The SA Government has recently launched a $28 million Research, Commercialisation and Start-up Fund (RCSF), for which universities are eligible to apply.

Three streams of funding - Strategic Research Initiatives; Startup and Early Stage Company Incentive, and; Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Initiatives – are available and detailed here-in.

Stream 1: The Strategic Research Initiatives Stream, which offers grants of $50,000 to $2,000,000 over four years and encourages:

• co-investment with Commonwealth Government programs (e.g. Cooperative Research Centres, ARC Centres of Excellence, Medical Research Future Fund Initiatives and Australian Renewable Energy grants)
• collaboration with national research organisations that stimulate investment in South Australia (e.g. CSIRO, Defence Science and Technology Group and Rural Research and Development Corporations)
• research into challenges of strategic and critical importance to South Australian (e.g. the financial services sector)

Calls for proposals to address specific initiatives will be announced with details of timing and funding to be specified from time to time.

Stream 2: The Startup and Early Stage Company Incentive which offers grants of $20,000 to $1,000,000 over three years through three entry pathways and provides participants with funding to start and scale their innovative early-stage business. Applications can be submitted at any time for this stream.

Stream 3: The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Initiatives Stream, which offers grants of $20,000 to $500,000 over three years and encourages activities that:

• attract high calibre entrepreneurs-in-residence
• attract Commonwealth Government and private sector support for accelerators and incubators
• strengthen entrepreneurship learning and development
• showcase South Australian entrepreneurship

Expressions of interest can be submitted on an ongoing basis, however specific calls for proposals may be invited at any time by the Department for Industry and Skills for this stream.

For the most part, proposals for funding must include some level of co-contribution and must prioritise local research activity and local industry participation.

Funds can be used for specialist equipment, access to intellectual property, scholarships and study tours. Full details of the Fund, including application and valid expenses guidelines and FAQs can be found on the RCSF website.

An information session will be held on the 25^th of February, 2:30 – 3:30 pm at the Department for Industry and Skills for those interested in finding out more information. Please register at Eventbrite.

Dr Sinead O’Connell (Senior Commercial Manager, RDS) is assisting in coordinating Flinders’ submissions. Sinead can provide guidance and is able to link Flinders researchers and research support staff who are working on projects with commonalities.

The inaugural one day Adelaide Cancer Research Symposium, will be held at University of Adelaide on Friday 15 March 2019 and feature several international participants from the 7th International PacRim Breast and Prostate Cancer meeting.

Register by 28 February to secure your place.

This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for local researchers and clinicians to interact with cancer researchers of international standing to develop new collaborations and showcase world class cancer research being undertaken in Adelaide. 

Key national and international speakers include: Jason Carroll (CRUK Cambridge Institute), Rinath Jeselsohn (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), Adrian Lee (Uni Pittsburgh Medical Center), Geof Greene (University of Chicago), Wilbert Zwart (Netherlands Cancer Institute), Gail Risbridger (Monash University), Michael Samuel (Centre for Cancer Biology), Janni Peterson (Flinders University). A highlight will be Jason Carroll’s insight into how his research took him from Sydney, to Boston, then Cambridge (UK) and led to the development of a novel cancer agent and how this has been commercialised. We hope you will join us!

The symposium is being held in the Verco Lecture theatre, Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building (AHMS), University of Adelaide. As this is a small space, places are strictly limited and will fill fast. Please RSVP to Casey eters casey.peters@adelaide.edu.au by Thursday 28th February.

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.

Animal Ethics Group Workshop, Friday, 1-Mar-2019

Tall Poppy Awards: Information Session, Wednesday, 6-Mar-2019

NHMRC Ideas Grants - Information Session & Panel Q&A, Friday 8-Mar-2019

South Australian Science Excellence Awards: Information Session, Wednesday 13-Mar-2019

Research Development and Support (RDS) are launching new budget tools to assist Flinders’ researchers prepare research budgets.  The first of these tools, for commissioned/contract research, or consultancies, is now available.

Hosted on the Flinders’ RDS website, this downloadable interactive tool systematically steps users through research budget considerations and construction.

Commissioned or contract research includes category 2 & 3 research such as request for tenders, quotes and other commissioned research. The budget is usually costed on commercial terms and research is often eligible (in full or part) for Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) purposes.

Consultancies include where individual staff are contracted to provide their expertise to a third party on commercial terms. Note that consultancies can also be counted as HERDC research income if it satisfies the definition of research.

A separate budget tool will be made available for tied /competitive grant research shortly. Development of these tools is one example of projects that are underway to provide simple, user-friendly resources and guides for the Flinders research community.

