The ARC and NHMRC Expressions of Interest (EoIs) process is now open, closing on 29 July 2019.

EoIs are an indication of your intention to apply for ARC and NMHRC funding programs, and enable you to access to additional benefits and opportunities that can assist and support you and your application(s), such as grant development, external review, mentorship and the incentive scheme.

A vital component of achieving the University’s strategic goal to increase its research intensity is to enhance our success with category 1 competitive funding schemes, primarily those of the ARC, the NHMRC and the MRFF. Key to this is providing effective support and incentives for grant applications.  To this end, grant application support and a range of co-investments supporting successful applications as incentives to apply, will again be offered this year.  

The Expression of Interest (EoI) process will give you the opportunity to benefit from the support and incentives scheme, in particular to secure an external professional review of your draft grant application.  Feedback from earlier this year shows that the external reviews are greatly valued.

If you wish to be considered for an external review you will need to return the EoI by the deadline of 29 July 2019. 

The time required for completion of the EoI form is not onerous.  

The EoI deadline will ensure optimal support for the development of applications and allow better targeting of researcher training and development workshops ('Grants Evolution') to be held in August and September. EoIs are also important sources of information for College Deans of Research in regard to potential College peer mentorship, review and support. 

The EoI can be accessed now.

For your information, a ‘near miss funding’ scheme will be available to support development of re-submissions of ARC Discovery Projects and NHMRC Ideas Grants that, while unsuccessful, were ranked highly.  Information on the co-investments schemes associated with successful grant applications and on support for other grant and fellowship applications will follow by separate email.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Robert Saint said, "I strongly encourage all researchers considering ARC or NHMRC grant applications to complete the Expression of Interest." 

For any questions or advice needed on the EoI process :

• NHMRC – Gareth Rees, ext. 12199
• ARC – Maya Roberts, ext. 17698
  

The 2019 Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round is now open to all researchers across the Flinders medical precinct, including Flinders University researchers involved in health and medical research.

Up to $25,000 in seed funding is available for each research project. The seed funding will enable researchers to produce preliminary data to apply for larger grants from national and international funding bodies and will result in many research discoveries and advances in health.

Flinders Foundation is proud to offer the grant round to support health and medical researchers from Flinders University and the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, made possible thanks to generous donors and supporters in the community.

Applications must be lodged by 5pm ACST, Thursday 8 August 2019 via the application form. Enquires can be directed to the Flinders University Research Development and Support team at nhmrc@flinders.edu.au or Flinders Foundation at info@flindersfoundation.org.au.

There is another opportunity for researchers to meet one-on-one with the Defence Innovation Partnership (DIP) Team, on the back of intense interest shown by researchers at their recent visit to Flinders.

These meetings present an excellent opportunity for the DIP team to better understand your research and assist in identifying a Defence and/or DST Group partner for either (i) the upcoming Collaborative Research Fund program or (ii) general introductions to Defence.

When: Monday 8 July 2019
Where: Tonsley Campus (10:00am - 1:00pm) or Bedford Park (2:00pm - 5:00 pm)

Email enquiries@defenceinnovationpartnership.com, with your details, and available times, and they will respond with a meeting request.

Please refer to our previous article on DIP to learn more.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has now announced dates for its major grants schemes.

Note the significant change to the timing of the Investigator Grants which will open and close in 2019.

Details of the NHMRC key dates that include Flinders University Research Development and Support internal deadlines can be viewed at the NHMRC schemes page on the Research Development and Support website.

Please do not hesitate to contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health), at nhmrc@flinders.edu.au if you have any queries.

Invitations are now open for the submission of abstracts for the 19th Australian Space Research Conference (ASRC).

To be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 30 September to 2 October 2019, this will be the thirteenth ASRC jointly sponsored and organised by the National Committee for Space and Radio Science (NCSRS) and the National Space Society of Australia (NSSA), with the support of the Mars Society of Australia (MSA).

