This year Cancer Australia and its Funding Partners have research priorities which cover research into all types of cancer including paediatric cancers for the Priority driven Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) 2020 funding round. 

As with previous years, PdCCRS are applied for through the NHMRC funding rounds. For 2020 PdCCRS can be applied for through Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants or through Ideas Grants.

Changes have been made to the formatting of the Priority driven Cancer Research Scheme (PdCCRS) Questions forms; applicants are advised to thoroughly read the instructions before completing the form.

Funding will be available for research that addresses the priorities of Cancer Australia and the following Funding Partners:

• Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation
• Cure Cancer
• Leukaemia Foundation
• My Room
• National Breast Cancer Foundation
• The Kids’ Cancer Project

Cancer Australia and its Funding Partners invite applications for PdCCRS grants to commence in 2020. Project grants will be offered in the following categories:

• Funding Category A: Project grants of up to three years duration, with funding available up to $600,000 (GST-exclusive), with a maximum in any one year of $200,000 (GST-exclusive) will be offered by Cancer Australia, Leukaemia Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and The Kids’ Cancer Project. All project grant applications ranging from 1 to 3 years within a budget ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 per annum will be considered by Cancer Australia and these funding partners.
• Funding Category B: Project grants of one year duration for up to $100,000 (GST-exclusive) will be offered by Cancer Australia, Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation, Cure Cancer, and My Room to support project grants by post-doctoral researchers with up to 3 years post-doctoral experience or up to 3 years post MBBS qualification, undertaking a one year research project into malignant disease.
• Funding Category C: Project grants of up to 2 years duration for up to $200,000 (GST-exclusive), with a maximum in any one year of $100,000, will be offered by Cancer Australia, Australian Lions Childhood Cancer Research Foundation, Cure Cancer, Leukaemia Foundation, My Room, and The Kids’ Cancer Project to support project grants by post-doctoral researchers with between 3-7 years post-doctoral experience or between 3-7 years post MBBS qualification, undertaking a 1-2 year research project into malignant disease.
• Funding Category D: Project grants of one year duration for up to $100,000 (GST-exclusive) will be offered by Cure Cancer to support project grants by post-doctoral researchers with up to 7 years post-doctoral experience or up to 7 years post MBBS qualification, undertaking a one year research project in the field of bioinformatics for cancer research.

Funding Categories B, C and D cannot be used to provide a salary or other support for an Early Career Researcher as part of a larger NHMRC or PdCCRS project grant application.

Grant applications must address at least one of the research priority areas identified by Cancer Australia and/ or their Funding Partners.

Important dates and information

Call for applications to the 2020 PdCCRS grant opportunity opened 4 March 2020. Applications can be submitted through the NHMRC’s new grant management system, Sapphire for Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants, and for Ideas Grants. Due to Covid-19, the dates for Ideas grants and Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies grants closing dates have changed. Please see the new information here and in the Timelines section of the Flinders NHMRC Schemes page.

Applications to the 2020 round of the PdCCRS close on 17 June 2020 at 17:00 AEST for applications submitted through the Ideas Scheme, and 2 December 2020 at 17:00 AEST for applications submitted through the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Scheme. The deadline for certification in Sapphire for Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants and for Ideas Grants by an applicant is available in the Timelines section of the Flinders NHMRC Schemes page.

For application advice and assistance for both grants schemes, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health), RDS.

For more information, including access to the grant information documents, visit the Cancer Australia website.

Book now at ienrol research to access Flinders’ researcher training and development opportunities. Workshops, information sessions, seminars and drop-in sessions aim to provide ongoing development and support to all researchers.

Key workshops in the next three weeks include:
   Sapphire training
   Flinders' internal research funding schemes
   MRFF Information Session
   Goyder Institute for Water Research update
   The language of research activity - what is research?   Fulbright Scholarship - information session and Q&A
plus scheduled one-one meetings that enable you to meet and work directly with our RDS teams.

Click on the links below to view the course details.

