Final Reports

APPENDIX 1: Processes for Submitting ARC Final Reports

ARC Final Reports

Information in the Final Reports for ARC funded projects is used to determine whether the project has reached satisfactory completion. Statistical information collected in Final reports also enables the ARC to account for public funding of research and to promote the value of research to the Australian community.
ARC Final Reports are due six months after the end of funding or the project end date, whichever is earlier. They are submitted via the GAMS online system. Instructions are available on the ARC website: http://www.arc.gov.au/applicants/reported_requirements_finalrep_instructions.htm

ARC Final Reports points to note:

• Must be consistent with the original application. If minor variations have been made they must be reported. If the ARC has approved variations, the report must be consistent with the approved variations;
• Should not make derogatory remarks about any person or organisation (including co-investigators, the ANU or the ARC);
• Must detail outcomes to date and any further expected outcomes (indicated as such);
• Investigators should be aware that the ARC notes if the Final Report is not submitted on time, or if they are not satisfied with the outcomes of the Project. The ARC can take this into account in the assessment of future applications;
• Researchers should note new applications under any ARC program may be deemed ineligible if a Final Report is outstanding;
• If there is no record of your Final Report proforma on GAMS please inform your College Research Office. They can request that the Office of Sponsored Research will arrange for the ARC for the proforma to be made available.

College Research Office responsibilities

• The CRO must run a report from ARIES for due Final Reports (milestones must be updated in response to each project variation in order for this report to be accurate);
• The CRO sends a notification to the researchers regarding the due Final Report, noting the date it is due for submission to the CRO;
• The CRO must check reports and seek researcher amendments if necessary;
• The CRO submits the Final Report to the ARC through GAMS;
• Once submitted, the CRO must download the submitted version of the Final Report and upload it onto ARIES. The Final Report milestone must also be updated at this time. The CRO then sends the Final Report to SPF for filing. *Do not send the report to SPF for filing if these first two steps have not been completed*

NHMRC Final Reports

This report enables the NHMRC to assess whether the objectives of the award have been achieved and also to gather information that may be useful in our internal performance measurement activities. The NHMRC Research Achievements Summary is also made available for public perusal through our website.

NHMRC Final Reports are due 30 June each year. The NHMRC provides a proforma that each Final Report must use: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/administering-grants/progress-and-final-reporting.

Scholarships
Within one month of completion of the Scholarship, the Scholar’s Supervisor is required to furnish a brief informative report, to the CEO of NHMRC, describing the work performed and the publications arising during the tenure of the award. There are no additional reporting requirements from the Scholar.
College Research Office responsibilities

• The CRO must run a report from ARIES for due Final Reports (milestones must be updated in response to each project variation in order for this report to be accurate);
• The CRO sends a notification to the researchers regarding the due Final Report, noting the date it is due for submission to the CRO;
• The CRO must check reports and seek researcher amendments if necessary;
• The CRO submits the Final Report to the OSR by email. Please ensure that this file is sent as an RTF document;
• Once submitted, the CRO must upload the Final Report onto ARIES. The Final Report milestone must also be updated at this time. The CRO then sends a hard copy of the Final Report to SPF for filing. *Do not send the report to SPF for filing if these first two steps have not been completed*;
• OSR submits the Final Report to the NHMRC by email.

ARIES

Final Report and progress report due dates are entered as Milestones in ARIES by the College Research Office as part of the grant acceptance process. Upon completion of each report the College Research Office adds a copy of the report to ARIES under the ‘documents’ tab and adds a ‘yes’ to the appropriate milestone event on the ‘milestones’ tab.

• Final Report dates (and other milestones) should be entered and updated in ARIES, as part of ongoing project management, reflecting any changes in the milestone. For example a Carry Forward of funds will push the Final Report milestone dates out, as will any periods of suspension or maternity leave (of fellowship or student components).
• College/Local Area College Research Offices can use ARIES to run periodic milestone reports indicating which milestones, including Final Reports, are due, and can use ARIES to send out reminder emails to researchers for approaching milestones.
• Contact David Lewis or Annika Landsmann (RO IThelp) with any specific ARIES queries or training needs.