ERI Grant Application Guidelines 2016

Criteria for grant eligibility & conditions of funding

Epworth Research Institute (ERI) grants are awarded to Epworth researchers and affiliates that demonstrate alignment with Epworth’s strategic research priorities, build on research capacity and researcher experience, and have strong scientific merit, design and outcomes. Applications will be assessed on a number of criteria by the ERI Research Committee, including but not limited to:

  • Alignment to the Epworth’sstrategic research directions;
  • Demonstration of strategic benefit and addressing an unmet clinical need;
  • Builds the capacity of early and mid-career researchers;
  • Budget suitability and project milestones;
  • Scientific merit and quality of the application.

Previous funding rounds considered applications in the ‘large’ (up to $50,000) or ‘small’ (up to $10,000) categories. In the 2016 funding round, applications will be considered in the following allocation types:

  • Strategic Research Study Grants, with a budget of up to $100,000;
  • Development Research Study Grants, with a budget of to $50,000;
  • Feasibility Research Study Grants, with a budget of up to $10,000.

Applicants should note that all applications are considered on merit. Nevertheless, the ERI Board has endorsed the funding of up to the following number of applications of each type:

  • one Strategic Research Study Grant;
  • up to six Development Research Study Grants;
  • up to ten Feasibility Research Study Grants.

All grants:

  1. Studies should form part of a strategic research program or be demonstrated to be a preliminary phase for a larger study, and should articulate a sound research hypothesis.
  2. Applications for funding will be considered for research that will be performed primarily at Epworth HealthCare.
  3. The Principal Investigator must hold an appointment at Epworth or demonstrate a clear and robust relationship with Epworth.
  4. The Principal Investigatormustbe supported by an experienced researcher/mentor who holds an appointment at Epworth.
  5. Each Applicant may apply for 1x Strategic Research Study Grant, 1x Development Research Study Grant and 1x Feasibility Research Study Grant.
  6. The study must be well designed and achievable within the grant period.
  7. Studies must seek to produce direct or indirect improvement in patient outcomes or organisational processes.
  8. Statistical validity must be demonstrated to show evidence of statistical review of study design.
  9. A comprehensive study budget must be provided. It should be completed according to the ERI template provided in section 4.
  10. Submitted projects must seek Epworth Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval within the study timeframe submitted. Funds will not be released until HREC approval has been obtained.
  11. All eligible submissions will be assessed and reviewed by the ERI Research Committee.
  12. All projects must acknowledge funding from ERI in any external presentations, publications or other dissemination of the study plan or results.
  13. All funded projects undertaken at or under the auspices of Epworth, or involving Epworth staff, patients or resources, must acknowledge Epworth in the institutional affiliations.
  14. If external funding is gained for the study, ERI must be notified immediately, and a revised budget will need to be submitted.

Important dates

  • Applications open:Monday8thFebruary 2016
  • Applications close:5pm, Friday 8thApril, 2016
  • Results advised July 2016, during Research Week
  • Agreements completed:July/August 2016

Expenditure within successful grants will be allowed after HREC approval is given and any required agreements are signed.

Application procedure

  1. Complete all relevant sections of the form below.
  2. Explain the aims, objectives, rationale and how the aims of the proposal will be achieved and measured by the project design.
  3. It is recommended that applicants seek statistical and/or peer review to discuss the study design and its statistical validity.
  4. Provide a proposed budget for the research proposal.
  5. Provide a timetable for proposal completion. Projects should be completed within 12 months or have clearly defined outcomes at 12 months.
  6. Completed application is to be sent via email to:

Applications that do not meet all of the above conditions may not be considered.

Linked Policies and Protocols

Conflicts of Interest and Research Related Activities Policy
Determining Authorship in Research Publications Protocol
Health Information - Health Records Management Protocol
Honorary Appointment for Research Affiliates Protocol
Intellectual Property Policy
Investigator, Sponsor, and HREC Responsibilities in Research Policy
Monitoring Human Research Policy
New Interventional Procedure/Clinical Practice Policy
Research - Reference to Epworth Affiliation in Publications, Presentations and Papers Protocol
Research Policy
Research-related Complaints Protocol
Use of Human Tissue in Research Policy

2016 ERI Grant Application Cover Page

Name of Principal Investigator:
Email address:
Contact number:
Position/appointment at Epworth:
Epworth site: / Select Primary site:
Name of Senior Epworth Supervisor/Mentor:
Names and positions of
Co-Investigators: / 1.
2.
3.
Grant Funding Amount Requested:
Indicate type of Grant requested:
/ Strategic Research Study Grant
/ Development Research Study Grant
/ Feasibility Research Study Grant
Note: only one of each type of submission can be submitted by the Principal Investigator.
Briefly summarise the project you wish to undertake (150 words or less).
Office use only:
Date Received: / ERI Application number:

Research proposal

Background and Aim
Primary / secondary endpoints
Setting and participants
Study methodology e.g. observational, interventional, specify interventions
Recruitment Strategy
Data collection plan and techniques
Statistical and other analysis
It is recommended that applicants seek statistical and/or peer review to discuss the study design and its statistical validity.

