Humanities Research Grants 2018 Guidelines for Applicants The Humanities Research Grant (HRG) is a competitive funding scheme to support excellence in research and scholarship in the Division of Humanities at the University of Otago. In 2018, there will be one round of funding, offering a maximum of $6,000 per publication or event, or and a maximum of $2,500 per seed funding application Humanities Research Grants are open to applications from: Individual researchers (may include a co-investigator); Research Groups within the Division Important Notes: 1. Priority will be given to Early Career Staff members, and a proportion of available funds may be targeted at applications from Early Career Staff. The definition of Early Career Staff member is an eligible staff member whose first appointment to the equivalent of a PBRF eligible position at the University of Otago (or another university or research institute) was within the six years preceding the application date. 2. There are two separate application forms: one is for publication and event support and the other is for seeding projects. Applicants must use the application form that is relevant to the project for which they seek funding. 3. Staff are strongly encouraged to spend funds in the calendar year in which they receive funding e.g. for items such as air travel which can be booked well in advance. Submission of applications The closing date for applications is 15 June, 2018 for funding to be used by 31 July, 2019. Applications will be assessed by the Divisional Research Committee at the earliest opportunity after the closing date with the aim of approved funding normally being available for expenditure within a month of the round s closing date. Applicants are encouraged to consult with Dr Marjolein Righarts, Humanities Research Advisor (email: marjolein.righarts@otago.ac.nz) prior to submitting an application. The consultation with the Research Advisor, however, does not guarantee funding. Applications must be submitted electronically by 5pm on the due date to humanities@otago.ac.nz. Applicants must choose Save As PDF rather than sending a scan 1
Applicants must use a filename that begins with your surname. If your HoD prefers to comment on and sign a hard copy, this may be sent separately to the Research Committee Secretary, Humanities Divisional Office, but you should still submit the electronic file. Application forms are available on the Humanities website: otago.ac.nz/humanities/forms/index.html#research. What Can Be Applied For? The general categories of assistance that will normally be considered for funding include: Publications and event grants up to $6,000 Publications costs, including RA salary for editing and/or indexing; book subventions; cost of publishing images. Event running costs, including the costs of RA salary for organising; venue hire; catering; and travel and accommodation for keynote speakers (only). Seed Research grants up to $2,500 Salaries for research assistants undertaking clearly defined work relating to the project, where the work being conducted is of a repetitive nature e.g. transcribing, testing samples etc. Intellectual, evaluative work is expected to be conducted by the principal investigator and will not be eligible for funding. Travel, Accommodation and other related costs where these are essential for conducting the research. Materials and Running Costs essential to conducting the research where these are clearly shown to be above normal base-level research funding (see below). Other Items essential to conducting the research (e.g. koha), where these are not specifically excluded (see below). Any exception to the above categories should be justified. What Cannot Be Applied For? The following will not normally be considered for funding: Base-level research funding. All academic staff are expected to conduct research and the basic costs of the copying, printing, computer use, library interloans and communications that 2
this involves are provided for in Departmental allocations. HRG funding for such items will only be considered where it can be shown that the research will involve abnormally high expenditure in these categories. Library Purchases. Normal purchases of library resources are covered by Departmental Library allocations. HRG funding for such purchases will only be considered where it can be shown that specific items essential to the research cannot be acquired in this way. Equipment, including computer equipment, is normally purchased through Divisional or University Equipment funds. HRG funding for such purchases will only be considered where it can be shown that specific items essential to the research cannot be acquired in this way. Conference Travel, for staff to attend a conference Assessment Criteria The general factors that are taken into account in assessing applications include: For publication or event grants: Potential to enhance the applicant s PBRF score: the committee will give priority to publications and/or events where HRG funds are most likely to lead to a significant enhancement of the applicant s PBRF evidence portfolio. Quality and certainty of the proposed publication: including the standing of proposed journals, proposed publisher and CVs of co-editors or authors, and expected publication year and date. Quality of the proposed event: what are the proposed outputs from event? Has an academic journal or publisher agreed to publish the proceedings? Budget justification: are the requested items appropriately costed and fully justified? Please provide a full budget for the event (not just the component for which funding is requested) must be included. Applicants are advised to use the conference budget template available from the Division of Humanities website. For research grants: Clarity of the research proposal: are the aims, methods and expected outcomes of the proposed research clearly explained? Clarity about the contributions of individual collaborators: has the Principal Investigator detailed the contribution of each collaborator? Quality of the proposed research: will the proposed outcome demonstrate research excellence? 3
Realistic objectives: can the aims outlined in the application be achieved within the time period? Does the applicant have other research commitments that might impede the success of this project? Budget justification: are the requested items appropriately costed and fully justified? Ethical approval: has approval been granted for research involving human or animal subjects? Applicants should note monies cannot be uplifted until required Ethical approval has been granted. Funding eligibility: is the project eligible for funding from other sources? Previous funded research: did previous funding (from any source) result in quality research outputs? Expected Outcomes: Applicants are reminded of the need to specify clearly what outcomes they anticipate as a result of the research/project. The committee may request further information pertaining to the application, if deemed necessary. Eligibility for funding Only one individual grant application may be awarded in each calendar year (but a researcher applying for an individual grant may also be included in an application from a Research Cluster, Network or group for a different project).principal investigators must be permanent academic staff in the Division of Humanities. No retrospective applications or incomplete applications will be considered. In cases of urgent funding need, out-of-season applications may be considered. Where funding for a related project has already been granted from any source, a full explanation of the relationship between the two projects must be given to ensure there is no duplication of funding for research already being supported by a grant or other funding source. Applicants who already hold large research grants may be granted funding only for distinctly new areas of enquiry. Final Reports A final report must be completed and returned to the Divisional Office no later than three months after end of the period for which the grant was awarded. The prescribed form is available on the Humanities website at: http://www.otago.ac.nz/humanities/policies/index.html#research Variations If the project changes substantially the Primary Investigator should immediately advise the Associate Dean of Research, Humanities. A new application may be required. 4
Extensions Normally funds would be spent within the period specified. If the timeframe for the project seems likely to extend beyond the end date, the Principal Investigator will need to apply to the Associate Dean of Research for approval. Expenditure of Funds Any funds remaining in the account at the end of the time period (where no approval for an extension has been granted) will automatically be transferred back to the Divisional Office research account. Any inquiries should be directed to the Associate Dean (Research). 5