Research Branch Bulletin

In anticipation of the ARC’s Funding Rules for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2011, potential applicants are required to complete an Expression of Interest to the University countersigned by the appropriate Head of School and Faculty Executive Dean and returned to Research Branch by 30th July 2010.

Further information on completing an Expression of Interest can be found in the internal information sheet at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/arc/.

The Expression of Interest will be used to shortlist applicants to be invited to prepare a full proposal.

The DIISR Minister has announced that both the ARC and NHMRC will be running complementary calls for Stem Cell Science funding.

• The ARC Special Research Initiative for Stem Cell Science is now open for proposals. Funding will commence in July 2011 and be offered for up to seven years. Further information on the ARC can be found at: http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/stem_cell.htm
• The NHMRC will also invite applications for Centres for Research Excellence in Regenerative Medicine, encouraging leading medical researchers to undertake stem cell research with clinical applications in July. Funding will commence in 2011 and be offered for five years.

If you intend to apply for either the ARC or NHMRC Stem Cell Science funding, please contact rb@adelaide.edu.au as soon as possible. The applications for these initiatives are normally highly competitive and complex, and will require coordination between School, Faculty and central areas.

Information Session: Industry-linked funding opportunities
Friday 25 June 2010
Art Gallery Function Rooms 1 & 2
3:00-5:00 pm (includes drinks and networking)

Industry-linked funding programs are an increasingly important source of research funding in order to maintain our position as a research leader, and to translate our research effectively into real-world solutions. This information session for University researchers is designed to provide you with the knowledge and contacts to get you started on the path to funding your next research project - with funding schemes including ARC Linkage, Commercialisation Australia, the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund and Adelaide Research & Innovation’s Commercial Accelerator Scheme. Presentations will be followed by drinks & networking with representatives from the funding programs. Suitable for early-career researchers through to veterans who want to refresh their know-how. This session is brought to you by Adelaide Research & Innovation together with Research Branch, on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Research) Professor Mike Brooks.

Register online: www.adelaideresearch.com.au

To all NHMRC research grant holders, this is a reminder that the submission dates for scientific and financial reports have been deferred as follows:

• Annual Financial Statements and Scientific Progress reports deferred from the 31st of March 2010 until the 30th of June 2010
• Final Reports and Acquittals - new date of 30th September 2010

The reporting dates were deferred with the intent that these reports would be submitted electronically via RGMS. Due to delays in the development of RGMS, and a review of the information being sought in such reports, a new submission process is not possible for 2010.

The NHMRC have advised that previous reporting forms are to be used for 2010.
Reporting templates for each NHMRC Scheme can be found here: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/admin/progreport.htm

Please email reports to raohealth@adelaide.edu.au
(Word or PDF converted from Word: the NHMRC will not accept  scanned documents)

Where signed hardcopies are required, send to:

Research Branch
University of Adelaide
Level 7, Wyatt House
115 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000

NHMRC's Research Grants Management System (RGMS) is now open for the following grant scheme:

• Development Grants

For funding policies and application guidelines visit www.nhmrc.gov.au.
Further information on this system is now available on our website:  http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/nhmrc/RGMS.html.

The 2010 round of the Criminology Research Council research grants are now open.

Grants are considered if they are public policy-relevant, have practical application, contribute to the understanding, prevention or correction of criminal behaviour and will make a substantial and original contribution to criminological knowledge. Grants are considered for if they are related to criminological research (including the dissemination of information and advice and the publication of reports, periodicals, books and papers in connection with criminological research and the results of criminological research) as are determined by the Council.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.criminologyresearchcouncil.gov.au/applications/

Researchers working in Australia in fields that are relevant to motor neurone disease are invited to apply for funding to support research in the calendar year 2011.

1. Grants-in-Aid for research into motor neurone disease in 2011: The MND Research Institute of Australia regards its role as one of providing seed-funding for research that is innovative and having a clear relationship to the causes, treatments and cures of MND, or the support of people living with MND.  Applications for projects in biomedical and health care research are encouraged. 

A range of grants, including the named grants with special conditions, are offered. In recent years, special conditions for some of these grants have included:

• scientific research relevant to the cause, treatment or cure of motor neurone disease
• research into cause, treatment or cure of MND in basic or applied science
• applied research into MND, including social research
• research investigating the genes responsible for familial MND
• attendance at the International Symposium on ALS/MND.