The 2019 conference will be held in conjunction with the South Australia Space Forum, convened by the South Australian Space Industry Centre. This is a major new initiative that shows the increasing importance of space research in space industry and vice versa.  

The ASRC is intended to be the primary annual meeting for Australian researchers in space science, technology, and industry. It welcomes space scientists, engineers, educators, and workers in industry, government and NGOs. 

The scope of the conference covers both fundamental and applied research related to space science, engineering and technologies, including the following:

• Space science, including space and atmospheric physics, Earth observation and remote sensing from/of space, planetary sciences, astrobiology and life sciences, and space-based astronomy and astrophysics.
• Space engineering and technology, including communications, navigation, space operations, propulsion, and spacecraft design, testing, and implementation.
• Space industry
• Space archaeology and indigenous sky knowledge (or archeo-astronomy)
• Space situational awareness (SSA) and space weather
• Current and future Australian space projects
• Government, international relations and law
• Education and outreach
• Gender equity and diversity

There will be a number of special sessions not on specific research areas including,

1. the national context, as seen by key Government entities, the Academy of Science, industry groups, Centres, and others, including connections to national strategic roadmaps for research infrastructure,
2. development of the 2020 – 2030 Strategic Plan for Australian Space Science,
3. a gender equity and diversity session, and
4. a space entrepreneurs’ business pitch competition ("the ASRC goldfish tank").

The closing date for abstract submissions is 26 July 2019.

For the abstract submission and paper guidelines please visit the conference website.

The conference registration portal will be opening shortly and delegate rates are on the conference website (with early-bird rates available until the beginning of September).

Up to fourteen, $75,000 capacity building Project Grants for new, early and mid-career researchers are on offer in Round 1, 2019 for the Dementia Australia Research Foundation.

Applications for all the grants close Monday 12 August 2019, 5:00 PM AEST. The Flinders internal closing date is 29 July 2019 for a completed final draft application. For advice and information, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

The grants on offer are:

• Seven Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grants including the Norma Beaconsfield Project Grant (new, early and mid-career researchers in any area of dementia research)
• One Hazel Hawke Research Grant in Dementia Care (new, early and mid-career researchers in dementia care)
• One Dementia Australia Research Foundation – Victoria Project Grants including the Cecilia Margaret Hudson Dementia Research Grant (new, early and mid-career researchers in clinical or psychosocial areas of dementia research) 
• Five Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration – Dementia Australia Research Foundation Pilot Grants (new, early and mid-career researchers in clinical or psychosocial areas of dementia research)

To submit an application or to find out more, please visit the Foundation grants page.

The first wave of data collection for The Australian Survey of Social Attitudes (AuSSA) is almost complete. There is now an opportunity to contribute questions to the second and subsequent waves by sponsoring a question, or questions, relevant to this year's theme of "Social Inequality".

The proposed questions to be included in the second wave of the 2019 survey must be confirmed by 19 July 2019. Data collection will begin for the second wave in August.

For more information about the 2019 survey visit: https://www.acspri.org.au/aussa/2019.

AuSSA is run as an annual postal survey using a nationally representative sample (drawn from the Australian Electoral Roll) of at least 1200 adult Australians in total, sampled at four periods over the year: May, August and November 2019 and February 2020. Flinders Researchers may partner with ACSPRI as sponsors of AuSSA entitling them to include additional questions. The fee will be $1,000 (exc GST) per question (i.e. per 'tick') for the full sample of 1200, or $400 to be included in any one of the 4 sub-samples. Please note: Larger modules of questions will receive a significant discount to this rate.

AuSSA is an important source of data for the scientific study of the social attitudes, beliefs and opinions of Australians, how they change over time, and how they compare with other societies.

If researchers are interested in this opportunity or wish to find out more about it then they should contact ACSPRI via email at surveys@acspri.org.au.

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) funds research aimed at furthering the development of immunological approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer.