If you require assistance in preparing a budget using this Budget Tool, please contact your local College Research Support staff.

If you experience difficulties using the tool, or require technical assistance please contact the Research Grants Team.

Are you an ECR in the sciences including engineering, mathematics, medical research and technology? Then, please join us at a presentation about the 2019 Tall Poppy Awards.

The Tall Poppy Campaign recognises the achievements of Australian scientists through the prestigious annual Young Tall Poppy Science Awards. This initiative has made significant achievements towards building a more publicly engaged scientific leadership in Australia.

Dr Louisa Esdaile, SA & Vic Projects Officer for the Tall Poppy Campaign will be presenting and explaining this opportunity, its benefits and how to apply.

When: Wednesday, 6 March 2019, 2.30 PM - 3.30 pm

Where: Flinders Council Room (Room 225), Registry Building, Bedford Park Campus

Bookings: Please book at ienrol – Research for catering purposes.

The Federal Government has released the Independent Review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (the Review) along with its initial response outlining support for all nine recommendations.

The university-sector raised serious concerns with several of the proposed changes outlined in the Department of Defence’s submission to the Review. In particular, the proposal to control the supply or transfer of any technology, at any time, at the Department of Defence’s sole discretion.

The Review, established in April 2018 and conducted by Dr Vivienne Thom AM, aimed to “evaluate the operation of the DTC Act and deliver recommendations that ensure the Act is an effective component of Australia’s export control regime that appropriately addresses current and future national security requirements” (The Review, p19).

Flinders made a submission to the Review.

In a positive outcome for research, the Review acknowledged the “serious and legitimate concerns” held by the university sector.

The Review has recommended that gaps in the DTC Act be addressed through: a risk-based consideration of the technology; contain measures to ensure transparency and scrutiny of decisions; limit additional uncertainty and complexity, and; minimise any increased compliance costs.

The Federal Government has accepted this recommendation and will establish a working group, led by Dr Thom and to include representatives from the university sector, to develop practical, risk-based legislative changes to the DTC Act.

Both the Review and the initial Government response are available and can be accessed.

Please contact Julian Raeside, Defence Exports Officer, for further information on this and all matters related to Defence Export Controls.

The 13th International Conference on Greek Research is one of the most successful international conferences regarding Greek studies abroad with a great academic impact.

Over 2,500 participants have attended over the last 22 years and more than 600 refereed papers were published and are available online internationally.

In 2019 Flinders will be celebrating 30 years of Modern Greek at the University.

The conference will be held at Flinders on 21-22 June 2019, with early bird registrations closing on 13 April 2019.

Join the conference organisers to celebrate the intellectual and scientific work related to Greek literature and Greek Australian community achievements in a vibrant program. 

Further information is available at the conference site - www.flinders.edu.au/greekconference.

The conference is hosted by the LOGOS Australian Centre for Hellenic Language and Culture, at Flinders.

The 2019 Ageing in a Foreign Land conference delivers a unique program that appeals to a broad range of audiences from policy, research, clinical, government and community sectors, focused on older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people and communities.

Held at Flinders on 19-20 June 2019, early registration closes on 30 April 2019.

Themed ‘Ageing Well Through Communities, Capacity and Innovation’, the 2019 Ageing in a Foreign Land Conference will build capacity through sharing knowledge and showcasing research innovation with broad range of application for services, co-designing practices and evidence for ageing policy led approaches.

The Conference will also feature the first Ageing in a Foreign Land Award to celebrate and recognise service achievements to older CALD people, communities and building sector capacity.

The Award is an acknowledgement to our communities as well as individuals from the earliest migrants, through to more recent arrivals, from various cultural backgrounds, which strengthen inclusion and support opportunities for lifelong connectedness, active participation and meaningful experiences.

Further information, including important dates and keynote speakers, can be found at the conference site – https://www.flinders.edu.au/engage/culture/whats-on/ageing-in-a-foreign-land.html.

Applications for the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Atmospheric Aerosols are now open to graduate students and early-career researchers.

The school will be held from 22 July to 2 August 2019 at the University of São Paulo and applications to attend will close on 24 March 2019.

Internationally renowned scientists will introduce participants to the state-of-the-art of aerosol research and will highlight the most interesting open scientific questions, thus contributing to a solid formation of these future scientists. The school environment was tailored to promote great interaction between participants and lecturers, thus allowing the development of collaborative networks that will boost the careers of these young scientists.

