Guide to completing the University of Melbourne

ARC 2018Future Fellowships Strategic Alignment Statement – Section C3

This guide provides assistance to ARC Future Fellowship applicants preparing their Future Fellowship Strategic Alignment Statement (Section C3). The ARC has replaced ‘Strategic Statement’ with ‘Statement by the Administering Organisation outlining Strategic Alignment’. RIC will refer to the statement throughout the document as a Strategic Alignment Statement.

The Strategic Alignment Statement should be completed by the applicant in consultation with their host department/faculty. The Head of Department/School, must authorise the content of the Strategic Alignment Statement by signing the Strategic Alignment Statement Coversheet.

Research, Innovation & Commercialisation (RIC)will arrange for the statement to be signed by the DVC (Research) and returned to the applicant as a PDF to upload in RMS.

This guide summarises:

  • ARC instructions/advice for completing the strategic alignment statement
  • Links to University of Melbourne reference documents/web pages
  • An outline ofwhat to include in the Strategic Alignment Statement

Submission of Strategic Alignment Statement to RIC:

For Architecture, Building and Planning, Business and Economics, Education, Law, Veterinary and Agricultural Science and VCA and MCM Candidates an electronic word version of the Strategic Alignment Statement and scanned C3Coversheet signed by the Head of Department should be emailed to (Subject: Strategic Alignment Statement FT18xxxxx, Surname)by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.

For all other faculties please see table below as each faculty/department/school may have their own internal processes to assist with strategic alignment statement preparation.

Faculty Assistance for advice with development of your Strategic Alignment Statement:

ABP / Hayley (90358356)Send statement to RIC for review by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Arts / Jeanette Wrench and John-Paul Hougaz (90354040 or 8344 0192 )
Send statement to Arts Research Team by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Business & Economics / Kristie Matthews and Sarah (9035 6443 or 8344 8168) Send statement to RIC for review by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Education / Jacinta (83444068) Send statement to RIC for review by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Engineering / Melanie Villinger (9035 6694) Send statement to Melanie by 5.00pm Monday 18 October 2017.
Law / Mas Generis (8344 9983) Sendstatement to RIC for review by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Science / Meghan Bergamin (8344 3947) Send statement to Meghan by 5.00pm Monday 30 October 2017.
Veterinary Science / Edwina (8344 6541) Send statement to RIC for review by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences / Suzy Ryan (8344 7188) Send statement to MDHS for review by 12.00pm Monday 30 October 2017.
VCA & MCM / Belinda (9035 9095) Sendstatement to RIC for review by 5.00pm Wednesday 1 November 2017.

Instructions/Advice from the ARC

From the ARC 2018Future Fellowship Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants guide

C4.1 The objectives of the Future Fellowships scheme are to:
a. ensure that outstanding mid-career researchers are recruited and retained, by Administering Organisations in continuing academic positions;
b. build collaboration across industry and/or research organisationsand/or disciplines;
c. support research in Science and Research Priorities that will result in economic,environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia;
and
e. strengthen Australia’s research capacity by supporting innovative,Internationally competitive research.
Page 16 of the Instructions to Applicants guide and section C9.2.1 of the Funding Rules:
Strategic Alignment Statement by the Administering Organisation
Upload a PDF of no more than three A4 pages. The Administering Organisation must provide a strategic alignment statement withinthe Proposal which:
a. outlines the area of core or emerging area of research strengthand describes the level of resources to be provided to support thesuccessful candidate (for example, include project costs, PhDstudents, or salary top-up);
b. outline plans to retain the successful Future Fellow in a continuingposition, subject to appropriate performance during the Fellowship;
c. where the Future Fellowship candidate is an existing employee of theAdministering Organisation, describe how the salary that waspreviously provided by the Administering Organisation will be used;and
d. is signed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or equivalent.
C9Future Fellowship Selection Criteria
C9.1.1 Proposals will be assessed and ranked using the following selection criteria:
c. Feasibility and Strategic Alignment 10%
- To what extent does the Future Fellowship Candidate align with and/orcomplement the core or developing researchstrengths and staffing profile of theAdministering Organisation?
- Are the necessary facilities available to conduct the proposedresearch?
- What resources will be provided by the AdministeringOrganisation to support the Future Fellowship Candidate duringher/his Future Fellowship?
- At the end of the Future Fellowship what capacity exists at the Administering Organisation to transition the candidate to a continuing position?

