2015 GRANTS ROUND APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Transcription

1 2015 GRANTS ROUND APPLICATION GUIDELINES WHAT GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE? The three grant categories are explained below: This award targets applicants with appropriate qualifications who are employed by a host institution, at which they will conduct the proposed research. This institution may be a university, a university affiliate, or an appropriate independent research institute. In 2015 the Endowment Challenge Fund will make one award of 40,000 to fund research into issues of key importance to the Australian disability sector, particularly issues relating to intellectual disability. This award is for students enrolled in postgraduate programs of study. In 2015 the Endowment Challenge Fund will make two awards of 5,000 each for higher degree students undertaking research into issues of key importance to the Australian disability sector, particularly issues relating to intellectual disability. NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION AWARD This category targets non-profit organisations in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, such as sporting, artistic, cultural or music organisations. The aim of this award is to encourage non-profit organisations to consider how they could directly include people with a disability (especially an intellectual disability) within their current work. Non-profit organisations may request a grant to develop and/or run a project that would enable them to expand their current activities and better engage with persons with a disability, or to fund the purchase of specialist equipment to allow them to include people with a disability. Disability-specific non-profit organisations may also apply for innovative projects that enhance social inclusion for people with a disability, but ongoing programs of service delivery will not be funded. In 2015, the Endowment Challenge Fund has a total pool of 20,000 available within the non-profit organisation category. Non-profit organisations are invited to apply for up to maximum amount of 20,000. HOW DO I APPLY FOR A GRANT FROM THE ENDOWMENT CHALLENGE FUND? Select the appropriate Application Form and the completed form directly to Dr Chez Leggatt-Cook, Senior Advisor Research: endowment@endeavour.com.au by 24 April 2015, 5pm (EST). Late applications will not be accepted. KEY DATES FOR 2015 GRANTS ROUND: Grants Round opens Monday 16 March Grants Round closes Friday 24 April 2015, 5pm (EST). No applications will be accepted after this time. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by a letter posted on Monday 25 May Funding for approved grants will commence on Monday 15 June

2 WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO ASSESS APPLICATIONS? Selection criteria vary according to the three grant categories: The Endowment Challenge Fund will give preference to research projects that address areas where there is little or no research, especially around issues that have a significant impact on the ability of people with a disability (particularly an intellectual disability) to lead an ordinary life. Applicants who engage with pressing issues for the Australian disability sector will be viewed favourably by the Assessment Panel. The Endowment Challenge Fund is interested in the translation of research findings into implications for policy and practice in a form that is useful and accessible to practitioners, service providers and policy makers. Preference will be given to researchers who formulate an appropriate dissemination strategy in their grant application form. Research projects will be assessed against the following three criteria: Research impact (impact of research question and potential outcomes for people with a disability). Research quality (excellence in project conception, methodology and leadership). Productivity (justification of resources, likelihood of successful delivery, and dissemination strategy). The Endowment Challenge Fund will give preference to research projects that address areas where there is little or no research, especially around issues that have a significant impact on the ability of people with a disability (particularly an intellectual disability) to lead an ordinary life. No preference will be given to the level of study undertaken, and postgraduate students in Honours, Masters or PhD research programmes are invited to apply. The Endowment Challenge Fund is interested in the translation of research findings into implications for policy and practice in a form that is useful and accessible to practitioners, service providers and policy makers. Preference will be given to students who formulate an appropriate dissemination strategy in their grant application form. Student projects will be assessed against the same criteria as researchers, but simplified as appropriate for student researchers: Research impact (impact of research question and potential outcomes for people with a disability). Research quality (excellence in project conception and methodology). Productivity (justification of resources, likelihood of successful delivery, and dissemination strategy). NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION AWARD The Endowment Challenge Fund will give preference to proposals that specifically target persons with an intellectual disability and are focused on arts, culture, music, sporting, and other forms of community engagement. Projects that will expand the current work of an existing organisation to include people with an intellectual disability are also preferred. Proposals must relate to one or more of the following criteria against which the proposal will be assessed: Engagement (the project will allow the organisation to better engage with people with a disability). Participation (the project will directly support people with a disability to participate in the community and lead an ordinary life). 2

