The major objective of research funded through this strategic award is to identify and reduce the impact of conditions occurring in adulthood which have their origins in the early stages of life. The award focuses on innovative research which has an interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral approach to child health.

The University of Adelaide has been awarded two such grants:

Dr Vivienne Moore; Professor Jeffrey Robinson; Dr Michael Davies; Dr Megan Warin; Associate Professor Philip Ryan and Professor Anthony Worsley in the School of Population Health and Clinical Practice have been awarded $1,090,725 for the 3 year project: "Early life influences on obesity and fat patterning in children: critical periods, environmental determinants, and socio-cultural context". This was the second highest amount awarded in this round.

The project will test the proposition that pre-birth and infancy is a critical period for the development of obesity. It will investigate whether there is a distinct period in early life for acquiring the predisposition to harmful forms of fatness. The project also aims to identify practical opportunities for prevention, focusing on mothers and their infants.

Dr Michael Davies; Dr Vivienne Moore; Professor Jeffrey Robinson; Professor David Phillips; Professor Robert Norman and Associate Professor Bianca De Stavola in the School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health have been awarded $1,961,375 for the 5 year project: "Intergenerational growth and risk of metabolic disorders". This was the highest amount awarded in this round.

The Lucina study was established thirty years ago. It aimed to study intergenerational health among women, and how conditions in pregnancy can affect the reproductive health of offspring in successive generations. This current study will include enrolling the traced mothers to study how their clinical experiences in pregnancy may contribute to contracting diabetes. It will also seek to enrol the siblings of the daughters so that events in their pregnancies that predict which sibling is at increased risk of diabetes can be identified. The study will also seek to enrol the grandchildren to investigate if pre-pregnancy and pregnancy weight contributes to a higher risk of diabetes and intergenerational growth patterns.

NHMRC Development Grant Information Session

4-6pm 12th June 2007
O&G Seminar Room, Level 2, Med School North
RSVP: Friday 8th June 2007, Yvette Marleau
(8303 3132; yvette.marleau@adelaide.edu.au)

The Federal Government's NHMRC Development Grants Scheme supports the development of health or medical research with commercial potential. This informal discussion and information session will give an insight into NHMRC Development Grants and provide a forum to discuss how researchers can increase its application success rate.

The speakers will address issues covering:

An insiders overview of the application process and tips on how to write a successful application
Lessons learned from the process by a successful applicant
Some of the intellectual property issues to consider when conducting research and when applying for Development grants.

Speaking at the event will be:

Dr Jurgen Michaelis (CEO, Bio Innovation SA and member of the NHMRC Development Grant Assessment Panel)
Professor Prash Sanders (Professor of Cardiology, University of Adelaide)
Dr Justin Dibbens (Associate, Phillips Ormonde & Fitzpatrick Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys)

(Followed by drinks and a chance to talk to the presenters and ARI & Research Branch representatives).

Heart Foundation Invitation to Participate in Strategic Research Consultation Process

The Heart Foundation is currently undertaking a broad consultation process related to a research forum they are organising with beyondblue to discuss the issue of supporting research in the area of depression and Cardiovascular Disease. As part of this process, they inviting key stakeholders to comment on a paper that has been developed to summarise their current thinking around this work. The outcomes of this process will be presented at the forum, providing all those interested in this work with an opportunity to influence the direction of this program.

Comments are currently being sought from the CVD community, in particular, cardiologists, researchers and other practitioners. The paper can be accessed via http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=6.848 and any comments can be provided through this web page or directly to christine.latif@heartfoundation.com.au. All responses will be required by the 20th of June to allow for their presentation at the forum.

Expressions of Interest for RIRDC Advisory Committees

RIRDC's Advisory Committees play a crucial role in helping to shape strategic research plans and identify the best research to implement them. The expertise of individual committee members is critical to this role. RIRDC are committed to ensuring that the high calibre of their committee members is maintained, and to this end they would like to invite people with relevant expertise to submit Expressions of Interest. Whilst there are no specific vacancies at present, applicants will be included in a register of prospective committee members. Existing members of advisory committees may wish to be considered for different areas. This process will complement, not replace, existing industry processes to identify advisory committee representatives.

