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Research Office Newsletter

10 January 2008

Links

News

Research Office Website

From the Director of the Research Office

RO 2008 Calendar

From the Research Office

2008 Research Development Forum Dates

From the Office of Sponsored Research

2008 Research Office Lunchtime Seminar Dates

From the Office of Research Integrity

 

From the Office of Research Excellence

From the Director of the Research Office

Welcome to the first Research Office Newsletter for 2008.

A number of staffing changes will be occurring in January 2008:

·          Fiona Nelms, currently Director of the Office of Commercialisation, will be leaving the ANU on 25 January.  We wish Fiona well in her new position in Melbourne.  Commercialisation contacts in the Office are: Karen Jackson (Physical Sciences), Victor Pantano (Engineering), Karen Edwards and Gavin Clydesdale (Life Sciences) and Bev Cooper (Patents).

·          David Rofe has formally retired from the University.  While David will continue to assist us for the next few months on specific data projects, his replacement in the Office of Research Excellence is Paul Wong.

·          Tom Hammond has joined the Research Office to work on the Commencement and Collaboration module of the Group of 8 Future Research Leaders Program.

·          Catherine Rayner is on leave during January.  If you have queries that would otherwise have been directed to Catherine, please contact me.

ARC Discovery 2009 Round

The ARC Discovery 2009 Round will shortly begin in earnest.  I am only too aware of the pressures that the Round will place on Research Development Officers across the University.  I would like to emphasise the importance of the funding round to the ANU in maintaining its research capability and the essential role played by research development officers in ensuring that the ANU maximises its Discovery funding.  The ARC Discovery Program is the largest single external funding source for ANU researchers and the grants are essential to our researchers to enable them to carry out their research and allow the ANU to employ a large number of academic and general staff and provide scholarships to research students.

Research Quality Framework

The Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, the new Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has announced that the Australian Government will not be proceeding any further with implementation of the [current] Research Quality Framework (RQF).  A link to the Minister’s Media Release is attached for your information

Senator Carr announced that the Australian Government is committed to a new streamlined, internationally-recognised, research quality assurance exercise using metrics or other agreed quality measures appropriate to each research discipline. The Minister is due to announce early this year a timeline for implementing the new approach, as well as the process for consulting with the sector on appropriate quality measures.

The ANU will be continuing with some aspects of the data collection which we have been undertaking for the RQF, namely the collection of research publication data from 2001 so that ANU has a reliable database of its research outputs, finalisation of  Groups and Group membership and the best 4 works of researchers.   The data collected will provide the ANU with information on its research capability and performance.  For further information please contact Beverley Payne.

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From the Research Office

JANUARY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FORUM

DATE: Wednesday 16th January

TIME: 10.30 – 12.00 Noon
VENUE: McDonald Room, Menzies Library

JANUARY LUNCHTIME SEMINARS

TOPIC: DP 09 - Changes to Funding Rules and Eligibility Issues

DATE:   Tues 15th January

TIME:   12.30pm -1.30pm

VENUE: Innovations Lecture Theatre 15

TOPIC: NHMRC Overview of Project Grants

DATE:   Tues 29th January

TIME:   12.30pm -1.30pm

VENUE: Ross Hohnen Room, Chancelry Tower (Bldg 10)

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From the Office of Sponsored Research

NEWS & NOTICES

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful break.

The OSR is looking forward to working with everyone through out 2008, and we hope the following will be of assistance to both Researchers, Research Managers and Administrators during the up and coming ARC DP and NHMRC funding rounds:

For information regarding OSR Events, Progress Reports, ARC and NHMRC applications, submission dates and requirements please bookmark the following url: http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/info/calendar.php

ARC DP information: including FAQ's, Application Resources, GAMS url, Common Eligibility Problems etc please refer to: http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/grants/DP.php 

NHMRC information: including scheme funding rules, changes to funding policies, submission requirements etc.
http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/grants/NHMRC09_grants_main_page.php

RO Lunchtime Seminars Series has been finalised for 2008 and can be accessed at:
http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/OSR/Pre_Award/RO_LTS_2008.pdf

NHMRC  
Applications for the following NHMRC schemes are due at the OSR 1st  February (please contact your College Research Administrator for College Due Dates):

NHMRC - Research Applications into Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
In 2009, CAM applications will be assessed through the NHMRC Project Grants funding scheme. The OSR due date for all project grant applications is 7 March 2008.

