1. The Australian Research Landscape The University of Melbourne 9 December 2015 Presented by Professor Marian Simms ARC Executive Director

2. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Outline Current Funding Landscape NCGP update ARC Assessment Processes

3. 2014–15 Federal Budget (Approx. AU$415 billion) (Treasury omitted)

4. 2014–15 Federal Budget (Approx. AU$415 billion) Australian Government support for science, research and innovation shown in red (Treasury omitted)

5. Commonwealth Investment in R&D 2015–16 (%)

6. Selected research agencies 2003–2016 funding ($m) Source: Science, Research and Innovation Budget Tables 2015–16

7. Focusing Government Investment Research Priorities The Australian Government has developed a set of Science and Research Priorities, they are: - soil and water - transport - cybersecurity - energy - resources - advanced manufacturing - environmental change - health More information at www.science.gov.au

8. ARC NCGP funding awarded by organisation (%) 2009–2014

9. ARC NCGP funding Victorian Universities 2007–2015

10. ARC NCGP funding— The University of Melbourne

11. ITRP Linkages—all rounds Higher Education Government Industry/Other

12. Linkage Projects Higher Education Government Industry/business Non-profit/other Linkages 2011–2015

13. Collaborations through Linkage Projects —Victoria (2011–2015)

14. Collaborations through Linkage Projects (2011–2015) The University of Melbourne

15. DP Success Rates/Volume by university

16. LP Success Rates/Volume by university

17. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au NCGP assessment processes

18. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Overall All grants that are successful should provide exciting new outcomes and be an excellent investment Decisions will align with scheme objectives Not all excellent proposals can get funding; most applicants will be disappointed

19. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Insights into grants process (1) Consider where to apply for funding; choose a scheme Pay attention to eligibility and ARC cross scheme limits The scheme objectives and the selection criteria—address every one of them Choosing Field of Research Codes—assisting the ARC choose the right assessors Track Record—career interruption—the ROPE provision The scale of assessment — The external assessor—1–2 proposals — The ARC panel member—10–50 — ARC Panel meeting—150–400 The rejoinder

20. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Insights into grants process (2) Understand the research field and international context. Develop your ideas to solve a research problem Network with leaders in the field—consider the research environment when applying Apply by yourself or as a team member… Career interruptions—making a case for ROPE Seek mentors on writing good grant applications Your first grant application Write for your peers—write so that someone broadly in your field will understand your project Write for the public—write a plain English statement Don’t over-inflate authorship claims but don’t undersell yourself either

21. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Low ranked proposals (1) Use too much technical jargon Make grandiose and implausible claims about outcomes Don't support claims of excellence or progress with evidence Relate to research areas without momentum Are weakly linked into national and international research networks

22. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Low ranked proposals (2) Emphasize the collection of data rather than the solution of controversies Set a negative or depressive tone about the state of the subject in Australia Contain a high rate of spelling and grammatical errors Are badly structured and difficult to follow

23. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Responding to an assessment/rejoinder Read the assessments then wait at least a day before starting the rejoinder Approach it constructively The rejoinder is to help College of Experts to seek applicant’s views on criticisms made by peers Don’t get angry at the assessor—you’re wasting valuable space to address important concerns

24. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Considering Research Impact Research Impact means the demonstrable contribution that research makes to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions to academia It is included in objectives and selection criteria The ARC is seeking better communication about research outcomes

25. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: Communications@arc.gov.au Tips for new players! ROPE: success is important. The ARC is looking for the best people to conduct research and capacity building in the future Collaborations, linkages, networks: the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts Objectives of the scheme: think carefully about the objectives and how you address them Research programme: well thought out and developed— workshopping with relevant parties.

26. Thank you