With the downturn of traditional manufacturing, most notably the closure of automotive firms in Australia, innovation is crucial to create new industries and jobs of the future. Economic complexity, or the ability to make competitive products that few other nations can make, is vital in driving innovation in areas of smart specialisation, or those that are unique and superior.

With job losses around the closure of mass manufacturing firms, Australia is at a critical phase in its transition to advanced manufacturing. Professor John Spoehr and his team aim to determine how industry can be supported to transition to a more competitive economy through their project Economic complexity as a driver of innovation and smart specialisation.

Expected outcomes of this project include high-value industry intelligence in support of product diversification. Significant benefits such as increased international competitiveness, exports, revenue, and economic growth are anticipated from the project.

The project offers a model for boosting economic complexity to drive innovation and smart specialisation in unique areas of strength. This will lead to risk reduction in decision making, policy design and industry support to boost job creation and industry development. This is vital for Australia's competitiveness and economic prosperity.

The project was awarded $143,646 in the latest ARC Linkage Grants announcement. The team consists of John, Associate Professor Giselle Rampersad (CSE), Professor David Powers (CSE), Dr Rong Zhu (CBGL) and Professor John Quiggin (University of Queensland), who will be working with the South Australian Department for Industry and Skills (DIS).

DIS helps industries, businesses and communities identify and capitalise upon opportunities for job creation and economic growth. It harnesses the South Australian Government's expertise in attracting investment, improving industry competitiveness and building a skilled workforce.

DIS is positioning South Australia to capitalise on industries, including medical devices, defence, agribusiness, food, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and mining- and energy-related technical services. The redevelopment of the former Mitsubishi automotive manufacturing site into the Tonsley Innovation Precinct reflects a long-term investment in the state's economic capacity, skills and innovation, and will leverage South Australia's existing capabilities and experience - particularly in southern Adelaide.

“We look forward to collaborating with Flinders University and the University of Queensland on this important project and to integrating the findings of this study in our policies on how best to support innovation economic complexity and smart specialisation,” said Tim Mares, Director, Strategic Economics and Policy Coordination, DIS.

Did you miss these news items on research from the Flinders' Newsdesk?

Slipped discs – not all bending and twisting - Some slipped disc injuries might be caused by movements other than the commonly blamed bending and twisting, according to new research by Flinders University.

Philosophy and politics inspire professor - Political theorist Flinders Professor George Crowder has been made a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.

Community groups battle volunteer decline - Volunteer numbers in grassroots organisations are in dire need of future leaders, according to a new study.

Bid to expand country cancer treatment - A new initiative is working to bring access to expanded cancer therapy options to regional South Australia.

Primary schools embrace PEACE Pack to tackle bullying - A total of 26 primary schools across South Australia have been trialling a new anti-bullying program developed at Flinders University.

Call to support PTS families and ‘carers’ - The partners of veterans and emergency services first responders need more emotional, social and organisational support, a new Flinders University study says.

If you have some exciting research news to share, please contact the Newsdesk at newsdesk@flinders.edu.au or us at inspiring.research@flinders.edu.au.

Ienrol research lists all training and development opportunities related to developing skills core to the research process and doing research at Flinders University. You can book to attend workshops, information sessions, and/or seminars that aim to facilitate the ongoing development of all researchers.

This regular posting in Inspiring Research will update you as to what’s on offer in the coming month, listing current opportunities that you can participate in and book into now. Click on the links below to view the course details.

Effective research using the IEEE Xplore database, Thursday, 11 October 2018

Search and discovery with the IEEE Xplore database, Thursday, 11 October 2018

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods:

NVivo - Individual support, Monday, 8 October 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: T-tests and non-parametric equivalents, Tuesday, 9 October 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: ANOVAs and non-parametric equivalents, Thursday, 11 October 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Correlation, Tuesday, 16 October 2018

IBM SPSS - Intermediate: Longitudinal Data Analysis – Repeated Measures ANOVA, Wednesday, 17 October 2018

The Artificial Intelligence revolution isn’t coming, it’s here, and it's sure to impact the way research is carried out in coming years. It will be important for researchers to be aware of the issues and the opportunities of AI.

