Palliative Care Research Network Victoria (PCRNV) Palliative Care Research Masters/ PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Due Date: 30 th January 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS... 2 OVERVIEW PALLIATIVE CARE RESEARCH NETWORK VICTORIA... 3 SECTION 1 SCHEME DESCRIPTION... 3 1.1. WHO CAN APPLY?... 3 1.2. LEVEL OF FUNDING... 3 1.3 DURATION... 4 1.4 FOCUS OF THE THESIS... 4 1.5 DEFINITION OF PALLIATIVE CARE... 4 SECTION 2 ELIGIBILITY FOR PCRNV FUNDING... 5 2.1. APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS... 5 2.2. PROJECT REQUIREMENTS... 5 2.3. ADMINISTERING ORGANISATION REQUIREMENTS... 5 2.4. RESEARCH ORGANISATION REQUIREMENTS... 6 SECTION 3 ASSESSMENT... 6 3.1. PCRNV DISCRETION... 6 3.2. PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY... 6 3.3. CONFLICT OF INTEREST EVALUATION PANEL MEMBERS... 7 3.4. SELECTION CRITERIA... 7 SECTION 4 OUTCOME OF EVALUATION... 8 SECTION 5 HOW TO SUBMIT... 9 SECTION 6 FUNDING TIMETABLE... 9 APPENDIX 1 ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PCRNV FUNDING... 10 1. APPLICANT... 10 2. ADMINISTERING ORGANISATION... 10 3. GOODS AND SERVICES TAX... 10 4. REPORTING... 10 5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT... 11 PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 1 of 11
ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS Administering Organisation* Administering Officer/Grants Officer Applicant Organisation that will be responsible for administration of the project, and the receipt and distribution of grant funds. There can be only one Administering Organisation per scholarship. Person responsible for receiving and administering funds from the PCRNV. Scholar who is responsible for conducting the research project. Responsible for completion and lodgement of the application and gaining appropriate certification signatures. Responsible for the progress and reporting on the project. This person must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Associate/Co-Investigator/s Collaborator/Collaborative Partner/s Responsible for carrying out some aspect of the research under the guidance and leadership of the Applicant. Collaboration may be between individuals, departments and/or organisations. Includes organisations or individuals that provide specific services and resources that contribute to the research, such as bio-statistical analysis. Does not include people named as Associate/Co- Investigators. Goods & Services Tax Research Organisation* Supervisor Goods and Services Tax imposed in accordance with the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, and related Acts and Regulations. Organisation where the majority of the research will be based. Responsible for the overall direction of the project. Responsible for leading and supporting the Applicant. *Administering Organisation and Research Organisation may be the same. PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 2 of 11
OVERVIEW PALLIATIVE CARE RESEARCH NETWORK VICTORIA The Victorian Cancer Agency is funding the Palliative Care Research Network Victoria (PCRNV). This initiative aims to build research capacity in Victoria and is a network involving organisations currently undertaking Palliative Care research in Victoria. The Palliative Care Research Network of Victoria exists to foster a productive, collaborative and sustainable program of clinical and community intervention research aimed at enhancing the quality of palliative care. Further information can be obtained from http://pcrnv.com.au/. The mission of the PCRNV is to improve palliative care outcomes for patients and families informed by high quality research. SECTION 1 SCHEME DESCRIPTION PCRNV Palliative Care Research Masters / PhD Scholarships aim to increase the pool of experienced researchers that are able to conduct high quality research into palliative care leading to immediate patient benefit. The scholarships are available to suitably qualified individuals wishing to undertake a full-time Masters or PhD degree by research. Applicants should have a defined research project, evidence of organisational support for the project and, if applicable, evidence of release from clinical commitments to undertake research. 1.1. Who can apply? Individuals wishing to undertake a full time Masters or PhD degree by research project in palliative care are eligible to apply. It is expected that applicants will be mentored and supervised at the administering organisation by an individual with suitable supervision experience. 1.2. Level of Funding Stipends will be in line with NHMRC rates: Students with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS):$ 37,807 per annum Students without a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS): $ 25,393 per annum Allowances (additional): Direct Research Costs: Students will be eligible to apply for $1,500 per annum to be used towards the purchase of consumables relevant to the scholarship. Unspent funds may be carried over into the following year, but not beyond the conclusion of the scholarship. PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 3 of 11
Conference Travel: Students will be eligible to apply for $750 per annum to be used towards travel relevant to the scholarship. Unspent funds may be carried over into the following year, but not beyond the conclusion of the scholarship. Thesis Allowance: Students can apply for a one off $500 in the final year of the scholarship to assist with costs associated with thesis preparation and presentation. The funds cannot be applied to other purposes. 1.3 Duration The period of the research project full-time: up to a maximum of 2 years (Masters candidate) or 3 years (PhD candidate). 1.4 Focus of the Thesis The proposed thesis should align with the mission and vision of the PCRNV and the project should be directly relevant to palliative care. 1.5 Definition of Palliative Care Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Palliative care: provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms; affirms life and regards dying as a normal process; intends neither to hasten or postpone death; integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care; offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death; offers a support system to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement; uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated; will enhance quality of life and may also positively influence the course of illness; is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications. Reference: World Health Organization (WHO) definition of Palliative Care: http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/definition/en/ PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 4 of 11
