Research Branch Bulletin

The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) National Taxonomy Research Grant Program provides grants for taxonomic research. Grants are awarded for research projects where the primary aim is to undertake taxonomic research on the Australian biota or to develop products that aid in the dissemination of taxonomic information. The program also supports projects that build Australian taxonomic capacity. All research grants awarded in the 2010/2011 grants round will be of three years duration.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/abrs/funding-and-research/research-grants/index.html

Australian wine industry is facing a number of challenges. The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) manages research investments on behalf of the Australian wine industry and the Australian Government.  Research and extension organisations, consultants and individuals are invited to submit preliminary project applications, which address any of the priorities outlined in the GWRDC’s Five Year R&D Plan 2007-12.

The GWRDC will prioritise available research and extension resources toward proposals that will help the wine industry to respond to global competition and adapt to changing environmental conditions.  Accordingly, applications addressing these objectives within all GWRDC research programs will be of high priority.  Issues of regional significance will also be considered.

For further information and application instructions, please visit: http://www.gwrdc.com.au/

Applications for an Award from the Hansjörg Eichler Research Fund are welcomed from all current financial members of the Australian Systematic Botany Society. The project must contribute to Australian systematic botany (including cryptogams); must be carried out within Australia; and the applicant must be attached to an Australian research institute (in the broadest sense). The maximum grant awarded will be $2000.

Students, recent graduates and newly-established botanists will be given preference. Applications will be assessed on the quality of the applicant and the proposed project. The project should be clearly defined in scope and preferably result in a publication.

For further information and application instructions, please visit: http://www.anbg.gov.au/asbs/eichler/index.html

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Investment Plan (Open and Multi-stage Tenders) outlines some of the Corporation's new investment priorities for 2010-11. The GRDC partners with researchers and other investors to help drive innovation in the Australian grains industry and ensure that grain growers have the technologies to enable them to effectively compete in global grain markets.

To access the full plan, a complete listing of GRDC's priorities and projects for tender and application information go to www.grdc.com.au/investmentplan.

Please note that anyone intending to apply should notify us at rbsciences@adelaide.edu.au asap.

Dairy Australia accepts applications for R&D projects and applications are judged on the perceived benefits to the Australian dairy industry and potential for success. Dairy Australia will consider funding applications that address one or more of our Core Objectives (as set out in the Dairy Australia Strategic Plan):

1. Increase farm productivity.
2. Maintain and develop high margin markets, channels and products.
3. Promote and protect the unique benefits of dairy.

Ideally the duration of projects is 1-3 years.  Extended projects may be considered in exceptional circumstances. For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Research-and-Innovation/Research-Funding/Applications.aspx

Applications for RIRDC funding and scholarships for 2010-11 are now open. The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation invests in the knowledge needs of our three portfolio areas:

• New rural industries;
• Specific established rural industries; and
• Cross-sectoral national rural issues

RIRDC welcomes proposals that will meet the specific objectives, or a number of objectives, as outlined in the research priorities and in more detail in program five-year plans. RIRDC encourages collaboration with other research providers to build the critical research mass necessary to meet their objectives.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/researchers/researchers_home.cfm

In anticipation of the ARC’s Funding Rules for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2010, an expression of interest process will again be run.

The expression of interest is to be prepared by the intending applicant, and endorsed by the appropriate Head of School and Faculty Executive Dean and returned to Research Branch by 18 September 2009.

Further information on completing an expression of interest can be found on the RB webpage at:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/arc/laureate.html

The fifth round of Flagship Clusters offers collaboration opportunities in the following six key research areas of national interest. Specifications are available at: http://www.csiro.au/org/Flagship-Cluster-Applications.html#3

The Flagship Clusters fund a large scale of activity with an emphasis on people and partnerships working on a collection of projects relevant to a Flagship's goals. The Flagship Clusters foster collaboration between CSIRO, universities and other publicly-funded research agencies.

Flagship Clusters will be funded for about three years at approximately A$1million per annum from the Flagship Collaboration Fund. Co-investment from partner organisations is expected, at least matching the contribution from the Flagship Collaboration Fund.

Applicants applying for funding for clusters should:

1. read the relevant cluster specification details
2. read the Flagship Collaborative Research Program guidelines
3. discuss your proposed cluster application with the nominated Flagship contact before submitting an application
4. apply using the Flagship Cluster application form.

If you intend to apply, please email rb@adelaide.edu.au asap.

Access CSIRO contacts at http://www.csiro.au/org/Flagship-Cluster-Applications.html

To apply for beamtime at the Australian synchrotron, applications can be submitted via an online proposal system.

Proposals are peer reviewed for scientific merit by a specialist committee. The technical feasibility of the proposal is also reviewed.  Proposals are then allocated time based on these reviews by the Proposal Allocation Committee (PAC) for each beamline. Please note that the number of trips that a researcher may participate in has been reduced to one per year. For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.synchrotron.org.au/index.php/features/applying-for-beamtime/how-to-get-beamtime

NARSAD's Young Investigator Award Program provides support for the most promising young scientists conducting neurobiological research. One and two year awards up to $30,000 per year are provided to enable promising investigators to either extend research fellowship training or begin careers as independent research faculty. Basic and/or clinical investigators are supported, but research must be relevant to serious psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or child and adolescent psychiatric disorders.

Please note that the Young Investigator Award review calendar has been restructured and NARSAD will begin accepting applications on December 1, 2009. Any updated information regarding this award will be posted on their website at:
http://www.narsad.org/?q=node/105/grants-and-prizes 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Round 4 of Grand Challenges Explorations, a US$100 million initiative to encourage unconventional global health solutions. Anyone can apply, regardless of education or experience level.