One-on-One meeting: NHMRC and Health grants - Thursday 12 March 2020

Sapphire Training - NHMRC's new grant management system - Monday 16 March 2020

Protecting your research in Controlled Environments - review and valuation - Tuesday 17 March 2020

Research Bite: Flinders' internal research funding schemes - an overview - Tuesday 17 March 2020

Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Information Session - Wednesday 18 March 2020

One-on-One meeting: ARC grants - Wednesday 18 March 2020

Sapphire Training - NHMRC's new grant management system - Wednesday 18 March 2020

One-on-One meeting: NHMRC and Health grants - Thursday 19 March 2020

One-on-One meeting: Industry, Government, International & Internal grants - Thursday 19 March 2020

Animal Researcher Information Session - Friday 20 March 2020

Goyder Institute for Water Research update - Friday 20 March 2020

Animal Researcher Information Session - Monday 23 March 2020

One-on-One meeting: ARC grants - Monday 23 March 2020

One-on-One meeting: Industry, Government, International & Internal grants - Tuesday 24 March 2020

Research Bite: The language of research activity - what is research? - Wednesday 25 March 2020

Fulbright Scholarship - information session and Q&A - Thursday 26 March 2020

One-on-One meeting: NHMRC and Health grants - Thursday 26 March 2020

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

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants are now open for 2020 applications.

Over the next month there is an opportunity for applicants to access Flinders’ internal Ideas Peer Review and participate in hands-on Sapphire training to understand the NHMRC new grants management system that will be used for submissions of Ideas Grants in 2020.

Ideas Grants support focussed innovative research projects addressing a specific question with funding for up to five years for creative research by investigators at all career stages, including early and mid-career investigators, in any area of health and medical research, from discovery to implementation.

Minimum data is now due in Sapphire by 13 May 2020. The Research Development and Support (RDS) deadline for compliance review is now 14 May April 2020. The deadline for certification in Sapphire, the new NHMRC grant management system, by an applicant is now 9 June 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health), RDS.

Flinders' internal Ideas Peer Review - due 30 March 2020

The College of Medicine and Public Health is providing an Internal Ideas Peer Review for Flinders applications. The FHMRI Deputy Directors (Professor Danny Eckert -Clinical Translation; Professor Jon Karnon-Healthy Communities; Professor Damien Keating -Molecular Biosciences) will lead Ideas Internal peer review panels will be held week beginning 6 April 2020:

• Full draft applications (Proposal and the 3 Statements) will need to be submitted by Monday 30 March. More information will follow concerning exact details but please let us know you plan to apply ASAP.
• Each application will be assigned to a specific theme and those outside of CMPH/FHMRI will be allocated in the same way based on their keywords and synopsis so when you begin your application in Sapphire please ensure you complete minimum data.
• The process is open to non-CMPH researchers. All applicants submitting an application for review are expected to participate in the panels.

For more information, visit the NHMRC site and GrantConnect site. Timelines for this scheme available on the Flinders' NHMRC webpage.

RDS is currently offering hands-on Sapphire training - register at ienrol - research to attend. The workshop will include a demonstration of the new system and participants will be able to access Sapphire during the session. There will be plenty of time for questions as well as information about how to access further advice and support.

The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia, as well as images capturing resilience in action. The awards recognise collaboration and innovative thinking across all sectors.

Now in its 21st year, the awards recognise outstanding contributions in each state and territory in six categories. Universities are eligible to entry the "Business" category. The program recognises a wide range of initiatives; with past projects centred on risk assessment and mitigation; education, training and research; and community engagement, as well as response and recovery.

The Resilient Australia Awards is a two-tiered program. Submissions are judged in the state or territory they are submitted from, with winners from each state and territory considered for national awards.

Entries in the 2020 awards must relate to projects or initiatives commenced after 1 January 2018 or demonstrate significant outcomes or enhancements since 1 January 2018.

Submissions close on 18 May 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 4 May 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher training, development and communication.

The Resilient Australia Awards is proudly sponsored by the Australian Government in partnership with the states and territories and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).

The next Royal Society of South Australia (RSSA) lecture will be given by Professor Patrick de Deckker (Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University, Research School of Earth Sciences) on "Spectacular Australian deep-sea canyons: their formation, associated biota, physico-chemical processes and past environmental changes".