Applications for grants-in-aid up to a maximum value of $100,000 will be considered. 
Fourteen grants-in-aid were awarded for 2010 with an average value of about $32,500.
The International Symposium on ALS/MND will be held in Sydney in 2011 from 30 November to 2 December.  All MND researchers and grant recipients in Australia are encouraged to attend.

2. Bill Gole MND Postdoctoral Fellowship (2011 - 2013): The Fellowships of the MND Research Institute of Australia aim to encourage young researchers to focus their interest on MND The Bill Gole MND Postdoctoral Fellowship is directed towards postdoctoral scientists with a track record in areas of neuroscience related to motor neurone disease.  Salary will be funded for three years at $75,000 per year.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.mndresearch.asn.au/

Kidney Health Australia’s mission is "To advance the public health agenda through awareness, detection, prevention and management of kidney disease" and their vision is “to save lives and reduce the need for dialysis”. The focus of all future Kidney Health Australia funded research projects will be “to reduce the burden of Chronic Kidney Disease through expanding the range of evidence-based knowledge”.

Areas considered to be a special focus for research support include:

• Improving and assisting community awareness and prevention strategies
• Increasing detection rates of early Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
• Documenting CKD demographics, trends and costs
• Implementing best care approaches to detected CKD cases
• Facilitating a smooth transition into dialysis and transplantation
• Improving outcomes and quality of life on dialysis
• Reducing the financial and social impact of CKD on patients and families

Applicants will be encouraged to specially focus on the harder-to-reach population groups in the community including:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse populations;
• People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

Four project grants of up to $50,000 each will be offered for commencement in 2011. The conditions for these Project Grants include:

• Projects must fit above criteria and priority will be given to those projects capable of completion within a 2 year timeframe (although KHA will not provide 2 years of funding).
• Project “deliverables” to be identified and reported upon prior to final payment of the grant.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.kidney.org.au/HealthProfessionals/MedicalResearchFundingProgram/tabid/633/Default.aspx

The GRDC provides sponsorship assistance to organisations wishing to conduct a conference, workshop, seminar or field day that directly benefits the Australian grains industry.

The aim is to develop the skills and capacity required to achieve grains industry and GRDC objectives. GRDC places a high priority on the dissemination and communication of knowledge gained from the experience offered by conference sponsorship.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.grdc.com.au/director/apply/idaandconferenceawards/conferenceform

Each calendar year the Society donates approximately $150,000 to maintain its programme of sponsorship of Australian adventurers, scientific and environmental research, and community projects. Over the years it has spent more than $8,000,000 supporting Australian endeavour in all these fields. Australian scientists, community organisations and individuals developing projects in Australia and abroad are welcome to apply for Society sponsorship.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.ainse.edu.au/ainse/for_academic_researchers/ainse_awards2.html

The Telstra Innovation Challenge offers unique support to Australia's research and development community. While the range of projects supported is broad, they must be relevant to Telstra's business and provide a benefit to industry or Australian end users.

If your project is selected for support through the Telstra Innovation Challenge, there is potential to access a wide range of benefits that only Telstra can offer. These may include:

• access to Telstra products, services and networks to build and trial your project;
• access to Telstra internal subject matter experts for advice and discussion;
• facilitated introduction to Telstra's partners (both technical and commercial);
• external exposure of your project through joint PR initiatives; and
• other support as appropriate.

Telstra is encouraging project submissions from any entrepreneurs, researchers and developers‚ whether they are affiliated with a research centre‚ a university‚ an established company‚ or a start-up.

For further information, please visit:
http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/company-overview/innovation-challenge/

The Department of Defence is seeking industry proposals for participation in the Capability and Technology Demonstrator ( CTD ) Program. The CTD Program assists in the improvement of priority Defence capabilities by providing Australian Industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their technology, thereby allowing Defence to assess its potential and associated risks. Proposals need to address a Defence capability priority and are required to demonstrate their potential within three years. 

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their CTD proposals with the Capability Development Group of Defence, and with the relevant research division of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). The CTD Program Office can assist prospective applicants with relevant Defence contacts and with completing their proposals. Project funding is expected to commence in July 2011, although some companies may be funded for detailed proposal development or specific activities at an earlier date (conditions apply).

