Have you thought about applying for a clinical trial grant?

On Friday 13 September 2019, Professor Derek Chew, Professor of Cardiology, will present an information session focused on how to enhance researchers' capacity to think like a translational clinical trialist and provide advice on how to best negotiate the issues that arise in clinical grant review. Discussion will cover design, establishing groundwork for feasibility, and how to establish the appropriate CI team and network.

Professor Chew is a clinical and interventional cardiologist, as well as a clinical trialist and outcomes researcher in cardiovascular medicine. He is the Head of the Flinders Clinical Trial Centre, and Chair of the Statewide Cardiology Clinical Network. 

Register now at ienrol - research to participate in this session - "Flinders Clinical Trials Support: Anatomy of a successful NHMRC/MRFF grant", Flinders' Health Sciences Lecture Theatre Complex, Friday 13 September 2019, 9.30 to 10.30 am.

Your ResearchNow public profile will launch globally in October, enabling viewers from around the world to read about you.

Research Development and Support (RDS) is currently providing assistance to ensure that your research outputs presented in the system are of the highest quality, but we need your help with this. 

Please check that your profile information and your publication entries are up-to-date and accurately recorded. To access your ResearchNow system click on the ResearchNow button on your OKTA dashboard. The researcher guides on the ResearchNow support website will help you to get started. To access the public portal and to view your profile there, visit the public portal.

If you would like some extra assistance with these tasks, or to learn more about the features of this new system, please email the member of the RDS ResearchNow support team assigned to your College (see below). If you are not available on the days that someone is working in your College please let that RDS support team member know and they will arrange another team member to meet with you. Alternatively, you can log a request for assistance via ServiceOne 'Research', which is located on your OKTA dashboard.

To get started with ResearchNow log in to the system via your OKTA dashboard and see if you have any tasks waiting for you in the taskbar on the right-hand side of the page. 

For example: 

1. Outputs are ready to be pushed to next workflow step – this means you have outputs (publication records) that have a status ‘entry in progress’. If these are complete and accurate records and are not marked as a possible duplicate, they are ready for you to change their status to ‘For verification’. This will send them onto the library for a final accuracy check before they appear on your public portal profile. 
2. Candidates are ready for import – Scopus has automatically harvested an output that might be yours. You can choose to import or reject the record. Scopus records are often more data rich than manually entered records, so you can choose to import, after which you should log a ServiceOne request that it be merged with duplicate the manual entry.  

RDS ResearchNow support team

Brooke Williamson, responsible for the College of Medicine and Public Health and available on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Emma de Courcy-Ireland, responsible for the College of College of Science and Engineering and available on Tuesday and Thursday.

Mimi Eldeeb, responsible for the College of College of Humanities, Arts and Social Science and the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and available on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Bree Walden, responsible for the College of College of Business Government and Law and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and available on Thursday and Friday (for CBGL) and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (for CNHS).

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 weeks, listing current opportunities that you can participate in and book into now.

Click on the links below to view the course details.

Flinders Clinical Trials Support - Anatomy of a successful NHMRC/MRFF grant, Friday 13 September 2019

Part 1: Methodology - Systematic review series, Tuesday 17 September 2019

Drop-In Sessions: Industry, Government, International & Internal grants, Tuesday 17 September 2019

Part 2: Literature Searching - Systematic review series, Wednesday 18 September 2019

Drop-In Sessions: ARC grants, Wednesday 18 September 2019

Drop-In Session: NHMRC and Health grants, Wednesday 18 September 2019

Part 3: Managing citations & PRISMA report - Systematic review series, Thursday 19 September 2019

Drop-In Session: Social and Behavioural Research Ethics, Friday 20 September 2019

Keeping up to date mid-career & established researchers - current methodology for setting up and managing alerts and digital notifications, Tuesday 24 September 2019

Drop-In Sessions: ARC grants, Tuesday 24 September 2019

A systematic approach to literature searching (non-health), Wednesday 25 September 2019

Drop-In Session: NHMRC and Health grants, Wednesday 25 September 2019

Online academic profile management - ORCiD/Google Scholar, Thursday 26 September 2019

Further courses scheduled for later in the month and beyond are available at ienrol research.

The Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration (DCRC) is pleased to announce a grant round to fund World Class Research Projects including trials and studies to evaluate efficacy or methods, interventions, practice change or policy.

From a total funding pool of $1.8 million, up to 3 large project grants will be funded for new, well evidenced interventions.

The interventions are to be from the following areas to: 

1. Reduce or delay risk of cognitive decline or dementia.
2. Develop evidence and uptake measures that will help people live better with dementia including but not limited to practice change initiatives, addressing stigma, promotion of autonomy and reablement.
3. Improve quality of care and quality of life for people living with dementia and carers in community, residential care or acute care.

The research team must include at least one Early Career Researcher holding an academic position at or below Level C seniority (below the level of Associate Professor). 

Further, the Chief Investigator must demonstrate that 1. People with dementia, their carers and families and the wider public (if appropriate) have been or are involved throughout the project (beyond a role as participants). 

Applications close 5.00pm AEDT, Friday 18 October 2019. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 4 October 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Sarah Jay, Research Grants Officer (IGII).

For further information, please visit the Dementia Australia website grants page. 

As part of the response to the Productivity Commission Review of Public Data Availability and Use, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is developing Data Sharing and Release legislation. This will provide a framework for Government Departments to more effectively share data and facilitate access to data for researchers.

The Department has now released a discussion paper, outlining its proposed approach to the legislation, and a Privacy Impact Assessment, and they are open for feedback until 5.00 pm (AEST), 15 October 2019.

For more information please visit the Office of the National Data Commissioner website.  Draft legislation is expected to follow early next year.

Funding for up to $300,000 over two years full-time and up to four years part-time is available for early career researchers in suicide prevention from Suicide Prevention Australia.

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship aims to build research capacity and to develop research leadership across the spectrum of suicide prevention including universal, selective and indicated intervention, and postvention.

Researchers who are up to five years post-doctoral study and who can demonstrate the following are encouraged to apply:

• Record of contributing to quality publications
• Capacity for leadership in the suicide prevention research field
• Commitment to the application of their research, and
• Articulation of a career development strategy that has relevance to suicide and its prevention

Applicants should note that while not mandatory, identification of a Partner Organisation with whom they will partner for the duration of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship, and any in-kind or cash contributions by the Partner Organisation will be favourably considered.

Applications close on 14 October 2019. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 30 September 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Sarah Jay, Research Grants Officer (IGII).

For more information, including the guidelines, visit the Suicide Prevention Australia website.

In recognition of the impact of suicide on every Australian, the Suicide Prevention Research Fund was established by the Federal Government to support research into suicide prevention. The aim of the fund is to support world-class Australian research into suicide prevention and facilitate the rapid translation of knowledge into more effective services for individuals, families and communities.

The Genomes and Biodiversity - Research and Career Development workshop aims to provide early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) in the life sciences with research training and career development opportunities. 

The event, to be held from 20 - 22 November 2019 in Sydney, will provide opportunities to hear from research leaders, receive hands-on training in analysis of big data delivered by experts in genomics, phylogenomics, biodiversity analysis and pathogen biology; and participate in career development sessions.  

The Australian Academy of Science invites EMCRs and PhD students interested in attending to submit an expression of interest by 30 September 2019 to be selected to join the workshop. There are limited spaces available. 

Options to present a 10-minute talk and to be considered for a mobility grant are available as part of the application process.

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

It is the last chance to register for the upcoming BLiSS*Adelaide Collaborative Symposium to be held on 4 October at The Sanctuary, Adelaide Zoo. 

If you are an Early or Mid-Career researcher (within ~15 years submission of your PhD), or a final year PhD candidate, whose research fits broadly into "Fundamentals in Life", "Sustainable Earth" or "Innovative Futures", then this event is for you. 

Register by Friday 13 September for this FREE event.

This event has been made possible by the generous support of their sponsors, including Flinders University. 

BLiSS*Adelaide features a Keynote Address from the Chief Scientist for SA, Professor Caroline McMillen, and a special "Pathways to Innovation Translation" session.