3 WHAT EXPENSES CAN BE COVERED AND WHAT IS EXCLUDED? Researchers may use Endowment Challenge Award monies to cover expenses directly related to data collection, transcription and analysis. The cost of conference attendance for dissemination purposes will not be covered. University overheads or infrastructure costs will not be covered by an Endowment Challenge award. Applicants salary costs will not be covered, although it is acceptable to use grant monies to engage a research assistant or to buy out teaching time to conduct the research. In cases where the applicant is a Research Fellow on a fixed-term or part-time contract it may be legitimate for them to claim salary costs (in this case, please contact us to seek advice). An example budget is attached to provide guidelines about the level of detail required in your own budget description. The actual costs and items requested will vary according to your own project. Students may use Endowment Challenge Award monies to cover expenses directly related to data collection, transcription, analysis, dissemination; living expenses; or expenses relating to conference attendance. Students must supply Confirmation of Enrolment with their completed application form. An example budget is attached to provide guidelines about the level of detail required in your own budget description. The actual costs and items requested will vary according to your own project. NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION AWARD Non-profit organisations may use Endowment Challenge Award monies to cover expenses directly related to the cost of project development and delivery. Please note that ongoing service delivery, one-off events, recurrent costs (including salaries and wages of a regular nature), overheads and administration costs, loan repayments, projects started or completed by the time grants funds are approved, sponsorship, airfares, accommodation and meals will not be funded. Applicants who propose to use the award to fund part of a major project with multiple sponsors will not usually receive funding. An example budget is attached to provide guidelines about the level of detail required in your own budget description. The actual costs and items requested will vary according to your own project. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO IF I RECEIVE A GRANT FROM THE ENDOWMENT CHALLENGE FUND? Recipients of a grant from the Endowment Challenge Fund will receive an Acceptance Letter containing a Grant Agreement Form which will need to be signed and returned to the Endowment Challenge Fund indicating your acceptance of the terms of the grant. Part of your responsibility in accepting a grant from the Endowment Challenge Fund includes reporting on your progress. Reporting requirements vary according to the type of grant awarded. For all grant categories, the Endowment Challenge Fund may still ask for a brief update from time to time after your grant term is completed. The purpose of this request will be to collect information about the long-term outcomes of your project. If you have received a Research Grant, you must nominate a responsible office at your research institution that will administer grant monies on your behalf. Your nominated responsible office will receive a copy of the Acceptance Letter for their reference and will be required to send an invoice to the Endowment Challenge Fund to request a release of your approved funds. Researchers are required to submit a brief annual Progress Report (Researchers) during the course of the project, outlining research activities, key achievements, and plans for the next 12 months (if the research is 3

4 ongoing). You will be asked to supply documentation obtained from your nominated responsible office that tracks expenditure for the project. A Final Report (Researchers) is requested within six months following project conclusion. This final report will ask you to reflect on the overall achievements and impact of the research. Students are required to submit a Final Report (Students) within three months of the project conclusion. This final report will ask you to outline your research activities and reflect on the overall achievements and impact of the research. NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS AWARD Non-profit organisations will be asked to provide an Impact Report (Non-Profit Organisations) within six months following project conclusion or purchase of equipment. Reporting for organisation grants aims to assess the impact of the grant awarded for people with a disability. WHAT CAN I DO IF MY APPLICATION IS NOT SUCCESSFUL? All decisions of the Endowment Challenge Fund Board are considered final. The Endowment Challenge Fund receives many more requests than it is able to fund at any given time. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to contact us for feedback about their application. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION? If you have any further questions that have not been clarified in these guidelines, please contact us for more information. 4