UoM Advice on what to include in the Strategic Alignment Statement

The information you include will depend on yourresearch background, and how your proposal aligns to the University’s research strengths.

The Strategic Statement must be no more than 3 A4 pages.

You must use the electronic letterhead provided by RIC available at:

The information included on the template is for example only. Your statement should be tailored to ensure your application is unique and competitive.

RIC will arrange sign-off by the DVC (Research) and provide a PDF copy for the applicant to upload in RMS by the RIC submission date for final applications (16 November 2017).

Introductory paragraph:

  • Include name of the Future Fellowship applicant, ARC application ID number and title of the proposed project. Provide a brief summary statement which highlights the importance of the project and how the project is aligned with strategies of the Department/School/ Faculty/University.

Future Fellowship candidate: use consistent language

Provide some details/background about the applicant. This statement should align with the below ARC Future Fellowship Candidateselection criteria.

  • Discuss previous and current opportunities to mentor other colleagues/students. Provide evidence of successful mentoring.
  • What is unique about thefellow’s experience, skills and expertise?
  • Demonstrate the fellow’s capacity to undertake the proposed research program – why are they a good fit with the project.
  • State briefly the most significant contributions to the field and any other career highlights.

(Is there evidence of national/international standing? Mention prestigious awards and/orsummary of publication/citation record.)

Future Fellowship Candidate selection criteria (40%).

Future Fellowship Level 1 / Future Fellowship Level 2 / Future Fellowship Level 3
- research opportunity and performance evidence (ROPE);
- capacity and leadership to undertake the proposed research;
- record of high quality research outputs appropriate to the discipline/s;
-evidence of research training, mentoring and supervision
- evidence of national research standing. / - research opportunity and performance evidence (ROPE);
- capacity and leadership to undertake the proposed research;
- record of high quality research outputs appropriate to the discipline/s;
-evidence of research training, mentoring and supervision
- evidence of national and emerging international research standing. / - research opportunity and performance evidence (ROPE);
- capacity and leadership to initiate and manage large research projects;
- record of outstanding research outputs appropriate to the discipline/s;
- evidence of international research standing;
- evidence of excellence in research training, mentoring and supervision;
- evidence of contribution to national and/or international public policy debates and initiatives

Alignment with core or emerging research strengthsand staffing profile:

  • Outline the existing and/or emerging research strengths of the University of Melbourne in relation to your the proposed project. Speak at the University, Faculty and Department level. (You may wish to refer to major cross faculty initiatives and emerging strengths.)
  • How doesthe project fit with theResearch at Melbourne Strategy(particularly the Grand Challenges)? Or the International Strategy 2017-2020?
  • If the fellow will be working at a host organisation indicate how this organisation aligns with the strengths of the University/Faculty/School/Department. Is there evidence you can provide to demonstrate past successful collaborations or future partnership opportunities?
  • Think about where the project is located physically and intellectually – is it in an area of discipline strength within the Department/School/Faculty /University? Is it formally in a Domain, Centre, Theme, Institute, Program, Network etc?
  • How will the Fellow add, to the combined skill set of the host Department. Will there be any cross faculty collaboration?
  • How will the appointment of the fellow build capacity/ critical mass in the nominated Department/ Faculty/Institution?
  • How would the award of a fellowship make use of, and enhance the intellectual/physical environment?
  • Indicate whether the project contributes to the advancement of knowledge in one or more areas of national research priority.

Resources and support provided by the University (Check with your Faculty/School/Department):

  • Detail any financial support, yourDepartment/School/Faculty would offer. (This includes any Establishment Grant support you have applied for). These funds may be provided in addition to the ARC support and best used to fund salaries, stipends, support services that are required for undertaking the research program. Ensure details are provided on what the extra funding will used for.
  • If applicable include information regarding salary top-up. Include the amount and the academic level this applies to.
  • Detail all relevant prominent colleagues across the University of Melbourne that the fellow will collaborate with and/or receive mentoring from.
  • Include how you expect PhD students to be involved with the project, how are they funded?
  • Summarise the research environment, particularly the facilities and support which will be available at the administering organisation (and if applicable any other host organisations).
  • How will the intellectual/physical environment support the Fellowship/proposed research program- eg: renowned groups,areas of expertise, equipment, facilities

Plans to retain the successful Future Fellow at The University of Melbourne at the end of thefellowship:

Outline plans to retain the fellow in a continuing position, subject to appropriate performance during the fellowship?