Topics for Round 4 are:

Initial grants will be $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of $1 million or more. For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.grandchallenges.org/Explorations/Pages/ApplicationInstructions.aspx

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is now calling for applications for its International Grants Schemes. The Academy welcomes applications for Exchanges and Joint-action Projects involving travel in 2010 to:

● United Kingdom
● France
● Netherlands
● China

The Academy of the Social Sciences International Grants Schemes offer grants of up to $6,000 for individuals and internationally collaborative research teams, for use for travel and accommodation costs.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.assa.edu.au/programs/international/international_grant_schemes.php

The Australia China Natural Gas Technology Partnership Fund (the Fund) was established in 2003 as part of an historic agreement for Australia to supply LNG to China. The fund supports activities aimed at establishing genuine, long-term partnerships within the energy sector that create positive economic and environmental outcomes, increase knowledge and skills, particularly in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, and enhance the relationship between Australia and China.

The Australia China Natural Gas Technology Partnership Fund provides opportunities for training, scholarships, research and technology transfer between China and Australia in the natural gas and LNG industry. It has a focus on increasing knowledge about the natural gas production-to-consumption chain including liquefaction, transport, re-gasification, distribution, engineering and procurement.

The fund also fosters the development of long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships across the energy sector between Australia and China. Funding is available both for Research and Post Graduate Top-Up Scholarships.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.gasfund.com.au/

The Go8 European Fellowship scheme recognises the importance of international contacts for early career researchers. It is envisaged that Fellows will continue to collaborate with Australian research partners when they return to their home institutions.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.go8.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=174 or contact Paula Rosenbauer in the Research Branch at paula.rosenbauer@adelaide.edu.au.

The 2009 Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History will be awarded to an individual or a group, for an outstanding publication or body of work that contributes significantly to an understanding of Australian history. The Prize comprises an embossed gold medallion and a tax free grant of $100,000.

The subject of works submitted could include, but is not limited to:

Nominations are now open for the 2009 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards.  We welcome nominations for the following awards:

1. $40,000 Individual Award
2. $70,000 Group Award
3. $15,000 Facilitator's Prize

The Volvo Environment Prize Foundation invites universities, research institutes, scientists and engineers as well as other individual and organisations to submit nominations for the Volvo Environment Prize.

The Volvo Environment Prize is awarded for "Outstanding innovations or scientific discoveries which in broad terms fall within the environmental field". Priority is given to an individual or to a group of named individuals, rather than to institutions.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.environment-prize.com/content/view/47/55/

The Board of the Ludvig Holberg Memorial Funding is now calling for nominations for the Holberg International Memorial Prize 2010 for outstanding
scholarly work in the fields of the arts and humanities, social science, law and theology. The prize has a value of NOK 4.5 million (appr. EURO 500,000).

The Holberg Prize aims to increase society’s awareness of the value of research in the above mentioned fields. For further information and application instructions, please visit: http://www.holbergprisen.no/

Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) congressional appropriations have provided $5 million to the Department of Defense (DOD) Peer Reviewed Bone Marrow Failure Research Program (BMFRP).  The program will support innovative research focused Bone Marrow Failure (BMF). 

The FY09 BMFRP is pleased to announce the release of the second and third of three award mechanisms, the Idea Awards and the Synergistic Idea Awards. 

1. Idea Awards: support innovative ideas and high-impact approaches to bone marrow failure research to move toward the BMFRP vision of understanding and curing bone marrow failure disease. This award mechanism is designed to support new ideas, not ideas that are extensions of existing work. Proposals should have a high probability of revealing new avenues of investigation. Maximum period of performance is 3 years.  Maximum allowable funding is $375,000 in direct costs for the entire period of performance or a lesser period of performance, plus indirect costs in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement. 

2. Synergistic Idea Awards: support innovative ideas and synergistic approaches to bone marrow failure research through scientific collaborative partnerships. This award mechanism is designed to support new ideas, not ideas that are extensions of existing collaborative efforts. Collaborative partnerships must involve two Principle Investigators (PIs) who will use synergistic and complementary perspectives to address a central problem or question in bone marrow failure research.  Proposals should have a high probability of revealing new avenues of investigation. Applications must clearly identify the synergy that will enable or greatly accelerate the evaluation of a single innovative hypothesis.  Maximum period of performance is 3 years.  Combined total maximum allowable funding is $750,000 in direct costs for the entire period of performance, plus indirect costs in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement. 

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pdf/09bmfrpreftable.pdf

In 2010, the Leukaemia Foundation is calling for innovative research applications for Grants-in-Aid, Fellowships and Scholarships. The Foundation is delighted to call for applications for 2010 for innovative research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and related disorders, and the care of patients and families. The following grants are available:

1. PhD Scholarships ($40,000/year for max 3 years): Candidates will be eligible for enrolment in the PhD program in the institution in which the proposed study will be done.  Scholarships are open to students commencing their PhD or who have completed no more than one year of full-time study toward their PhD.  Successful applicants who have already commenced their PhD program will only be awarded a Leukaemia Foundation Scholarship for the balance of their study. The internal deadline is 18 Sept 2009.

2. PhD Scholarships (Clinical) ($55,000/year for max 3 years): Candidates will be eligible for enrolment in the PhD program in the institution in which the proposed study will be done.  Scholarships are open to students commencing their PhD or who have completed no more than one year of full-time study toward their PhD. The internal deadline is 18 Sept 2009.

For further information and application instructions, please visit: http://www.leukaemia.org.au/web/research/ researchgrants_applications.php