Visit the Symposium website to register and for further information.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has expanded its early stage drug discovery capacity to create the  National Drug Discovery Centre (NDDC). 

Thanks to generous investments from the Australian and Victorian Governments and leveraging the Institute’s own contribution and philanthropic gifts, the NDDC will increase Australian medical researchers’ access to the latest in advanced robotic ultra-high throughput screening, addressing a critical early challenge in the drug discovery pipeline.

The NDDC invites applications from Australian medical researchers to fast-track their scientific breakthroughs into new medicines to treat disease.

Successful applicants from Australian research institutes and universities will benefit from accessing the latest in advanced robotic high-throughput screening by an experienced and fully staffed team at a highly subsided rate (of up to 90 per cent off actual costs).

Find out more about the National Drug Discovery Centre and how to apply for a subsidised screening campaign at the information session with senior NDDC team members Jeff Mitchell , Acting Manager of the NDDC and Kym Lowes , Deputy Head of Screening​. The session will be held in the Auditorium, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Tce from 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm on Wednesday 18 September 2019.

Registration is required and can be done at the eventbrite website. 

For more information on the NDDC, visit their webpage at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

The Beat Cancer Project Funding for Early Career Fellowships, Mid-Career Fellowships and Principal Research Fellowships have opened and will close on 18 October 2019. The Flinders internal closing date for all three fellowships is 4 October 2019 for a completed final draft application.

Applications are invited from researchers across the research spectrum, including biomedical, clinical, health services and population health research. These Fellowships are open to research scientists, as well as clinicians, public or allied health professionals or professionals in health services administration.

Two Early Career Fellowships will be funded in 2019 with funding of up to $80,000 each per annum for 3 years available. Two Mid-Career Fellowships will be funded in 2019 for up to $100,000 each per annum for 3 years available, and two Principal Research Fellowships will be funded in 2019 for up to $200,000 each per annum 3 years.

As matching funding, dollar to dollar, is required for each of these opportunities, a co-investment form signed by relevant College (Dean) is also required.

Researchers will be required to complete an on-line application form. Please refer to the Beat Cancer Project website to access the link to the application form. If you require further information about any of the above Schemes, please contact Amanda Wright, Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

Funding guidelines are available at the Beat Cancer Project website.

The objectives of the Beat Cancer Project are to increase funding for cancer research, increase the capacity for researchers to attract more national and international research grants, and build a stronger cancer research workforce and broader research infrastructure in South Australia.

The Beat Cancer Project is a South Australian state-wide initiative intended to support and advance cancer research within the state. It is funded by Cancer Council SA and the SA Government through SA Health) and administered by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

Safran Electronics and Defense is visiting South Australia to forge new research partnerships and are inviting interested researchers to meet with their Australasian Research and Development Program Manager, company leadership and senior experts from France.

Hosted by Defence Innovation Partnerships at the University of Adelaide, the event will be held on Friday 27 September 2019, from 3 pm to 6 pm.

During this event, Safran Electronics and Defense Australasia will release its Research Roadmap 2020-25; and will launch a Seed Funding Scheme to provide an easy mechanism for engagement and to rapidly initiate a series of short research projects. Projects will be funded to a total of $50k - $150k in areas of thematic interest to the company, for which open ended proposals will be invited; or self-nominated topics in line with immediate research priorities for 2020.

Register to attend at eventbrite.

This event will be of interest to researchers working in:

• augmented reality
• artificial intelligence
• autonomous systems
• avionics
• engineering design
• geomatics
• human machine interfaces
• microelectronics
• optical sensing
• optronics
• photonics
• quantum sensing & imaging
• robotics and vision

QSR International, the software company behind NVivo, in association with the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology (IIQM) are supporting the next generation of qualitative research innovation through their joint Research Grant for Early Career Researchers.

The grant will allow for US $25,000 in funding over two years, to an Early Career Researcher with a project that shows promise and contribution to knowledge, and utilises NVivo for part of the data analysis.

The grant is available to researchers who were awarded their PhD in 2011 or later, and have a proposal for a qualitative or mixed method research project.

