archive.arc.gov.auarchive.arc.gov.au/archive_files/funded research/1 disc… · web viewpage 1 of...

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFor schemes under the Discovery Program for the years

2014 and 2015

Version 4 Release date: 28 February 2014

All Participants should read the Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2014 and 2015 in conjunction with the relevant scheme-specific section (referred to as the Funding Rules). The scheme specific ‘Instructions to Applicants’ documents also contain important information for Research Office staff and individual Participants preparing proposals.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) does not respond to queries from individual Participants. Individual Participants should direct all queries regarding ARC funding schemes to their Administering Organisation’s Research Office (or equivalent). If further information regarding the scheme is required, the Research Office should contact the relevant scheme:

Australian Laureate Fellowships: ARC - [email protected]

Discovery Projects: [email protected]

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award: [email protected]

Discovery Indigenous: [email protected]

Information regarding the Research Management System (RMS) is available at www.arc.gov.au/applicants/system_default.htm, or by contacting [email protected] for assistance.

As soon as information regarding important scheme dates becomes available, the ARC website will be updated at www.arc.gov.au/media/important_dates.htm. The ARC will also notify the Research Administrators’ Network of any updates via an email message.

This Frequently Asked Questions document will be updated as required. Details of any amendments will be appended to this document.

of 32

http://www.arc.gov.au/media/important_dates.htm

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.arc.gov.au/applicants/system_default.htm





CONTENTS

Part A – Frequently Asked Questions applicable to all schemes under the Discovery Program...................3

1. CROSS-SCHEME ELIGIBILITY......................................................................................................................3

2. BUDGET....................................................................................................................................................5

3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................7

4. MEDICAL AND DENTAL RESEARCH............................................................................................................9

Part B – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2014......................................................................................................................................10

1. ELIGIBILITY..............................................................................................................................................10

2. ROLES......................................................................................................................................................10

3. OTHER QUESTIONS.................................................................................................................................11

Part C – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2015................................................................................................................................................................12

1. INVESTIGATOR ROLES.............................................................................................................................12

2. ORGANISATIONS.....................................................................................................................................12

3. COMMONWEALTH-FUNDED RESEARCH.................................................................................................13

4. BUDGET..................................................................................................................................................13

5. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AWARDS (ICAs)................................................................................14

6. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................................15

Part D – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award for funding commencing in 2015.........................................................................................................................16

1. DECRA CANDIDATE – ELIGIBILITY...........................................................................................................16

2. DECRA CANDIDATE - ROLE......................................................................................................................19

3. FUNDING AND BUDGET..........................................................................................................................20

4. GENERAL QUESTIONS and SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS......................................................................21

Part E – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2015................................................................................................................................................................23

1. INVESTIGATOR ROLES.............................................................................................................................23

2. ORGANISATIONS.....................................................................................................................................23

3. COMMONWEALTH-FUNDED RESEARCH.................................................................................................23

4. BUDGET..................................................................................................................................................24

5. DISCOVERY INDIGENOUS AWARD...........................................................................................................24

6. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................................25

Table 1 - Scheme Date Reference Table........................................................................................................26

Table 2 - Example scenarios to assist in understanding the cross-scheme eligibility rules..........................27

Changes to Document....................................................................................................................................29

of 32

Part A – Frequently Asked Questions applicable to all schemes under the Discovery Program

1. CROSS-SCHEME ELIGIBILITY

1.1 Section A6.2.4 of the Funding Rules states that ‘a proposal may only be submitted for funding that the researcher would be eligible to hold under these rules as at the Commencement Date of the Project/Fellowship/Award being applied for.’ What is the ‘Commencement Date’?

The ‘Commencement Date’ in this section refers to the date on which the funding of the scheme you are applying for will commence, as defined under ‘Interpretation’ in the relevant scheme-specific section of the Funding Rules. Please refer to Table 1 in this document for the Commencement Date of schemes within the Discovery Program.

1.2 How do I calculate the duration of my existing Project?

For eligibility purposes, a Project/Fellowship/Award is considered to be funded for the years set out in the original Funding Agreement as noted in section A6.2.5 of the Funding Rules. Refer to Table 1 for a reference guide.

1.3 How many Projects, Fellowships or Awards can a researcher hold or apply for concurrently under the Discovery Program?

