Go8 - Australian German Joint Research Co-operation Scheme

Scheme information for the 2008 selection round, May 2007

Background. The scheme is a joint initiative of the Group of Eight (Go8) universities and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The scheme is being jointly funded by the Go8 and the DAAD for three years from 2008-2010 inclusive.

Objectives and scope. The scheme aims to foster research collaboration of the highest quality between Australian researchers from Go8 universities and German researchers from German universities, institutes of technology and Fachhochschulen. Fachhochschulen are German higher education institutions that offer applied and practical courses of study. The scheme will support exchanges for Australian researchers to spend time at partner institutions in Germany and for collaborating German researchers to spend time at Go8 universities. It is hoped that the scheme will result in research outcomes and the exchange of skills and knowledge of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany.

Eligibility. Applicants must be Australian citizens or hold permanent residence status in Australia and be employed as an academic staff member in a teaching and research or research only role at a Go8 university. Projects will be funded within a framework of well-defined research proposals necessitating research collaboration between Australian and German researchers. Particular preference will be given to projects that facilitate exchanges between early career researchers involved in research collaborations of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany. For exchanges to take place on 2008, the DAAD has indicated that it particularly welcomes applications facilitating research collaboration in the natural and engineering sciences.

Funding. The Go8 and the DAAD have each agreed to provide up to AUD200,000 per year for the period 2008-2010 inclusive to support the scheme. Each Go8 university will contribute AUD25,000 per year to support its researchers travelling to Germany. In general, the maximum amount of funding available per Australian application is AUD12,500 per project per year. Grants will cover the costs of economy airfares and living expenses of either AUD200 per day, or a maximum of AU3000 per month per person.

Activities not covered. The basic research costs (staff and equipment) on both sides of the research project will not be funded from this scheme, but must be secured from other sources. Participant salary and associated costs will not be covered. Proposals based purely on study and training will not be funded. Nor will proposals for which funding is already available from other sources to support the travel and associated costs of Australian researchers. Whilst on exchange, participants will continue to be paid by their home institutions and must ensure they are covered by their travel and other relevant insurance policies.

Application and selection process. All Australian applications must be made on the required form and comply with the guidelines for Australian applicants. All University of Adelaide applications are to be submitted to the Go8-DAAD Contact Officer at the Research Branch, Dr Don McMaster.
One signed application and one electronic copy is to be submitted to Don McMaster (don.mcmaster@adelaide.edu.au) by COB 31 AUGUST 2007

Please register (by email) your intention to submit an application with Don or contact him at the Research Branch on x33347 if you have any questions or need assistance.

Late applications will not be accepted. To be successful, Australian applicants must ensure that their German collaborators submit a corresponding application with the same title to the DAAD in Germany. Projects will then be selected for funding based on the competitive process set out in the scheme guidelines.

Assessment criteria. The criteria to be used in assessing Australian applications include:
• the quality of the research project;
• the experience and track record of the participating researchers/research groups;
• the level of involvement of early career researchers; and
• the potential of the project to result in outcomes of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany.

Indicative timetable for exchanges to take place during 2008.

Evaluation of the scheme. At the end of the second year of the scheme (2009) the Go8, in consultation with the DAAD, will conduct an evaluation of the scheme to inform decisions about whether it should be continued beyond 2010, and if so, whether any changes are required to improve it. The evaluation shall be completed no later than 1 March 2010.

Continuation of the scheme beyond 2010. The scheme initially provides funding for three years ( 1 January 2008 - 31 December 2010). It will automatically be extended by one further year at a time, so long as one of the contracting parties (Go8/DAAD) does not give the nine months notice required to dissolve it.

Scheme documentation.