Research Branch Newsletter - 18 December 2006

New

Christmas & New Year Break

The Research Branch will be closed from the end of work on 22 December 2006 until 2 January 2007. While all the areas within the Research Branch will be staffed from 2 January onwards, a number of the staff members will be taking leave during early to mid - January. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (simon.brennan@adelaide.edu.au).

On behalf of the Research Branch, best wishes for the break over the Christmas period and the New Year.

Regards,

Simon Brennan
Director, Research Branch

NHMRC Project Grant Applications Now Open

Please note that Applications for 2008 Project grant funding are now open. Information on application procedures can be found at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc/projectgrants.html. An information session on 2008 NHMRC Project Grant applications will be held late January.

Please note the internal closing date for project grant applications is 26 Feb 2007. Due to the volume of project grant applications received, the Research Branch has implemented a new '3 tier review policy'.
Full review: Applications received by 26 Feb 2007.
Compliance review: Applications received after 26 Feb, before 5 March 2007.
Attempted submission only: Applications received after 5 March 2007.

To apply for funding for 2008, Adelaide University staff please email raohealth@adelaide.edu.au with the following information

Type of application:
Chief Investigator A:
School you wish project to be registered to:
Discipline:
Email address:

Clinical and Affiliate title holders (CATHs) should contact their relevant research secretariat for an ID number.

Successful NHMRC Project Grants for 2007 Funding

Please note that funding will not commence for successful project grants until the following have been received:
a) all relevant ethics clearances;
b) two intialled copies of the schedules;
c) signed University acceptance.

To accept the project funding, the Research Branch must forward these items to the NHMRC before 31 March 2007.

NHMRC Dementia Research Grants Program

The Dementia Research Grants Program aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers through research into identified gaps in applied and translational dementia research. The program aims to achieve this through the establishment of multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral research programs and by supporting areas of dementia research that focus on practical applications of evidence based research. 2 hard copies + electronic of the application are due in Research Branch by 16 February 2007. Further information is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc/dementiagrants.html

Call for NHMRC Grant Review Panel Members in 2007

Each year the NHMRC establishes Grant Review Panels (GRPs) which are responsible for the review and ranking of NHMRC grant applications. GRP members also have the opportunity to provide advice to the NHMRC on emerging research developments. The NHMRC is calling again for nominations for appointment of suitable individuals to its 2007 GRPs. Researchers who are currently receiving NHMRC funding are required to nominate. The Deed of Agreement (clause 13.4) obliges Institutions to use their best endeavours to facilitate compliance by the Chief Investigator(s) to make available to the Commonwealth, the services of the Chief Investigator(s) for the purposes of reviewing or assessing applications made under the NHMRC funding schemes.

An information kit and nomination form is available on the NHMRC web site at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/apply/nominfo/index.htm

Nominees are to send the completed nomination form to: grantnet_assessors@nhmrc.gov.au and cc to raohealth@adelaide.edu.au

Nominations close at 5.00 pm AEDT on 14 February 2007.

At this stage the NHMRC is determining interest and availability of nominees to serve on a GRP. The completion and return of this form to the NHMRC does not mean automatic qualification to serve on a Panel. Please direct any queries you have to the GrantNet Helpdesk: telephone 1800 500 983 or email: grantnet.help@nhmrc.gov.au.

ARC Discovery Project Applications Now Open

The ARC is now seeking Proposals under Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2008. Documentation is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/arc/DiscProj.html. The documentation includes the Funding Rules, Instructions to Applicants, Certification pro forma, Eligibility Exemption/Ruling Request form, and the Request not to Assess form

The internal deadline for submitting an Eligibility Exemption/Ruling Request is 12 January 2007.
Request not to Assess forms are due 5 February 2007.

The internal deadlines for submitting applications:
Full Review: applications received by 9 February 2007.
Compliance Review: applications received after 9 February, before 26 February 2007.
Submission Only: applications received after 26 February 2007.

The Discovery Projects Application Form is now available on the ARC grants on-line management system (GAMS) located at https://gams.arc.gov.au/.

Please direct queries about the scheme to Louise Moore on 8303 3387 and queries about GAMS to Linda Knobben on 8303 4722.

Vietnamese Request for Help with Research Proposal Assessment

The ARC has received a request from the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, through the agency of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), seeking Australian help with international peer-review assessment for research proposals. Details of the application round are provided in the attached document. The peer-reviewing period is planned for April 2007. Initially the services may be undertaken at the home base of the assessors (reading of applications sent electronically), then in Hanoi, Vietnam, estimated to be during the last two weeks of April 2007. Details will be confirmed during contract negotiations. Expressions of Interest must be forwarded to the email address below and must be received by 1600 hours Hanoi standard time (GMT+7) on 8 January 2007.