Under the Discovery Program, a researcher can be funded concurrently for a maximum of:

two Projects as a CI (including both as sole CI); or one Project as a CI and one ARC Fellowship; or one Project as a CI and one ARC Award.

A researcher cannot concurrently hold more than one ARC Fellowship or Award. Please also note that a researcher may not hold an ARC Fellowship/Award at the same time as they hold a Fellowship from another Commonwealth funding agency (see A6.2.3 of the Funding Rules).

A researcher may not submit a proposal for funding that they would not be eligible to hold under these rules. See Table 2 for examples.

Relinquishments of Projects/Fellowships/Awards that occur after the closing date for submission of Proposals are not taken into account when calculating cross-scheme eligibility for the scheme round (see A6.2.6 of the Funding Rules).

Please note that funding held and Proposals submitted under the ARC’s Linkage Program (such as Linkage Projects, LIEF, Centres of Excellence and ITRP) need not be taken into account when considering the limits described above. However, grant holders under the Linkage Program should consider their time and capacity to undertake additional projects. Similarly, while researchers holding a sole CI grant may now apply for a second as sole CI, the selection criteria relating to time and capacity to undertake the research must be considered.

1.4 How do I know if I meet the eligibility criteria set out under section A6.2 of the Funding Rules on Limits on Projects and Proposals?

In the first instance you should consider whether any funding you are currently receiving from the ARC will be ongoing as at the Commencement Date for the scheme you wish to apply for (see also FAQ 1.1). For eligibility purposes, a Project/Fellowship/Award is considered to be funded for the years set out in the original Funding Agreement (see also FAQ 1.2).

Secondly, consider any current Discovery Program Proposals that you have submitted to the ARC as a Chief Investigator/Fellow/Award candidate. As noted in section A6.2.2 of the Funding Rules, you do not need to include Projects on which you are a Partner Investigator or other participant (such as a PDRA, higher degree research student or a research assistant). Proposals submitted under the ARC’s Linkage Program (such as Linkage Projects, LIEF, Centres of Excellence and ITRP) also do not need to be taken into account for the purposes of cross-scheme eligibility. However, grant holders under the Linkage Program should consider their time and capacity to undertake additional projects.

of 32

You should then add the number of ARC Projects/Fellowships/Awards which will have ongoing funding (as described above) to the number of currently submitted Discovery Program proposals. Consider this total against the limits for concurrently held Projects/Fellowships/Awards set out in sections A6.2.1 and A6.2.3 of the Funding Rules (see also FAQ 1.3).

You should also take into account any funding you may be receiving from another Commonwealth agency which will be ongoing as at the Commencement Date. Keep in mind that the ARC will not duplicate funding for research or research infrastructure funded by the Commonwealth (section A5.1.4 of the Funding Rules) and that a researcher cannot hold an ARC Fellowship/Award at the same time as they hold a Fellowship from another Commonwealth agency (section A6.2.3 of the Funding Rules).

Calculations to determine cross-scheme eligibility will be performed at the closing time of submission of Proposals. The relinquishment of any Discovery Program CI role/Fellowship/Award after this date will not be taken into account for the purposes of determining eligibility for that scheme round (see section A6.2.6 of the Funding Rules).

Examples are available at Table 2 for further clarification.

1.5 Can the same research Proposal be submitted for different schemes under the Discovery Program?

Yes. A Proposal for the same project can be submitted to more than one scheme (keeping in mind the limits outlined in FAQ 1.3 above). If a Proposal is submitted to more than one ARC funding scheme, the relevant part of the proposal form should be completed accordingly. This information should be recorded in the Proposal form. If both Proposals are successful you will be required to manage any potential financial duplication through an ARC-approved variation to the relevant Funding Agreement or by relinquishing one of the successful Projects.

Please note in accordance with section A5.1.4 of the Funding Rules, the ARC will not duplicate funding for research, including infrastructure, funded by the Commonwealth. Assessors also take into account criteria such as value for money and originality.