The Institute's mission is to bring effective immune system-based therapies to cancer patients sooner.

The development of new and effective cancer treatment requires the translation of basic laboratory discoveries into novel therapies that can be tested in patients. This area of translational research—where laboratory findings move into clinical testing, and where questions from clinical studies are brought back into the lab—is critical to bringing new and better immunotherapies to patients.

To this end, CRI offers its Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program (CLIP) Grants to qualified scientists who are working to explore clinically relevant questions aimed at improving the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. The program supports basic, pre-clinical, and translational research that can be directly applied to optimising cancer immunotherapy in the clinic.

Candidates for a CLIP Grant must hold a faculty appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor (or higher rank) at the time of award activation.

Letters of Intent are due 1 November 2019. The Flinders Internal closing date is 18 October 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and information, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health). Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full research proposal with a submission deadline of February 15, 2020.

The CRI established CLIP to support investigators who are studying critical topics at the intersection of laboratory and clinical research. CLIP grants provide up to $200,000 (USD) over a two-year period.

For more information, please visit the CRI website.

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (APPLIED) is offering a three month internship for a current or recent graduate student to gain experience working in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) policy.

The internship program is intended to provide researchers with insight into the STEM policy environment in Australia, and experience in developing STEM policy and reports. It will be particularly of interest to researchers interested in moving to a policy or other non‐research based career.

The successful applicant will be introduced to the Academy’s policy work through a structured program, and exposed to diverse topics and stakeholders. Interns are supervised and mentored by the policy team in the secretariat, and will collaborate closely with Academy Fellows in a variety of areas.

The successful applicant will work on projects such as:

• Development of policy positions and submissions across the Academy’s National Technology Challenges
• Preparation of major reports for government and other stakeholders on science and technology issues
• Planning and organisation of Academy national events and conferences 

Successful candidates for the internship will:

• be a current or recent research graduate student from an Australian publicly‐funded research organisation (e.g. universities, research institutes, CSIRO) in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)
• a demonstrated interest in science and technology policy
• be located in Melbourne, or able to relocate, for the duration of the internship (applicants from interstate may be eligible for a travel grant to assist with travel to/from Melbourne at the start/finish of the internship)
• have permission from their supervisor, where necessary, to participate in the program
• hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency

Applications should be submitted by 5pm Monday 22 July 2019.

Further information, including application requirements, is available at the Applied website.

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering is a Learned Academy operating as an independent, non‐political and expert think tank that helps Australians understand and use technology to solve complex problems.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) have published timelines for its National Competitive Grants Program schemes for 2019-20. 

In addition, the ARC has announced a significant timeline change to their 2022 Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA).

The 2019-20 timeline covers the following scheme rounds:

• Future Fellowships 2020
• Australian Laureate Fellowships 2020
• Industrial Transformation Training Centres 2020
• Industrial Transformation Research Hubs 2020
• Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2021
• Discovery Projects 2021
• Discovery Indigenous 2021
• Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2021

To view the calendar, with ARC key dates and Flinders' internal deadlines, visit the Research Development and Support ARC Schemes page.

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award timeline change in 2022 – Advance Notice of significant change

The ARC will significantly change the application closing date for the subsequent round of the DECRA scheme. The DECRA 2022 round will close in November 2020 to align with the Future Fellowships scheme timeline. This decision follows supportive feedback received from stakeholders. To support the transition to the new timeline, the ARC will adjust eligibility periods for PhD conferral so that no candidates are disadvantaged.

If you have any queries, please email arc@flinders.edu.au or contact Maya Roberts, Senior Research Grants Officer (ARC), Research Development and Support,  on 8201 7698.

The Australian Association of Gerontology's (AAG) Strategic Research Grants (for early and mid-career researchers) and Hal Kendig Research Development Program (for early-career researchers) are now open.