For further information, please visit the OSR/NHMRC Application Information for Funding Commencing in 2009 web page: http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/grants/NHMRC09_grants_main_page.php

NHMRC online subscription service
A reminder that NHMRC has developed a new online subscription service.  Please note that even if you are a current NHMRC Tracker subscriber, you will need to re-subscribe to this service. Through this subscription you can nominate to receive any or all of these options:

  • NHMRC Tracker
  • NHMRC media releases (& major announcements)
  • NHMRC Newsmakers (highlighting NHMRC funded researchers)

In subscribing you will also have the option of specifying your relationship with the NHMRC (e.g. grant recipient, committee member) interests/expertise. To subscribe please go to: http://nhmrc.gov.au/site/subscribe.htm

ARC

Reminder: ARC Discovery Project 09 Eligibility Exemption Due
Eligibility Exemption requests for ARC Discovery Projects 2009 are due at the OSR by 11th January. Please liaise with your college research office staff for college deadlines.

ARC Instructions for Requesting Carry Forwards of ARC Funding into 2008 can be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/grants/Carryforward_Instructions%202008.doc

Linkage Projects Evaluation Survey

The Linkage Projects scheme supports collaborative research and development projects between higher education organisations and other organisations, including within industry, to enable the application of advanced knowledge to problems. Typically, research projects funded under the scheme involve risk.

The Office for Sponsored Research invites ANU administrative staff and researchers to comment on the ARC Linkage Project Scheme by answering some short questions in an on-line Apollo survey. Your responses to the survey will help us to evaluate the University's response to the Scheme, and assist us to add value to the administration of the ANU's ARC Linkage Project submissions.

The Apollo Form will be open from 9h00 Monday 14 January 2008 until close of business 17h00 Friday 1 February 2008. The 12-question survey will take approximately 15 minutes of your time to complete.

For all participants, please accept our thanks for agreeing to complete this evaluation of the Linkage Project Scheme. Your participation will be completely anonymous with the exception of any identifying information you choose to provide.

Please access the survey at the address: https://apollo.anu.edu.au/default.asp?pid=2523, using your HORUS login details, then press the "Begin" button to start the survey.

GAMS New Website and Other GAMS Issues – please see below

OTHER FUNDING/FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES)
Application Deadline:
 28 March 2008
For more information, please visit: http://www.feast.org/fp7/?documents/people

Graeme Clark Research Outcomes - Call for submissions
Submission Deadline: 5PM, 14 February 2008
The Australian Research Council (ARC) is calling for submissions from Federation Fellows and researchers attached to ARC Centres, including early-career researchers, to participate in the inaugural Graeme Clark Research Outcomes Forum and contribute to an ARC research outcomes coffee table book. For more information, please refer to
http://www.arc.gov.au/pdf/GraemeClark_Call_Sub.pdf

Grants of Research Time - Marine National Facility (CSIRO)
Application Deadline: 15 February 2008
For more information, please visit: http://www.marine.csiro.au/nationalfacility/application/index.htm

Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE) Projects Funding (3rd Call)
Application Deadlines: 30 January 2008 – 1 March 2008 (Varied)
For more information, please visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org/delphe-what-is-delphe-what-we-do.htm

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From the Office of Research Integrity

Human Ethics Training Sessions for ARIES Jan-Feb 2008

All training sessions will be in the Ross Hohnen Room Chancelry 10B

Wednesday   January 9                          10am to 11am

Tuesday       January 22             10am to 11am

Tuesday       February 12                        10am to 11am

Tuesday       February 26                        10am to 11am

Human Ethics ARIES training sessions will increase in frequency in March and dates and times through to end of June 2008 can be viewed at:  http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/ORI/human_dates.php#TrainingSessions

Human Research Ethics: Children and Young People

The 2007 National Statement raises particular ethical concerns about research involving children and young people:

  • Their capacity to understand what the research entails, and therefore whether their consent to participate is sufficient for their participation.
  • Their possible coercion by parents, peers, researchers or others to participate in research; and
  • conflicting values and interests of parents and children.