1.6 Are Future Fellows and Australian Laureate Fellows eligible to apply for funding as CIs under the Discovery Program?

Yes. In order to be eligible as a CI, Future Fellows and Australian Laureate Fellows must, at the time of submission of Discovery Program Proposals, evaluate if they will meet the eligibility criteria for CIs at the Commencement Date as per Table 1 of these FAQs. For example, Future Fellows who are based at organisations other than those listed in section A12 of the Funding Rules and do not meet the eligibility criteria of a CI are not eligible to apply as a CI. Applicants must also comply with the specific limits on the number of projects/proposals permitted.

1.7 I am currently a CI on a NHMRC Project Grant, how many Discovery Program Proposals can I apply for?

The Discovery Program does not limit researchers who are receiving or applying for NHMRC funding, as long as other ARC eligibility criteria are satisfied. Please refer to section A6.2 of the Funding Rules. However, the restrictions on duplication of Commonwealth funding still apply, and researchers should consider their time and capacity to undertake additional projects.

1.8 I am a CI on a Centre of Excellence for funding commencing in 2014, how many Discovery Program Proposals can I apply for?

You may apply for and be awarded the maximum of two Discovery Program Proposals. Please refer to section A6.2 of the Funding Rules. However, the restrictions on duplication of Commonwealth funding still apply, and researchers should consider their time and capacity to undertake additional projects.

of 32

1.9 A researcher currently holds another Commonwealth-funded fellowship which is due for completion after the Commencement Date of the ARC Fellowship/Award scheme they wish to apply for. For eligibility purposes, can the researcher defer the start date of the ARC Fellowship or Award to avoid holding concurrent Commonwealth-funded Fellowships/Awards?

No. If a researcher will be receiving funding for another Commonwealth-funded fellowship on the Commencement Date, they are not eligible to apply in that scheme round. The Commencement Date for each scheme round is a fixed date defined in the relevant scheme-specific Part of the Funding Rules.

For eligibility purposes, it is not possible to defer commencement of the ARC Fellowship/Award in order to avoid the eligibility rules set out in A6.2.3 and A6.2.4 of the Funding Rules.

Under the current Funding Rules, a Candidate for an ARC Fellowship/Award may submit an application for another Commonwealth-funded fellowship but could not accept both the ARC Fellowship/Award and the other Commonwealth-funded fellowship. However, a researcher who currently holds another Commonwealth-funded fellowship which is due to end after 1 January 2015, would not be eligible to apply for a scheme round with a Commencement Date of 1 January 2015, as a Candidate may not submit a proposal for funding that they are not eligible to hold under the Funding Rules.

For eligibility purposes, existing Commonwealth-funded fellowships are considered to be funded for the years set out in the original Funding Agreement or equivalent.

1.10 Is the recipient of a Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award (DORA) on a DP13 or DP14 project considered to hold one Award and one Project? Are they eligible to submit a DP15 proposal?

A DORA recipient on a funded DP13 or DP14 project is considered to hold one award/project combined. Provided the researcher has not applied for and does not hold any other grants under the Discovery Program, they are eligible to submit one DP15 proposal.

2. BUDGET

2.1 Publication and dissemination of Project outputs and outreach activity costs are listed as budget items supported (subsection A5.2.1.h of the Funding Rules). Does this mean I should/could enter a line in the budget requesting a sum for publication costs?

Yes, there is no cap on the amount you can request. Applicants may request an appropriate amount for publications and dissemination under the Project Costs table of the Proposal Form. All funds requested from the ARC must be fully justified under the Budget Justification in the Proposal form.

Please note that applicants should include information in the Project Description section of the Proposal Form regarding their strategies for dissemination.

2.2 My Proposal has requested salary support for a Research Assistant. What kind of increments should I include under Project Cost?

For personnel being funded within the project, such as Research Associates and Research Assistants, do not include CAF (Cost Adjustment Factor) indexation, as all project payments are automatically indexed by the ARC at the time of payment for each year of the project. Nor should you include annual pay rises associated with enterprise bargaining agreements and other similar agreements. However, you may include salary/performance increments, such as those within a salary band, that are routinely applied within your organisation. Please refer to the relevant Instructions to Applicants.

of 32

2.3 On the budget page, how do I add/enter cash/in-kind contributions?

In the Project Costs of the Proposal Form, there will automatically be a column to detail funding sought from the ARC. To enter contributions from Administering/Other Eligible/Other Organisations, these Organisations must first be added as an Organisational Participant on the Draft Proposal Summary screen. The Organisation/s will then be available to add to the budget page by clicking on the ‘Set Other Organisation Contributors’ link on the budget page. Please refer to the Instructions to Applicants.