Interested assessors should read the information sheet and contact tahep2@neu.edu.vn

EU 7th Framework Programme (FP7) Experts Registrations Launched

It is now possible to register experts for FP7. These experts will assist the commission's services in the evaluation of proposals of the Seventh Framework Programme. Evaluation work includes making recommendations on ways to gear research towards optimum achievement of the aims of the specific programme concerned. Experts role can also include the monitoring of projects funded by the EU. Prospective independent experts are expected to have a high level of professional experience in the public or private sector in one or more of the following areas of activities:

• research in the relevant scientific and technological fields,
• administration, management or evaluation of RTD projects, programmes or policies,
• use of the results of RTD projects, technology transfer, innovation, and business cooperation, particularly with regard to SMEs.
• issues at the interface of science and society (e.g. education, communication, expertise, risk, ethics, etc.),
• international cooperation in science and technology,
• development of human resources.

Please, register at the following website address: http://cordis.europa.eu/emmfp7. In order to achieve an equal opportunities for women and men target (40% of women in panels), the Commission would particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women. Organizations are also allowed to recommend their experts. Registering into the Database doesn't insure your participation in evaluation panels. Such evaluations are based on the number and the fields of calls, the number of applications, and obviously the assessment of your application by the Commission. A FAQ is available at https://cordis.europa.eu/emmfp7/index.cfm?fuseaction=wel.faq

Launch of the Human Frontier Science Program Journal

Australia, through the National Health and Medical Research Council, is a member of the internationally renowned Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP). The HFSP Journal aims to foster communication between scientists publishing high quality, innovative interdisciplinary research at the interface between biology and the physical sciences. The journal is now receiving manuscripts. See the HFSP Journal web site at http://hfspj.aip.org/ for information about the goals of the journal, the Editorial Board, the call for papers and guidelines for authors.

Funding Opportunites

The Funding Opportunities page on the Research Branch website provides access to all ARC and NHMRC opportunities as well as the rural and natural resources R&D corporations. In addition, you can also access the myriad of other funding opportunities available in the Current List of Funding Opportunities and the Comprehensive List of Funding Opportunities. Also, you might like to look further at the funding opportunity databases listed such as SPIN. If you have any queries in regards to finding funding or using the databases please contact Linda Knobben on 8303 4722

Below is a selection of upcoming funding opportunities now open for application. If a web address is not listed, guidelines and application forms can be obtained from Linda Knobben on ext. 34722. Please visit the Research Branch website http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/funding/ to access the full range of opportunities and information on how to apply for them.

Still relevant...

Subscribe to Research Branch Mailing List

The Research Branch has established a mailing list for researchers interested in research news. The list circulates information on the major schemes and other funding opportunities, information sessions, prizes, general information relevant to researchers and the regular Research Branch newsletter.

To subscribe to the list, go to http://list.adelaide.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/allresearchers-v.researchbranch
Or contact Linda Knobben at linda.knobben@adelaide.edu.au or on Ext. 34722

NHMRC Program Grants

The aim of Program Grants scheme is to provide support for teams of high calibre researchers to pursue broadly based collaborative research activities. Teams will be expected to contribute to new knowledge at a leading international level in important areas of health and medical research. The scheme is available for all research approaches relevant to better health (ie biomedical, clinical, public health or health services research) and is typically for 5 years. 2 hard copies of the Notification of Intent to Apply are due in Research Branch by 8 January 2007. 2 hard copies + electronic (pdf) of the full application are due in Research Branch by 2 February 2007. Further information is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc/

NHMRC Research Fellowships

The purpose of the NHMRC Research Fellowships Scheme is to provide opportunities for outstanding biomedical and health researchers with proven track records to undertake research that is both of major importance in its field and of significant benefit to Australian health and medical research. Research Fellowships offered by the NHMRC are prestigious awards and are, consequently, highly sought after and extremely competitive.

An NHMRC Research Fellowship is a full time research appointment that enables high calibre biomedical and health researchers with a proven track record in research to undertake research of significant benefit to the health of Australians. Opportunities exist in biomedical, clinical and population health research. 2 hard copies + electronic (pdf) of the application are due in Research Branch by 2 February 2007. Further information is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc/

NHMRC Practitioner Fellowships

This is a targeted award intended to assist experienced and productive clinical and public health researchers who wish to maintain both a research and a professional career. The scheme aims to support clinical (medical, paramedical, allied health) and public health professionals who have undertaken a successful research program and wish to continue at nationally or internationally competitive levels. Successful applicants will, for their non-research time, be employed by a health care authority to provide clinical care, or public health services or related policy activity.

