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Applying for Funding

Identify Potential Sources of Funding

The first step in obtaining funding is to identify potential opportunities. The FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES page has links to the major sponsors as well as the hundreds of other sponsors, both Australian and from around the world (listed on the Current Funding page and in the Comprehensive List spreadsheet). You will also find links to a number of funding opportunity databases, foremost being the SPIN database which the University subscribes to.

Writing Grant Applications

The Writing Grant Applications page provides links to a number of resources to assist you to write a competitive grant application.

Details of contact people in your department/area for assistance in developing your application is available here (rtf 40kB).

Grant Application Process

All Research Grants won by staff of this University are administered through the Research Branch. An essential part of this process is that all research grant applications must be submitted through the Branch. Please note that it is essential that your Head of School is aware of your application and that your project can be accommodated within your Faculty.

NB: Postgraduate Students as Research Grant recipients (excerpt from the Research Students Handbook)

The University recognises the value of students applying for a postgraduate grant-in-aid, as distinct from an independent research project (grant-in-contract), but is concerned that this could detract you from the prime objective of completing your research within the prescribed duration of your candidature. The project emphasis or workload demanded by an externally funded project may compromise or delay your study program. Several practical problems exist if you were to be accepted as the sole applicant and holder of a grant(s) from an external body, and they include the following:

• The work to be conducted solely in your name for an external body is not covered for any risk category under the University’s insurance, as the grant is not awarded to a member of University staff. It is also questionable whether insurers would accept such a risk;
• There can be problems in respect of intellectual property, notably where there are differences between the granting body and the University in this regard;
• There are also problems relating to financial administration and accountability, especially as most granting bodies will only accept applications from staff of institutions.

For these reasons, the University does not permit students to undertake a ‘grant-in-contract’ in their own right. In the case of a grant-in-aid, it would be in your interest to apply and receive external grant support jointly with your supervisors.

Application Coversheet

The application coversheet needs to be filled in and signed by the 1st-named Chief Investigator, signed by the Head of School/Department and accompany your funding application to Research Branch by the internal closing date. Please contact the relevant Research Grant Officer if you have any questions or problems.

Application Coversheet (doc (doc 80kB) / pdf (pdf 44kB))

Application Closing Dates

All grant applications are reviewed by Research Branch staff and feedback given directly to the researcher to ensure that they comply with the sponsor's guidelines. Research Branch will also provide the necessary institutional certification (if required) before an application is forwarded to the sponsor.

Please ensure that you submit your grant application by no later than the stipulated internal deadline to make certain that there is adequate time for your application to be reviewed and processed for submission. Generally, applications are due in Research Branch 1 week before an Australian sponsor's deadline and 2 weeks before an international sponsor's deadline. If you know that you will be unable to meet the internal deadline please contact the Research Branch to make other arrangements. In most cases it will not be possible to submit an application after the sponsor's nominated deadline.

Administrative Contact Details

Where the application requires administrative contact details, please enter the following details:

Mr Simon Brennan
Research Branch
The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005
Ph: (08) 8303 5137; Fax: (08) 8303 3700;
Email: simon.brennan@adelaide.edu.au

Number of Copies of Applications to be submitted to Research Branch

Applicants are required to provide one extra copy of each application (in addition to the number required by the sponsor) for Research Branch records.

Ethics/Safety Clearances

If it is a condition of the granting scheme that you obtain relevant ethical and/or safety clearances, it is your responsibility to arrange them. Please note that sponsors (eg NHMRC) will not release funds to successful fellowship/grant applicants until all relevant clearances have been confirmed and that it is necessary for you to provide evidence of such clearances to Research Branch for this purpose. You are strongly advised to read the information on the University's requirements available on the website at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/funding/ethics.html

Costing Projects

The Policy on Outside Research Grants, Contracts and Consultancies contains information on costing projects. This policy is currently being updated. Please contact the relevant Research Grants Officer for assistance with costing your grant.

Research Classification Codes

A number of Australian sponsors ask you to provide research classification codes. The current research classification codes (ANZSRC) are available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/funding/codes.html

Deductible Gift Recipient / Income Tax Exempt Charitable Entity

Some funding bodies require proof that the University is endorsed as a deductible gift recipient or as an income tax exempt charitable entity. If your application requires proof of either please contact the relevant Research Grants Officer for a copy of the required letter.

Accepting a Grant

When offered a grant, you will be required to confirm your acceptance of it and the conditions under which it is awarded by completing the Research Branch Acceptance Form which will be sent to you with confirmation of your success. After your acceptance has been received in the Research Branch, and providing all agreements with sponsors have been executed, a General Ledger (PeopleSoft) project code will be issued for your grant by Finance Branch.

Grant Management

Under the entry for each major sponsor on the Research Branch website you will find information and documentation that you will need to use to comply with the conditions of your grant or fellowship, such as Progress and Final Report forms, model agreements, copies of current funding contracts etc depending on the requirements of the individual sponsor.

University Research Policies & Committees

The University has a number of Policies and Committees that have relevance to research. As a researcher at this University it is your responsibility to become familiar with these policies which can be accessed at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/policies/index.html