Project Manager, Office of Engagement (O/E)

Transcription

1 Office of Engagement Research Support Grants Purpose and Criteria Responsible Officer: Delegated Officer: Related Documents: Pro Vice-Chancellor Engagement Project Manager, Office of Engagement (O/E) O/E Research Grants Application Form Introduction The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) through its Office of Engagement are offering in 2013 up to three Engagement Research Support Grants (ERSG) to the amount of $7500 each and it is envisaged that at least one grant will be allocated (principally) to each of USC s two faculties. 1) Purpose These grants are intended to: Present and analyse engagement activities of the University Integrate them with mainstream teaching and learning, research and other main activities of the University Develop the culture of engagement as a discipline area through research Encourage cross discipline collaboration Encourage involvement of external third parties (particularly financial commitment) Generate timely completion of reputable research outputs. 2) Management ERSG s will be centrally managed by the Office of Engagement and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) in consultation with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research). Assessment will be made by the Engagement Research Support Grants Committee chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Engagement) and will include senior representatives within and external to USC. Consideration will be informed by feedback or ranking provided by the external funding organisation. The grantee must sign and return to the Office of Engagement the Conditions of Award prior to funds being transferred into the grant account. 3) Grant size Each project grant can be awarded up to a maximum of $7,500. Any unused funds will be returned to the Office of Engagement Research Support Grants Fund.

2 4) Performance reporting and payment schedule Recipients will receive from the Office of Engagement the following amounts upon achievement of the following milestones: Milestone 1 Milestone 2 Milestone 3 $3,500 on approval of grant $2,000 at conclusion of research activity $2,000 on submission of paper of suitable quality Total $7,500 Note: 1. Grant funds can be used in general accordance with criteria identified in the application and could include securing of a casual researcher for the project, project consumables, research activities, conference attendance (i.e. to present paper), or similar activities directly associated with this research. 2. Failure to meet deadlines will result in the cessation of any further payments and the cessation of the grant. 5) Appeals Process The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) will only examine appeals that claim there were procedural deficiencies in the assessment process. Such claims must be provided in writing within 28 days of the date of the advice that the application was unsuccessful. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) will not examine appeals which challenge the professional judgements made by any member of the Office of Engagement Research Support Grants Committee in assessing applications (including any decision as to funding allocated). 6) Eligibility This grant is open to researchers or research teams: As well as the research leader, the involvement of early stage researcher(s) and/or APT staff are encouraged, as would be the involvement of postgraduate or undergraduate students though as a discreet project and not as part of normal course work. Additional preference will be given where an Early Career Researcher is mentored appropriately by an experienced and accomplished researcher. Individual applicants or First Named Chief Investigators of a research team must have a full time appointment for at least two years from the date of submission of the application, or for the full timeframe of the grant. 7) Criteria Applications will be ranked against the following:

3 Identified as a significant, new initiative/piece of research which aligns with mainstream USC activities and research interests. Emphasises the integration of engagement as part of USC s activities. Has a coherent project plan, management and the ability/capacity to complete the task in a quality and timely manner with key milestones identified. Has a research project team of two or more involved. Has a nominated external partner. Where two applications are ranked equally, preference will be given to applicants with a strong focus and/or a relationship to, an existing or emerging area of research strength within the faculty. Increase overall University external research grant income by helping to position researchers for external funding. Facilitate external collaboration, partnerships and research linkages (collaboration could be with industry, another university or an external research group/centre). Enhance the capacity, profile and track record of researchers in competitive grant processes. 8) General Notes Team projects will include a First Named Chief Investigator and Co-Investigator(s), and may include Partner Investigators. a. Co-investigators must have an academic or general staff appointment, or an adjunct appointment at an Australian or overseas university for at least two years from the commencement date of the project. b. Partner investigators are individuals from organisations other than a university who can make a contribution to the project. Grants that are conditional upon gaining ethics or biosafety approval will not be awarded until the relevant approval is obtained. Such grants will be cancelled if the grantee does not make application for the relevant approval within four months of the offer of the grant. Applicants will be provided with feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their applications. Applications for ERSG must be received by the Office of Engagement by no later than the published closing date. Grants will not be awarded to First Named Chief Investigators who have not fulfilled their obligations under previous Office of Research Grants. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants are expected to seek peer review prior to submitting University Research Grant applications to ensure that the proposed research, with particular reference to methodologies, is of the highest possible standard within the discipline. The funding scheme is competitive and the pool of funds available limited - not all applications will necessarily be funded.

4 The Office of Engagement Research Grants Committee reserves the right not to proceed to allocate any or all grants if the applicant pool is not considered at an acceptable standard; and to slightly vary terms and conditions of those grants to better facilitate successful proposals. 9) Conditions of Award Grants will be for up to nine months. The timeframe is similar to a commercial research projects. The commencement date for the grant is to be specified by the applicant on the application form. The approved funding must not be exceeded. First Named Chief Investigators who leave the university before a project is completed may retain the grant provided the project remains within the university. Funds will not be transferred to another institution. First Named Chief Investigators are responsible for ensuring the outcomes of the project are reported to the university community and, for ensuring the outcomes of the project are reported beyond the university community through a refereed journal article or an ERA ranked conference presentation paper. The grantee must sign and return to the Office of Engagement Conditions of Award prior to funds being transferred into the grant account. 10) Changes to Projects and Requests for Variation No change may be made to any research project for which a grant has been awarded without prior permission. Grantees who wish to make any amendments to a project should complete a Request for Variation detailing and justifying the changes requested. Grantees who wish to apply for an extension of time must complete a Request for Variation and provide a summary of work to date, a proposed new completion date, details and justification of the requested change and a revised timeline. Holders of Faculty Seed Research Grants must submit their Request for Variation to the Faculty Research Coordinator. Any variation granted will be at the discretion of the Executive Dean. 11) Suspension of a Grant Grants may be suspended in the event that ill health or other adverse circumstances prevent the grantee from making progress on the project, or in the event that the grantee has failed to comply with a condition of the grant. No funds may be committed or transferred from the grant account for any suspended grant. 12) Termination or Relinquishment of a Grant

5 A grant may be terminated if: there is evidence that the terms and conditions of the grant have not been met; and circumstances have changed so that it is no longer possible for the objectives of the project to be realised. 13) Omissions Any other issue not specifically addressed in this document will be following USC Office of Research policies and procedures in addressing research grants.