The scheme is not designed to support applicants already well established as scientists who happen also to be clinicians or public health practitioners; such scientists are more appropriately supported by the Research Fellowships Scheme. Rather it is intended particularly for active clinicians and public health practitioners to undertake research that is linked to their practice or policy. The scheme may support practitioners in developing a career that included successful research; the Practitioner Fellowship is a five-year award, and successful Fellows may apply for a second five year appointment or it may be more appropriate for them to seek appointment as a Research Fellow. 2 hard copies + electronic (pdf) of the application are due in Research Branch by 2 February 2007. Further information is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc

NHMRC - General Practice Clinical Research Program

This is the second round of grants to be funded under the Australian Governments Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy. Applications are called for in the priority areas described in the Program Framework. The aim of funding research in these areas is to contribute to better health outcomes through improved clinical practice and better informed policies. 2 hard copies + electronic of the application are due in Research Branch by 12 February 2006. Further information is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc

Heart Foundation Information Session

Date: Monday 22 January 2007
Time: 4.00pm - 4.30pm
Venue: Stirling Lecture Theatre, Room: SG16
Medical School South, Frome Road

The presentation will outline each award currently being offered by the Heart Foundation in clinical, biomedical or public health research: Grants-in-aid; Postgraduate Scholarships; Postdoctoral Fellowships; Career Development Fellowships; Overseas Fellowships; Vacation Scholarships; and Travel Grants. The information session is valuable for all researchers considering applying for Heart Foundation funding, in particular, those applying for the first time. The information sessions will also cover changes to the Heart Foundation Research Program.

DEST Collection of 2006 Publications

The Research Branch is continuing to encourage Schools and other units to make the annual collection of research publications for submission to DEST an ongoing process through the year. It it would be appreciated if Schools and Disciplines that have not already begun collecting 2006 publications could begin as soon as possible with a view to sending batches to the Branch progressively until the deadline 31 March, 2007. The Research Branch will be glad to receive batches at any time. Please note, due to the implementation of the Research Quality Framework it is now mandatory to collect Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines (RFCD) and Socio Economic Objective (SEO) codes for all publications (codes can be obtained at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/funding/codes.html). Information on the Publication Collection is available on the Research Branch website at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/pub

Prizes

Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards

The purpose of the Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards is to acknowledge, encourage and most importantly promote the positive achievements of young South Australians aged between 14 and 26 years of age. The Awards recognise the achievements of South Australia’s youth in nine categories, which are:

Community Service
Arts
Sports
Environment
Career Achievement
Science & Technology
Regional Initiative
Outstanding Young Indigenous Achiever
Driving Force Leadership Award

Nominations are due 20 December 2006 (apply direct). Further information is available at http://www.awardsaustralia.com/YAA_sa.html

Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History - Closing Date Extended

The Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History 2006 will be awarded to an individual or group, for an outstanding publication or body of work that contributes significantly to an understanding of Australian history. The prize comprises an embossed gold medal and a grant of $100,000.

The subjects of work submitted could include, but are not limited to:

• historical events
• hisorical figures (including biographies); and
• work covering a particular subject.

Eligible nominations can include a published book, a documentary film, a documentary for radio or television, CD-ROM, DVD, other form of multimedia or a series of these works. Submissions must have been first published, produced or broadcast between 20 September 2004 and 31 December 2006. Nominations close (apply direct) on 31 January 2007. Further information is available at http://www.dest.gov.au/pmhistorypriz

Holberg International Memorial Prize 2007

The prize will be awarded to scholars who have made outstanding, internationally recognised contributions to research in the arts and humanities, social science, law or theology, either within one of these fields or through interdisciplinary work. Through his/her scholarly work, the prizewinner must have had a decisive influence on international research in the field, for instance through the development of new theory, knowledge or insight, through making new use of existing theories or through the methods used. The prize has a value of NOK 4.5 million, approx US$715,000). Nominations (direct to sponsor) are due 15 February 2007. Further information is available at http://www.holbergprize.no/HP_prisen/e_HP_retningslinjer.htm

Rolex Awards for Enterprise

For 30 years, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise have provided financial support for exceptional individuals with groundbreaking projects that:
-expand our knowledge of the world;
-improve quality of life on the planet or
-enhance the human condition.

The awards are presented in every two years in five areas: Science and Medicine, Technology and Innovation, Exploration and Discovery, The Environment and Cultural Heritage. However a project may be submitted in almost any field of endeavour. Projects must be innovative, feasible and demonstrate a spirit of enterprise. The deadline for projects from Australia is 31 May 2007. Further information is available at http://www.rolexawards.com/news-update/home.html (apply direct).