Research Office Newsletter

11 March 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 Director of the Research Office

Welcome to the first Research Office Newsletter for March 2008.

The ARC 2009 Discovery applications have now been submitted.  The ANU submitted 319 applications, 33 more than last year.  I would like to express my appreciation to all College Research Management Staff and to the staff of the Office of Sponsored Research for their efforts in ensuring the smooth submission of the applications.  These applications are likely to bring some $40 million in funding to the ANU and as such are vital to the ANU's research endeavour.  Also I haven't forgotten the College Research Management Staff who are currently working to finalise the NHMRC project grants.

The Government has now announced initial plans for the development of the replacement for the RQF. The Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative, to be developed by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in conjunction with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, will assess research quality using a combination of metrics and expert review by committees comprising experienced, internationally-recognised experts. ERA will evaluate research activity progressively in each of the ARC discipline clusters and several clusters covering health and medical research that will be assessed by the NHMRC. Each cluster report will detail by institution and by discipline those areas that are internationally competitive, together with emerging areas where there are opportunities for development and further investment. ERA would start with those disciplines where the metrics were most widely accepted, for example, in the physical and biological sciences. Until ERA was fully developed, the current arrangements for block grants funding will be maintained.

Two further modules in the Group of Eight Future Research Leaders Program (FRLP) are likely to be offered shortly, an IP and Commercialisation module and a Finance module.  Further details will be provided when available.

In the last newsletter I briefly mentioned the ANU Retreat.  Powerpoint presentations from the retreat can now be found at: http://info.anu.edu.au/OVC/Executive/070PP_Reports_and_Papers/index.asp

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From the Research Office

Group of Eight Future Research Leaders Program (FRLP)

The FRLP is designed to develop skills and knowledge critical for research leadership. It is targeted towards early to mid-career researchers who are working towards leadership roles in their disciplines. Information regarding the FRLP at the ANU can be accessed here. At present, we have three modules scheduled for April, and one for June. More modules will become available later in the year.

Commencement and Collaboration – Putting Ideas into Practice

Explores the start-up of a research project. Particular focus is on applying management systems to coordinate a project plan, recruitment, establishing project identity, communication, and information management. It illustrates approaches that can be applied to projects regardless of discipline or scope.  Workshop Details:

Date: Friday 11th April

Time: 1pm – 5pm

Venue: McDonald Room, Menzies Library

Governance and Compliance – Protecting Yourself, Your Research, and Your University

This module examines the context in which research operates and the requirements for responsible research practice.  Workshop Details:

Date: Friday 18th April

Time: 1pm – 5pm

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

Settling In: The Researchers’ Guide to Your University

Aimed at researchers new to the university, the Settling In module helps you understand how research works at the ANU. You will receive an overview of the key research issues, providing a ‘virtual tour’ of the university and the people, services and knowledge that will be critical to your success.

Workshop Details: to be confirmed; expected to be late April.

Financial Resource and Risk Management

This module will assist you in becoming financially literate and provide you with a clear understanding of the financial processes associated with research projects.  Workshop Details:

Date: Thursday 19th June

Time: 9am – 1pm

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

Contact

To confirm interest for any of the modules, or for further information, please contact Tom.Hammond@anu.edu.au, or extension 59243.

Research Development Forum – March

Guest Speaker: Mr Ken Grime, University Solicitor, will talk to the Forum about contract clauses and a proposal for accessing information on contracts.

Date:      Wednesday, 19 March 2008

Time:     10.30 – 12.00 Noon
Venue:   McDonald Room, Menzies Library

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From the Office of Sponsored Research

News & Notice
Dear Colleagues,

The ARC DP09 deadline was last Friday 7th March and ANU submitted 319 applications. ANU has requested a total of $197,034,373 from the ARC, the average project request being $617,663. Many thanks to everyone who participated and was involved in this submission round.

The next submission round is the NHMRC Project Grants, the projects will be submitted this Friday, good luck to those of you submitting.

Once again congratulations to all applicants for DP09

Ann Goldwater

OSR Due Date Reminders:

NHMRC Progress Reports: 26 March 2008

 

NHMRC Update – Applications Open and Due Dates (Academics - please check with your college Research Office for college internal due dates)

·         Centre of Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) - applications will open on 31 May and will be due at OSR on 28 July 2008.

