ResearchNow Ethics & Biosafety is the new online platform for human research ethics at Flinders University.

It can be accessed via Okta (add the “ResearchNow Ethics & Biosafety” chicklet to your dashboard) and allows researchers to apply for human research ethics approval online.

There are three forms available:

• HREC Application Form – for all new research projects requiring Ethics approval
• HREC Cross-Institutional Approval Form – for all research projects approved by an external Human Research Ethics Committee
• HREC Project Transfer Form – for all current projects approved under the old system and that do not expire on/or before 31 December 2020. These projects need to be transferred into the new system.  

For further information please visit the Flinders' Applying and managing human ethics approval webpage. 

Three online training sessions will be held on:

• Thursday 30 April from 10:30am to 11:30am
• Friday 1 May from 1pm to 2pm
• Tuesday 5 May from 4pm to 5pm

All researchers and research support staff who have human research ethics approval or are intending to apply for human research ethics approval through Flinders University’s Human Research Ethics Committee are welcome to attend and learn how to navigate the new system. Please register at iEnrol-Research to join an online session. 

Book now at ienrol research to access Flinders’ researcher training and development opportunities.

Upcoming workshops and information sessions include:
   Media training for researchers, including social media
   ResearchNow Ethics & Biosafety training session
   Intellectual Property for Researchers
plus RDS Connect, one-on-one virtual meetings that you can book to meet and work directly with our RDS teams.

Click on the links below to view the course details.

Connect with ARC Grants - one-on-one virtual meeting - Monday 27 April 2020

Connect with IGII [Industry, government, international and internal research funding & research tenders] - one-on-one virtual meeting - Tuesday 28 April 2020

Connect with Defence exports and international security - one-on-one virtual meeting - Tuesday 28 April 2020

Media training for researchers, including social media - Thursday 30 April 2020

ResearchNow Ethics & Biosafety training: Human Research Ethics - Thursday 30 April 2020

Connect with NHMRC & Health - one-on-one virtual meeting - Thursday 30 April 2020

Connect with Human ethics - one-on-one virtual meeting - Friday 1 May 2020

ResearchNow Ethics & Biosafety training: Human Research Ethics - Friday 1 May 2020

Research Bite: Intellectual property for researchers - Tuesday 5 May 2020

ResearchNow Ethics & Biosafety training: Human Research Ethics - Tuesday 5 May 2020

Connect with NHMRC & Health - one-on-one virtual meeting - Thursday 7 May 2020

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

The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) supports international and interdisciplinary collaborations in research, focusing on chronic non-communicable diseases.

Applications now close 30 July 2020. 

Applications must be submitted through Sapphire. Further information on the scheme can be found on the NHMRC website and GrantConnect.

For application advice please contact the NHMRC Grants Team - Gareth Rees, Amanda Wright and Lucy Sheehan-Hennessy on nhmrc@flinders.edu.au.

The GACD places particular emphasis on research into cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, mental health and certain cancers. The work of the GACD focuses on the needs of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and populations facing conditions of vulnerability in High-Income Countries (HICs).

The call will focus on implementation research for the primary and/or secondary prevention of cancer in LMICs and/or in populations facing conditions of vulnerability in HICs. Full details of the aim, scope and assessment criteria of this call can be found on the GACD website.

This GACD funding call is being conducted in a two-stage assessment process consisting of an initial NHMRC peer review process, resulting in a list of Not For Further Consideration (NFFC) applications, followed by non-NFFC applications proceeding to a Joint International Review Panel.

All NHMRC timelines and details of Flinders' internal process information are detailed on Flinders' NHMRC schemes page.

Applications are currently open for the 2020 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards, which recognise outstanding achievements by leaders and tertiary teachers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM).

A Frequently Asked Questions webpage has been developed based on the questions raised during the recent information sessions held across South Australia.

Nominations for the 2020 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards now close 5pm Friday, 22 May 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 13 May 2020. Please contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher Development, Training and Communication, as soon as possible if you are intending to nominate, as institutional endorsement is required.

For more information, guidelines and to apply, visit scienceawards.sa.gov.au.

This free access Special Collection provides health professionals and health organisations with the best available evidence on infection prevention and infection control measures.

The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) COVID-19 Special Collection includes JBI Evidence Summaries that provide a succinct summary of the best available evidence related to a clinical topic including best practice recommendations to help clinicians mobilise evidence into practice, and JBI Recommended Practices that provide standardised, detailed descriptions of best practice care procedures. These resources align with the WHO guidance on infection prevention and control principals for practicing health professionals and organisations.

