Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) Guidelines for Funding Awarded in 2015

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

1 Contents

1Overview

2Purpose and Objectives

32015 ACURF Guideline Changes

4ACURF Schemes, Definitions, Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

4.1ACURF Schemes

4.2General Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

4.3Definitions, Specific Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

4.4Research Project

4.4.1Definition

4.4.2Research Project Requirements

4.5Early Career Research Award

4.5.1Definition

4.5.2ECR Award Eligibility Criteria

4.5.3ECR Award Requirements

4.6Industry Research Incentive Scheme (IRIS)

4.6.1Definition

4.6.2IRIS Eligibility Criteria

4.6.3IRIS Project Requirements

5Use of Funds

6Selection Process and Assessment Criteria

7Reporting

Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) Guidelines in 2015

1 Overview

The Australian Catholic University Research Funding (ACURF) process is administered and supported by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). This is now 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

These guidelines describe the ACURF process in 2015 for funding commencing in 2016, its objectives, the ACURF funding schemes, 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 (Category 1) success and the generation of quality research publications.

3 2015 ACURF Guideline Changes

A major change to the ACURF process in 2015 is the exclusion of applications for Program funding, that is, the exclusion of applications for funding that exceed $50,000.

4 ACURF Schemes, Definitions, Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

ACURF applications for funding will be assessed on a competitive basis under one of four classifications which are governed by both general and specific eligibility criteria and requirements.

4.1 ACURF Schemes

  • Research Project
  • Early Career Researcher Award
  • Industry Research Incentive Scheme

4.2 General Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

The following eligibility criteria and requirements apply to all ACURF Schemes:

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 2015;

v. Researchers may be a co-investigator on only one ACURF application in 2015;

vi. Those who received an ACURF project grant as a lead CI in 2014 are excluded from applying in 2015;

vii. All ACU investigators (Lead and ACU collaborators) on an application must submit a current list of research outputs showing the publication dates from ORION;

viii. Successful applicants may be required to revise their budgets and anticipated outcomes according to the final amount funded;

ix. ACURF applications for funding must comply with the ACURF Guidelines and all instructions and requirements outlined in the ACURF Application Form;

x. 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.

4.3 Definitions, Specific Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

4.3.1 Research Project

4.3.1.1 Definition

Research conducted by one or more researchers that requires funds of up to $50,000.

4.3.1.2 Research Project Requirements

i. Project Research Description must not exceed four pages (excluding 1 page references);

ii. Project duration may be for up to two years.

4.3.2 Early Career Research Award

4.3.2.1 Definition

The Early Career Research (ECR) Award is for researchers who are within 5 years (30 June, 2009) of receiving a PhD or within 8 years (30 June, 2006) if a career disruption has been claimed and approved (see below for more detail). Funds of up to $50,000 may be awarded.

4.3.2.2 ECR Award 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, 2010 will be eligible; or staff who, commensurate with personal career interruptions between 30 June 2007 and 30 June 2014, have been awarded a PhD on or after 30 June 2007. The following interruptions will be considered:

  1. maternity or parental leave;
  2. carer’s responsibilities;
  3. illness;
  4. 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 4.3.3.i above;

iii. Have a senior mentor who is an active researcher;

iv. The mentor cannot be a CI/author on the ECR Award application;

v. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the time and basic infrastructure resources to pursue the proposed activities.

4.3.2.3 ECR Award Requirements

i. Submit a Project Proposal (with Research Description maximum of 4 pages excluding 1 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.

4.3.3 Industry/Partnership Research Incentive Scheme (IRIS)

4.3.3.1 Definition

The IRIS is intended for researchers who, with their partner organisation, intend to develop and apply for an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grant or a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnerships for Better Health Projects grant. An Industry and Community Partner is defined as any organisation with which ACU is eligible to apply for collaborative funding under the ARC Linkage Program or collaborative funding under the NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health Projects. Up to $10,000 is available for seed funding to develop the external grant application.

4.3.3.2 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 be a partner with the University in applying for an ARC Linkage Award or a NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health Projects Award in the future.

4.3.3.3 IRIS Project Requirements

i. The proposed Research Description must be no more than 4 pages (excluding references);

ii. Subject to joint negotiation, Industry and Community Partners must be prepared to enter into a standard Collaborative Research Agreement;

Project funding may be for up to two years.

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 to the relevant Faculty Associate Dean Research and to the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) online (staff website link) no later than 5pm on 15 August, 2015. 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 5pm on 20 September, 2015 via email: . 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 of the university.

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 15 December of each year in which research is conducted.

ii. All program and project funding recipients must submit a final report by the 30 March in the year following their final year of funding. This includes research of one year duration.

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