Join Australia’s Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, in his first public appearance in Adelaide, machine learning expert Professor Anton van den Hengel, and data policy expert Ellen Broad at a special roundtable discussion, at The Science Exchange in Adelaide, to explore the issues surrounding AI and what Australia needs to stay a world leader in the field. Artificial Intelligence: gift from the gods or a Pandora’s box? , presented by the Royal Institution of Australia, will be held on Friday 5 October from 12:30–2pm or 11:45am for lunch.

The discussion will be moderated by, Alan Duffy. Learn more about the event here.

If you would like to attend this event there are two options for you. Firstly you can secure a free ticket to the event, which runs from 12:30–2pm. Secure your free ticket here.

Secondly, we will be holding a lunch before the event. If you wish to attend the lunch, which runs from 11:45am–12:30pm and includes a free event ticket, you can secure a place at the lunch for $25. Purchase your ticket here.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is currently seeking Expressions of Interest for a potential Meeting Your Obligations workshop to be held in Adelaide in November this year.

As navigating the regulatory maze can be a challenge, especially if you're new to regulation, this free, full-day workshop is aimed at beginners who are unfamiliar with therapeutic goods regulation.

SME Assist is a relatively new service that TGA has launched to assist SMEs, researchers, start-ups and those developing new medicines and medical devices that are unfamiliar with therapeutic goods regulation to help them understand their requirements.

To register your interest, please email Marina Delpin, Program Manager: Researcher Professional Development.

If you are making therapeutic claims about a product or have a product that is likely to be considered a therapeutic good, this full-day workshop will help you understand your responsibilities at different stages of the regulation process.

What will be covered

Part I - Basics

An overview of therapeutic goods regulation, including TGA's role, market authorisation and common terms you will encounter when engaging with us.

Part II - Case studies

Case study analyses that cover requirements and obligations that are common across all types of therapeutic goods, including advertising, adverse events and product recalls. These are followed by a Q&A session with TGA specialists.

Part III - Breakouts

Breakout sessions that focus on different specialty areas, depending upon interest. Options are provided when you register online.

Learning objectives

1. How and why TGA monitors safety, efficacy and quality of therapeutic goods, and what 'conditions of approval' means and how this applies in practice
   
2. What data and information you need to collect, hold and provide to meet your obligations as a sponsor, and how this can vary according to the type of good you are the sponsor for
   
3. What other processes and requirements you need to meet, particularly with respect to:
   a. monitoring and reporting to the TGA, such as post-market monitoring requirements, manufacturing quality issues or other obligations associated with your product
   b. any changes in circumstances or other issues associated with you, the manufacture of your product (such as how they relate to licensing and Good Manufacturing Practice) and/or the product itself
   c. advertising, and/or any claims you may make with respect to your product
   d. the role of TGA, including your obligations (and our requirements) around product recalls
   
4. Your legal and financial responsibilities, including:
   a. fees and charges; for example, application and evaluation fees or fees for inspections
   b. annual charges for all entries on the ARTG and annual licence charges, including how and where these apply
   c. other legal requirements; for example, those pertaining to product labelling
   
5. The variations between sponsor requirements depending on the type of therapeutic good, such as for complementary medicines or different classes of medical devices

The Flinders support schemes for ARC and NHMRC (category one) grant applications programs can be viewed on the Research Development and Support webpage Flinders Grant Application Support.

These schemes provide support for successful ARC or NHMRC applications, near-miss funding, or upfront grant application support and application development.

The schemes being provided support from Flinders are:

• Major Project support for ARC CoE, NHMRC CRE and Synergy, CRC bids
• ARC & NHMRC Near Miss Funding
• ARC Fellowships Schemes (Future Fellows and DECRA)
• ARC Linkage Projects
• NHMRC Investigator Grant Applications
• ARC Discovery, Discovery Indigenous and NHMRC Ideas grants
• NHMRC Partnership Project and Development grants, and
• the Flinders Industry Engagement Scheme

To see details of the support provided for each of these, please visit the Flinders Grant Application Support webpage.