The target audience is graduate students and early career scientists. Priority will be given to candidates currently enrolled in graduate programs (Masters/MSc and Doctoral/PhD courses), but senior undergraduate and young researchers (up to 5yr from PhD) are also welcome. We encourage applications from candidates with different academic backgrounds (natural, social and human sciences, engineering) provided their academic work is related to the themes of the school.

Online applications are available at https://sites.google.com/view/spsas-aerosols/spsas.

Further information is available on the SPSAS on Atmospheric Aerosols flyer.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has signed a new Implementing Arrangement with the European Research Council (ERC) which is designed to provide opportunities for ARC-funded early career researchers from Australia to pursue research collaborations with European researchers supported through a relevant ERC grant. 

The Implementing arrangement will commence in late 2019.

Further information to follow on the opportunities for international research collaboration page on the ARC website.

For all ARC advice and application support at Flinders, contact arc@flinders.edu.au.

Round 7 of the Australian Government Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants have now opened and will close on 28 March 2019.

These grants target short-term industry-led collaborative research projects that will develop products, services or processes to deliver tangible outcomes and commercial benefits to participants and their industry sectors.

Grants of up to $3 million are on offer for businesses, industries and research organisations to work together to develop practical solutions to challenges in industry.

For the first time, funding applications related to critical minerals projects will be prioritised. Critical minerals are those that could cause economic or strategic issues if affected by supply disruptions. Up to $20 million will be available for critical minerals applications as part of this funding round.

Applications to the seventh CRC-P round close on 28 March, with funding outcomes expected to be announced in June 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 14 March 2019.

Rupali Saikia, Grants Officer, is Flinders’ Research Development and Support contact for all CRC-P related enquiries and applications.

Information related to CRC-P grants and details of previous recipients are available at https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/cooperative-research-centres-programme/cooperative-research-centres-projects-crc-ps.

The Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group established the Human Performance Research Network in 2016.

DST will be expanding the network and are seeking expressions of interest from Universities for innovative proposals of future focussed research that can meaningfully address one or more of the Australian Defence Force’s Human Performance priorities.

Funding of up to $500,000 per study is available over four years with applications open until 15 March 2019. For advice and assistance in applying, please contact Tony Kyriacou, Defence Partnerships Director.

DST will be holding an information session in Adelaide on Wednesday 20 February 2019. Registration and more information is available at Eventbrite.

Full details on the call, including the Human Performance priorities, can be found at the DST website - https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/hprnet2019. 

Professor Joanne Tompkins, Executive Director Humanities and Creative Arts, Australian Research Council will be hosting a 2 hour forum to meet with Humanities and Creative Arts researchers and assessors in South Australia.

The forum at the University of Adelaide on 1 March 2019 from 11 am - 1 pm, will focus on the assessment process and the current climate for competitive funding within these disciplines. Researchers from other disciplines are also invited to attend. 

Please contact your College Research Support staff staff by Friday 22 February to register and secure a place. 

The Executive Directors at the ARC play an important role in providing strategic policy and operational advice and outreach within the higher education and research sector. 

Bullying. It’s physically harmful, socially isolating and psychologically damaging, affecting the mental health and wellbeing of 1 in 5 Aussie kids. 

Whilst face-to-face bullying is widely recognised, cyberbullying poses broader challenges, one of which requires an integrated approach when implementing effective interventions.

Join Professor Phillip Slee at this free event, who’ll discuss how a Flinders University initiative is providing new insights into the effective implementation of anti-bullying programs, supporting schools across South Australia and the globe address the issue.

The lecture "I don’t like Mondays, Mum: preventing bullying in schools" will be held in Level 1, Room 1, Flinders Victoria Square on Wednesday, 13 March 2019, 5.30-7.30pm.

To register to attend, visit the Registration page.

Through its education and research programs, Flinders encourages new ways of thinking, and supports experimentation and daring, with the mission to contribute on an international scale through ‘changing lives and changing the world’. So we invite you to share and collaborate with us on our BRAVE journey. We will impart our knowledge and new discoveries, elevate discussion and inspire debate; all with the view to facilitate the betterment of our society. To find out more about the BRAVE series, please visit the Flinders website.

Be BRAVE, be bold, be at Flinders.

Please join us at an information session for the South Australian Science Excellence Awards.

Sarah Thomas, Senior Project Officer, Science, Industry & Entrepreneurship, Department for Industry and Skills will be visiting Flinders to give an overview of each award category and application timelines. Previous Flinders University winners will also be sharing their insights.

The information session will be held on Wednesday 13 March, 9.30-10.30am in the Council Room, Registry, Bedford Park Campus. Please enrol at ienrol-Research.