2.4 Can you please clarify subsection A5.3.1.a ‘bench fees or similar laboratory access fees’ under ‘Budget Items Not Supported’ in the Funding Rules?

Bench fees are an institutionally applied fee or levy for the provision of general laboratory access. Access to specialised equipment (such as electron microscopes) does not fall into this category and therefore, if this type of access is required for the project, a usage fee may be requested from the ARC under the Funding Rules. All budget requests must be fully justified.

2.5 Can you please advise whether indirect costs can be included? I cannot find anywhere on the budget page to enter them.

The ARC does not fund indirect costs or overheads. The budget is to be presented as direct costs only - this is the level of funding which is being requested. Please refer to section A5.3 of the Funding Rules.

2.6 Can you please clarify whether the Project Cost table must be included under the Budget Justification in the proposal form?

While the Project Cost table may be included, this is not mandatory.

The justification should indicate how the project funding will be used each year. This statement should include the need and cost for each item requested from the ARC using the same headings as in the budget in the Proposal form. Although the budget justification should be broken down into separate headings for each year, applicants may refer back to the description in the first year of funding to avoid duplication.

2.7 Can you define Field Research as per section A5.2.1 of the Funding Rules?

‘Field Research’ means the collection of information integral to the Project outside a laboratory, library or workplace setting and often in a location external to the researcher’s normal place of employment. If the applicant(s) can justify the necessity for the work in relation to the proposed Project, and the Administering Organisation can certify the work undertaken by the applicant, then it can be considered as ‘Field Research’. It is the Administering Organisation’s discretion to consider what is determined as ‘Field Research’. The main purpose of any travel designated as Field Research must be to carry out the research, not to attend a conference or other related meetings.

The applicant should fully justify the costs of field research in the Proposal Form. Please refer to the Instructions to Applicants for further information.

2.8 My research requires me to conduct Field Research in remote areas of Australia and overseas. Will the Field Research costs come out of the $50,000 limit on travel over the life of the project as per the Funding Rules?

Costs related to carrying out Field Research, including flights, are not included in the $50,000 limit on travel. Field Research costs, including international and domestic travel costs to a Field Research site, accommodation, living costs and research, technical and logistical support staff required to assist with Field Research should be requested in the Proposal Form under the ‘Fieldwork Expenses’ category. (Note that the $50,000 travel limit does not apply to Australian Laureate Fellowships.)

of 32

3. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Can you please advise what the ARC considers satisfactory evidence to meet the certification requirements? Who must sign, what conditions must they sign to, and do they need to contain original signatures or can the agreement be attested by email?

The Administering Organisation is no longer required to obtain handwritten signatures on an ARC Certification Form to attest to the agreement of all parties necessary to allow the proposed project to proceed. Instead, the Administering Organisation will certify that they have obtained the written agreement of all parties necessary to allow the proposed project to proceed through the Research Management System (RMS). The ARC reserves the right to seek the evidence from the Administering Organisation to support the certification of Proposals.

3.2 Who are the relevant parties who need to provide written agreement?

Relevant parties are all individual or organisational participants named on the Proposal, excluding the employing organisations of overseas PIs and excluding any Participant’s Current Organisation which is not their Relevant Organisation for the Proposal. Please refer to the Instructions to Applicants.

Evidence of agreement from organisations should be from the Head of Department or equivalent level or above. All evidence should include a clear indication of what the actual participation in the conduct of the research will be.

3.3 What does the ARC mean by written agreement?

The evidence held by the Administering Organisation needs to contain firsthand confirmation in written form (for example, handwritten or electronic letters or emails) of agreement to participate in the project from all relevant parties. The evidence could include (but is not limited to) emails from individual researchers agreeing to participate, letters from the employers of participants agreeing to their participation, or letters from other relevant organisations agreeing to contribute the resources outlined in the Proposal. The Administering Organisation can determine the most appropriate format within their organisation.

The ARC has provided a pro forma for obtaining written evidence on each scheme page on the ARC website. Please note: The use of the ARC pro forma is not mandatory and each Administering Organisation may determine their own required format for written evidence.