The RSSA hold monthly meetings with invited speakers covering a range of topics and disciplines. These events are open to the public and free to attend. Please join them from 6pm for a 6:30 start in the Royal Society SA rooms, behind the SA Museum (Morgan Thomas Lane, off Kintore Avenue, Adelaide) Thursday 12 March 2020 for the March monthly meeting.  

Professor de Deckker's talk will be multidisciplinary in approach as he will cover many aspects of deep-sea canyons, and in particular the Murray Canyons Group located offshore Kangaroo Island opposite the present-day mouth of the River Murray. The first description of these canyons was made by Reginald Sprigg in 1947 in 2 publications, the Transactions of the RSSA and Nature.

He will argue why canyons are worth investigating for several reasons: their antiquity, formation and current physical processes occurring in them, the biota that inhabits them or frequents them, plus chemical processes, some of which would be of interest to the petroleum industry.

Come along and see animations [fly through] documenting their spectacular nature, being deeper than the Grand Canyon in the USA!

The lecture will also cover the vast amount of palaeoclimatic history that has been obtained from deep-sea cores obtained along the margins of the Murray Canyons and the similarities with the Baudin expedition that occurred almost to the day some 200 years before Patrick's team studied the canyons on board the RV Marion Dufresne in 2003.

Patrick completed a BA and MSc (Hons) at Macquarie several decades ago. He continued his tertiary education at the University of Adelaide from which he obtained a PhD in zoology and DSc in earth sciences. Patrick is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and recipient of the Mawson Medal, the Australian Society for Limnology Medal and the Brady Medal awarded by the Micropalaeontological Society in 2019. Patrick enjoys conducting multidisciplinary studies, many of which were on large Australian lake systems as well as the oceans bordering Australia. More recently, Patrick has worked on the fingerprinting of airborne dust from the Australian region for better understanding the impact on dust on environmental health.

For more information please check out their Twitter or their website.

Applications have opened for Wine Australia travel bursaries for travel commencing between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021. 

Applications close 24 April 2020 at 5pm (Australian Central Standard Time). The Flinders internal closing date is 10 April 2020 for a completed final draft application. For application advice and assistance, contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

Travel bursaries

Travel bursaries can fund travel, study tours or conferences to develop your knowledge and skills in your area of research, and to network with the international research community. See Wine Australia's application guidelines for further details.

Visiting scholar bursaries 

Wine Australia invites and assesses applications for visiting scholar bursaries throughout the year. Visiting scholar bursaries can bring international experts to Australia to participate in workshops, meetings, conferences, symposia or research projects. See Wine Australia's application guidelines for further details.

To apply for a Wine Australia travel bursary, you must complete an application online through the Clarity Investment Management System (CIMS).

If you have not used CIMS before, a log in and password can be obtained by emailing your full name, address, contact phone number and name of affiliated organisation to applications@wineaustralia.com.

Wine Australia will consider applications that support international travel for conference attendance and/or study tours that align with our RD&E priority areas, with the two-fold purpose of:

• demonstrating benefit to the Australian grape and wine sector and/or existing research, and
• supporting careers for grape and wine researchers in the sector and academia by providing opportunities to broaden their professional development, particularly early in their career. 

Please consult the Wine Australia Strategic Plan 2015–2020 and the application guidelines for both the travel and visiting scholar bursaries when developing applications.

The Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund aims to benefit Australians with disability, especially people with an intellectual and/or developmental disability.

Two grants are available for researchers to undertake projects that will advance the health, well-being and life experiences of people with disability.

Submissions for both grants opened on 9 March 2020 and have a closing date of 17 April 2020. The Flinders internal closing date is 3 April 2020 for a completed final draft application. For application assistance and advice, contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII). Please note that the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund is exempt from the Flinders research infrastructure levy.

Research Award

This award targets applicants with appropriate research qualifications, who are employed by an Australian host institution, at which they will conduct the proposed research project. The host institution can be a university, a university-affiliated research centre or institute, or an appropriate independent research centre or institute.

In 2020, the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund will make one award of $70,000 to fund research to advance the health, wellbeing and life experiences of people with a disability, in particular people with an intellectual disability.

Inclusive Research Award

In 2020, the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund will make one award of $25,000 to fund an inclusive research project to advance the health, wellbeing and life experiences of people with a disability, in particular people with an intellectual disability.

