Research Branch Bulletin

Pre-Submission Eligibility Exemption/Advice Requests for Linkage Projects proposals for funding commencing in July 2010 (LP10 Round 2) are now open in the ARC Research Management System (RMS), accessible via the ARC website (https://rms.arc.gov.au).

The closing date for Pre-Submission Eligibility Exemption/Advice Requests is 17.00 (ACST) on Wednesday 7 October 2009. Linkage Projects Eligibility Exemption/Advice Request instructions and forms are available on the ARC website at: http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/lp/lp_eligibility.htm.

Upon submission of your Eligibility Exemption/Advice Request could you please send an email to arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au letting us know that you have done so? RMS does not automatically inform us that there are pending requests. Please contact the Research Branch if you have any questions.

The ARC has released a consultation paper seeking input on improving their peer review process.  They are also engaging an external reference group. The paper seeks comment on a wide-ranging review of the peer review process to be used by the ARC. Researchers interested in providing input can do so by:

• Forwarding comments to their Associate Dean (Research) by 2nd October 2009, or
• Individually completing and returning the response proforma to the ARC.

The Consultation paper and response proforma can be found at: http://www.arc.gov.au/general/peer_consultation.htm

A new release to the ORBIT system on the 15th September will make available an 'ERA' (Excellence in Research for Australia) tab within the Researcher Profiles Module. This tab will make it possible for researchers to record their Field of Research (FoR) codes as required for the ERA 2010 submission.

Research publications provide recognition for individuals and the University in terms of research output and quality. These publications attract annual Commonwealth research funding allocations for infrastructure, and research higher degree student places, which further enhance the University's research capability and profile.

All researchers are encouraged to submit their 2009 HERDC publications to their school/discipline coordinators. If you have queries regarding the HERDC, please contact Sue Delaine (33340), Donna Holloway (33789) or Julie Blake (34992), in the Research Branch. Publications details can be viewed in ORBIT in the publications section of the Researchers Profile Module: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/research/researchers/orbit/

The Harmonisation of Multi-centre Ethical Review (HoMER) Project is seeking expressions of interest from researchers to participate in pilot exercises starting in November 2009. The exercises are aimed at multi-centre health and medical research conducted in multiple jurisdictions. The Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), which would normally review the research project individually, will be engaged in a cooperative analysis and discussion of the review process. The use of both prospective and retrospective research projects will be considered. The pilots will assist with the development of the national approach for single ethical review of multi-centre research. For more information please contact the HoMER project group on homer@nhmrc.gov.au or phone (02) 6217 9213.

For further information, please visit: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health_ethics/homer/index.htm

The NHMRC has undertaken a review of the NHMRC-European Union (EU) Collaborative Research Grants scheme.  The scheme helps Australian researchers participate in projects with international researchers under the European Commission’s (EC) Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).  

The revised NHMRC-EU scheme Funding Policy, approved by Research Committee in May this year, and the revised application form, are now available on the updated webpage of the NHMRC website located at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/types/granttype/strategic/austeu.htm.  

Information about the recently published FP7 calls is available on the EC website at http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html.

The South Australian Government’s Wildlife Conservation Fund grants money annually for conservation and research projects concerned with South Australia’s biodiversity.

Projects should be capable of completion within one year. Research institutions are encouraged to apply for supervised project funding at the Honours Degree, Masters Degree and PhD levels. Funding for individual projects will be capped at $20,000. Applicants need not possess formal qualifications and applications from individuals, groups or societies are welcomed.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/science/partnerships/wildlife-cf.html

Each calendar year the Society donates approximately $150,000 to maintain its programme of sponsorship of Australian adventurers, scientific and environmental research, and community projects. Over the years it has spent more than $8,000,000 supporting Australian endeavour in all these fields. Australian scientists, community organisations and individuals developing projects in Australia and abroad are welcome to apply for Society sponsorship. In 2009 there are two types of sponsorships available through the Australian Geographic Society:

• Seed Grants (up to $3000)
• Project Sponsorships ($5,000 to $15,000)

In 2009 the total amount of funds allocated in the each funding round for Seed Grants will be a maximum of $25,000 and for Project Sponsorship a maximum of $15,000. The total amount of funds distributed may be less than these amounts. The number of projects sponsored in each category is dependent upon the amount sought by each applicant.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/society/AG-Society-sponsorship-applications.htm

The W V Scott Charitable Trust was established in 1986 and is governed by a Will which states it is “…concerned with the promotion and encouragement of kindness towards animal or wildlife or the protection and preservation of animals or wildlife or the protection of endangered species of animals or wildlife as my Trustees may select…”

Please see the information sheet for further information and application guidelines. Applications should be forwarded to Research Branch together with a University application coversheet signed by Head of School by 24 September 2009.

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

Applications are sought for research studies that have the potential to contribute to the understanding of Tourette Syndrome, including genetics, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical studies and animal model development.

Candidates must have a M.D., Ph.D. or equivalent.  Previous experience in the field of movement disorders is desirable, but not essential. Applicants may reside outside the United States.

• Post-Doctoral Fellowships: up to $40,000 for 1 year
• Research Grant Awards: up to $75,000 for 1 year. 

Typically TSA Awards are for one year only. In special cases, second year funding will be considered. Applications for second year funding must be related clearly in terms of the goals stated in the original grant application. For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.tsa-usa.org/research.html

Grants to support proposed research and the relevance of the research to improving our understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Applications are invited for both Standard Awards, Pilot Project Awards and Research Fellowships.