3.4 What does the Administering Organisation have to certify?

The full certification text is available at http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sample_forms.htm. Please also refer to section A7.4 of the Funding Rules.

3.5 Can I make changes/alterations to my Proposal once it has been submitted?

No. While proposals may be withdrawn under certain circumstances, additions, deletions and modifications will not be accepted after submission to the ARC unless invited by the ARC. Please refer to subsections A7.1.1 and A7.3.2 of the Funding Rules.

3.6 What does the ‘Award of PhD Date’ mean?

As defined in section A3 of the Funding Rules, the ‘Award of PhD Date’ means the date of conferral of a PhD (that is, the conferral date noted on the PhD testamur). The ‘Award of PhD Date’ is not the date of submission of the thesis, nor the date the thesis was accepted by the examination board.

3.7 I am having trouble sticking to the page limits stipulated in several of the form Parts. Is it okay to use 10 point font size?

No. The Instructions to Applicants clearly state that, with the exception of references, an appropriate 12 point font should be used. Failure to comply with the required format may result in the Proposal being ruled ineligible for funding. Only references may be reproduced in 10 point font size.

of 32

http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sample_forms.htm

3.8 Can an applicant include impact factors and citation counts in their proposal under Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE)?

In addressing questions under Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE), applicants must observe the requirements outlined in the current Funding Rules and the Instructions to Applicants. In justifying the impact or significance of each publication, each applicant should decide what information is to be included in these sections to best support the selection criteria, while observing eligibility issues such as formatting, word and page limits. Information such as citations, impact factors and/or public recognition may be included.

3.9 I hold an ARC project that was awarded 3 years of funding commencing in 2010. Due to a delayed start some of the project funds for 2012 were carried forward into 2013. Do I need to include this project in my statements of progress?

No. Only list projects where funds were awarded for calendar years 2013 and beyond. Please refer to the relevant Instructions to Applicants.

3.10 I have a current project that was approved for funding commencing in 2013, but commencement was delayed. As a result, there has been little progress to report. Do I still need to provide a statement of progress for this project in the Proposal Form?

Yes. Statements of Progress for ARC-funded projects and fellowships are important elements in ensuring accountability and good management of public funding for research. Reports also assist in drawing our attention, and the attention of the Research Office staff, to concerns and problems that participants face. If you do not provide reports of progress for ARC DP, LP, and Fellowship/Award grants you hold, your proposal will be deemed ineligible.

3.11 For what type of ARC grants should I provide progress statements?

The Proposal Form requires a progress statement for each ARC Project/Fellowship/Award involving that Participant who has been awarded funding for 2013 under the ARC Discovery Projects, Linkage Projects or Fellowships/Awards schemes.

Specifically, progress statements are required for:

Discovery Projects Discovery Indigenous Linkage Projects Future Fellowships Federation Fellowships Australian Laureate Fellowships Super Science Fellowships Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Or any Fellowship which is a scheme in its own right

For each ARC ID number (DP, LP, or Fellowships scheme) which was funded in 2013 for the participant, a one A4 page progress statement must be provided.

of 32

3.12 What information am I required to provide in relation to Management of Data in the Project Description?

In line with responsibilities outlined in the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and international best practice, the ARC has updated wording in relation to the management of data.

The ARC does not mandate open data. However, researchers are encouraged to consider the ways in which they can best manage, store, disseminate and re-use data generated through ARC-funded research. The Project Description requires researchers to articulate briefly their plans for the management of data generated through the proposed Project. In answering this question researchers need not include extensive detail of the physical or technological infrastructure.

Answers should focus on plans to make data as openly accessible as possible for the purposes of verification and for the conduct of future research by others. Where it may not be appropriate for data to be disseminated or re-used, justification may be provided.

Further information and resources on managing data are available on the Australian National Data Service (ANDS) website at http://www.ands.org.au/.

3.13 Is it sufficient to answer the Management of Data section in the Project Description by noting that I will comply with my institution’s requirements?

No. Whilst the ARC recognises that some institutions may have infrastructure and/or processes in place for storing, managing and sharing data and that these are valuable resources, to take into account the differences that may exist between institutions, disciplines and research projects, researchers are encouraged to highlight specific plans for the management of their research data in this section.