If you are interested in applying to any of the other areas of RIRDC please visit http://www.rirdc.gov.au/eoi-for-advcomm.html for further information and instructions on how to apply.

Riversymposium Young Water Scientist Award

The 2007 Riversymposium Young Water Scientist Award is now open to any young scientist currently undertaking postgraduate research on water through any recognised institution within Australia. This award promotes excellence in the development of young scientists who are capable researchers, communicators and innovative thinkers. Submissions are due (direct to sponsor) by 15 June 2007. Further information is available at http://www.riversymposium.com/index.php?page=Home.

The Millennium Technology Prize

The Millennium Technology Prize is a biannual award given to a groundbreaking innovation that promotes people's quality of life, contributes towards the realisation of humane values and encourages sustainable development. It is Finland's tribute to life-enhancing technological innovation. At the one million euro level, the Millennium Technology Prize ranks among the world's most presitigious awards in its class. Nominations are due (direct to sponsor) by 1 October 2007. Further information is available at http://www.millenniumprize.fi.

Funding Opportunities

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.

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

Applying for NHMRC Funding for 2008

Applicants, who wish to apply for NHMRC Funding for 2008 will need to obtain an Application ID number. To obtain an Application ID, please send an email to the Research Branch, raohealth@adelaide.edu.au, with the details below:
Name of Chief Investigator A
Department and School that the grant or fellowship will be taken up in
Name of NHMRC scheme
Current email address

For further information on individual schemes please visit the National Health and Medical Research Council website http://www.nhmrc.gov.au or contact the Research Branch, raohealth@adelaide.edu.au

NHMRC - Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships

The purpose of NHMRC Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships is to provide opportunities for Australian researchers to undertake research that is both of major importance in its field and of benefit to Australian health. Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowships provide a vehicle for training in basic research either in Australia or overseas (where appropriate), to enable Fellows to work on research projects with nominated advisers. Awards are offered to a limited number of persons of outstanding ability who wish to make research a significant component of their career. Applications are due in Research Branch by 29 June 2007. Further information (including application ID number) is available at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc/trainingawards.html

NHMRC Final Report and Supplementary Forms

This is to advise you that NHMRC final report and supplementary forms are now available at : http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/funded/manage/policy/progreport.htm

This form is to be used for the following grant types:

Project Grants
Development Grants
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Special Program Grants
Program Grants
Program in Medical Genomics Grants
Strategic Awards

In accordance with the NHMRC Deed of Agreement, final reports must be submitted to the NHMRC by end June.

Please forward the electronic version of the progress report to raohealth@adelaide.edu.au and send one signed hard copy to Research Branch (Level 7, 115 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, 5005).
Please note the report must be signed by both the first named Chief Investigator and the appropriate Head of School.

For further information regarding NHMRC reporting please do not hesitate to contact Research Branch on 8 303 5137 or raohealth@adelaide.edu.au .

NHMRC Program Grants – Second Round 2007

The closing date for submission of applications for NHMRC Program Grants has traditionally been February, with funding to commence in January the following year. This timing impinges both on applicants and NHMRC Grant Review Panels as applicants are also required to submit Project Grant applications in the event of the Program application being unsuccessful.

Teams wishing to apply for grants to begin on 1 January 2009, may apply either: (a) later this year (closing date of 17 August 2007 in Research Branch), for a decision in late 2007 (this will avoid successful applicants needing to write a back up project grant application in early 2008); or (b) by the usual time (8 February 2008).

Teams wishing to apply for Program Grants beginning on 1 January 2010 will need to apply in the second half of 2008.

All documentation relating to the second round of applications which close on 24 August 2007, including the Funding Policy, Application Form and the Guide for Applicants, will be available on the NHMRC website by late June 2007.

Funding will be announced in December for grants commencing in January the year after; e.g. for funding commencing in January 2009, applicants will be advised in December 2007.