Applications for both opportunities are due 29 July 2019. The Flinders Internal closing date is 15 July 2019 for a completed final draft application. For grant writing and administrative support, please contact Denise Caretti, Trust & Foundations Coordinator - Alumni & Advancement, Office of Communication, Marketing & Engagement. 

Strategic Research Grants

The Strategic Research Grants funding program is focussed on early and mid-career researchers (up to eight years post-PhD, considering career interruption), and practitioners engaged in research.

The Strategic Research Grants aim to develop research capacity in the diverse fields related to ageing in Australia. It supports the development and translation of the evidence base, through facilitating dynamic and responsive research that will improve research impact by contributing to research programs and research translation.

Priority will be given to applications that address one or both of the following funding priority areas: 

• Proposals that identify and create connections between research, policy and practice to improve the experience of ageing
• ‘Intimacy and Ageing’ (AAG 2019 Hot Topic)

For more information on the Strategic Research Grants, visit the AAG website.

Hal Kendig Research Development Program

The Hal Kendig Research Development Program's purpose is to support early career researchers to improve their track record to lead to an ARC Grant or Fellowship or comparable research funding, and to support a discrete research effort that provides evidence and critical thinking that furthers the interests of vulnerable older people in advanced age.

The grants do this by providing targeted support for targeted and responsive research in ageing in Australia that is strategic to the career development of the applicant, as well as important to improving the experience of ageing.

Priority will be given to applied research to improve the experience of vulnerable older people in advanced aged with a strong emphasis on psycho-social research and quality of life.

Two $20,000 grants for projects of 18 month duration will be made available.

For more information, visit the AAG website.

The Media Centre for Education Research Australia (MCERA) is an not-for-profit organisation devoted to raising the profile of education research in Australia.

In an era of fake news and shrinking newsrooms, MCERA helps researchers communicate with the media, and empowers journalists and the public with accurate information on education issues.

What MCERA can do for your research?

MCERA has brought significant media attention to the research and expertise of over 100 academics since commencing work two years ago, with a cumulative reach of over 27 million. Their work has facilitated major research impact; this can vary from radical increases in Altmetric scores, to an audience with policymakers, to coverage in industry publications.

Their services include crafting media strategies to promote research, media coaching, gathering expert responses to topical issues, and putting journalists in touch with the most relevant experts for their stories.

Researchers have control over this process. Their promotion of your work is predicated on your input and permission.

See their testimonials page for researchers’ take on working with them.

Are you eligible to get involved?

Flinders University is a Platinum Sponsor of MCERA. As such, MCERA offers all of its services free of charge to Flinders staff, including consideration for expert responses to media issues and public promotion of your research through the composition and distribution of media releases.

You do not need to be a senior academic to work with MCERA. They are interested in working with any academic who has completed peer-reviewed work in an area relevant to schools, universities, vocational education and training, or early childhood education.

MCERA makes independent judgements on which research it promotes. They are not positioned to promote everything that comes their way, but they do have the utmost respect for your research and expertise, and they always love to hear about your work.

How to get involved?

• Sign onto MCERA’s expert database to signal your interest in working with them, and to be considered for expert comment and referrals to journalists.
• Register your upcoming publications with MCERA at their website.
• Contact MCERA with any questions you may have at info@mcera.org.au.
  

The Global Alliance Conference on Post-Traumatic Stress 2019 aims to showcase the latest research, effective models of care for trauma, the power of collaboration and future directions for wellbeing for veterans, first responders and their families.

Over three days, participants will hear from a range of experts including trauma therapists and a number of global thought leaders on research, treatment and multidisciplinary models of care.

The conference, to be held on 6-8 November 2019 at the Adelaide Oval, is aimed at leading researchers, clinicians, policy makers in Defence and Veterans Affairs and Mental Health, service providers and lived experience participants. 

World-leading experts will present their latest research, including Associate Professor Heidi Cramm, CIMVHR, School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University, Canada, and Scholar in Residence (Family) at the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research & Treatment, and Professor Nicola Fear, Department of Military Mental Health, King’s College London.