The Management of Data section in the Project Description aims to encourage consideration of ARC-funded research data at both an individual and institutional level, in accordance with the responsibilities outlined in the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (2007). Researchers, in consultation with their institutions, are best placed to consider the management and future potential of their research data. This approach allows individuals to take into account the differences that may exist between disciplines and research projects as well utilise institutional resources and support available.

Details of compliance with institutional requirements should be included in this section, provided that they are supported by a description specific to the data arising from the individual research Project.

4. MEDICAL AND DENTAL RESEARCH

4.1 My project is in the area of medical research. Can I apply for funding to the ARC?

The ARC does not fund Medical and Dental Research under the Discovery Program schemes. The ARC may in its absolute discretion decide whether a proposed project, or elements of a project, falls within the area of Medical and Dental Research. Please refer to the ARC website for the ARC Medical Research Policy.

Proposals which could be considered to be in an area related to medical and dental research should provide justification in support of the eligibility of the Proposal in the Medical and Dental Research Statement within the Proposal form.

of 32

http://www.arc.gov.au/

http://www.ands.org.au/

Part B – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2014

1. ELIGIBILITY

1.1 Can I be nominated on more than one Proposal in this funding round of Australian Laureate Fellowships?

No. Australian Laureate Fellowship candidates may only be nominated for one Proposal in this funding round. Please refer to subsection B7.2.1 of the Funding Rules.

1.2 Is it possible for unsuccessful FL13 candidates to apply again for an Australian Laureate Fellowship for funding commencing in 2014?Yes. There are no restrictions on the number of funding rounds in which a previously unsuccessful candidate can apply for an Australian Laureate Fellowship. However, subsection B7.2.2 of the Funding Rules states that an Australian Laureate Fellow (that is, a successful candidate) cannot apply for a subsequent Australian Laureate Fellowship.

1.3 If I apply for an Australian Laureate Fellowship, will I automatically be considered for a Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship or a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship?

No. Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowships and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowships are available to female researchers only, and must be applied for separately on the Proposal form. It is not mandatory for female candidates to apply for these additional awards. If you would like to apply for this award, you will need to select the “Australian Laureate Fellowship – Additional Award” when adding the Person Participant on the Proposal form. Please refer to Section B8 of the Funding Rules for further information on the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship.

1.4 If I am unsuccessful in my application for a Kathleen Fitzpatrick AustralianLaureate Fellowship or Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship, will my Proposal remain under consideration for an Australian Laureate Fellowship?

Yes. Subsection B8.6 of the Funding Rules states that candidates who are unsuccessful in obtaining a Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship or a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship will still be considered for an Australian Laureate Fellowship.

1.5 As an overseas researcher, can I apply for an Australian Laureate Fellowship to work in Australia if I do not have permanent resident status?

Yes, but Australian Laureate Fellows who are not Australian citizens must obtain a legal right to work and reside in Australia for the duration of the Australian Laureate Fellowship.

1.6 I hold a position at an Eligible Organisation, but will not reside in Australia for much of the duration of the project. Am I still eligible to be a Fellow?

Successful candidates may, with the approval of the ARC, undertake research overseas for periods of up to two years in total, providing the Administering Organisation clearly demonstrates that this is in the best interests of the research and its outcomes, and of national benefit to Australia.

2. ROLES

2.1 Can I apply for a part-time Australian Laureate Fellowship?

No. Australian Laureate Fellowships are awarded on a full-time basis only. The ARC expects Australian Laureate Fellows to work a minimum of 85% (0.85 Full Time Equivalent (FTE)) on research and research capacity-building activities. Subsection B7.2.12 states that The Australian Laureate Fellow may spend up to 0.15 FTE of her/his time on teaching activities.

of 32

2.2 Will I be able to appoint postdoctoral research associates to part-time positions?

Yes. ARC-funded Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) positions can only be applied for as full-time positions through the Proposal form. However, subsection B7.3.2 states that ‘the total number of funded PDRA full-time equivalent (FTE) positions can be varied to meet the needs of the project. It is the responsibility of the Administering Organisation to ensure that the total number of funded FTE positions is not exceeded over the life of the project.’

For example, a PDRA position may be shared by two or more part-time staff, as long as the total hours worked do not exceed that of the PDRA position and are completed within the life of the project.