SECTION 2 ELIGIBILITY FOR PCRNV FUNDING Any organisation or individual that is, or will be, involved in the conduct of palliative care research in Victoria is eligible to apply for PCRNV funding. 2.1. Applicant Requirements Applicants must be Australian citizens or have permanent residency status. Successful applicants will be asked for proof of citizenship or residency status as part of the funding agreement. The applicant meets the requirements for enrolment in a Masters or PhD at a Victorian University. The applicant has written confirmation from a potential supervisor(s) which includes an overview of the supervisors capacity to oversee the student. Confirmation that the applicant meets the minimum requirements for enrolment in a Masters or PhD. Confirmation that the applicant is equipped to complete the study within two years (Masters) or three years (PhD). 2.2. Project Requirements The PCRNV must be satisfied that: The majority of the research funded by the PCRNV is completed within Victoria and the Primary supervisor and applicant/student are based at a Victorian University (coinvestigators and/or collaborators may work interstate or internationally); Proposed projects must have specific aims and outcomes that are achievable in the designated timeframe. 2.3. Administering Organisation Requirements Applications must be made under the auspices of a Victorian hospital, research organisation or university. A single organisation should be designated as the Administering Organisation, which must: have in place policies and procedures for the management of public funds; have in place policies for the proper conduct of research in relation to ethics and good scientific conduct; have in place policies for the appropriate management and exploitation of Intellectual Property; in the case of research being undertaken with collaborative partners, obtain the consent of all Investigators named in the application and their organisations; processes and procedures for oversight of all aspects of Masters or PhD candidature and supervision. PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 5 of 11
2.4. Research Organisation Requirements The application must provide evidence that there is a suitable environment in which to undertake the research. The Research Organisation is expected to ensure that there is effective supervision and mentoring of the researcher and/or research group and have a process for evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of any supervisory and/or mentoring arrangements. The Research Organisation will provide the facilities and infrastructure required to undertake the proposed research. The relevant delegate of the Research Organisation must certify in the application that they approve of and endorse the proposed project. SECTION 3 ASSESSMENT Applicants will be informed via email of the receipt of their application within five working days after the closing date for the funding. PCRNV personnel will initially screen applications to ensure that eligibility criteria have been met. An independent Evaluation Panel established from the PCRNV scientific committee will then assess all submissions against the selection criteria and the applicant with the highest assessment score will be offered the scholarship (refer to section 3.4). The panel will, consistent with these guidelines: rank applications based on the specific selection criteria weighting (refer to section 3.4); make recommendations to the PCRNV on the applications which meet appropriate standards for funding; provide advice on applications where further collaboration may be sought. After the PCRNV has completed its evaluation process, feedback on applications will be available on a request basis. 3.1. PCRNV Discretion The lodging of an application does not confer any entitlement upon the applicant. The determination to fund is totally within the discretion of the PCRNV. 3.2. Privacy and Confidentiality All information contained in applications will be regarded as confidential. Documents containing personal information will be handled and protected in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. Personal information will only be disclosed with the permission of the individual to whom it relates, or where the Act allows. PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 6 of 11