Full list of R&D areas can be found at: http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/attachments/Round%2015_Advertisement.pdf. The University of Adelaide has been successful on this Program on a number of occasions, with Projects attracting funds of the order of $1M-$2M over 1-3 years, with or without an industry partner.

Initial submissions must be in by the 19 July 2010 (a 5 to 10 page submission). Please contact Paul Arthur (8303 8310) for more information.

For further information, please visit:
http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/ctd/

The Fiscal Year 2010 (FY 10) Defense Appropriations Act provides approximately $8.5 million to fund approximately three Clinical Trial Award applications focused on Cognitive Rehabilitative Therapy for members and former members of the armed forces. These trials will be funded through the FY 10 Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (PH/TBI) Research Program, and administered through the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

These awards are intended to encourage rapid implementation of clinical trials to assess the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitative therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for members or former members of the Armed Forces. Collaborations with military researchers and clinicians are encouraged. NOTE: Priority will be given to studies that use military or veteran populations who have been diagnosed with a TBI incurred in the line of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. Maximum funding of $2,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) and period of performance cannot exceed four (4) years.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/phtbi.shtml

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is excited to announce the release of Request for Applications (RFAs) for Promise Grants for 2010-2011. 

Promise Grants provide up to $6.5 million over five years to support programs with collaborative and cross-disciplinary research projects that provide integrated approaches to solving critical challenges to the rapid translation of scientific discoveries into new or enhanced clinical tools and applications that have the greatest potential to significantly reduce breast cancer incidence and/or mortality within the next decade. Integrated programs of research projects addressing critical challenges in population disparities in breast cancer outcomes and triple negative breast cancer are of special interest and may receive funding priority.

Pre-Applications will be peer reviewed, and only those applicants who submit proposals deemed most meritorious and aligned with Komen’s research objectives will be invited to submit Full Applications.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://ww5.komen.org/ResearchGrants/FundingOpportunities.html

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is excited to announce the release of Request for Applications (RFAs) for Promise Grants for 2010-2011. 

1. Investigator-Initiated Research (IIR): IIR Grants provide up to $600,000 over three years to stimulate exploration of new ideas and novel approaches in breast cancer research and clinical practice that will lead to reductions in breast cancer incidence and mortality within the next decade. Komen is introducing a new approach to its IIR RFA in an effort to align supported research projects with Komen’s annual strategic objectives and to provide consistency for the research community. Please carefully review the research focus areas as described in the RFA; applications addressing topics other than those listed will be administratively withdrawn from consideration.

2. Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants: CCR Grants provide unique opportunities for scientists in the early stages of their career to achieve research independence with an independent award of up to $450,000 over three years. CCR investigators lead a research project addressing an important question in breast cancer research and complete a self-defined career development plan with support from a mentor committee. This year’s annual research focus areas are: Biology and Translation, and Disparities in Breast Cancer Outcomes.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://ww5.komen.org/ResearchGrants/FundingOpportunities.html

US Department of Defense (DOD) Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program (PH/TBI) Research Program is promoting research that will advance the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of military-relevant PH issues and TBI. Funding will be focused on innovative projects that have the potential to make a significant near-term impact on improving the function, wellness, and overall quality of life for warriors, veterans, families, caregivers, and communities.

This program is administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) through the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). A summary of the current PH/TBI funding opportunity is provided below.   A detailed description of the funding mechanism, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements can be found in the FY10 PH/TBI Program Announcement.

The Program Announcement is available electronically for downloading from the Grants.gov website on the CDMRP website: http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/phtbi.shtml.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/phtbi.shtml

The Australian Academy of the Humanities has an exchange programme with the Swedish Royal Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities, which provides for an Australian scholar to visit that institution for a maximum of one month to do research in Sweden. The exchange provides for accommodation and a per diem for the scholar of up to 40, 000 SEK.

The Award is open to all established Australian scholars working in a discipline under the auspices of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. A reciprocal arrangement covers the cost of one Swedish scholar to visit Australia per year.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.humanities.org.au/grants/international/Sweden/default.htm

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation (HFG) welcomes proposals from any of the natural and social sciences and the humanities that promise to increase understanding of the causes, manifestations, and control of violence, aggression, and dominance. Particular questions that interest HFG concern violence, aggression, and dominance in relation to social change, the socialization of children, intergroup conflict, interstate warfare, crime, family relationships, and investigations of the control of aggression and violence. Priority will also be given to areas and methodologies not receiving adequate attention and support from other funding sources.