Flinders' Professor Sharon Lawn will be presenting on 'Family involvement in post-traumatic growth: missed opportunities from living vicariously with PTSD' at the conference.

For further information, including registration, the conference program and speakers, visit the conference website.

The National Stroke Foundation invites applications for its early-career researcher (ECR) seed grants.

These seed grants support pilot or feasibility studies on stroke treatment and care that will be used to inform a larger nationally competitive grant submission such as National Health and Medical Research Council project grants.

Four Seed Grants in total of up to $50,000 per grant are available to ECRs, addressing (at least) one of the Stroke Foundation 2020 Research Priority Areas, listed below. One of the four Seed Grants is allocated to a Support for Carers project in the 2020 Round.

These grants are to conduct pilot or feasibility studies that will be used to inform a larger nationally competitive grant submission (e.g. NHMRC project grants).

2020 Research Priority Areas

To improve access to and delivery of:

1. long term community support (e.g. continuity of care, health services, and rehabilitation) with outcome measures beyond 6 months;
2. interventions for long term psychosocial recovery (i.e. recovery of cognition, communication, and emotional and social wellbeing) with outcome measures beyond 6 months;
3. health services and pathways of stroke management, including proposals addressing implementation and change in practice (i.e. translation into practice for acute stroke care studies);
4. support for the diverse needs of Carers.

Applications close 5pm AEDT Friday 30 August 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 16 August 2019 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and assistance, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

For information on how to apply and more on the grants visit the Stroke Foundation website.

The Australian Defence Industry Awards will recognise outstanding contributions in supporting national security and in driving innovation, economic growth and workforce development.

These awards will universally acknowledge all defence industry stakeholders – including academic institutions and associations, through to high-performing individuals such as Indigenous and female leaders, students, scientists, technicians and academics.

To be held Thursday 26 September at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, this black-tie gala event will showcase the depth of talent in Australia’s defence industry while affirming its essential role in supporting national security and driving innovation, economic growth and workforce development.

The awards are open to all businesses and organisations operating in Australia supporting the defence supply chain. Nominate now to be a part of this ground breaking initiative and put your peers, colleagues or yourself forward for these coveted accolades.

Nominations close 26 July 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher Training, Development and Communications.

Awards include:

• Academic of the Year - This award recognises the academic that has delivered outstanding work for their institution while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.
• Scientist of the Year - This award recognises the scientist that has delivered outstanding work for their organisation or institution while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.
• Student of the Year - This award recognises the university or vocational training student who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to building a successful career in the defence industry.
• Academic Institution of the Year - This award recognises the university or academic institution that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven demonstrable growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

To find out more, and to nominate, visit the Defence Connect website.

Clinical Quality Registries (CQRs) collect and use data about patients’ treatment to improve the delivery of healthcare. CQRs already play a vital role in helping Australia deliver safer, higher quality healthcare, but the approach to CQRs in Australia is ad hoc and fragmented.

The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare has been working for more than a decade to improve this situation and the Australian Government has recently released a draft national CQR Strategy for the next 10 years.

Research Australia made a submission in response to the Draft Strategy, welcoming the progress being made in this area, and making suggestions for how the Draft Strategy could be improved. These include broadening the focus from the clinician/patient relationship to capture other patient interactions with staff that affect health care.

Accreditation of CQRs and a sustainable national funding model with the support of state and territory governments are also critical elements for the Strategy.

To read the full submission please visit the Research Australia website.

Do you have an idea, project or research that delivers significant benefits to women and young workers in South Australian workplaces? Now is your chance to make a difference.

SafeWork SA is offering up to $20,000 in the annual Augusta Zadow Awards, which provide funding for projects that improve health and safety for women and young people working in South Australia. 