3. OTHER QUESTIONS

3.1 My Eligible Organisation is providing a Professorial Level E salary supplementation and some in-kind contributions. Where do I show this on the form?

As the provision of a Level E professorial appointment salary by the Administering Organisation is an absolute requirement of the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme, it should not be entered in the Administering Organisation budget in Part E. Confirmation of the Level E professorial appointment salary and any in-kind contributions may be included in the letter of support in Part F of the Proposal form.

3.2 If my Administering Organisation is listed as an Additional Eligible Organisation at subsection B7.1 of the Funding Rules, can I also apply for the additional $300,000 project funds?

Yes: All organisations listed in the Funding Rules who are eligible to apply for an Australian Laureate Fellowship are also eligible to apply for the additional project funding of up to $300,000 per year.

3.3 I am considering whether to apply for a Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award (DORA) or an Australian Laureate Fellowship. What should I do?

DORAs are not available in DP15. The ARC now offers up to 5-year grants under the Discovery Projects scheme. The Discovery Program allows researchers to apply for or to hold up to two Discovery Projects (including as sole CI), or one Discovery Project and a Laureate Fellowship. However, researchers should consider their time and capacity to undertake additional projects.

of 32

Part C – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2015

1. INVESTIGATOR ROLES

1.1 Can I be a CI on a Discovery Projects Proposal while undertaking a higher degree by research?

No, a CI cannot be undertaking a higher degree by research, as at 1 January 2015. Researchers must have their higher degree by research conferred by the Commencement Date of the Project. Please refer to section C6.2.2 of the Funding Rules.

1.2 I meet the eligibility criteria for a CI on a Discovery Projects proposal, but I do not want to dedicate all my time to a project as a CI, so can I apply as a PI?No. Your employment status is the main determinant of whether you are eligible for a CI or PI role. The difference between these roles is not related to your intended level of involvement or FTE in the Project. If you meet the eligibility criteria for a CI, you are not eligible to be a PI.

2. ORGANISATIONS

2.1 How do I complete the Proposal Form if, apart from my current place of employment, I hold an Adjunct Appointment at an Eligible Organisation?

In your ‘My Details’ go to the ‘Personal Details’ section. Insert the name of your Current Organisation (i.e. current place of employment). This role will auto-populate in the Proposal Form. In the Personnel section of the Proposal Form, list the organisation where you hold or will hold an Adjunct Appointment as at the Commencement Date and select your affiliation in the drop-down box. Once you have completed the Personnel Section of the Proposal Form, the ‘Relevant Organisation for this Proposal’ section of the Person Participant Summary Table in Part A of the Proposal Form will auto-populate.

2.2 What is the difference between 'Current Organisation' and 'Relevant Organisation for this Proposal' in the Person Participant Summary Table in Part A of the Proposal Form?

'Current Organisation' is the place where you are currently employed. ‘Relevant Organisation’ is the place at which you will be employed at the Commencement Date for the purpose of the role on the Discovery Projects Project. For example, if you are not currently employed by an Eligible Organisation, but hold an Adjunct Appointment at an Eligible Organisation and are eligible to be a CI, the name of your 'Current Organisation' will be different to the 'Relevant Organisation for this Proposal'. Please refer to the DP15 Instructions to Applicants.

2.3 I am trying to enter my institution in ‘Personal Details/Organisation Details’ so that it will populate in part A3, but my institution is not listed. How can I add it?

In the ‘My Details/Organisation Details’ tab, click on the ‘Add a new position’ link, then in the next window which opens (titled ‘Add New Position’), click on the ‘Select an Organisation’ link at the bottom. On the next window, search for your organisation first, and if it is not listed then select the ‘Enter the Name of Your Organisation’ tab and then type in the correct name of your organisation and click on ‘Select Organisation’. You will then be able to add your employment details against your organisation and it will populate to part A3 in the DP15 Proposal Form.

Please note that if you are trying to add a Participant Organisation to the Proposal (on the Draft Proposal Summary page) please refer to page 11 in the DP15 Instruction to Applicants.

of 32

3. COMMONWEALTH-FUNDED RESEARCH

3.1 I am a CI on a proposal and am associated with a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre; do I need to provide a letter from the Centre Director?