Applicants acknowledge that announcement of the funded scholarships will involve the dissemination of information to the public about the general nature of the funded scholarships. 3.3. Conflict of Interest Evaluation Panel Members The PCRNV requires its Evaluation Panel members to act in an ethical manner, declare conflicts of interest and withdraw from considering applications where such conflict does or may exist. 3.4. Selection Criteria Criteria 1. Alignment with the PCRNV research priorities The research meets with one of the four PCRNV research priorities: Non-malignant disease and transition to palliative care Palliative care has traditionally focussed on the care of people with cancer. It is less regularly incorporated into the care of people with non-malignant disease such as severe organ failure. Research is needed to determine optimal timing and processes for involving palliative care for people with non-malignant disease. Weighting (%) Family interventions Several systematic reviews have acknowledged that there is a gap in research focusing on providing psychosocial support to family carers and improving outcomes for families. There is a need to develop and evaluate new interventions to improve psychosocial wellbeing and bereavement outcomes for families of patients receiving palliative care. Consumer Involvement There is a need to better understand how we engage consumers in planning, policy and research in health care. This is particularly relevant for palliative care. We need to determine the most effective ways to engage consumers in palliative care service planning, policy and research. 25 Special populations While much research has been conducted to further the effectiveness of palliative care, there has been a lack of studies involving special populations, including culturally and linguistically diverse populations, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, paediatric and neonatal populations and the ageing population. There is a need for research to understand the needs and epidemiology of specific populations to assist with service development and planning. PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 7 of 11
2. 3. 4. Importance of project The research is designed to address an important problem or clinical need in patient care. Specifically: To improve palliative care outcomes for patients and families informed by high quality research. The significance of the clinical need being addressed in the research. How the research will result in improved patient outcomes. How the research will build translational build capacity and skills in Victoria. Quality of Project The quality of the research, including: Feasibility Rationale Methodology Timeframes Innovation Quality of Applicant Capacity to undertake the project, including: Track record of the applicant (relative to the opportunity to conduct independent research) Support for conducting research Existing Infrastructure Mentoring Collaboration 25 25 25 TOTAL 100% SECTION 4 OUTCOME OF EVALUATION Offers of funding will be made to the Applicant, as the initiator of the application. Acceptance of the grant must be approved by the Administering Organisation. Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the PCRNV, through the nominated Administering Organisation. Refer to Appendix 1 for information on administration and reporting requirements for PCRNV funding. PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 8 of 11
SECTION 5 HOW TO SUBMIT All applicants must complete a PCRNV Palliative Care Research scholarship Application Form. Website: http://pcrnv.com.au/research-masters-or-phd-scholarship/ Email: pcrnv@svha.org.au Telephone: 03 9416 0000 Submission of Applications The PCRNV will only accept electronic submission of applications. The PCRNV will not accept hardcopy or faxed applications. Signatures: Electronic signatures are accepted. Applications will be accepted if they are emailed on or before the closing date. Applications must be received by 5pm on 30 th January 2015. Please note that incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. SECTION 6 FUNDING TIMETABLE Funding round announced November 11 th 2014 Applications open November 11 th 2014 Closing date for applications January 30 th 2015 Evaluation Panel meets to review applications February 9 th 2015 Decision & recommendation by PCRNV Scientific Advisory Committee February 26 th 2015 Advice to Applicants March 6 th 2015 PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 9 of 11
APPENDIX 1 ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PCRNV FUNDING 1. Applicant The Applicant will be responsible for guiding the research and managing the research through to completion. This will include liaising with collaborators and coordinating reporting requirements of the scholarship with the administering organisation. 2. Administering Organisation The Administering Organisation will be responsible for administration of the scholarship, in accordance with the PCRNV funding agreement. Payment of funds will be made to the Administering Organisation as set out in the funding agreement schedule. Funds must only be used for the purposes set out in the agreement. 3. Goods and Services Tax GST will be paid on top of grant amounts where appropriate. This will be determined by the administering organisation s GST status. This status must be identified by the financial delegate of the Administering Organisation. 4. Reporting In accordance with the PCRNV s funding agreements, funding recipients will be required to submit reports on a regular basis. The reporting schedule is outlined in the following table. Report Progress against milestones and/or targets Financial reports (to be included in progress report) Final report Ad hoc reports Reporting frequency Annually Annually Once only As requested by PCRNV Due Every 12 months from receipt of funds Every 12 months from receipt of funds Within 6 months post completion of funding On request with a negotiable time frame of not greater than six weeks PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 10 of 11
These reports will enable the PCRNV to assess whether the project is proceeding satisfactorily and that funds are being acquitted in accordance with the original application goals. The PCRNV reserves the right to consider suspending funding if progress is considered unsatisfactory, or funds have not been utilised in accordance with the funding agreement. 5. Acknowledgement of Support Successful applicants are required to acknowledge the PCRNV in any publications, public announcements, scientific meeting presentations or discussion forums relating to research conducted with the assistance of funding from the PCRNV. ---END OF DOCUMENT--- PCRNV Masters/PhD Scholarship 2015 Guidelines for Applicants Page 11 of 11