Frequently Asked Questions - NHMRC Project Grants

This page is a compilation of frequently asked questions relating to the current round of NHMRC Prject Grant applications. This page will be updated when there is a suitable volume of new questions and answers. Answers will also be updated when new or more detailed advice is received from the ARC.

Don’t forget that you should always refer to the current FUNDING POLICY.

Please also view the OSR's FAQ Page, and NHMRC ’s own FAQs and Documentation to apply for a Project Grant.

Please note: information for FAQs have been primarily sourced from the NHMRC Project Grants website.  NHMRC 2008, Project Grants - Documentation to apply for a Project Grant, Available at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/projects/index.htm#a6

Questions and answers are grouped under the following headings:

• Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator Consent Form
• Grant Review Panel (GRP)

Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator Consent Form

Q: How do I fill out the Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator Consent Form ?

A: The Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator Consent Form must:
Be completed for each Project Grant application.
Be held at the  Office of Sponsored Research with all required original signatures and made available to the NHMRC upon request.
Be signed by each Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator to record and confirm their commitment on the Project Grant application.

The Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator Consent Form can be found at the below link, number 9:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/apply/granttype/projects/index.htm

Q: What if I am unable to get original signatures for the consent form?  

A: Original signatures are required wherever possible

If an original signature cannot be obtained, the Investigator must submit a signed letter, faxed if necessary (via their College  Research Office) to the Office of Sponsored Research stating that they accept their role and commitment to the Project Grant application. This letter should be attached to the Chief Investigator and Associate Investigator Consent For.  

The letter must clearly state:

• The application ID number
• Their role and commitment to the Project Grant application
• Research Grant Title
• CIA Name and;
• Administering Institution

Grant Review Panel

Q: How does the Project Grant Review Panel (GRP) work?

A: NHMRC has instigated new processes for the appointment of panel members this year.

Potential panel members will be approached by the NHMRC from March 2008. 

NHMRC will appoint members this year on the advice of an independent panel. It is their  intention to ask 2/3 of last year’s panel members to serve again in 2008, consistent with longstanding policy.

The GRPs will meet between 28 July and 15 August this year.

GRP panels members this year will not be required to find external reviewers of the grants assigned to them as spokesperson. NHMRC will seek the names of external reviews from an independent assigners panel.

Selecting the best project to fund is totally dependent on high quality peer review – on the GRP members and the work of external reviews. NHMRC appreciate very much the contributions of many hundreds of researchers to this crucial annual process.