  • This statement will depend upon your faculty/department’s position on appointments at the end of the fellowship. (Discuss with supervisor/Head of Department/Faculty, noting the ARC criteria above.)
  • Explain how the appointment of the candidate is aligned with recruitment strategies in the department/school/faculty. How will the candidate convert to a continuing appointment after the Future Fellowship ends?
  • How will the Future Fellowship enhance the applicant’s opportunities at the University of Melbourne? How will the fellow integrate into the ongoing activities of the organisation at the end of the fellowship?
  • Highlight how the fellow’s skill set is unique and how they will add to quality research outputs. The University strategy is committed to recruiting and retaining high quality research active staff.

Describe how the salary previously provided by the administering organisation will be used:

  • Where the Future Fellowship candidate is an existing employee of theAdministering Organisation describe how the salary that waspreviously provided by the Administering Organisation over the four years will be used if the candidate is successful for a Future Fellowship.
  • Discuss how these funds will be directed to support replacement staff to cover the Future Fellow’s normal duties (these funds should not simply be absorbed back into operating funds as a saving.) Note that replacement staff will not necessarily be at the same level of academic appointment, but should not be simply casual teaching contracts that cover the bare minimum.

Final Paragraph

  • Provide a final closing paragraph which summarises key points and endorses the Future Fellowship application.

Useful resources:

Research at Melbourne Strategy – Ensuring Excellence and Impact to 2025

Research at Melbourne aspires to a significant advancement in the excellence and impact of our research outputs. The strategy recognises that as a public-spirited, research-intensive institution, our research must strive to make a tangible impact in Australia and the world.

A key development is the Grand Challenges Strategy: understanding our place and purpose; fostering health and wellbeing; and supporting sustainability and resilience. The Grand Challenges provide opportunities for researchers to contribute to three areas where the University has or wishes to develop critical mass, where there is a perceived social imperative, and where we will direct a portion of resources at the institutional level.

Growing Esteem 2015-2020 Strategy (Chapter 4)

(If this link does not open copy and paste into browser.)

Refer to the research related statement at:

International Strategy 2017-2020

Cross-Faculty/ University wide research initiatives:

Research Institutes

Does your field of research fall within one of the Melbourne Research Institutes? The University has devised the Melbourne Research Institutes Program to foster cross-disciplinary research and to further enhance Melbourne’s international competitiveness. Refer to the individual institute web pages (“About Us”, “Strategy” or “Vision” sections) for further details.

Melbourne Networked Society /
Melbourne Energy /
Melbourne Neuroscience /
Melbourne Sustainable Society /
Melbourne Social Equity /
Melbourne School of Government /

Research Partnerships

Does the proposed program of research build on a partnership the University is already involved in; or will it help create a new partnership? (Eg: CSIRO, IBM, DSTO). How does this partnership create or enhance the research environment for your project? Does this relationship strengthen your alignment with anidentified core research strength of the University? How does the partnership build capability and critical mass in your field of research?

Hallmark Initiatives

Does your research align with any of the Hallmark Research Initiatives objectives? E.g. Indigenous Research Initiative, Materials Research Initiative, Computational Biology Research Initiative

Carlton Connect Initiative

Research Precincts
Does your research fit within one of the University’s existing or emerging precincts?
Eg:)The Melbourne Biomedical and Biosciences Campus (Parkville Precinct), The Southbank Arts precinct, Carlton Connect, focused on technology, innovation and sustainability.

Faculty and Department Strategic Information

Each Faculty describes their research strategy in different ways, so it is important that you align your strategic statement with both the high-level University strategy and the more specific faculty and department strategies.Discuss how your faculty/department aligns with Growing Esteem and Research @ Melbourne Strategies.

1

Published by Research Innovation and commercialisation, 4 October 2017