the Expected Outcomes AND/OR Innovation of the Concept

Describe the significance and excitement of your Research Proposal to your field of research area to a non-academic audience(no more than ½ a page)

(i) Why are these expected outcomes significant?
(ii) What is the potential innovation arising from the project?

Describe how the expected outcomes of your Research Proposal can be translated into the practice of clinical medicine or public health or change health policies (Provide no more than ½ a page)

Part 8: Research Expertise and Environment

Describe the expertise and commitment of each team member and describe how their expertise will be used in the methods and techniques detailed in the Research Proposal (no more than ½ a page)

(i) Research team – eligible organisations
e.g.
-CIA name
-Experience in the methods and techniques detailed in the Research Plan
-Commitment
-CIB name
-Experience in the methods and techniques detailed in the Research Plan
-Commitment
(ii) Research team – Partner Organisation
-Partner Organisation name (1)
-Experience in the methods and techniques detailed in the Research Plan
-Commitment
-Partner Organisation name (2)
-Experience in the methods and techniques detailed in the Research Plan
-Commitment

Describe how the research environment will enable the team to work together to achieve the project aimsdetailed in the Research Proposal(no more than ½ a page)

Part 9: Eligibility
All CIs are eligible and have consented to be named on this EOI form.

Part 10: Submission
To be submitted to the Office of Research Services at: no later than 5pm on 30 June 2015.Late applications will not be supported by the PVC(R&I).

Timeline*

Milestone / Deadline
Expression of Interest (5 pages) submitted to ORS / 30 Jun 2015
Outcomes announcements by ORS / 28 Jul 2015
Draft Research Proposal (9 pages Word version) submitted to ORS / 5 Oct 2015
Draft of full application submitted to RAO in RGMS / Nov 2015^
UWS deadline for full application completed on RGMS and submitted to RAO / Feb 2016^

* These timelines and processes are part of ongoing quality assurance measures designed to ensure that applications are provided with the best possible support through ORS and/or UWS Institutes, Schools and Centres.

^ Dates to be confirmed when NHMRC deadlines announced.

Office of Research Services – May 2015 – NHMRC Project Grant EOI form