Go8 - DAAD German Research Exchange Scheme Announced

Research collaboration between Australia and Germany will be enhanced through a new researcher exchange scheme between the Group of Eight and the German Academic Service (DAAD). The DAAD is Germany’s national agency for the support of international academic cooperation. With a budget of over 250 million euros (AUD410 million), it is one of the world’s largest and most respected organisations in its field.

Under the Go8 Australia Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme the Go8 and the DAAD have each agreed to provide AUD200,000 a year from 2008 to 2010 to meet the travel and living costs of researchers who spend time at collaborating institutions in Australia or Germany.

Further details including application and selection procedures are now available at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/funding/ausgerman.html

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 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.

Prizes

2007 Young Tall Poppy Science Awards South Australia - Call for nominations

The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards recognise outstanding young researchers in science, in areas of physical, biomedical, applied sciences, engineering and technology. Selection criteria include:

Outstanding scholarship
Up to ten years post-doctoral experience
Promoting science within the community

Please see the following website for further information including selection criteria and the Nomination Form: http://www.tallpoppies.net.au/awards/2007/
For further information please contact Pamela McLeod on 0402 228 507 or McLeod.Pamela@saugov.sa.gov.au.

Please send your completed Nomination Form to Louise Moore at the Research Branch by Friday 8 June, for submission to the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science & Technology.

Fresh Science 2006 - Nominations Now Open

Fresh Science selects sixteen early-career researchers and brings them to Melbourne where they present their work to the media, schools and the public.
Fresh Science 2007 will be held in Melbourne from 13 to 16 August 2007.
Fresh Science offers the potential for wide media exposure for the work of early career researchers and their organisations. It helps young researchers develop expertise in presenting their ideas clearly to a general audience and to the media.

The selected researchers are likely to gain substantial media exposure.
In previous years our Fresh Scientists have attracted national and international interest resulting in hundreds of media stories, including national television news.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 15 June 2007. Further information is available at http://www.freshscience.org

2007 Frederick Watson Fellowship - $15,000

Have you already made your mark as a scholar? Are you interested in furthering your already substantial scholarly career using the collections at the National Archives of Australia? If so, you should consider applying for the Frederick Watson Fellowship. The fellowship provides a range of benefits for researchers that extend well beyond financial support. Applicants may be authors, academics, senior public servants, former politicians or scholars and should have either a postgraduate degree or a demonstrated record of published work. Closing date is Friday, 29 June 2007 (apply direct). Prospective applicants should contact Derina McLaughlin at grants@naa.gov.au before lodging their application to discuss the scope of their research project, their intended use of the Archives' collection and their intended audience. Further information is available at http://www.naa.gov.au

2007 Margaret George Award - $10,000

Are you beginning a brilliant career? The Margaret George Award is for those who are establishing a Professorile in their chosen field of research and are interested in conducting further research at the National Archives. Applicants should have a demonstrable record of achievement and the potential to excel further. They could be emergent historians, independent researchers or journalists with a talent for research. Historical research into the collection is not limited to paper documents. It can include photos, posters, maps, architectural drawings, films, plays, musical scores and sound recordings.Closing date is Friday, 29 June 2007 (apply direct). Prospective applicants should contact Derina McLaughlin at grants@naa.gov.au before lodging their application to discuss the scope of their research project, their intended use of the Archives' collection and their intended audience. Further information is available at http://www.naa.gov.au

ATSE Clunies Ross Award

Since its establishment in 1991 by the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation, the ATSE Clunies Ross Award has become one of the pre-eminent awards for scientists, technologists and innovators across Australia. The Award was designed to identify and make known those people who have, often against difficulties and always with persistent commitment, made important contributions to science and its application for the economic, social or environmental benefit of Australia. These are the people and the sources of inspiration that the Foundation would seek to identify and honour. Nominations are due by 31 July 2007 (apply direct). Further information and nomination forms are available at http://www.cluniesross.org.au/?sectionid=3

Research Branch Newsletter - 4 June 2007

Contents

New

Major Funding Won Through NHMRC’s A Healthy Start to Life for All Australians