This award targets applicants with appropriate research qualifications, who are employed by an Australian host institution. The host institution may be a university, a university-affiliated research centre or institute, an appropriate independent research centre or institute, or a non-profit organisation which regularly undertakes research.

This award is also open to postgraduate students conducting Masters or PhD programs of research at an Australian university, under the supervision of suitably qualified supervisors.

For more information, visit the Endeavour Foundation website.

Free research methodology online training and 50% discounted Adelaide based workshops are currently available through the Center for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis’ (CARMA).

Flinders Library has extended the university-wide access to quantitative and qualitative online research methodology training provided through the International Video Library Program (IVLP) conducted by CARMA.

There are over 150 recorded, high-quality lectures available FREE of charge for our staff and students that address various aspects of undertaking research. A full list of lectures and information on how to register can be found on the Flinders Library website. 

Flinders’ participation in the IVLP also allows our researchers to obtain a 50% discount for CARMA’s short courses to be conducted in Adelaide in late April 2020. 

Two 2.5 days long workshops offered in 2020 are: "Introduction to Multilevel Analysis with R" and "Advanced Multilevel Analysis with R".

Detailed information about the courses is available on the CARMA website.

Any additional questions about the Video Library Program or courses can be directed to Dr Pawel Skuza, Statistical Consultant, Flinders Library.

Nominations are now open for the Australian Academy of Science’s (AAS) 2021 honorific awards, and applications are open for their research conferences, research awards and travelling fellowships.

The awards and funding opportunities shine a light on career, mid-career, and early-career researchers who are making outstanding contributions to science and progressing the advancement of science in Australia. The awards recognise remarkable achievements in research fields including Earth sciences, biology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, experimental biomedicine, genetics and more.

According to Dr Lara Malins, one of several funding recipients featured recently in Science Matters magazine, the JG Russell Award she received is more than just extra funding. "It was just really fantastic to have that support. Awards that recognise early-career researchers set them on a trajectory that helps them be more successful." 

The Academy is committed to celebrating and supporting diversity. They seek nominations of outstanding scientists from all career stages, backgrounds and genders, and strongly encourage more nominations of women for all awards, in particular the career and mid-career honorific awards.

Two new honorific awards, the Ruby Payne-Scott Medal and Lecture and Suzanne Cory Medal honour two of Australia’s pioneering women scientists and are open in the Academy’s 2021 award round.

Closing dates

The closing date is now 25 May 2020 for honorific award nominations. The Flinders internal closing date for honorific award nominations for a completed final draft application is 18 May 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher training, development and communication.

1 June 2020 for research conference, research award and travelling fellowship applications. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 18 May 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Rupali Saikia, Research Support Officer (IGII).

For more information, visit the AAS website or view the AAS factsheet.

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 March 2020 Nature Foundation grants round is now open and applications are sought from researchers (from Honours level to Established) working in the field of nature conservation.

Nature Foundation’s Grants Program funds research focussed on the conservation of South Australia’s biodiversity and habitats, and supports researchers in their work and careers. In the March 2020 round there are 6 grant categories available with funding ranging from $2,000 to $12,000.

The Foundation invests in conserving, restoring and protecting South Australian landscapes, flora and fauna to ensure their survival. Since 2003 they have awarded university students, universities and other research institutions with 403 grants totalling more than $1.6 million in the field of biological sciences.

The March 2020 Grants Round offers grants in the following categories:

• Grand Start Grants Program for HDR/Masters applicants, with funding of up to $3000 per annum available.
• Grand Start Grants Program Honours Up to $2000 available.
• Nature Foundation Scientific Expedition Foundation RL & GK Willing Grant for Honours applicants, with funding of up to $2000 available.
• Roy and Marjory Edwards Scholarship for HDR/Masters applicants, with funding of $12,000 per annum for up to 3 years available.
• Mike Bull Award for Early Career Nature Scientists for late HDR or early-career researcher applicants, with funding of up to $3000 available.
• Research Project Grant, with funding of up to $10,000 available.

In March 2020 the Research Project Grant category will focus on projects from the Nature Foundation's Potential Research Projects list, including South Australian based research on nationally Vulnerable Australian Sea-lions Neophoca cinerea.