HFG awards research grants to individuals for individual projects and does not award grants to institutions for institutional programs. Awards in the range of US$15,000 to $30,000 a year for periods of one or two years.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.hfg.org/rg/guidelines.htm

This scheme is a joint initiative of the Go8 Universities and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). It supports exchanges for Go8 researchers to spend time at partner institutions in Germany and for collaborating German researchers to spend time at Go8 universities. The scheme aims to foster research collaboration of the highest quality between Australian researchers from Go8 universities and German researchers and to result in research outcomes and the exchange of skills and knowledge of mutual benefit to Australia and Germany.

Australian applicants must use the Australian application pack and send the application to their designated contact officer in the research office at his/her university. The German collaborating partner must submit a corresponding application, with the same project title, to the DAAD in Bonn by the closing date of 30 June 2010.

Applications (one signed hard copy, one electronic copy and a University of Adelaide application coversheet signed by the researcher and Head of School) should be forwarded to Dr Don McMaster in Research Branch by the internal closing date of 30 June 2010. For any queries, please contact Don (don.mcmaster@adelaide.edu.au) or Kerrie Thornton at Go8 Office ph. 0262395488 or kerrie.thornton@go8.edu.au.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.go8.edu.au/university-staff/international-collaboration/
81-go8-germany-joint-research-co-operation-scheme

The mission of MSRA is to accelerate Australian MS research toward the prevention, better treatments and a cure for MS.

Recipients will undertake a travel tour with the aim of extending and collaborating on their MS research specialty. This fellowship is specifically for established MS researchers.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.msra.org.au/fellowships

MSRA annually offers financial support to Australian scientists in the effort to accelerate and increase MS research activity. MSRA partners with likeminded organisations including the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Trish MS Research Foundation to leverage our funding and increase the number of opportunities available to researchers.

1. Postgraduate Scholarships: These scholarships are granted to students entering their Honours year, and will be granted $25,000 a year for three years. Successful applicants will have already qualified for Honours, and obtained a Supervisor.

2. Trish MS Research Foundation Scholarships: MSRA will advise the Trish MS Research Foundation on the best candidates, with particular emphasis placed on opportunities attracting matching funds. Scholarships will be given for $25,000 a year for three years. MSRA will advise the Trish MS Research Foundation on the best candidates, with particular emphasis placed on opportunities attracting matching funds.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.msra.org.au/scholarships

The Pfizer Australia Research Fellowship Program aims to encourage leaders in biomedical research to establish a career in Australia; fostering the continued development of Australia as a source of world-class scientific innovation and ideas.

The Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships are awarded to scientists with significant potential to attain leadership in their chosen field of research.  These fellowships allow successful applicants to continue their research at an Australian university or research institution.

Since 2003, Pfizer Australia has committed more than AUS$15m to the fellowship program.  Each fellow is provided AUS$1m in funding over a five year period to support salary, travel and other establishment costs.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.pfizer.com.au/ResearchFellowships/Default.aspx

The Neville and Jeanne York PhD Scholarship is offered to a PhD applicant – anywhere in Australia- investigating Motor Neuron Disease. The applicant must be beginning their first year of the Scholarship.

This opportunity is offered under our Research Companion Program which is a three-way financial commitment between a co-funding Rotary Club or District, Australian Rotary Health and the administering university of research institute. They are currently funding over 50 students Australia-wide with research funding totalling over $1,000,000 in medical and mental health research.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities.aspx

This opportunity is offered under our Funding Partner Program which is a three-way financial commitment between a co-funding Rotary Club or District, Australian Rotary Health and the administering university of research institute. We are currently funding over 50 students Australia-wide with research funding totalling over $1,000,000 in medical and mental health research.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au/Information-About/Research/Current-Opportunities.aspx

Applications are now open for the 2011 Fulbright Scholarships

Valued at up to $A45,000, Fulbright scholarships are open to Australian citizens to undertake research or study in the United States for 3 – 12 months. Scholarships can be started between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012.

As the largest and one of the most prestigious educational scholarship programs in the world, Fulbright provides unique opportunities for Australians to build long term research collaboration and linkages with U.S. universities.

Applications are open to Postgraduates (to do research related to their Australian PhD., or enrol in a U.S. degree); Postdoctoral, Professional and Senior Scholars from any field of study. Applicants from every state and the Northern Territory are also encouraged to consider the state/territory specific Fulbright Scholarships that have now been established.