·         Development Grants – applications will open on 12 April and will be due at OSR on 26 May 2008.

·         Capacity Building Grants in Population Health Research – applications will open on 12 April and will be due at OSR on 23 June 2008.

 

OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Canadian Research Grants Seminar - Awards Program

More than C$150,000 to be distributed -  Academics, Researchers and Postgraduate students.

Each year, the Canadian Government, via its Canadian Studies Program, awards more than C$150,000 to Australian academics researching or teaching Canadian subject matter.  Small travel grants are also available to postgraduate students for research on Canada as part of their thesis or dissertation.  Over the past 20 years, more than C$2 million has been distributed under this Program. As well, a number of other awards are available in various disciplines with funding provided by various Canadian Federal Government agencies and various Canadian provinces.

On Monday 28 April 2008, Tony McKittrick (Manager, Academic Relations) from the Canadian High Commission, Canberra, will hold two information sessions. They are suitable for all academics, researchers and postgraduates interested in learning more about the Canadian Studies Program and how to apply for the numerous grants available.

Monday 28th April, 2008

10.00am – HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES - Finkel Lecture Theatre at the JCSMR

This seminar will cover the Canadian Studies grants that are managed by the High Commission in Canberra as well as funding available from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Asia-Pacific Foundation and some of the Provinces.  Grants are also available for postgraduate students for short research trips to Canada as part of their doctoral or masters research.

Monday 28th April, 2008

11.00am – SCIENCES, ENGINEERING & HEALTH - Finkel Lecture Theatre at the JCSMR

At this seminar we run a PowerPoint presentation on grants provided by the Canadian government’s three Research Councils: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC); the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the National Research Council (NRC).  We also provide information on grants offered by some of the Provinces.

Postdoctoral Fellowships are also available.

Information will also be provided on Canada’s Funding Guide for International Science and Technology Cooperation.

Information on the awards can be found at www.canada.org.au (Follow the Canadian Studies Links)

Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
Application Deadline: Friday, 28 March 2008
For detailed information, please visit: http://www.feast.org/fp7/documents/IRSES_applicants_2008.pdf

Don Chipp Foundation Small Grants Program
Application Deadline: Monday, 14 April  2008
For further information, please visit http://www.donchippfoundation.org.au/dcf-grants2.htm

Conference - Grants and Funding Agreements in the Public Sector
Date: Tuesday, 15 April 2008

For conference information and registration, please visit
http://www.learningnetworks.com.au/events.html

Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering – Post Graduate Awards
Application Deadline: Tuesday, 15 April 2008

For further information, please visit
http://www.ainse.edu.au/ainse/for_graduate_students/post_graduate_awards.html

2008 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science – Nominations Open
Nominations Deadlines: Friday, 9 May 2008
For nomination information and forms, please visit https://sciencegrants.dest.gov.au/SciencePrize/Pages/Home.aspx

Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering – Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Application Deadline: Saturday, 31 May 2008
For further information, please visit http://www.ainse.edu.au/ainse/for_academic_researchers/ainse_awards2.html

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From the Office of Research Integrity

Human Research Ethics: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

The 2007 National Statement raises particular ethical concerns about the intentional recruitment or issues involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples must be reviewed and approved by a Human Ethics Research Committee (HREC).

See Chapter 4.7 on page 69 of the National Statement for the ethical considerations involved in research of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/_files/e72.pdf   

 

Other publications which are  useful for researchers to consult are:

·          'Values and Ethics Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research' (NHMRC 2003)

        http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/ethics/human/conduct/guidelines/_files/e52.pdf

 

·          Keeping research on track: A guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples about health research ethics (NHMRC 2005)

        http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e65syn.htm

 

·          Guidelines for Ethical Research in Indigenous Studies (Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander Studies 2002)

        http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/2290/ethics_guidelines.pdf

 

Human Ethics ARIES training

The next 4 training dates for Human Ethics ARIES  will be held in the Ross Hohnen Room, Chancelry Building, Ground Floor

on the following dates and times:

 

March 18 from 2.30 - 3.30pm

March 25 from 10 - 11am

April 1 from 2 - 3pm

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Please contact Research Office  (ext 50099) for further information.