The ARC has now opened applications for the Australian Laureate Fellowships 2019 in their Research Management System (RMS).

For application advice and support, please contact Maya Roberts, Senior Research Grants Officer (ARC), or the ARC Team in Research Development and Support (RDS).

The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to support excellence in research by attracting world-class researchers and research leaders to key positions, and creating new rewards and incentives for the application of their talents in Australia.

Open to applications from outstanding researchers of international repute, the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme encourages proposals involving Australian or international researchers by providing eligible Australian Laureate Fellows with project funding in addition to a salary supplement and salary-related (on-cost) support.

The RDS deadline for Request Not to Assess is 21 October 2018.

The RDS deadline for Compliance Review is 24 October 2018.

The deadline for submission of the final application in RMS to RDS is 6 November 2018.

Submission documentation for this scheme can be found on the GrantConnect website. Please note that you will need to register with GrantConnect to access all documentation. If you have not registered with GrantConnect, please contact the ARC team in RDS for assistance.

Commencing with this grant opportunity, RMS will have new functionality preventing any participant from submitting an application where they have an overdue Final Report for any ARC-funded projects.

Early to Mid Career Researchers (EMCR) or PhD student looking for opportunities to learn more about how collaborations can further your research are invited attend the Collaboration across Boundaries 2018 Conference on Tuesday 4 December at University House, Canberra.

If you working on a collaborative research project or one with collaboration potential, this one-day event will bring together researchers from diverse disciplines and sectors to meet and explore opportunities and collaborations that can further their ideas.

EMCRs and PhD students from all disciplines are invited to submit an application to present their ideas or projects at the pitch and poster presentation sessions under the motto: ‘Choose your problem—show us your collaborative solution’. Selected pitches and posters go in the running to win one of two $3,000 research grants.

The event will also present insightful discussions on how collaborations can change Australia’s future and offer valuable networking opportunities.

Registered delegates are also invited to apply to attend a complimentary skills development workshop on 20 November. Applications to present at the conference and join the workshop close on Wednesday 17 October.

For more information and to register for the event, visit the Australian Academy of Science website.

The Endeavour Leadership program ( ELP) is now open.

The ELP is the Australian Government’s two-way mobility program for short and long-term study, research and professional development with Australia’s priority partner countries.

Applications will close on 15 November at 11:59 PM (AEDT). The Flinders internal closing date is 1 November 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

The ELP supports Australia’s first National Strategy for International Education 2025 (the Strategy), which sets out a 10-year plan for developing Australia as a global leader in education, training and research, through making transformative partnerships (Pillar 2 of the Strategy), and expanding student, education and training professional and research mobility (Action 6.2 of the Strategy).

The ELP provides opportunities for established and emerging leaders to undertake a global mobility experience, within their study, research or professional field.

Endeavour Leaders will have the opportunity to build enduring international networks, strengthen education and research engagement between Australia and priority countries, and enhance Australia’s commercial success and economic prosperity.

For more information, including example documents and access to the online application system, visit the ELP webpages.

Building on from a successful recent visit of Pfizer earlier this year to Flinders, they are inviting interested Flinders University researchers to submit 2 – 3 page non-confidential written proposals for consideration of funding support.  The closing date is 31 October.

If your work aligns with the priorities below and you are keen to prepare a submission, please advise Carmela Sergi, Health Partnerships Director, via email at carmela.sergi@flinders.edu.au prior to the closing date.

Specific details about the type of work they are seeking to support is listed below.

Modalities Considered:

• Large Molecules: antibodies, proteins, fusion proteins, antibody conjugates
• Small Molecules: target classes include kinases, deubiquitinating enzymes, GPCRs, ion channels, solute transporters, and epigenetic targets

Areas of Interest

Disease Area Focus:

• Cancer – Select solid tumors, such as Colorectal, Breast, Lung, Pancreatic, Ovarian
  
• Autoimmunity/Inflammation – IBD, NAFLD/NASH, Atopic Dermatology, Psoriasis
  
• Metabolic - T2DM, Cachexia
  
• Rare - ALS, Huntington’s, Duchene’s  or Becker’s muscular dystrophy, non-malignant haematological disorders

Targets/Pathways Focus:

• Immune Activators /Enhancers (e.g., nucleic acid sensing, TLRs, etc.)   
  