For further information and application forms see www.fulbright.com.au  Applications close externally on 31 August 2010.

Australian universities are also encouraged to actively seek applications from Americans to be Fulbright Scholars in Australia in 2011. This supports American academics and postgraduates to undertake research with Australian universities for 4 - 12 months.

CI 2010 is excited to offer up to 5 places to the conference for emerging leaders from any sector.

Up to five scholarships are being offered for emerging leaders to attend Creative Innovation 2010, a conference focused on utilising creative potential to create positive change. They are searching for the most outstanding emerging leaders and innovators from across Australia who exhibit strong moral courage and are creating and implementing ideas that are making a difference. Leaders that may at times feel afraid or uncertain yet still rise to confront the needs and challenges of society head on.

These scholarships are provided to the leaders of the future to prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.ci2010.com.au/registration_landing.html

The Foundation has awarded 219 individual Travel Grants since 2003. The grants are offered to further the career opportunities of early career Australian post-doctoral researchers by enabling them to make presentations of their research findings at international conferences/meetings/related activities ("conferences") where they may meet colleagues and establish the foundations for ongoing research collaborations. Application forms will be available on the website from 1st July. Internal closing date is 13 August for conferences / travel between 1st November 2010 and 31st May 2011.

Please visit, their website in January for further information and application instructions:
http://www.cassfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=17&Itemid=54

The ALA Fellowships program is part of a regional program that aims to develop leadership and build partnerships and linkages with developing countries.

ALA Fellowships is a highly flexible program that offers Australian organisations opportunities to provide short term study, research and professional development activities in Australia to mid-career professionals and senior officials from eligible countries. ALA Fellowships complement the longer term ALA Scholarships providing opportunities to current and aspiring leaders who cannot leave their positions for extended periods.

ALA Fellowships are available across a broad range of fields relevant to Australia's foreign policy agenda or development outcomes. Applications addressing the priority areas of disability and development, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation are particularly encouraged. Applications are restricted to Australian organisations demonstrating on-going linkages with counterpart overseas organisations in eligible countries.

Australian organisations from a wide range of academic, research, business, industry, media, NGOs, professional groups and government may apply to host ALA fellows. To qualify, organisations will be required to demonstrate region-specific linkages and the relevance of the proposed programs to the priority areas.

Partner country counterpart organisations and individual fellows are not eligible to apply for support, however they may initiate contact with an Australian organisation to explore their interest in applying. Prospective Fellows identified by Australian organisations must be professionals already in leadership positions or have a potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes. Individuals cannot apply for an ALA Fellowship directly.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/alafellow.cfm

The IELTS Joint Research Committee is interested in supporting external researchers to conduct quality research under the three headings below. This year we would particularly encourage applications to undertake research studies which fit within these broad areas:

• Test development and validation issues
• Issues relating to contexts of test
• Issues of test impact

Proposals are welcomed from researchers and institutions with expertise in language learning and assessment research. In addition, as part of the IELTS policy of stimulating test-related research among its stakeholders, it is hoped that proposals will come from researchers and organisations who have a direct and ongoing connection with IELTS e.g. consultants, examiners and IELTS Administration Centres.

The maximum amount of funding which will be made available for any one proposal is £15,000/AUS$36,000 (including institutional overheads/taxes). This upper limit may be reviewed in exceptional circumstances. The research study will need to be completed and a full report submitted by the end of December 2011. Please note that applications for extensive travel or large items of equipment are not encouraged.

For more information and application guidelines, please visit:
http://www.ielts.org/researchers/grants_and_awards/guidelines_for_applying.aspx

The Norman Wettanhall Foundation’s objective is to support projects that enhance or maintain the vitality and diversity of the Australian natural living environment. It should be noted that guidelines have recently changed and projects must have strong links with a community group working to improve the natural environment to be considered.

Support is given to projects that enhance or maintain the vitality and diversity of the Australian natural living environment. The objectives of the grants are to build capacity in local communities to effect long-term beneficial change in the natural environment and to support and encourage research, monitoring and knowledge sharing relating to all aspects of Australia's natural environment.

Note: Internal closing date is 23rd June for full application but pre approval must be sought from the Foundation prior to this. Please visit the following website for further information.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:
http://www.nwf.org.au/grants/index.html