The SA Science Excellence Awards showcase the critical importance of science and research to the development of industry and our society.

The awards acknowledge the achievements of talented individuals, including recent PhD graduates and early career science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) researchers, who are making an outstanding contribution to society both nationally and internationally.

Awards are presented in five categories:

• South Australian Scientist of the year
• PhD Research Excellence Award
• STEM Professional Award
• STEM Educator of the Year (split into School Teaching and Tertiary Teaching categories)
• Excellence in Research Collaboration

Flinders’ Doctoral students and ECRs have the opportunity to upskill in Knowledge Translation (KT) during the week of 4 March 2019.

Theoretical and practically-inspired sessions will focus on how to integrate KT into research and grant applications in health, nursing, social sciences and humanities.

This initiative is part of a five day Intensive for DrPH students in CMPH which is being opened for Flinders’ Doctoral and ECRs. Doctoral supervisors are also welcome. 

Most research is never used. Grants require evidence of impact. KT can help.

Open sessions at 10.00 am – 12:00 pm daily include:

Monday March 4: 'Push, pull and exchange – The research on research use'.
This session introduces the science and practice of KT

Tuesday March 5: 'Nothing as practical as a good theory'.
This session explores theoretical underpinnings and theories of change informing KT

Wednesday March 6: 'How to make friends and influence policy'.
This session discusses the ‘how to’ and value of exchanges with research users

Thursday March 7: 'How to explain your research at a party'.
This session shares skills for effectively communicating to broader audiences

Thursday March 7, 1pm: ‘Show me the logic – mapping research with logic models'.
This session demystifies logic models for research and evaluation using a practical example

Friday March 8: 'Knowledge translation and your career'.
A session to explore international trends and how to build KT into a research career

Presenters include Dr Tahna Pettman, Professor Colin MacDougall, Professor Alison Kitson and researchers from the Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity.

Register by noting your preferred session and email by 28 February to: tahna.pettman@flinders.edu.au.

The Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research Incorporated (ACSPRI) are offering several 2 day master-classes and workshops in their Melbourne office in the first half of the year. These courses are specialised, small group (max of 12-14) and very hands on.

If you'd like more information about any of the courses they are offering this year, follow the links for a detailed syllabus, and please contact info@acspri.org.au or 03 8376 6496. Flinders University is a member of ACSPRI.

Collecting, Managing and Analysing Qualitative Interiew Data with Professor Carol Grbich: 14-15 March 
Addressing the practicalities of collecting, managing and analysing data from Face to Face and Focus Group interviews, in this course will prepare and practice individual & group qualitative interviewing, qualitative question design and analysis of your data.

The Who, The What and the How of Moderating Focus Groups with Bianca Plunkett: 28-29 March
This 'hands on' course is designed for those of you familiar with qualitative research, who want to further your understanding around the mechanics of setting up and moderating focus group based research projects. The course is also useful for those of you who may be responsible for, or need to commission qualitative research. 

Surviving SPSS: a step by step guide to data Analysis using SPSS with Associate Professor Julie Pallant: 2-3 May
Presented by the author of the SPSS Survival Manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS, this course is designed for people who have little, or no, experience with SPSS, particularly those involved in research in the social and health sciences, education and business.

An introduction to Mixed Methods Research Design with Dr Nicola McNeil: 17-18 May
The course is designed for participants with an introductory-level understanding of qualitative and quantitative research techniques. You will examine the key features of mixed methods research designs, exploring the different types, and analysing the benefits and challenges associated with the design and implementation of each design, including analysis and write-up of mixed methods studies.

Questionnaire Design with Dr Gordon Emmerson: 23-24 May
A two day workshop focussing on building hard copy or internet surveys to meet a variety of needs. Topics include uses of surveys, constructing survey questions that are clear and unbiased, the need to match attitudinal or behavioural data collection with the purpose of the survey, and combining objective and open-ended questioning in order to enhance the usability of results.

Nvivo Essentials with Associate Professor Linda Sweet: 30-31 May
This workshop is aimed at providing researchers with essential skills in using NVivo software through hands-on experience. Those choosing to enrol in this course will be working on or about to embark on a research project. The course assumes no prior skills with using NVivo, however will cater for all levels of participants, from novice to advanced users.

The 2019 Ramaciotti Awards are now open for applications.

This year, the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research, the Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants, and the Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award are available.

Applications close 5 PM, 31 May 2019 for both the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research and the Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants. The Flinders internal closing date for both of these is 17 May 2019.

Expressions of Interest for the Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award close on 15 March 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 1 March 2019.