This Special Collection will be updated regularly to include new evidence related to safe, effective practice for individual health professionals, as well as evidence related to organisational knowledge needs for service-wide evidence on current best practice with an emphasis on infection prevention and control measures. These can be used in conjunction with local policy requirements as set out by government agencies.

Access the Special Collection on the JBI website.

The Australian Government has committed to Round 22 of the Cooperative Research Centres Program, delaying the close of Stage 1 by about a month to allow more time for bid development in the current pandemic disruption.

To keep up to date, see the Government's CRC Program information page, through the "What happens next?" tab under Applying.

Round 22 dates (approximate only)

• Stage 1 opens 30 April 2020
• Stage 1 closes 29 July 2020
• Stage 2 opens late October/early November 2020
• Stage 2 closes January 2021
• Interviews held – February 2021
• Outcomes announced March 2021
• Funding starts 1 October 2021

The CRC Association's working list contains some 19 potential bids at the moment. You can let them know about your bid. They provide the option to indicate whether or not they have permission to publish it.

If you would like general advice on your bid or join a meeting of your bid team if that's useful to you, the CRC Association is happy to provide assistance. If you wish to arrange a meeting to discuss the bids in development. Contact Jordan Gardner, CRC Association, for more information. For Flinders assistance and advice, contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

In the meantime, a few pointers from the CRC Association:

1. Don't underestimate Stage 1. It is absolutely not an expression of interest;
2. CRCs must be industry led, who really owns your bid;
3. The pathway to market is every bit as important as the discovery or invention, do you have the right commercial, policy or societal drivers so that your CRC will make a really big difference?
4. If you have to decide to go deep or go broad, the right choice is almost always deep. Successful CRCs tend to be highly focussed.

Further information is available at the Business.gov.au website. Round 22 documentation will be released on the website once the round opens.

The Air Force Synthetic Biology Challenge is the first of three challenges the Air Force Research Laboratory is sponsoring and has a $1 Million prize. White paper Submissions close on 15 June 2020.

It is focused on the use of biotechnology to create products or product precursors required by the Air Force. Participants will submit white papers on viability of the approach to bio-synthesise two molecules A and B needed for aerospace thermosets.

The winner of this Pitch Competition will be awarded half of the prize (based on their total cost estimate to complete the challenge). They will then demonstrate that they can bio-synthesise molecules A and B. Upon completion of this demonstration they will then be given one-third of the prize award to demonstrate the viability of the concept to manufacture 1 gram each of A and B to test for purity.

Participants should register on the challenge’s EventBrite page.

Submissions will be made on NSIN’s Defense Innovation Network website. To access the submission information, you have to create an account, navigate to the challenge page, and click “Add Submission” to submit your solution.

The timelines for the Synthetic Biology Challenge are:

• Window for White paper Submissions - 15 April – 15 June 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 1 June 2020.
• White paper selection - 30 June 2020
• Phase 2 team formation - 1-14 July 2020
• Pitch day(s) - 15 July 2020
• Award to build test materials - 15 July-15 October 2020

For application advice and assistance, contact Tony Kyriacou, Defence Partnerships Director, Research Development and Support.

Talk about your research in 30 seconds and you could win up to $6000 in cash.

The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Showcase celebrates good research, communicated well. To help all the ECRs out there, the deadline for entries has been extended to Wednesday 20 May 2020. 

The five finalists will receive $1,000, and the opportunity to give a 5-minute live online presentation to a large virtual audience for the chance to win $5,000.

Finals will be held at 3pm AEST on Wednesday 24 June - more information to come soon.

For more information, to view the 'Communicating Your Science in 30 Seconds' Webinar, and to apply, visit the Showcase page on thinkable.

Due to COVID-19, the Australian Consortium for Social & Political Research Inc. (ACSPRI) are not able to offer their Winter courses face-to-face at the University of Queensland (22-26 June) and the University of Technology, Sydney (6-10 July).

For those who wish to continue with training, ACSPRI are offering a number of their courses in an Online Winter Program 'live' via Zoom. Courses will run during the week of 22-26 June.