Applying for Grants

For details on applying for grants please see the Nature Foundation's Grants webpage and, in particular, the Applying for Grants webpage where the Grants Program Guidelines are available.

Applications close at 9 am ACST on Monday 6 April 2020. For Flinders' ECR/MCR or established researchers, the Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 23 March 2020. For application assistance and advice, contact Mary Lyons, Senior Research Grants Officer (IGII).

For HDR and Honours applicants, if you wish to discuss your project idea with Nature Foundation or for any other grant queries, please call 1300 366 191 or email NatureFoundationSA@nfsa.org.au.

Dr Robert Mun, Executive Director, Australian Research Council (ARC) will be visiting Flinders on 2 April 2020. Dr Mun present an information session and answer questions related to the newly announced ARC Special Research Initiatives for Australian Society, History and Culture. Up to $12 million in total funding for up to three years, will be available to support research grants with funding between $20,000 and $100,000 per year.

The Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture grant opportunity will support excellent research into all aspects of Australian society, history and culture from ancient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander beginnings to modern-day Australia. Research can be in a range of diverse areas of Australian life including community, institutions, literature, art, music, philosophy, language, media, politics and geography.

Research funded under this grant opportunity is intended to give a greater understanding about modern Australia, including its origins and the events that have shaped it.

To attend the seminar with Dr Mun, register now via ienrol - research.

The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:

• support excellent research into Australian society, history and culture; and
• build Australian research capacity in this area by supporting researchers of the highest international standing as well as foster high-quality postdoctoral researchers.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to:

• advance understanding, through the research projects, into the formation, development and standing of Australian society, history and culture; and
• increase research capacity in Australia.

Applications opened on 28 February 2020.

• RDS deadline for a Request Not to Assess is 15 April 2020.
• RDS deadline for compliance and quality review is 15 April 2020.
• RDS deadline for letter of support / statement by Flinders and co-investment form (if applicable) is 20 April 2020.
• RDS deadline for submission of final application in RMS to RDS is 4 May 2020
• Applications close in RMS on 6 May 2020 (extended from 22 April 2020). 

For application advice and support, contact Maya Roberts, Senior Research Grants Officer (ARC).

Grants documentation is available on GrantConnect. Further information is available on the ARC website.

Nominations are now invited for the 2019 David Syme Research Prize. The Australia-wide prize recognises the best original research in Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Geology produced in Australia during the past two years (1 January 2018 - 31 December 2019). 

The prize is made by nomination only. Senior members of the academic or research community such as co-authors or co-researchers, heads of department or deputy vice-chancellors (research) are invited to nominate eligible colleagues. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Nominations close on Wednesday 29 April 2020. The Flinders internal closing date for a completed final draft application is 15 April 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Dr Marina Delpin, Manager, Researcher training, development and communication.

Researchers associated with any Australian university and researchers without university connections are eligible for nomination, noting that the following are not eligible: 

• Professors or researchers who will have attained the position of professor at the time the award is made; 
• Researchers outside universities who will have attained a level of seniority comparable to a university professor at the time the award is made (LEVEL E); 
• Researchers who have not spent the equivalent of at least 5 full years of the last 7 in Australia. 

Up to three published works can be cited if nominees consider that knowledge of the research program’s development is considered necessary for the correct evaluation of the two-year record under assessment, the nomination may include a description of the research development period over the previous five years (prior to 1 January 2018).

Details of published works organised in the following categories:

• Original refereed journal articles (the date of acceptance should be provided for papers not yet published) – please include journal ranking within discipline (not impact factor) and citations
• Reviews
• Books, chapters and monographs
• Full published conference proceedings (do not include conference abstracts)
• Patents
• Other publications, e.g. popular articles, periodicals, submissions to government reviews, policies

The award is made on the basis of the research quality within the discipline and its likely impact and value in the industrial and commercial interests of Australia. 

Full details and the nomination form are available at https://scienceunimelb.smartygrants.com.au/syme2019.

The David Syme Research Prize is managed by the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants are now open for 2020 applications.

Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants aim to support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge, leading to relevant and implementable findings for the benefit of human health.