• DNA Damage Recognition & Repair (e.g., replication stress or repair enzymes)
  
• Tissue–Resident Immune modulation ( adaptive & innate, TME, organ specific, such as skin or gut)
  
• Modulation of tumor cell heterogeneity, senescence, plasticity (including drug resistance)
  
• Regulation of epithelial biology (i.e. restoring barrier health/integrity)
  
• Modulation of fibrosis pathways  either metabolism/stress-induced, or  inflammation-induced (possibly tumor-driven)
  
• Regulation of antigen-specific tolerance induction and/or modulation of T regulatory cells
  
• Treatments for repeat expansion diseases including Huntington’s disease, ALS/FTD and myotonic dystrophy
  
• Interventions to address skeletal and cardiac muscle diseases (including Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophies)

Pre-Proposal Submission

Submission entails a non-confidential 2-3 page overview of the target, mechanism, evidence for disease linkage, and the proposed therapeutic drug. At a high level, the pre-proposal should suggest how the therapeutic hypothesis could be tested in the clinic.

If you have further queries, please do not hesitate to contact Carmela Sergi.

Round Two of the Global Innovation Linkages program, from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science is now open. This scheme provides matched funding to assist Australian businesses and researchers to collaborate with global partners on strategically focused, leading-edge research and development projects.

Applications close on 14 November 2018 5:00 pm AEDT. The Flinders internal closing date is 31 October 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

The program will support projects focussed on developing high quality products, services or processes that respond to industry challenges. The maximum grant amount is AU$1 million with a maximum grant period of four years.

• Advanced Manufacturing - www.amgc.org.au
• Food and Agribusiness - www.fial.com.au
• Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals - www.mtpconnect.org.au
• Mining Equipment, Technology and Services - www.metsignited.org
• Oil, Gas and Energy Resources - www.nera.org.au
• Cyber Security – www.austcyber.com

These priority areas align with the Australian Government's Industry Growth Centres Initiative. Applications for funding are expected to align with the relevant Growth Centre's key themes, vision, strategic direction and/or Industry Knowledge Priorities. Applicants should engage with the relevant Growth Centre in developing a proposal. Further information on the Industry Growth Centre Initiative is available at www.industry.gov.au and at the Growth Centres' websites (see links above).

Project partners must include at least:

• one Australian industry entity and
• one Australian research organisation and
• one global partner.

For more information, visit the business.gov.au website on the Global Innovation Linkages program.

Want to help research and conservation efforts for 'Nemo' while eating at one of South Australia's award-winning biodynamic and sustainable wineries? Then the Saving Nemo at Ngeringa Winery is the event for you!

Researchers and Science Educators at Flinders set up the Saving Nemo Conservation Fund for the sole purpose of funding nursery-breeding programs to stop the demand for wild caught fish, establishing research projects that help conserve wild populations and running education programs that enable people to learn how to protect, breed and care for marine ornamental fish.

The popularity of the Pixar film Saving Nemo increased demand for clownfish around the world, but at that time the supplies of the fish to local aquarium stores were only from wild populations, mostly from the Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef here in Australia. This demand led to dramatic decreases in the wild populations, including them disappearing completely from some reefs. The Saving Nemo Conservation Fund set up nursery breeding programs to supply local aquarium stores and a series of research projects around conservation ecology and behaviour, aquaculture and sustainable fisheries, and using host anemones as bioactive products in anticancer research.

As part of their conservation and research fundraising efforts, a luncheon will be held at the Ngeringa Winery on Sunday 7 October at 12:30 pm. Included in the ticket price is a three course meal cooked by Chef Shannon Fleming, formerly head chef of Orana and Blackwood Kitchen, and a complimentary glass of Ngeringa wine. A Silent Auction will be held during the dinner and the guest speaker will be Professor Karen Burke da Silva, Founder of the Saving Nemo Conservation Fund. All proceeds will go directly to supporting education and awareness programs and vital monitoring and research of clownfish and their habitats.

