FUNDING RULES AND APPLICATION SUPPORT ARC DISCOVERY 2015 FUNDING RULES AND APPLICATION SUPPORT SCHEME OBJECTIVES AWARD STATISTICS CHANGES TO DISCOVERY PROGRAM RULES FOR 2015 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ARC WEBSITE APPLICANT SUPPORT: COMPLIANCE REVIEW – DATES & SERVICE APPLICANT SUPPORT: RSO AND FACULTY CONTACTS Dr. Gayle Morris – Director Research Services

ARC DISCOVERY SCHEME OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Discovery Projects scheme are to: support excellent basic and applied research by individuals and teams enhance the scale and focus of research in the Strategic Research Priorities expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability encourage research and research training in high-quality research environments enhance international collaboration in research foster the international competitiveness of Australian research.

AWARD STATISTICS Comparison of proposal numbers, success rates, requested and allocated funds for successful proposals from Discovery Projects from 2013 to 2014 Funding Year Proposals Considered Proposals approved/ recommended Success rate Requested funds over project life (all proposals) Requested funds over project life (approved/ recommended proposals) Funds allocated over project life Allocation as a percentage of request 2013 3425 732 21.4% $1,684,521,879 $417,616,167 $253,982,000 60.8% 2014* 3534 703 19.9% $1,778,872,658 $403,772,090 $257,632,541 63.8% Discovery Projects 2014 proposals by discipline panel Panel Proposals considered Proposals recommended Success rate Requested funds over project life for all proposals considered   Indicative funds over project life for recommended proposals BSB 703 129 18.4% $385,733,994 $53,988,259 EMI 1005 194 19.3% $518,210,102 $76,482,510 HCA 440 95 21.6% $184,948,105 $26,511,060 PCE 653 139 21.3% $369,810,599 $54,571,216 SBE 733 146 19.9% $320,169,858 $46,079,496 Total 3534 $1,778,872,658 $257,632,541 Biological Sciences and Biotechnology (BSB) Engineering, Mathematics and Informatics (EMI) Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA) Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences (PCE) Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences (SBE)

CHANGED ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCOVERY PROJECTS FOR 2015 INCLUDE: For Discovery Projects “Changes to Funding ” document, includes: Funding years – now up to 5 years Publication costs to be justified in budget ICAs (international collaborative award): for up to two researchers. Up to a maximum amount of $20,000 per year of the project per CI or PI, for a total period of 12 months per ICA. DORAs not available for DP15 Sole CI limit of one project does not apply to DP15 Feasibility and Benefit wording includes “cost-effective”: - Will the proposed research be cost-effective and value for money? See http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/dp/dp_fundingrules.htm See FAQs to check cross-scheme eligibility within the Discovery Grants Program (http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/dp/dp_instructions.htm)

CHANGED ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCOVERY PROJECTS FOR 2015 INCLUDE: For Discovery Projects “Instructions to Applicants” document, new items include: A6 - Impact Statement B1 – Strategic Research Priorities instead of National Research Priorities C1 – Project Description: new heading “Management of Data” C1 - Project Description: heading “References” has been removed (but recommend that reference list still be included) C2 - Medical and Dental Research Statement required if applicable Part D – new budget heading “Fieldwork Expenses” Part F12.3 – best 10 “publications” now best 10 “research outputs” Part G – only CIs (not PIs) required to list project/proposal funding http://www.arc.gov.au/pdf/DP15/DP15_ITA.pdf

DISCOVERY PROJECT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Investigator(s) 40% Track Record / Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) and time and capacity to undertake research   Project Quality and Innovation 25% Does the research address a significant problem? Is the conceptual/theoretical framework innovative and original? What is the potential for the research to contribute to the Strategic Research Priorities? Will the aims, concepts, methods and results advance knowledge? Feasibility and Benefit 20% Do the Project’s design, participants and requested budget create confidence in the timely and successful completion of the Project? Will the completed Project produce innovative economic, environmental, social and/or cultural benefit? Will the proposed research be cost-effective and value for money? Research Environment 15%   Is there an existing, or developing, supportive and high quality research environment? Are the necessary facilities available to complete the Project? Are there adequate strategies re dissemination, commercialisation (if appropriate), and promotion of research outcomes? TOTAL 100%

TYPES OF RESEARCH SUPPORTED UNDER DP Research/Activities Supported Creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. Research is “creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man [humankind], culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications” Research/Activities Not Supported Production of: a. compilation of data, computer programs, research aids and tools; b. descriptive data compilations, catalogues or bibliographies; or c. teaching materials. Medical and Dental Research as defined in the Funding Rules See http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/dp/dp_fundingrules.htm

GRANT APPLICATIONS: WHAT’S IMPORTANT? Time: allow adequate time on-going preparation read guidelines: familiarity and eligibility reviewing proposal time (~4 weeks) Presentation: well presented use the exact titles in application form formatting – sub-sections; occasionally diagrams/figures/dot points language - clear and concise logical presented

ARC WEBSITE DP15 Instructions to Applicants & FAQs: http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/dp/dp_fundingrules.htm DP15 Funding Rules and Changes to Funding Rules for 2015: ARC Research Management System: register RMS ID Login to RMS to create, edit & submit proposals, rejoinders, eligibility requests http://www.arc.gov.au/applicants/system_default.htm

INTERNAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW: KEY DATES Proposals Opened: 15 January 2014 RSO Closing Date: 19 February 2014 ARC Closing Date for Submissions: 19 March 2014 RSO Complete Review Process – 3 Stage: Initial Full Review: Comprehensive review by single reviewer includes: eligibility check; check of each field for completion; and conformity with the Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants but not scientific quality. Upon complete of review, CIs will also be advised that only recommended changes will be checked. All additional changes made by the CI following the review will be the responsibility of the CI; Compliance Check: Changes recommended / suggested by first reviewer checked by second reviewer utilising the compliance review template against the updated application. Submission to ARC 10

INTERNAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW: SERVICE A sliding scale of service is being provided for Discovery Project applications received after the RSO closing date of 19 February as outlined below: Date Application Received Review Provided   At least 14 DAYS prior to ARC deadline: Initial Full Review: CI/PI Eligibility Checks, grant holder restrictions & Progress Reports checked. Application Checks e.g. budget & budget justification consistency checks, all required Parts of Application completed/ populated. (time permitting) At least 7 DAYS prior to ARC deadline: Compliance Check: Eligibility Checks only and review of application for completeness. (time permitting) 7 DAYS or less to ARC deadline: Basic review of application for completeness only. (time permitting) 11

APPLICANT SUPPORT RSO Contacts: ALL Applications MUST be accompanied by a fully signed Flinders Certification Form, and relevant, signed ARC Certification Forms: http://www.flinders.edu.au/about_research_files/Documents/Grants%20and%20Funding/FUSACertForm%20-%20Smartform.pdf DP resources: http://www.flinders.edu.au/research/researcher-support/grants/external-grant-opportunities/arc-grants/arc-discovery-projects.cfm RSO Contacts: Acting Senior Grants Officer - Ula Alexander (x12045) Research Administration Assistant - Tonia Keating (x15173) 12