Research & Development Management

Research Funding - External Sources

There is a huge range of agencies, both Australia-wide and international, which exist to fund research, including (in some cases predominantly) university research. Information about current opportunities is always available in the Grants and Awards Circular which is emailed regularly to all staff. The circular also includes information on the Sponsored Programmes Information Network (SPIN), which is the leading database of funding opportunities world-wide.

The Grants and Information Section of the Division of Research and Development exists to assist staff to obtain funding for their research, and to act as the focal point between the University and external funding agencies. Staff of the section are always pleased to advise and assist.

The University provides assistance to staff in the preparation of grant applications. This includes advice from senior academics in the discipline and the Chair of the Division’s Research Committee, and feedback on draft applications from staff in the Office of Research Management. Specialist advisers are frequently appointed for schemes such as the Australian Research Council’s Large Grants.

Please note the following in relation to external research funding:

It is University policy that formal applications for funding from external agencies must be submitted to the agencies from the Office of Research Management, and not directly by staff members.
All applications must meet the criteria set out in the University’s Conditions of Acceptance of Research Funds. You should also be aware of the issues set out in the document University Protocols for Research Relationships with External Agencies. The Office of Research Management will be happy to provide advice on any of these issues.
All applications must be accompanied by the Research Grants Application Cover Sheet, completed by the applicant and signed by the Executive Dean.
The Grants and Awards Circular will specify an internal closing date, which will be at least several days before the deadline specified by the external agency.
The Grants and Information Section of the Office of Research Management will provide application forms and guidelines for the relevant funding agency on request. Please seek advice from staff in the section on clarification of any issues.
When applying for funds for staff, ensure that you quote appropriate salary scales and levels, and include the correct salary on-costs, and any provision for severance pay. Advice is available from the Grants and Information Section. Budget realistically for other costs.
The University has a policy of full-cost recovery, with certain exceptions. Please therefore ensure that you add 15% to the total budget for University overheads, except for Commonwealth Competitive Grants and other schemes in the National Composite Index (since the University receives infrastructure funding from DEETYA for these schemes), charitable foundations, where scholarships are involved, and in certain other cases. Details are set out in the document Policy on Recovery of Infrastructure Costs from External Organisations.
If animal welfare, biosafety or human ethics clearance will be required for the project attach evidence that it has been obtained or make it clear in the application that clearance has been sought and will be forwarded when available.
The procedures used to check applications before they are submitted to external agencies are set out in the document Procedures for Candidiature of Applications for and Award of Research Grants and Contracts from External Sources.
Submit your completed application to the Research Grants Officer in the Office of Research Management by no later than the specified internal closing date. You should submit the number of copies required by the external agency, plus one for University records.