Applications are now open and will close 9 am Monday 19 August 2019. The Flinders internal date is 5 August 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

Successful projects will:

• address a work health and safety issue faced by women or young workers, and/or
• significantly improve health and safety for women and young workers through research or further education.

For further information on the application process and the application template, visit the SafeWork SA website.

ON Prime is a national program powered by CSIRO and is open to researchers from Australian universities and public research organisations. Purpose built for researchers, they deliver a hands-on learning program to provide you with the skills to take your projects and career forward, navigating the changing research landscape. 

Across six full-day sessions, expert facilitators and mentors will support you to build evidence for the impact of your research, so you can make a difference in the world and attract the resources you need along the way.

Time is carved out in the sessions for you to work on your projects and connect with potential beneficiaries, new partners or industry. In addition to the face-to-face sessions, you will find opportunities to have short, sharp conversations to get insights from people outside the program.

As teams advance their work beyond the program, there is a performance bonus of up to $3000 available for every team at the completion of the program. Teams who really excel have an opportunity to gain an extra $2000 to further their project.

To find out more, visit the ON Innovation website.

Applications close 22 July 2019, 11.59am AEST. For application advice and assistance, contact Marina Delpin, Manager: Researcher Training, Development and Communications, of your intent to apply as soon as possible.

Health and medical research enjoys strong public support because people recognise that it leads to safer, higher quality and more effective healthcare.

Research Australia’s members work hard to contribute to an evidence-based healthcare system that is continually improving the healthcare delivered to patients. This is achieved through the development of new treatments based on scientific evidence which have been rigorously tested and evaluated to ensure they are safe and effective.

In doing so, Research Australia members have helped create the impression that all existing healthcare is evidence-based, safe and effective.

Research Australia’s submission to the Medical Board of Australia has called for clear and prominent consumer warnings to be provided when consumers are being offered complementary and unconventional medicine and emerging treatments by medical practitioners that aren’t part of a registered clinical trial. Research Australia feels an an obligation to ensure that people are aware that what they are receiving is not routine care, and to alert them to the associated risk and other matters they should consider.

To read the full submission please visit the Research Australia website.

The Australian Academy of Science invites applications from ECRs and HDRs to present at Falling Walls Lab Australia 2019. Candidates should be research active in any field of the natural sciences, including technology, engineering and medicine, as well as social sciences and the humanities.

Twenty applicants will be selected to participate in Falling Walls Lab Australia, each giving a three-minute presentation on their research, business model or initiative based on the concept ‘Which walls will fall next?’ as a result of scientific, technological, economic and sociological breakthroughs.

Falling Walls Lab is a challenging and inspiring format for emerging bright minds, giving them a unique chance to become the next big success story in innovation. Since 2009, there have been over 80 international Labs from close to 50 countries worldwide with over 1,000 participants. 

• ECR Applicants must be currently hold a PhD which must have been received within five (5) years prior to 1 January 2018 (i.e. conferred on or after 1 January 2013)
• HDR applicants must hold a master’s degree which must have been received within seven (7) years prior to 1 January 2018 (i.e. conferred on or after 1 January 2011) or hold a bachelor’s degree which must have been received within ten (10) years prior to 1 January 2018 (i.e. conferred on or after 1 January 2008)
  

The deadline for applications is 9am (AEST) Thursday 11 July 2019. The Flinders internal closing date is 27 June 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher Training, Development and Communications.

The event will be held on 3 September 2019 at the Academy’s iconic Shine Dome in Canberra.

A jury of distinguished academics and business people will select the winner of Falling Walls Lab Australia and the winner will be automatically admitted to the Falling Walls Lab Finale in Berlin held on 8 November 2019. That winner will have their travel expenses, accommodation costs and their registration to Falling Walls Conference in Berlin on 8–9 November paid for.

The Falling Walls Foundation is a non-proft organisation in Berlin, dedicated to the support of science and the humanities. It was established in 2009, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

For more information, visit the Australian Academy of Science website.