The intended outcomes of the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies Grants opportunity are improvements in health and well-being, health care practice or policy, as a result of:

• High-quality clinical trials that provide reliable evidence of the effects of health-related interventions on health outcomes (or appropriate surrogates).
• High-quality cohort studies that provide reliable evidence on the relation of important risk factors and other exposures to health-related outcomes.
• High quality retrospective cohort studies that provide reliable evidence on the relation of important risk factors and other exposures to health-related outcomes.

Minimum data due in Sapphire by 1 April 2020. The Research Development and Support (RDS) deadline for compliance review is 8 April 2020. The deadline for certification in Sapphire, the new NHMRC grant management system, by an applicant is 28 April 2020. For application advice and assistance, contact Gareth Rees, Senior Research Grants Officer (NHMRC and Health), RDS.

For more information, visit the NHMRC site and GrantConnect site. Timelines for this scheme available on the Flinders' NHMRC webpage.

RDS is currently offering hands-on Sapphire training - register at ienrol - research to attend. The workshop will include a demonstration of the new system and participants will be able to access Sapphire during the session. There will be plenty of time for questions as well as information about how to access further advice and support.

The NHMRC has released Sapphire, their new online grant management system.

To support the Flinders’ research community, Research Development and Support (RDS) is presenting information about Sapphire on Friday 6 March, and hands-on training in Sapphire on Tuesday 10 March, Monday 16 March and Wednesday 18 March.

Register now at ienrol-research to join an information session, "NHMRC Ideas grants and Sapphire launch" on Friday 6 March by Flinders' Grants and Tenders team, RDS.

RDS will provide further hands-on training to support Flinders’ researchers’ transition to Sapphire:

• Tuesday 10 March - Lecture Theatre 1, Flinders Medical Centre 12.30-1.30 pm
• Monday 16 March - Level 4 Seminar Area, Flinders Medical Centre 12.30-1.30 pm
• Wednesday 18 March - Room 1300, Physical Sciences Building, Bedford Park 10:00-11:00 am

Register now at ienrol-research to participate in a "Sapphire Training" workshop, which will include a demonstration of Sapphire and time for researchers to access, navigate and step through Sapphire in-session. There will be plenty of time for questions as well as information about how to access further advice and support. 

The NHMRC has released the following news and advice:

NHMRC copied RGMS users’ CV/Profile data from RGMS for migration into Sapphire on Wednesday 12 February 2020 after 5.00pm (AEDT). Any changes made to an RGMS profile after this date has not been replicated in Sapphire. The NHMRC has advised that it is the responsibility of researchers to confirm all Profile data is complete and up-to-date prior to submitting an application. Information on how to access Sapphire is available on the NHMRC Website.

A summary of the key changes for Sapphire Profile and NHRMC’s recommendation for checking your profile data is available on the NHMRC website. If you have any questions or concerns about your migrated profile data, please contact the Sapphire Help Desk. 

Current Applicants using RGMS - All grant opportunities that are currently open will continue to accept applications through RGMS. Applicants to these grant opportunities should continue to update their profile and applications in RGMS in accordance with the relevant grant opportunity grant guidelines. 

Peer Reviewers and active grants - Until further notice, RGMS will continue to be used for peer review processes and post-award management of active grants, including grant variations, reporting and payments. 

Next Steps - The launch is stage one of Sapphire and it includes functionality to support user profiles and applications. This reflects NHMRC’s staged approach to the development and implementation of Sapphire. Sapphire will continue to be updated and improved over the life of the system.

The first grant round to open will be Synergy Grants on 26 February 2020. Applications for all future grant opportunities will be received in Sapphire 

NHMRC assistance and help - Resources are available to assist you in navigating Sapphire, such as Help (a list of frequently asked questions and answers), how-to videos and access to the Sapphire Help Desk. The Sapphire Helpdesk will be available by email and telephone to assist you with any questions and issues. 

The NHMRC encourages applicants to provide feedback on their experience with the system, online tutorials and Help by completing the online feedback form, emailing or calling the Sapphire Helpdesk on 1800 500 983.

Your feedback will help NHMRC resolve any urgent issues and will help inform improvements to Sapphire.

We encourage you visit the NHRMC Website regularly to keep yourself informed.

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.