For advice and more detail on the Ramaciotti Medal, contact Dr Marina Delpin, and for advice and more details on the Health Investment grants and the Biomedical Research Award, contact Gareth Rees.

The Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Foundations are collectively one of the largest contributors to biomedical research in Australia having granted over $57 million to  research projects since 1970. Vera Ramaciotti, OBE, established the Foundations to give substantial support to biomedical research – an interest shared by Vera and her brother Clive. The Ramaciotti Foundations continue to support biomedical research and each year make significant distributions via the Ramaciotti Awards.

Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research Medal and $50,000 Grant

This is awarded to a person who has made an outstanding discovery (or discoveries) in clinical or experimental biomedical research that has had an important impact on biomedical science, clinical medicine, or the way in which healthcare is delivered. Candidates for the Medal are provided by nomination only from professionals within the medical and scientific research community. The Ramaciotti Foundations’ Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) may nominate candidates, seek nominations or advice from other biomedical scientists. They do not accept self-nominations. Previous nominees may be nominated again.

The greater part of the nominees work leading to the discovery (or discoveries) must have been conducted in Australia, and the nominee should still be actively engaged in this work.

The person nominating should make a submission which includes the following:

• A citation (not more than three pages) outlining the background to and consequences of the nominee’s discovery (or discoveries) and their recent scientific achievements.
• Brief curriculum vitae of the nominee and a list of selected publications. Submissions must be received in Research Development and Support by 17 May 2019 to Dr Marina Delpin. The Medal recipient will be notified in September.

Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants

Grants of up to $150,000 - These Grants are awarded to individuals in universities, public hospitals or institutes for a contribution towards the undertaking of health or medical research with a potential path to clinical application within five years. A Health Investment Grant is intended to provide enabling research support for an autonomous early career investigator who is taking or has recently taken a substantive position. It is expected that up to five grants will be awarded in 2019.

Flinders is able to submit one application per department, up to a maximum of three applications overall. Contact Gareth Rees to discuss your application and eligibility to apply.

A Health Investment Grant is subject to the host institution providing a matching grant of the amount requested and raising the balance (if any) of the full cost of the proposed project. The matching grant must be cash for cash (not in-kind) but can include the salaries of project personnel (excluding the salary of the Chief Investigator).

Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Awards

This $1 million grant is awarded every two years to a group or individual undertaking biomedical research within universities, public hospitals, medical research institutes or other similar organisations. The award funds projects including personnel, equipment, major infrastructure improvements or new laboratories that help an existing, well-funded program of research or enable a major new program to begin.

Traditionally, it funds a need that would not attract funding elsewhere.

Flinders is able to submit one application per department, up to a maximum of three applications overall. Contact Gareth Rees to discuss your application and eligibility to apply.

Senior Medical Research Fellowships and Clinical Investigator Awards are now open for the Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation (the Foundation).

The Foundation was established to benefit organisations or institutions involved in the medical research into diseases, and the alleviation of hardship of the aged and infirm.

Due to a number of current large multi-year commitments, the Foundation is not currently seeking new applications except for its Medical Awards Program (encompassing the Senior Medical Research Fellowships and the Clinical Investigator Awards).

Applications close on 30 April 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 16 April 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

Further information, including the guidelines, application form and frequently asked questions, are available at the Equity Trustees website.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Canberra, Australia welcomes project proposals for initiatives focusing on Dutch-Australian cultural heritage to be initiated in 2019.

The embassy’s shared cultural heritage programme identifies 4 themes for 2019; the so-called 4 M’s: Maritime, Military, Migrant and Mercantile heritage.

The application/project criteria are:

1. The project commences after 1 March 2019 but before 1 December 2019 and will run for a period not exceeding four years;
2. The project promotes the sustainable preservation of Australian-Dutch cultural heritage;
3. The project focuses on one (or several) of the above mentioned 4 M’s;
4. The project has a long-term impact;
5. The project is mainly aimed at an Australian target group, based in Australia;
6. The project promotes cooperation between Australian and Dutch counterparts;
7. The project creates awareness and knowledge about Australian-Dutch cultural heritage primarily among an Australian audience;
8. A strong communication strategy, in which the financial support from the embassy is acknowledged, is part of the project planning;
9. If applicable: involvement from key stakeholders and the community to ensure the project can continue after Embassy funding ceases.

The final deadline to for applications is 1 October 2019, but applications will be accepted until this date or until funding is exhausted. The Embassy aims to decide on applications within 13 weeks after receiving the original by mail. For application advice and assistance, contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

More information, including eligibility and the application form, is available at the Netherlands Worldwide website.