Standard Award: $400,000 ($133,333 per year for three years).

Pilot Award: $150,000 ($75,000 per year for three years).

Research Fellowship: $100,000 ($50,000 per year for 2 years).

For further information and application instructions, please visit: http://www.ahaf.org/research/apply/main.html#apply

National Glaucoma Research (NGR) Standard Award Program sponsors basic research into the causes and potential treatments of glaucoma, especially for new investigators with little or no previous grant support and established investigators with new ideas or directions for their research.

The standard award provides significant funding for researchers who have already generated some amount of preliminary data, but often still require significant progress before they can apply to governmental or industrial funding agencies. For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.ahaf.org/research/apply/openawards.html

The Department of Defense announces $97 million in new funding opportunities in Defense Medical Research and Development Program (DMRDP). A Program Announcement has been released describing the DMRDP Applied Research and Advanced Technology Awards. 

These awards are intended to provide support for research that is designed to advance state-of–the-art solutions for world class medical care with an emphasis on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), TBI, prosthetics, restoration of eye sight and advancing eye care, and other conditions directly relevant to the injuries our service members are currently receiving on the battlefield. The DMRDP Applied Research and Advanced Technology Awards Program Announcement and Application instructions are located at: https://cdmrp.org/Program_Announcements_and_Forms/index.cfm?prg=DMRDP&prg_fy=2009

The Program Announcement and Application Instructions are also available at: http://www.usamraa.army.mil/pages/pdf/ARATDA_PA.pdf

Funding:

• The maximum period of performance for this award mechanism is 3 years.
• The maximum allowable funding per year is $750,000 ($2,250,000 for 3 years) in direct costs. In addition to the direct costs, indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

Note: A Pre-Application (Pre-proposal) is required by 18 Sept 20009.

For further information and application instructions, please visit: http://www.usamraa.army.mil/index.cfm?ID=16&Type=6

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 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 aim of the Fyssen Foundation is to "encourage all forms of scientific inquiry into cognitive mechanisms, including thought and reasoning, which underlie animal and human behavior; their biological and cultural bases, and phylogenetic and ontogenetic development".

The Foundation supports research in ethology, psychology, neurobiology, anthropology, ethnology, human paleontology and archaeologie. Within the context of general activities. The research grant could range from 15.000 to 30.000 euros without renewal.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.fondation-fyssen.org/subventionsUS.html

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:

● create new technologies for contraception
● create new ways to induce and measure mucosal immunity
● create low-cost diagnostics for priority global health conditions
● create new ways to protect against infectious disease

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

Multidisciplinary

The Australian Academy of Science receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) to support Australian research organisations participating in the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES). The project is supported by the International Science Linkages (ISL) program. The ISL program supports professional Australian researchers, from both the public and private sectors, to collaborate with international partners on leading edge science and technology in order to contribute to Australia's economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

Only Australian organisations that are partners of a European-led consortium that has already been selected in 2009 to receive funding from the European Commission’s IRSES program are eligible to apply. DIISR has provided funding totalling $200,000 towards Australian participation in IRSES. Australian organisations may receive a grant-in-aid of a maximum of $50,000 as a contribution towards travel and subsistence costs.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.science.org.au/internat/irses.htm

The NICS-MSRA Betty Cuthbert Fellowship will provide an opportunity for a health professional to undertake a practical project and to develop a leadership role in the uptake of evidence in multiple sclerosis. The successful candidate will have access to training, mentoring and support to become a leader in evidence uptake. Project proposals should nominate and address an important evidence-practice gap in the investigation, diagnosis and/or management in people with MS, for example:

• improving accessibility to information and professional assistance at the time of diagnosis, including improving health literacy
• promoting adherence to immunotherapy
• improving the evidence-based management of psychological symptoms in people with MS.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/nics/

Fellowships are for full-time research, and scholars are expected to reside in Washington. Lectures, colloquia, and informal discussions complement the fellowship program. Applications will be considered for research in the history, theory, and criticism of the visual arts (painting, sculpture, architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism, prints and drawings, film, photography, decorative arts, industrial design, and other arts) of any geographical area and of
any period.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.nga.gov/casva/casvavissen.shtm

The American Australian Association is currently accepting applications for its US to Australia Fellowship Program. The program offers fellowships of up to
US$25,000 to American researchers or students wishing to undertake advanced research or study in Australia. Proof of acceptance into an Australian educational institution is required. Fields of study/research supported by the fellowships:

• Medicine
• Life sciences (particularly in oceanography/marine sciences and stem cell research)
• Science
• Engineering
• Mining

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.americanaustralian.org/usa%5Fto%5Faust%5Fapps/

The award is to recognise a researcher with a demonstrated track record of significant work in human health, and for whom the award will facilitate career development and further achievements with potential importance to human health and Australian Research.

The GlaxoSmithKline Australia Award for Research Excellence Trophy to commemorate the occasion. $60,000 to further the scientist's work and knowledge.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.gsk.com.au/research-development_awards-grants_gskaawardforresearchexcellence.aspx

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:

1. historical events;
2. historical figures (including biographies); and
3. work covering a particular subject.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/AustralianHistory/Pages/Home.aspx

Leukaemia Foundation National Research Program: Call for applications 2010

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

Australian Rotary Health/Bipolar Expedition: Bi-Polar Disorder in Australia (1 Year Research Project)