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

For HDR applicants, contact the Office of Graduate Research for application advice and assistance. They have a number of resources developed to assist applicants. Please note that nominees for the PhD Research Excellence Award must be Australian citizens, and have had their PhD conferred up to 24 months prior.

Awards will be presented in four categories in 2020:

• Awards for Science Excellence
• South Australian Scientist of the year
• PhD Research Excellence Award

• Award for Excellence in Innovation and Translation
• South Australian Innovator of the Year
• Excellence in Science and Industry Collaboration (previously Excellence in Research Collaboration)
• Awards for Innovation in STEMM Teaching
• STEM Professional Award
• STEM Educator of the Year (split into School Teaching and Tertiary Teaching categories)

The Award for Excellence in Innovation and Translation is new for 2020 and is for exceptional innovators (including researchers and research teams) that are able to demonstrate innovation and translation and how this innovation has delivered a positive impact.

The South Australian Scientist of the Year and new Innovator of the Year category will receive a prize to the value of $25,000 each. Other category winners will receive a prize to the value of $10,000 to use towards their career development.

Award finalists will now be announced in June through the Science Excellence and Innovation Awards website and social media channels.

The gala dinner, originally scheduled for August will now be postponed due to the circumstances and restrictions around COVID-19. Inspiring Research will advise the new gala dinner date, when it is announced.

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, 14 August 2020 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Why should you nominate?

• Recognition of your (and your teams) achievements by peers and decision makers.
• Finalists receive a compelling video of their journey that is available online for colleagues, peers, and others to access. It can also be used for future endeavours, as a record of your journey.
• Special invitations are extended to winners and finalists, such as invitation to the Prime Minister's Prize for Science Awards night.
• The gala dinner provides an excellent opportunity to network with luminaries such as the Vice-Chancellor's of each SA university, keynote speakers and peers and industry.

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

Do you know someone making a difference in their field? Nominations for the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2020 program to reward excellence in Australian science are now open.

The spectrum of prizes cover a broad range of scientific disciplines and aim to recognise the work of scientists and researchers at all career stages.

Over the years a number of Flinders' researchers have received these awards in recognition of their brilliant achievements that make a difference - including members of the Colvera Team (2017), members of the TEPO Team (2016) and Associate Professor Philip Dinning (2011). 

The 2020 program comprises of 17 prizes across the areas of research & innovation, leadership science engagement, and also school science. Entries will now close on Friday 15 May 2020. The Flinders internal closing date is 8 May 2020 for a completed final draft application. For assistance in preparing the nominations/applications, please contact Dr Marina Delpin as soon as possible.

The Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, celebrating excellence in research & innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science. Entrants can enter themselves or be nominated, with prizes available for both individuals and teams. It’s free to enter, and in 2020 there is a prize pool of $170,000 on offer.

Many winners have enjoyed significant media coverage and reported a range of new opportunities following their selection.

For more information, visit the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes website.

In 2020, a register of interest "Diversifying Research Income" will enable Research Development and Support (RDS) to target opportunities to researchers and support and work with those interested in applying for research funding other than ARC, NHMC and MRFF grant income. We invite interested researchers to complete a brief survey by Friday 20 March 2020.

By completing this survey, you are registering your interest to learn, explore and receive information about a broad range of research funding sources.

These may include:

• competitive research funding from local, state or federal government departments and agencies
• research tenders
• business and industry programs
• philanthropic organisation and foundations, other non-government organisations (NGOs)
• international schemes

Diversified research income streams can fund a variety of concurrent research activities and programs ranging from significant tender contracts and major, long-running research projects to smaller scale investments such as funding Honours or postgraduate projects, pilot studies or conference support.

Information from this survey will be used to inform RDS of your specific areas of research focus, expertise and interest and the research funding sources that you are interested in. This will enable the RDS to:

• send targeted emails directly to you to provide timely information on schemes and funding opportunities matched to your discipline, research interest and career stage; and
• invite you to relevant researcher training and development opportunities and information sessions that aim to increase awareness and upskill the research community.