5 Example Budget - Research Award * Please note that this is an example budget only, designed to provide guidelines regarding the level of detail required in your own budget description. Costs and items requested will vary according to your own project. SECTION C: FUNDING C1: Outline your project budget including details of other funding that has been confirmed. The budget must balance (total funding = total expenditure). FUNDING Amount requested in this application 39, Other confirmed funding (list name of funders and confirmed amount) N/A TOTAL FUNDING 39, EXPENDITURE (Breakdown of individual line items such as salaries, equipment, travel/transport, administration etc.) Add further lines below as required. Buy out of teaching/marking time for Chief Investigator to casual staff (7.5 hours/week x 20 weeks) x per hour 8, Buy out of teaching/marking time for Co-Investigator to casual staff (7.5 hours/week x 20 weeks) x per hour 7,101 Employment of Research Assistant Costs to cover administration and coordination, and support with participant 15,000 recruitment, data collection, data management and report preparation 0.1 FTE for 12 months at level 5 Transcription Services Costs to cover transcription of interviews 2, per hour x 40 1 hour interviews (see quote attached) Equipment Digital audio recorder for interviews x 2 (see quote attached) 425 Travel Costs associated with travel for conducting interviews and participant feedback session Car hire and petrol (800), accomodation (200 per night x 6 nights), return airfares to locations (400 x 4 locations) 3,400 Catering Costs associated with interviews and participant feedback session 750 Production of resource/report Costs associated with printing and postage 2,200 Miscellaneous expenses 250 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 39,

6 Example Budget: Student Award * Please note that this is an example budget only, designed to provide guidelines regarding the level of detail required in your own budget description. Costs and items requested will vary according to your own project. SECTION C: FUNDING C1: Outline your project budget including details of other funding that has been confirmed. The budget must balance (total funding = total expenditure). FUNDING Amount requested in this application 5,000 Other confirmed funding (list name of funders and confirmed amount) University Scholarship 2,000 TOTAL FUNDING 7,000 EXPENDITURE (Breakdown of individual line items such as salaries, equipment, travel/transport, administration etc.) Add further lines below as required. Travel 2,500 Costs associated with travel to locations for conducting interviews Car hire and petrol (500), accomodation (200 per night x 4 nights), return airfares to locations (400 x 3 locations) Data analysis software training 1,400 Course fees (600) plus return flight (400) and accommodation (2 nights x 200) Transcription Costs to cover transcription of interviews 2, per hour x 40 1 hour interviews (see quote attached) Contribution towards attending conference for presentation of results Remaining funds to off-set cost of conference fees (see price of fees attached) 348 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 7,000 6

7 Example Budget: Non-Profit Organisation Award * Please note that this is an example budget only, designed to provide guidelines regarding the level of detail required in your own budget description. Costs and items requested will vary according to your organisation s project. SECTION C: FUNDING C2: Outline your project budget including details of other funding that has been confirmed. The budget must balance (total funding = total expenditure). FUNDING Amount requested in this application 20,000 Other confirmed funding (list name of funders and confirmed amount. Include any cash contribution your organisation will make to the project.) Our organisation will contribute the bulk of the cost of employing a 22,775 project coordinator for one year on 0.5 FTE basis TOTAL FUNDING 42,775 EXPENDITURE (Breakdown of individual line items such as salaries, equipment, travel/transport, administration etc.) Add further lines below as required. Salary Costs associated with employing a project coordinator for 12 months on a ,700 FTE basis Workshops Costs associated with running workshops (presenters expenses, printing 1,875 workshop materials) Promotional materials Costs associated with development and printing of flyers, posters and 3,200 invitations (see quote attached) Other promotional activities Costs associated with advertising in local media and website modification 2,000 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 42,775 IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS (Include an estimated value for non-cash contributions such as services, equipment, time and materials contributed by your organisation). Add further lines below as required. Venue hire for workshops 1,000 Catering for workshops 1,500 Travel costs for project coordinator 1,000 Administration support 2,000 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS 5,500 7