Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (CRIS) Application Form [NAME OF PROJECT] [NAME OF PROJECT LEAD AGENT] [NAME OF PARTNER HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDER (IF REQUIRED)]
IMPORTANT ADVICE ON SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION 1. The information provided in this application form will be used by the Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (CRIS) Consultative Group to determine its recommendations to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research (the Minister) on priorities for funding and levels of funding from the CRIS. 2. Eligible applicants should make their own decisions regarding lodging an application for CRIS. 3. The objective of the CRIS is to support the operation, until 31 December 2014, of critical national collaborative research infrastructure facilities so that the facilities are able to provide researchers with the infrastructure and networks they require for world-class research. 4. The Minister has determined that he will be advised by the CRIS Consultative Group. 5. Under the Terms of Reference for the Consultative Group approved by the Minister, the Consultative Group s responsibilities include: defining the scope of research infrastructure facilities and activities eligible for funding establishing a fair and transparent process for prioritising the allocation of available funding providing advice to the Minister on the prioritisation and level of funding to eligible facilities and the consequences for any facilities which cannot be funded. 6. The Consultative Group has decided that its recommendation on priorities for funding and funding levels will be determined by its assessment of the contribution that the continuation of individual projects will make to Australia s research capacity, relative to other applicant projects and the level of funding sought. 7. The criteria used in Part 4 of this application form are designed to elicit from applicants relevant information to aid the Consultative Group in prioritising facilities and their activities against the strategic intent. 8. The Consultative Group has determined that eligible facilities are projects funded under the National Collaborative Research infrastructure Scheme (NCRIS), and/or Education Investment Fund supported Super Science projects, for which the project end date is after 31 December 2012. The project end date is the project end date set out in the relevant funding agreement with the Department. 9. The Consultative Group may use the information in this application form, when determining levels of funding, to recommend that some, not all, the sub-projects / components of a project be funded. 10. The Consultative Group has also decided that the activities (expenses) that will be funded are: management and governance costs at both the node and national governance levels salaries and on costs for technical staff 1
infrastructure maintenance utilities rent consumables. 11. CRIS funding must not be used for the acquisition or development of new infrastructure, or to expand the capacity of existing infrastructure rather it is intended to support the operation of existing infrastructure. 12. Projects may only use CRIS funds to support their operations after their NCRIS and Super Science funding has been exhausted. 13. Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the Conditions of Grant for the CRIS before completing their application. 14. Applicants may submit only one application for funding under CRIS for a project. 15. All applications must be made using this form. Applicants are required to complete all parts of the form. Any word or page limits and formatting requirements advised in this form should be strictly adhered to. Any attachments to the application, unless explicitly requested, will not be considered part of the application and will be ignored. 16. All responses must be in 11 point Arial font or larger. 17. Applicants must submit two (2) electronic copies (one in Microsoft Word format and one in Adobe PDF format) by e-mail to RIBCoord@innovation.gov.au, and one (1) hard copy mailed to: Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme Research Infrastructure Branch Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education GPO BOX 9880 CANBERRA ACT 2601 ATTENTION: Mr Tony Rothnie The electronic copies must be received by 5.00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (AEDT) on 2 November 2012 and the hardcopy by 5.00 pm AEDT on 7 November 2012. 18. If any information being provided is confidential, it should be included at Attachment C Confidential Information. 19. Where there are discrepancies between the electronic copy and hardcopy, contents in the electronic copy will prevail. Where there are discrepancies in the electronic copies, the Adobe PDF version will prevail. 20. Late applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and if there is sufficient time to adequately assess such applications. Exceptional circumstances are considered to be those beyond the control of the applicant and evidence must be provided to support such a request. The Department reserves the right to seek further clarification from the applicant. The Department s decision with respect to the consideration of late applications will be final. 2
21. The Department will notify eligible applicants of receipt of the application via email within two working days of receiving the electronic application. This notification will be sent to the email address of the contact person for the application. 22. Applicants are responsible for managing all communication with the Department regarding the applications they have submitted. Organisations collaborating with an applicant on a project, and therefore not submitting an application themselves, should direct all questions to the Department through the applicant. 23. Any further questions or enquiries must be directed in writing by e-mail to: RIBCoord@innovation.gov.au. Where the question or enquiry has wider application, responses will be made available to the contact officer for all projects. 3
CONTENTS PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 PART 6 ATTACHMENT A ATTACHMENT B1 ATTACHMENT B2 ATTACHMENT C Eligibility and Contact Information Project Details Funding Requests Prioritisation criteria Consequences of not receiving CRIS funding Declarations Higher Education Providers Preferred Funding Level Cost Table Minimum Funding Level Cost Table Confidential Information Privacy and confidentiality Applications will be treated as 'commercial-in-confidence'. Applicant information will only be publicly disclosed in accordance with the CRIS Conditions of Grant or if the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education is required or permitted by law to make such a disclosure. The Department may also disclose information with your consent. The Department may disclose any information to Commonwealth or state agencies for law enforcement or audit purposes.
