CRICOS #00212K Discovery Projects Info Session 28 October 2014 Funding Rules Selection Criteria Common pitfalls Process of application Compliance requirements

CRICOS #00212K Funding Rules: Funding, Roles and Orgs Request for funding must be between $30K and $500K p.a. Projects are for 1-5 consecutive years Participant roles: Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators. CI limits: two projects as a CI, or one ARC Fellowship/ARC award and one project as a CI Organisational types: Administering Organisation (the uni that leads the project); Eligible Organisations (other Australian unis); Other Organisations

CRICOS #00212K What’s New International Collaboration Award changed to Discovery International Award: 12-month limit and funding limits removed; preference given to o/s-based PI to work in Australia on the project CI eligibility changed: researcher must be employee for at least 0.20 at an EO or have an Emeritus appointment at an EO Focus groups and reasonable hospitality costs allowed, but must be fully justified Additional wording under Project Quality and Innovation regarding international collaboration

CRICOS #00212K Funding Rules: Selection Criteria Investigators (40%) - ROPE; time and capacity to undertake the project Project Quality and Innovation (25%) –Significance; conceptual/theoretical framework; potential to contribute to Strategic Research Priorities; potential to enhance international collab Feasibility and Benefit (20%) –Benefit to Australian/international community; value for money Research Environment (15%) –Existing/developing research environment; availability of facilities; promotion of research outcomes

CRICOS #00212K Common Pitfalls Team composition: not strong enough (track record); lack of expertise Selection criteria not understood Incomplete sections (often because CI/PI information has not been entered) Too many authors: lack of consistency in style Poor case for significance/innovation

CRICOS #00212K Tips for Preparation Ponder the College of Experts Study the success rate, review what has been funded in your discipline, understand feedback you have received (if previously unsuccessful) and benchmark yourself e.g. check Outcome Reports, NCGP Statistics Collaboration: get the team right; select the right lead; look beyond UC Demonstrate you are a solid investment Leverage Plan early: don’t leave your budget to the end Seek review: discipline experts, lay readers, proof readers

CRICOS #00212K Process (1/4) Key dates RSO will update you if there are any changes in deadlines, but when in doubt, contact your liaison officer Expression of Interest Draft Proposal for ReviewFeedback Internal DRAFT Internal FINAL Funder deadline 10 October November 2014 Late Nov/early Dec th Jan th Feb March 2015

CRICOS #00212K Ensure an RMS account f or all CI s and PI s – sf - request for new RMS id (choose UC as the administering Institution) sf –Ensure PI s are aware of process in RMS (strategies) Will need to update their detailed profile in RMS Will need to accept participation in the application on RMS Delay in getting RMS accounts set up for participants can delay the application NB Each participant must have a user account and individually log into RMS to upload their personal data Process (2/4) NB: this is presuming researchers have been given the go ahead to proceed

CRICOS #00212K Process (3/4) Send the RRPN form available hereavailable here –RSO can set up a discrete record for your case and track project files easily Discuss & seek support of Internal stakeholders –Deans/ Directors, ADR s or equivalent, Business Managers –Support on budgeting, infrastructure –Send RSO the final Authority form (RAPC) with budget, available here, recording approvals along with the final application to RSOavailable here, Organise –Organisation and CI certifications

CRICOS #00212K Process (4/4) When the applications open in RMS, create a working title and draft and allocate roles to each participant –You can allocate ‘edit’ roles to your participants if you wish them to have it, or ‘viewing’ rights (think about what works for you) Check the budgets as you work on your proposal –Review funding guidelines carefully on what is allowed and what is not allowed Submit the final draft in time; allows for effective final compliance reviews feedback loop Review application against checklist (RSO will provide) Adhere to timelines; call for help; plan ahead Late submissions are stressful for everyone; avoid last minute rush