Classes will run across the 5 days in blocks of 'online time' and be restricted to 12 people to maintain the interactivity and applied nature of the courses. All software requirements will be listed on the course page & ACSPRI will contact you in advance to make sure you have what you need. Testing your setup prior to the course with ACSPRI support staff is also on offer. Over the week there will be ample opportunities to interact with your fellow classmates and instructor as well as work on applied exercises. 

The ACSPRI master-classes and workshops have been rescheduled for the 2nd half of the year.

As Flinders University is a member organisation of ACSPRI, Flinders' researchers are eligible for ACSPRI members' rates.

Please follow the links below for more details about each course, including the schedule and course syllabus.

Winter Online (22-26 June)

Foundations of Qualitative Methodologies, Data Collection and Analysis

An introductory 3 day course for people with limited or no experience in Qualitative Methods, combining lectures and practical workshops. Introduces you to the theoretical underpinnings, methodologies and techniques of data collection & analysis, including:

• interviewing,
• focus groups,
• coding,
• data analysis
• and presentation.

Fundamentals of Statistics

A solid foundation in basic statistical concepts and procedures. Emphasises statistical techniques applicable to the social sciences. Largely non-mathematical, concentrating on concepts rather than mathematical theory. Gain competency in SPSS (no previous experience needed).

Introduction to Social Network Research and Analysis

A course designed for social researchers using qualitative and mixed methods. Building from basic SNA, the course reviews the possibilities for working with rich network data from interview or online sources. Looking at a series of Network Research Designs, you will consider:

• the best ways to code and manage raw data;
• the most efficient formats for importing such data into visualisation and analysis software;
• appropriate measures and statistics for reporting findings.

Applied Statistical Procedures

An intermediate, applied course covering a range of the most commonly used statistical procedures, taught from an applied prospective, with questions encouraged. A good foundation for progression to the more detailed courses (Regression, Factor Analysis & SEM). The Statistical package used will be SPSS, with no prior knowledge of SPSS required.

Data Analysis in R

A course for applied data analysts, looking at public policy, social sciences and industry. Learn to use R for statistical analysis including means, confidence intervals and linear regression in R. Create publication standard graphs of your results. No prior experience with R, or any sophisticated quantitative methods are required for this course.

Data Analysis Using Stata

Stata for beginners, introducing you to survey research, data management, analysis and graphics. Appropriate for people familiar with Stata who want to extend their capabilities. You are encouraged to bring your own data for analysis.

Qualitative Research: Design, Analysis and Representation

Focusing on issues of design and positioning, analysis and representation of qualitative research. This course is for researchers, practitioners and academics who have conducted at least one qualitative study, and are familiar with the process and context of qualitative research. You will cover:

• Epistemological and Methodological foundations;
• Design frameworks;
• Data Analysis and representation;
• Issues of representation, quality, validity and trustworthiness;
• Constructing effective arguments.

Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis

This is an introductory course, providing an overview of the statistical theory, applications & capabilities of LDA, aiming to develop a readiness for using LDA software, and the requisite knowledge for applying LDA methods and models in an intelligent way.

• focussing on linear mixed effects models and generalised linear mixed effects models;
• Using Stata, a full set of exercises and solutions will be provided (no prior experience in Stata necessary);
• Developed in consultation with the National Centre for Longitudinal Data, Dept of Social Services, and as such, participants will apply and have access to a number of datasets through the Australian Data Archive (ADA).

Applied Structural Equation Modelling

An applied introduction to a range of basic structural equation models and the use of the AMOS and/or Mplus software to estimate the model parameters. This course will cover:

• Introduction, revision and the fundamentals of SEM;
• The eight steps of SEM;
• Basic SEM models;
• Problems in SEM;
• An introduction to advanced SEM models.

*N.B. Although the instructor will teach and use both packages throughout the course, students are free to use either both packages or they may choose to just work with one of the packages.

2020 Master-classes and Workshops

Big Data Analysis for Social Scientists: 20-21 July, with Professor Robert Ackland.

An Introduction to Mixed Methods Research Design: 23-24 July, with Dr Nicola McNeil.

Introduction to Structural Equation Modelling using Stata: 21-22 August, with Dr Joanna Dipnall.

NVivo Essentials: 27-28 August, with Dr Anuja Cabraal

Collecting, Managing and Analysing Qualitative Interview Data: 7-8 September with Professor Carol Grbich

Foundations of R for Research: 11-12 September, with Dr Joanna Dipnall.

Systematic Literature Reviews using NVivo: 19 August, with Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen.