PART 1 ELIGIBILITY AND CONTACT INFORMATION Eligibility Criteria The Lead Agent must be a Higher Education Provider (HEP) listed in Table A or Table B of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Attachment A), or have an agreement with an eligible HEP to accept CRIS funds on its behalf, Eligible facilities are projects funded under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme (NCRIS), and/or Education Investment Fund supported Super Science projects, for which the project end date is after 31 December 2012. The project end date is the project end date set out in the relevant funding agreement between the Department and the contractor. Please provide the following information Title of project: Name of project lead agent: Name of eligible HEP (if not the project lead agent): If the lead agent and HEP are not the same legal entity please state o the contractual arrangement between the parties that will apply, and o the current stage of this arrangement. (Please provide letters supporting these arrangements) Name and title of contact person for this application: Phone number: Fax number: Email address: Postal address for all correspondence: 5
PART 2 PROJECT DETAILS DIISRTE-IN-CONFIDENCE (WHEN COMPLETED) Please outline the key high-level sub-projects or components that are currently being undertaken in the project. Please limit your response in this Part to one (1) single-sided page. 6
PART 3 FUNDING REQUESTS DIISRTE-IN-CONFIDENCE (WHEN COMPLETED) Applicants are asked to provide two funding requests: o a preferred level of funding which may be up to the amount required to maintain your current level of activity to 31 December 2014; and o a minimum level of funding the minimum funding required from CRIS to support critical project activity to 31 December 2014. CRIS funds will only be provided to extend the operation of projects. The purposes for which funding could be used would normally be expected to include: o management and governance costs at both the node and national governance levels o salaries and on costs for technical staff o infrastructure maintenance o utilities o rent o consumables. Please also complete Attachments B1 and B2 to provide a cost breakdown by sub-project / component. Please limit your response in this Part to two (2) single-sided pages. Critical Dates Critical dates: To what date will your project be able to operate using NCRIS and/or Super Science funds? What are the start and end dates for the period of operation using CRIS funds? Other contributions If applicable, please set out the financial and in-kind contributions confidently expected to be provided by other entities over the period of CRIS support. Preferred Funding What is the preferred level of funding required from CRIS? Will the funding sought and other financial support enable the project to operate at its current level? If not, please list the reductions in subprojects/ components envisaged? Minimum Funding What is the minimum level of funding required from CRIS to support critical research infrastructure? 7
Please identify the sub-projects / components that will be maintained under this minimum funding level. Please list the sub-projects / components that will be lost under this minimum funding level 8
PART 4 PRIORITISATION CRITERIA Part 4A Preferred funding level DIISRTE-IN-CONFIDENCE (WHEN COMPLETED) Please limit your responses in this Part 4A to three (3) single-sided pages. Criterion One Collaboration Please set out the collaborative and/or consultative arrangements you have in place to engage with the research sector that will help to improve the outcomes from the project during the period of CRIS funding. Criterion Two Contribution to date For the sub-projects / components in the preferred funding level, please set out, and quantify if possible, the unique contribution to Australia s research and/or innovation capacity that the project has made, and will make, in the period supported by NCRIS and/or Super Science funding. This should include, but not be limited to, data on user numbers and the sector (Australian academic, International academic, Government department, Government research agency, Commercial) they come from. Criterion Three Future contribution For the sub-projects / components in the preferred funding level, please set out, and quantify if possible, the unique contribution to Australia s research and/or innovation capacity that the project is expected to make in the period supported by CRIS under the preferred funding level. Please also set out briefly any alignment with the 2011 Strategic Roadmap for Research Infrastructure Investment, which is available at: http://www.innovation.gov.au/science/researchinfrastructure/pages/default.aspx. You should also comment on likely changes in the users using your response to Criterion Two as a base. 9