Alignment to Epworth’s research strategy

Fit with Strategic Directions.Describe how your application fits with one or more strategic research directions at Epworth.
Unmet need.What gap in clinical research or translation does this application meet?
Translational benefits.What are the outcomes that this research will generate? Who will it benefit?
Professional developmentHow does this application build on your research development and capacity, along with other Epworth researchers?

Previous awards and other support

Have you or your research team previously been awarded an ERI grant(s)?Provide details of year and amount funded.
Benefits of funded research.Describe what outcomes were generated from the funding, including publications and additional funding leveraged. Were the milestones met?
Other funding support.Have you or your research group/department obtained other internal or external research funding? How is this similar or different to the funding requested for this project?
Strategy to leverage funding.Describe what opportunities and strategies will be pursued to obtain additional funding to supportthis research area.

Project status with HREC

/ Approved / Date: Click here to enter a date.
/ Submitted / Date: Click here to enter a date.
/ Not yet submitted
Comments:

Proposed budget

Funding requested * / $
Expenditure: / Cost:
Total budgeted expenditure * / $

* Total funding requested and total budgeted expenditure should always match

Budget rationale.Provide details of how the components of the proposed expenditureare necessary and will enable completionof the project, with consideration of strategic fit, capacity building of research, and value-for-money to the organisation.

Timetable for completion

Milestone / Prior to commencement / 1st Quarter / 2nd Quarter / 3rd Quarter / 4th Quarter

Curriculum Vitae for Principal Investigator

Title: / Name:
Address:
Phone: / Mobile:
Email:

Qualifications

Degree / Institution / Year
Other qualifications:
Appointments (previous 10 years)
Awards
Grants and Research funding
Conference and Meeting presentations
Peer reviewed publications
Patents
Professional associations
Committee appointments
Collaborations
Student supervision and mentoring (last 5 years)
Research profile (100 words)

References

Provide details of three professional referees. If applicable, include one reference from your present supervisor/manager.

Referee 1Name:
Position:
Address:
Email:
Referee 2Name:
Position:
Address:
Email:
Referee 3Name:
Position:
Address:
Email:

Curriculum Vitae for Supervisor/Mentor

Title: / Name:
Address:
Phone: / Mobile:
Email:

Qualifications

Degree / Institution / Year
Other:
Current Appointments (previous 10 years)
Awards
Grants and Research funding
Conference and Meeting presentations
Peer reviewed publications
Patents
Professional associations
Committee appointments
Collaborations
Student supervision and mentoring (last 5 years)
Research profile (100 words)
2016 ERI Grant Application Checklist:
Complete and Action (as directed below) / 
Application meets all Criteria for Grant Eligibility and Conditions of Funding /
CV and references of Principal Investigator (and Epworth Supervisor/Mentor) /
Research Proposal and associated Protocol provided /
Evidence of statistical review and/or peer review on study design and statistical validity
(if appropriate) /
Timetable provided /
Budget provided /
Statement on HREC status of project /
Statement on alignment to Epworth’s research strategy /
Information on any previously awarded or similar funding received /
Statement on project’s significance to professional development /
Statement on how the findings will advance patient care/outcomes /
Application meets formatting requirements requested /
Application saved in the required format.
Note: All attachments are to be provided either in Word format or as a PDF.
All attachments must be submitted as individual files.
The naming format for any attachment provided is:
Applicant Surname, Initials,Document Name (eg. Cover page), ERI 2016 /
ALL requested documentation emailed to before 5pm on the closing date. /
Please refer to the ‘ERI Grant Application Guidelines’ to ensure a complete application is submitted.

Research Contacts

Name / Department / Contact details
ProfessorDavid Phillips / Group Manager, Research Development & Governance,
Epworth HealthCare /
Ph: 9936 8050
Mob: 0418 483 172
Xenia Sango / Business Development Manager,
Epworth Clinical Trials and Research Centre /
Ph: 9936 8067
A/Professor Dean McKenzie / Epworth Biostatistician /
Ph: 9936 8059
Mob: 0411 565 328
Victoria McMorran / Research Advancement Officer
Epworth HealthCare /
Ph: 9936 8058
Helen Christensen / HREC Coordinator,
Epworth HealthCare /
Ph 9426 8806

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