Please note that two registers will run in 2020: 

• This one, "Diversifying research income" (closing 20 March 2020) and
• "ARC and NHMRC grants Intent to Apply" (opening 29 June 2020, closing 29 July 2020)
  

A Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Information Session for the Flinders University research community will be held on Wednesday 18 March and provide a comprehensive overview of the MRFF program, how you can best approach opportunities and the support available to Flinders researchers.

A panel consisting of external MRFF experts, Flinders’ researchers and Flinders’ research support will share their perspective and experiences.

Speakers and panel members include:

• Professor Wendy Keech, CEO, Health Translation SA
• Dr Andrew Milligan, MedTech Ventures Case Manager, Biomedical Translation Bridge Program
• Associate Professor Kim Hemsley, College of Medicine and Public Health
• Professor Robyn Clark, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Professor Danny Eckert, College of Medicine and Public Health
• Grainne Mullen, Manager, Research Grants and Tenders, RDS

The panel discussion will be followed by an opportunity for Q&A and discussion.

Register to attend at ienrol - Research.

Our University’s vision is to be internationally recognised as a world leader in research, and our success in this regard relies on the work and efforts of our researchers. To ensure the millions of dollars-worth of Flinders’ scientific research is appropriately protected the University prioritises an active risk management approach to our research Controlled Environments.

Any Flinders researcher who has any research work in a Controlled Environment is strongly encouraged to attend a forthcoming seminar, 17 March, live or online to help them fully understand how to ensure their work is appropriately protected.

What are ‘Controlled Environments’?

The majority of our research and experiments are undertaken and stored in Controlled Environments: these are spaces or equipment that require a controlling mechanism. Examples include (but are not limited to) research laboratories, research-related freezers/fridges, greenhouses, animal houses and even oxygenated fish tanks.

What’s happened that affects me as a researcher?

Across Australia over the last couple of years, the number and value of insurance claims for research spoilage losses in Controlled Environments at universities have increased considerably. 

As a result, Flinders’ insurer, Unimutual, has changed cover levels for reinstating spoiled research due to Controlled Environment failure. Recognising that changes to how the University protects its research will take time to implement, Unimutual has given us a “period of grace” until 1 November 2020 when these cover changes will come into effect.

In preparation for this change, a Controlled Environment review and valuation is due to occur during March/April, which is intended to identify, value and record research in Controlled Environments.

The involvement of all researchers working with Controlled Environments will be critical to the process of accurately recording Flinders’ research, so come along to this session to find out more.

What are these cover changes?

In summary, any spoilage loss of research held in a Controlled Environment deemed by Unimutual to be ‘unmitigated’ (i.e., without appropriate measures taken to ensure reasonable protection, eg a back to base alarm that is monitored 24 hours a day) will have lower limits and increased excesses, leaving Colleges and other research centres with significant increased costs for reinstating lost research.

What’s Flinders doing to appropriately protect my research?

A Controlled Environment review and valuation is due to occur during March/April, which is intended to identify:

• Where are the University’s research Controlled Environments;
• Estimated reinstatement costs for said research; and 
• What control mechanisms currently exist.

Recording the above will inform the University’s action plan for minimising the likelihood and/or scale of further research losses and is a key element of how losses will be assessed by the insurer.

The involvement of all researchers working with Controlled Environments will be critical to the process of accurately recording Flinders’ research, and the University will help our researchers identify, value and record their work.

What next?

In preparation for the University’s Controlled Environment research review and valuation, Simon Iliffe, Unimutual’s Risk Manager and expert in Controlled Environments risk will be presenting an information seminar in Health Sciences Lecture Theatre 1.09 on Tuesday 17 March 2020, 11 am-1 pm. Please enrol now via ienrol. This event will also be livestreamed on the web for regional sites and researchers to tune in. Also look out for more information in upcoming College newsletters.

Any Flinders researcher who has any research work in a Controlled Environment is strongly encouraged to attend this seminar (live or online), to help them fully understand how they should support the review and valuation, and how to ensure their work is appropriately protected.

Please direct all queries as per below: 

• College of Medicine and Public Health – Angela Binns
• College of Science and Engineering – Craig Sellick
• College of Nursing and Health Sciences – Julianne Fox
• College of Education, Psychology and Social Work – Stanley Flavel
• College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences – Scott Castledine
• Queries regarding insurance – Olga Pinto