Introduction to Linkage Projects for funding commencing in July 2013

Marco Krischer

Officer, Research Funding

© RMIT University 2009 2

Scheme Objectives

• Initiate and/or develop strategic research alliances

• Enhance the scale and focus of research in NRPs

• Foster opportunities for postdoctoral researchers

• Provide outcome-oriented research training for high-calibre postgraduate research students

• Produce a national pool of world class researchers

© RMIT University 2009 3

Key Documents

• ARC LP13 Funding Rules

• Instructions to Applicants

• FAQs

All available on the ARC website: arc.gov.au

© RMIT University 2009 4

Basic Principles

• Collaborative research project between an Australian University and a Partner Organisation (PO)

• PO(s) Private, Non-Profit or Government Sector

Domestic or International

• Both the ARC and the PO(s) will be directly providing funding for the project cash or in-kind

• Must have at least one Australian PO

© RMIT University 2009 5

Types of Investigators

• Chief Investigator (CI)

• Partner Investigator (PI)

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Example 1

Linkage Project

ARC

RMIT(CI)

Partner Organisation

© RMIT University 2009 7

Example 2

Linkage Project

Australian University

(CI)

ARC

Government Partner

Organisation (PI)

RMIT(CI)

Private Sector Partner

Organisation

© RMIT University 2009 8

Timeline

November 2012 Submit proposal

January 2013 Respond to assessor reports

April/June (2013) Receive results

July 2013 Funding available

By June 2014 Final project commencement date (Partner Organisation Collaborative Agreement must be finalised)

© RMIT University 2009 9

Selection Criteria

• Investigators (20%)

• Proposed Project Content (50% made up of)

1. Significance and Innovation (25%)

2. Approach and Training (15%)

3. Research Environment (10%)

• Nature of the Alliance and commitment from Partner Organisations

(30%)

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Funding

• 2 to 3 years commencing 1 July 2013

• Min. $50,000 p.a. ↔ max. $300,000 p.a.

• Project personnel (RAs, technicians, lab attendants)

• Postdoctoral Fellows

• Stipends for postgraduate students (no specified level)

• Teaching relief

• “Project Costs”

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Project Costs

• Equipment

• Maintenance

• Access to expert services

• Travel for CIs and PIs

• Publication and dissemination of project outputs

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Partner Organisation Contributions

• PO contributions for a Proposal (cash + in-kind), must at least match the total amount requested from the ARC

• The combined PO Cash Contribution must be at least 25% of the total amount requested from the ARC

• Where Commonwealth, State or Territory organisations are involved, their contribution (cash + in-kind) will only count for up to 25 per cent of the total Partner Organisation contribution.

© RMIT University 2009 13

Private Sector

Public Sector Involvement (cash + in-kind) 25% of total PO contributions

ARC ARCPO(s) PO(s)

MINIMUM CASH

25% 25%

IN-KIND

Total Public Sector

POs contribution (cash + in-kind)

IN-KIND

MINIMUM CASH

© RMIT University 2009 14

Application Format (TBC)

• A – Administrative Summary

• B – Classifications

• C – Project Description

• D – Project Cost

• E – Budget Justification

• F – Personnel

• G – Partner Organisation

• H – Research Support

• I – Statements on Progress

• J – Additional Details

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Application Kit

• Funding Rules

• Instructions to Applicants

• Templates

• Calculators: Travel Costs, Salaries