The external closing date is 23:00 MST on 29 November 2019. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 18 November 2019. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Sarah Jay, Research Grants Officer (IGII), Research Development and Support.

Proposals will be reviewed and assessed by a scientific committee appointed by QSR International and IIQM.

For more information, visit the QSR International website.

All Flinders University staff are invited to attend SAHMRI’s Annual Scientific Meeting, on 2 and 3 October 2019 at the SAHMRI auditorium, Adelaide.

SAHMRI’s scientific meeting is a once a year opportunity for sharing research and research outcomes.

Day One will be a showcase of research undertaken by SAHMRI and partner early and mid-career researchers and PhD students. Day Two will be a Symposium on the topic of 'Precision Medicine'.

Please note that registration is required separately for each day. Register at eventbrite.

AusBiotech is dedicated to the development, growth and prosperity of the biotech industry. As part of this commitment, AusBiotech has developed an opportunity at the national conference, for early stage research projects from SMEs or research institutions to showcase their innovative solutions and technology to an audience from the biotech sector including potential investors and partners through the Early Stage Investment Forum (ESIF).

To encourage, recognise and reward early stage technology and projects, BioCurate is offering a $7,000AUD first prize to the best presentation as voted by the panel of experts. 

The ESIF is seeking short pitches from SMEs and research institutions (Universities, Medical Research Institutes, etc.) on early stage Biotech technology and projects covering areas such as:

• Human therapeutics
• Diagnostics
• Medical devices
• Digital health and; 
• Enabling technologies

The pitches will be made to an expert panel that will include international pharma representatives as well as venture capitalists and early stage investors.

The forum will take place on Friday, 1 November at the AusBiotech 2019 national conference held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre between 9.00am–12.30pm and is open to conference delegates.

To apply to pitch your technology/project at the ESIF you will need to complete a short application form by 20 September 2019 at 12:00 midnight AEST. For more information about the forum and how to apply, visit the AusBiotech 2019 website. 

At last year’s conference the forum attracted over 120 delegates during each session making it the most popular concurrent session on the program. The forum also provided presenters an opportunity to connect with investors and potential partners during and after the event, to facilitate the progression of their projects presented.

Registrations are now open for Past, Present and Future: Contested Histories and Emerging Identities, the 2019 Gender, Sex and Sexualities Postgraduate and Early Career Researcher Conference.

This free conference to be held over 2 days, 23-24 September, at the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, North Terrace campus, and is open to everybody including established academics and scholars, undergraduate students, and interested members of the public.

Registrations are now open at the eventbrite page.

Over thirty early career researchers, postgraduate students and honours students will present their research over two days. There will also be two keynote addresses from early and mid- career researchers, and a panel session exploring the future(s) of gender: possibilities, provocations and practicalities of gender into the 21st century.

More information about the conference including our keynotes and panellists can be found on the conference website. 

The conference is also hosting free post conference workshops on Wednesday 25 September 2019. More information is available on the conference website and registrations are open on the eventbrite page.

Vacancies exist for volunteer Community Representatives on our Animal Welfare Committee.

People not employed by Flinders University, and who have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, are encouraged to apply.

Please contact Dr Alison Elder, Animal Ethics Officer, for further details T: (08) 8201 5962, email: animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au.

Flinders is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in our research activities.

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) is calling for applications for its Workshop Program Grant.

This grant is for workshops to be held between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021. Applications are due by Friday 4 October 2019.

ASSA’s Workshop Program provides grants to researchers in the social sciences for the purpose of funding two-day research workshops on issues of national concern. The program provides an arena for intellectual exchange, a forum for developing connections between research and policy, and a platform for supporting Early Career Researchers.

Workshops will be funded to a maximum of $9,000. This sum includes provision of $1,500 towards the cost of preparing a digested analysis paper. This paper should be an analytical summary of the workshop content, and is intended to be accessible to people with no special knowledge in the topic of inquiry. At least one of the workshop convenors must be an ASSA fellow, and at least two of the participants must be Early Career Researchers based in Australia. Workshops with an emphasis on policy often include government officials and policy analysts.

Please visit the ASSA website for information about the Workshop Program, and to download the guidelines and application form.