These considerations assume special prominence in educational and health research.  A child or young person’s particular level of maturity has implications for whether his or her consent is necessary and/or sufficient to authorise participation.  This is not directly age related and will vary from child to child.

Specific consent to a child’s or young person’s participation in each research project should be obtained from:

1.                   1. the child or young person whenever he or she has the capacity to make the decision ; and

2.                   2. either

           (a) One parent, except when in the opinion of the HREC, the risks involved in a child’s participation require the consent of both       parents; or where applicable

           (b) The guardian or other primary care giver, or any organisation or person required by law.

Additional ethical considerations concerning research involving children and young people are outlined in chapter 4.2, page 55 of the National Statement.

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From the Office of Research Excellence

HERDC Publications

The Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) comprises research income and research publications data submitted by universities each year, to the relevant Commonwealth Department.

This is a reminder that we need 2007 ANU research publications to be added to the ARIES database.  Deadlines for submission will shortly be set, but most material should be added by 31 March 2008.  We are happy to provide training and assistance to Departmental Administrators, who bear the responsibility for inputting the data.

We strongly recommend that electronic, not paper, copies be provided of the required evidence. For more information contact us by phone or e-mail (below) or see our website at http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/publications/index.php.

Margaret Richardson, X57947, margaret.richardson@anu.edu.au
Alanah McCann, X59571,
alanah.mccann@anu.edu.au

RIBG Split Process

For grant funding that is to be split between ANU departments the RO-AC4 Form must be completed. This form must be put on file (forwarded to SPF) and uploaded onto ARIES via the Documents tab.

When completing the form please note the following:

-          As stated on the form the split is determined by percentage, ARIES however, does not accept decimal places in this field so all values must be given a WHOLE PERCENTAGES.

-          Departments are defined as departments with a current AOU, NO VIRTUAL CENTRES etc.

-          All agreed splits must be SIGNED OFF by the relevant Head of Department.

As only the Research Office has the access in ARIES to enter the RIBG splits, the form must be forwarded (either via hard copy or email) to Annika Landsmann for processing.

Improved GAMS Access and Password Issue

To improve GAMS access this year, the ARC has established a second server which mirrors the original server. This allows significantly more users to access GAMS.

The ARC has provided a new URL which distributes your log on access to one of these servers, depending upon computer load.  Therefore for best access you need to use the new URL which is: http://gams.arc.gov.au/

Please delete previous bookmarks and save this instead.

If you are logging in via the ARC home page the link there directs you to this url and then immediately on to the chosen server.

Password problem: because of this change, if you have saved your password for automatic log on you will have lost this access and will have to find your original password advice.

If you can’t find your password and need it reset:
1. Researchers who haven't been Assessors or IntReaders need to contact RO.ITHelp@anu.edu.au (Annika Landsmann or David Lewis) to have their passwords reset.

2. Assessors and IntReaders need to email gamsids@arc.gov.au quoting either their name and date of birth or their name and GAMS id to have the password reset (noting that for security purposes the ARC reply will go to the email address used in their GAMS record).

New GAMS ids

Please request new GAMS ids by following the instructions at the following url:

http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/grants/ARC.php#gams  

Please direct any queries to David Lewis or Annika Landsmann in the Business Solutions Group in the Research Office at  RO.ITHelp@anu.edu.au   

 

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Please contact Jodie Mildenhall (ext 58464) in The Office of Sponsored Research for any further information.