Questionnaire Design: 8-9 October, with Dr Gordon Emmerson.

Qualitative Research: Doing Constructionist Data Analysis: 5-6 November, with Professor David Silverman.

The Who, the What and the How of Moderating Focus Groups: TBC, with Bianca Plunkett.

The NeuroSurgical Research Foundation (NRF) promotes, fosters, develops and assists the study of all matters related to neurosurgery by encouraging, stimulating and aiding research and investigation, engaging public interest and cooperation with other research organisations. 

Funding this year is available for research grants for clinical and basic science research, including consumables and treatment equipment in two categories, general neurosurgical research up to the value of $30,000 for existing neurosurgical projects undertaken in South Australia, and paediatric neurosurgical research up to the value of $30,000 and must include an Interstate or Overseas collaboration.

The current round of applications closes on Monday 11 May 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 27 April 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health). Contact Gareth for a copy of the guidelines and application form.

Further details on the NRF are available at their website.

The National Innovation Games are a hack-a-thon inspired challenge bringing together organisations (including government, not-for-profits and businesses), students and researchers to innovate solutions to problems experienced by organisations and their end-users. 

During the one-day events, teams of students work through a series of design sprints with an organisation partner and a facilitator. The day culminates with teams pitching their solutions to a judging panel, with the opportunity to win prizes. The first National Innovation Game for SA is being held on 7 May 2020 with the theme ‘surfacing a full range of healthcare services for all South Australians’. Postgraduate and undergraduate students from all disciplines are invited to ensure a diverse and innovation inspiring range of perspectives within each team. 

Students and researchers who have experience and expertise in health and medical related areas can also volunteer for a mentoring role as a Challenge Lab Specialist. Challenge Lab Specialists provide teams with topic related knowledge and insights and help teams test assumptions and ideas.

To register as a Challenge team member for this event, visit www.paddl.com/jobs/844

To register as a Challenge Lab Specialist, visit https://paddl.typeform.com/to/sB64Bx

More information about participating in a team is also available in the Flyer for Students, or for potential Challenge Lab Specialists, in the Mentors’ Brief.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote naval safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) is seeking innovative ideas, good practices, and collaborative opportunities in Australia.

It is the mission of ONRG to build relationships between the international scientific community and the Naval Research Enterprise and to identify new technologies to support the Naval Research and Development Framework.

Applications are sought from researchers with proposals to address the following topics:

• Science and technology efforts to improve cleaning, decontamination and general shore maintenance of Naval vessels
• Shore maintenance operational best practices
• Best practices for delivering supplies or equipment to ships and submarines 
• Any innovation to safeguard sailors at-sea and ashore

Any Australian research teams that are interested in pursuing this opportunity are requested to contact the Defence Science Institute at dsi.info@defencescienceinstitute.com and advise Tony Kyriacou, Defence Partnerships Director, Research Development and Support, of their interest.

This grant opportunity is for the development and delivery of tools and resources to better enable NDIS providers to comply with NDIS registration requirements relating to mealtime management, swallowing and choking.

It is designed to improve the quality and safety of supports provided by NDIS providers and workers who are most likely to be providing mealtime supports, and to NDIS participants who are at risk of death related to swallowing difficulties, including choking.

This grant opportunity relates directly to the NDIS Commission’s published actions in response to the University of New South Wales' research on the 'Causes and contributors to deaths of people with disability in Australia' (see  www.ndiscommission.gov.au/news-media/research-deaths-people-disability).

Applications close on 15 May 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 4 May 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Amanda Wright, Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

The Australian Government is inviting an application via a restricted, competitive process to deliver activities under the Support for NDIS Providers Program through the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission).

The Support for NDIS Providers Program is a grants program managed by the NDIS Commission that will support a national information and education program to develop and grow a quality market in the NDIS, emphasising compliance obligations through the lens of the people with disability accessing NDIS supports and services. The initial focus of the Program is to fund targeted initiatives that support providers transitioning to the new arrangements and to address specific areas of the new provider obligations.

In accordance with section 4 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, this grant opportunity is only open to professional bodies, research organisations and/or academic institutions that have extensive subject matter expertise and experience in:

• clinical practice, research and teaching in the field of dysphagia and mealtime support with people with life-long disability;
• the education and training of disability support professionals in the field of dysphagia and communication impairment; and
• in inter-disciplinary partnership and stakeholder engagement, particularly in supporting people with disability and their families.