Book here to reserve your place.

The National Suicide Prevention Research Fund (SPRF) has opened applications for Innovation Grants to bring new approaches to suicide prevention.

Total funding available is $300,000 with the maximum for any one grant being $100,000 which may be spent over one or two years.

Applications close on 31 October 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 17 October 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Officer (NHMRC, MRFF, & Health).

Through this scheme, the SPRF aims to support the development of new knowledge and approaches related to suicide and its prevention. Research proposals must respond to the national research priorities.

Further information and the application form can be found at Suicide Prevention Australia - https://www.suicidepreventionaust.org/innovation-grants.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is inviting proposals for the latest round of the Grand Challenges Explorations initiative. Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) grants have already been awarded to almost 1400 researchers in more than 65 countries. Initial grants are for USD $100,000 and successful projects are eligible to receive follow-on funding of up to USD $1 million.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, 14 November 2018, 11:30 am PST. The Flinders internal closing date is 31 October 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

The six topics for application for the latest round are:

• Increasing Demand for Vaccination Services
• New Approaches for Manufacturing Gut Microbial Biotherapeutics
• Innovation for WASH in Urban Settings
• New Approaches for Strategic Prioritization of Agricultural Development Policies
• Tools and Technologies for Broad-Scale Pest and Disease Surveillance of Crop Plants in Low-Income Countries
• Innovations Driving Programmatic Performance in Immunization: Service Experience and Data Use + Measurement

Applications are only two pages, and no preliminary data is required. Applicants can be at any experience level; in any discipline; and from any type of organisation, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for-profit companies.

The Thoracic Society of Australia & New Zealand (TSANZ) and National Asthma Council Australia invites Expressions of Interest (EoI) from Australian or New Zealand Institutions to partner in the Asthma and Airways Career Development Fellowship award supporting respiratory health.

This joint partnership will increase the impact of this sponsored award which offers both professional development and will contribute to knowledge in airways disease.

The aim of this award is to facilitate the establishment of mid-career investigators as independent, self-directed researchers and to foster the development of high-quality research in respiratory research in Australia and New Zealand.

Applications close on 31 October 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 17 October 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Officer (NHMRC, MRFF, & Health).

An EoI detailing support from an applicant’s institution is required to accompany all proposals. TSANZ are seeking partners who will pledge to co-fund the award and may choose to be co-badged with TSANZ and NAC. The value of financial and in-kind support may be determined by the institute and there is no minimum level. NOTE: As this opportunity requires co-funding, please ensure that you contact the your College Research Development and Support Team before initiating an application.

Eligibility:

• Have completed a research higher degree by thesis or publication in an area directly relevant to respiratory medicine more than 2 but less than 10 years ago
• Be a current member of TSANZ
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.
• Be capable of undertaking high quality research, demonstrated by past performance, and
• Be affiliated with an Australian or New Zealand University.

For further information, please visit the TSANZ website.

Microba is providing $10,000 grants for researchers to access Microba’s metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics services for human gut microbiome research.

The project can be partially- or fully-funded by the grant and Microba welcomes proposals for research into all areas of human health and wellness.

Microba is accepting expressions of interest from researchers at any Australian university, research institute, or company.

The selection criteria and the application form are available at the Microba website.

Expressions of interest close 31 October 2018. The Flinders internal closing date is 17 October 2018. For application advice and assistance, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Officer (NHMRC, MRFF, & Health).

The grant can be used to access Microba’s end-to-end clinical research platform, including:

• Proprietary sampling kit, online portal and logistics capability to streamline patient recruitment;
• High-throughput optimised laboratory sample processing and sequencing workflow;
• Shotgun metagenomic sequencing to identify organism to species resolution and functional metabolic potential;
• Proprietary database of microbial genomes;
• Online questionnaires to easily capture metadata from your study participants;
• Project-specific bioinformatic analysis to deliver publishable results for your project.