Part 4B Minimum funding level DIISRTE-IN-CONFIDENCE (WHEN COMPLETED) Please limit your responses in this Part 4B to three (3) single-sided pages. Criterion One Collaboration Please set out the collaborative and/or consultative arrangements you have in place to engage with the research sector that will help to improve the outcomes from the project during the period of CRIS funding. Criterion Two Contribution to date For the sub-projects / components in the minimum funding level, please set out, and quantify if possible, the unique contribution to Australia s research and/or innovation capacity that your project has made, and will make, in the period supported by NCRIS and/or Super Science funding. This should include, but not be limited to, data on user numbers and the sector (Australian academic, International academic, Government department, Government research agency, Commercial) they come from. Criterion Three Future contribution For the sub-projects / components in the minimum funding level, please set out, and quantify if possible, the unique contribution to Australia s research and/or innovation capacity that your project is expected to make in the period supported by CRIS under the minimum funding level. Please also set out briefly any alignment with the 2011 Strategic Roadmap for Research Infrastructure Investment, which is available at: http://www.innovation.gov.au/science/researchinfrastructure/pages/default.aspx. You should also comment on likely changes in the users using your response to Criterion Two as a base. 10
PART 5 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT RECEIVING CRIS FUNDS Under its Terms of Reference, the Consultative Group is required to report to the Minister on the implications of no CRIS funding being received by projects. Part 5A Preferred funding level You are invited to set out the consequences to the project, and subsequently Australia s research and / or innovation capacity, of your project not receiving any CRIS funding, other than the loss of activity identified in Part 3. Please limit your response to one (1) single-sided page. Part 5B Minimum funding level You are invited to set out the consequences to the project, and subsequently Australia s research and / or innovation capacity, of your project not receiving CRIS funding, other than the loss of activity identified in Part 3. Please limit your response to one (1) single-sided page. 11
PART 6 - DECLARATIONS DIISRTE-IN-CONFIDENCE (WHEN COMPLETED) Declaration by authorised representative of the lead agent I, [INSERT NAME], make the following declaration: 1. that I have authority to make this declaration on behalf of the lead agent, [INSERT LEAD AGENT LEGAL ENTITY and ABN number]; 2. that all of the information that I have provided to the Commonwealth (including the contents of this declaration) is complete, true and correct; 3. I have taken all reasonable steps to ensure its accuracy; I understand that the Commonwealth is relying on the accuracy of the information provided by me (including the contents of this declaration) in determining the lead agent s funding under the Collaborative Research Infrastructure Scheme. Signature Date Name Position Declaration by authorised representative of the Higher Education Provider (if not the lead agent) I, [INSERT NAME], make the following declaration: 1. that I have authority to make this declaration; 2. that all arrangements between the lead agent [INSERT LEAD AGENT LEGAL ENTITY and ABN number] and [INSERT HEP and CRICOS Provider Code] as described in Part 1 of this Application Form is complete, true and correct; 3. that [INSERT HEP] will continue to deal with the lead agent in a manner which is in the best interests of the Australian research sector and in accordance with the purpose of this funding. I understand that if any disagreements arise between the lead agent and [INSERT HEP] in relation to the appropriate use of the funding, the two parties will attempt to resolve as soon as practicable. I understand that if the disagreements are not able to be resolved between the lead agent and [INSERT HEP], the matter will be referred to the Department for resolution. I understand and agree that [INSERT HEP] will only be able to recoup costs necessarily and additionally incurred in the administration of the project from CRIS funds, if awarded. Signature Date Name Position 12
ATTACHMENT A HIGHER EDUCATION PROVIDERS 13
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Preferred Funding Level Cost Table (ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE) ATTACHMENT B1 Please set out how the funds made available under CRIS will be used to meet the project s operating costs (exc GST) associated with the particular sub-projects / components included in the preferred funding level. Sub-project / Component 2012-13 ($M) 2013-14 ($M) 1/7/14 to 31/12/14 ($M) TOTAL ($M) TOTAL 15
Minimum Funding Level Cost Table (ALL APPLICANTS MUST COMPLETE) ATTACHMENT B2 Please set out how the funds made available under CRIS will be used to meet the project s operating costs (exc GST) associated with particular sub-projects / components included in the minimum funding level. Sub-project / Component 2012-13 ($M) 2013-14 ($M) 1/7/14 to 31/12/14 ($M) TOTAL ($M) TOTAL 16
ATTACHMENT C Confidential Information Please provide all confidential information on this page, noting the Part of the application it refers to. 17