For more information, visit GrantConnect.

Austrade has advised that a Russian university is seeking research partners ahead of the NHMRC e-Asia Joint Research Program’s latest call for proposals.

The Laboratory of visualisation and computer graphics of Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) seeks partners for a research project within e-Asia JRP focussed on Health Research. The Russian university intends to focus on current existing research they are working on using augmented reality glasses.

The Laboratory is established at the Joint Institute of Science and Technology as part of the Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia.

Professor Ivanov leads the research function at the Laboratory. The intended research focus within e-Asia JRP is on the development of technologies using augmented reality glasses. The method enables the surgeon wearing the glasses to have an offline anatomical map of the patient. The map is based on CT/MRI data and can also be supplemented by ultrasound, dopplerography and angiography. The 3D visualisation helps in performing operations, given it improves orientation in the surgery field. This process increases the accuracy, reduces the operation time and minimises possible complications, with a video outlining the benefits.

Founded in 1899, SPbPU is one of 15 universities participating in the Russian landmark Project “5-100” focused on increasing the international competitiveness of Russian universities. SPbPU is ranked in the 151-175 band globally for Computer Science. SPbPU, cooperates with local and international education and research organisations, as well as industrial companies in the field of education and science. Computer Science is one of priority research areas, which comprises research in prospective fields, including around developing medical technologies.

Collaboration with the Laboratory may bring value to institutions seeking to build or expand collaborative working relationships in the area of research with practical implications. This can not only enrich research but also provide researchers with novel skills and methods. Cooperation with Russian institutions can potentially lead to engaging with emerging markets of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

For further information and introductions with contacts at the Russian university, please contact Natalia Konovalova — Business Development Manager, Austrade Moscow.

AINSE are offering top-up Residential Postgraduate Scholarships to high quality PhD students.

The annual package comprises a $7,500 stipend per annum, and up to $5,000 travel and accommodation allowance per annum. Expressions of interest close 31 May 2020.

Who should submit an expression of interest?

First year PhD students holding a RTP or equivalent peer reviewed scholarship AND Students whose PhD project topic closely aligns with any of the strategic focus areas for ANSTO’s research programmes:

• The Environment
• Human Health
• Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Opportunities may also exist for postgraduate students interested in contracted research and industrial engagement projects in the defence industry area, and for postgraduate students interested in fusion research that aligns with ANSTO and ITER activities.

Please read the RSS Conditions and ANSTO Research Capabilities & Facilities Guide (available on the AINSE website) for detailed information before submitting your expression of interest. Please Note: Current AINSE PGRA students awarded this scholarship would relinquish the AINSE PGRA.

Please visit the AINSE website for more information.

To apply, email ainse@ainse.edu.au with the email title: RSS Verification. The contents of the email should contain a one page (A4) only abstract outlining:

• the details of the research project, and
• the ANSTO staff member(s) you will be collaborating with

Successful students will be invited to submit a more detailed online application.

The Department of Defense office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) has recently released Fiscal Year 2020 funding opportunities for a number of Department of Defense (DoD) Programs.

The Flinders internal closing date for each of these opportunities is 10 working days prior to the external closing date. Please contact the Research Grants and Tenders team if you are intending to apply as soon as possible so that they can assist in registering to apply etc.

Please consult the modified Program Announcements available on Grants.gov and contact the Research Grants and Tenders team if you have any questions.

Bone Marrow Failure Research Program

• Idea Development Award

Breast Cancer Research Program

• Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2
• Breakthrough Award Level 3
• Breakthrough Award Level 4
• Era of Hope Scholar Award
• Innovator Award
• Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award
  

Gulf War Illness Research Program

• Idea Award
• Research Advancement Award
• Clinical Evaluation Award
• Therapeutic/Biomarker Trial Award
• Patient-Provider and Health Communications Award
• New Investigator Award

Lung Cancer Research Program

• Concept Award
• Idea Development Award
• Investigator-Initiated Translational Research Award
• Career Development Award
• Clinical Translational Research Partnership Award

Lupus Research Program

• Idea Award
• Impact Award
• Transformative Vision Award
  

Military Burn Research Program

• Clinical Translational Research Award 

Neurofibromatosis Research Program

• Clinical Trial Award
• Early Investigator Research Award
• Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award
• New Investigator Award
  (Additional NFRP Award Mechanisms to be released at a later date)

Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson’s

• Early Investigator Research Award
• Investigator-Initiated Research Award
• Synergistic Idea Award
  

Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program

• Clinical Research Award
• Clinical Trial Award
  

Ovarian Cancer Research Program

• Proteogenomics Research Award

Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program

• Idea Award
• Impact Award
• Behavioral Health Science Award
• Translational Team Science Award
• Virtual Cancer Center Director Award 
• Career Development Award – Fellow Option
• Career Development Award – Virtual Cancer Center Scholar Option

Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program

• Clinical Trial Award open to all 44 topics

Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program

• Applied Research Award
• Clinical Translational Research Award
• Clinical Trial Award

Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program open to Emerging Viral Diseases and Respiratory Health with a focus on COVID-19

• Clinical Trial Award
• Investigator Initiated Research Award
• Technology/Therapeutic Development Award
  

Prostate Cancer Research Program

• Early Investigator Research Award
• Physician Research Award
• Idea Development Award
• Translational Science Award
• Clinical Trial Award
• Health Disparity Research Award
• Population Science and Research Outcomes Award

Spinal Cord Injury Research Program

• Investigator-Initiated Research Award
• Translational Research Award
• Clinical Trial Award

Tick-Borne Disease Research Program

• Career Development Award
• Idea Development Award

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program

• Clinical Translational Research Award
• Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award
• Idea Development Award

Vision Research Program

Focused Translational Team Science Award

Investigator-Initiated Research Award Levels 1 and 2

Translational Research Award

Detailed descriptions of the funding opportunity, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements can be found in the Program Announcements. The Program Announcements are available electronically for downloading from the Grants.gov website, the CDMRP website and the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP). A listing of all open CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.

Submission is a two-step process requiring both pre-application submission and full application submission. All pre-applications must be submitted through eBRAP. Full applications from extramural organisations (non-DoD organisations i.e. Flinders University) must be submitted through Grants.gov.

Refer to the General Application Instructions, Section II.A. for registration and submission requirements for eBRAP and Grants.gov. For detailed information on the submission process, refer to Section II.D. of the Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity.

For more information on types of funding opportunities offered and application strategies review the CDMRP Webinar Series.

The 2020 Ramaciotti Awards are now open for applications.

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

Applications close 5 PM, 29 May 2020 for both the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research and the Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants. If you are intending to apply for a Ramaciotti Health Investment Grants, contact Gareth Rees by 6 April 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application for both of these is 15 May 2020.

For advice and more detail on the Ramaciotti Medal, contact Dr Marina Delpin, and for advice and more details on the Health Investment grants 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

The Medal honours an individual who has made an outstanding discovery (or discoveries) in clinical or experimental biomedical research that has had an important impact on biomedical science, clinical science, or the way in which healthcare is delivered.

To be eligible for the Ramaciotti Medal, the greater part of the nominee's work leading to the discovery (or discoveries) must have been conducted in Australia and they must still be actively engaged in this work.

The applicant must be peer nominated and the final recipient is selected based on a recommendation by the Ramaciotti Foundations Scientific Advisory Committee to Perpetual. Many past winners are highly regarded individuals in the top echelon of the biomedical research industry.

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 (not more than two pages per item). Submissions must be received in Research Development and Support by 15 May 2020 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. If you are intending to apply, contact Gareth Rees by 6 April 2020.

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).

Do you have an outstanding research student who may be interested in an NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship in 2021?

The NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarships scheme funds research based postgraduate degrees (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Research Masters Degrees).

The objective of the Postgraduate Scholarship scheme is to support outstanding graduates early in their careers so they can be trained to conduct health and medical research that is internationally competitive. Funding for up to 3 years is available.

Please Note: there are very specific eligibility criteria you will need to meet so please contact Research Development and Support as soon as possible if you are thinking of applying. 

Minimum data is due in Sapphire by 10 June, and applications close in Sapphire on 8 July. Please note that due to COVID-19, these dates are subject to change. 

More information can be found on the NHMRC website.

For application assistance, please contact Amanda Wright, Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) has established an International Fellowship program to support outstanding Australian scientists/clinicians to strengthen their research experience by working in internationally renowned breast cancer research centres outside of Australia.

Please note that there is no scheduled closing date for this scheme. However, applicants should be aware that the Fellowships can commence at any time, and funding is available for one to two years. All applications will be considered at the time of submission.

For Guidelines and further details please see the NBCF grants website. For application advice and assistance, please contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health).