You do not need to provide a letter from your Centre Director. The Administering Organisation is required to certify that the research does not overlap with research funded by a Centre funded by the Commonwealth.

3.2 I am employed full-time by a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre outside the higher education sector and hold an adjunct position at an Eligible Organisation. Can I apply as a CI for a Discovery Projects proposal with other participants from my university?

No, you are not eligible to be a CI. Participants may not hold the role of CI if they are employed more than 50 per cent of their time at organisations outside the higher education sector that engage in research which is funded predominantly from State/Territory or Commonwealth Government sources. Please refer to subsection C6.2.1 of the Funding Rules.

4. BUDGET

4.1 If I do not spend my teaching relief in the year for which it has been allocated, can I roll it over to another year?

Yes. As teaching relief is not a special condition, the research team can determine if the funds should be used for teaching relief or project funds.

4.2 How do I submit requests for PhD stipends?

PhD stipends should be requested under the Personnel category in the Project Costs table in the Proposal Form. The funding requested should be based on section C5.1.a of the Funding Rules. Funds are not provided for international students' fees or HECS/HELP liabilities.

4.3 Can PhD stipends be used for living allowances for students who already hold scholarships?

No. A PhD stipend is a scholarship.

4.4 If a participant currently holds an ARC Fellowship/Award do they include their salary and time-commitment (FTE) in the Administering/Other Eligible Organisation column in the Project Costs table or the Budget Justification in the Proposal Form?

As a current holder of an ARC Fellowship/Award is not a salary expense to the Administering/Other Eligible/Other Organisation, the Fellowship/Award holder should not be included as a time-commitment (FTE) or salary contribution in the Project Costs table in the Proposal Form. The time-commitment (FTE) of the Fellowship/Award holder to the Proposal should be included and justified in the Project Description.

4.5 Teaching relief no longer has a separate budget category in the budget table in the Proposal. How do we enter teaching relief in the budget?

Teaching relief is no longer a special condition under the Funding Rules, but comes under budget items supported (section C5.1). A Chief Investigator (CI) requesting teaching relief should request it under the Personnel category of the budget. Please refer to the DP15 Instructions to Applicants.

4.6 Can a proposal include items such as international airfares for keynote speakers who are not working directly on the project to attend conferences organised by CIs as part of their project or international airfares for visitors?

No. Requests for international travel may only be submitted for CIs, PIs and research personnel working on the project. It should be noted that the rationale for international travel needs to be well justified in the proposal. Please refer to subsection C5.1.c. and subsection C5.1.d. of the Funding Rules.

of 32

4.7 Can Australian Based PIs request travel money?

The Funding Rules do not preclude Australian Based PIs from requesting travel money under subsection C5.1.c. but they are not eligible to request an ICA. Please refer to subsections C5.1.c. and C5.1.d. of the Funding Rules.

4.8 Can a PI based overseas request travel funds to travel elsewhere overseas other than to and from Australia?

The Funding Rules do not preclude PIs based overseas from requesting travel funds for travel elsewhere overseas under subsection C5.1.c. Please note that an ICA under subsection C5.1.d. is more restricted, limiting a PI based overseas to request funds to travel to Australia only. Please refer to subsections C5.1.c. and C5.1.d. of the Funding Rules.

4.9 Can a PI based overseas claim research costs incurred overseas?

The Funding Rules do not preclude overseas PIs from claiming, for example, consumable/maintenance costs/research support personnel which directly relate to the Project. Such costs must be clearly justified in the DP15 Proposal, in terms of the requirement for the items/personnel and the requirement for the work to be done overseas (and not by a CI or PI, or research support personnel in Australia). The items and justification should be entered specifically at Part D (Project Costs) and E1 and/or E2 (Budget Justifications) as appropriate.

4.10 What do I include under the cash or in-kind columns for contributions from the Administering Organisation/Other Eligible Organisation(s)/Other Organisation(s) in the DP15 application form (Part D – Project Costs)?

For all cash or in-kind items including CIs/PIs who are receiving a (non-ARC) salary, these should be included in the relevant column in either ‘cash’ or ‘in-kind’ and relevant category (for example, Personnel). Salaries are to be shown only for the proportion of time estimated that will be spent on the project. Please use the picture on page 21 of the ‘Instructions to Applicant’ as a guide.

These non-ARC contributions from the Administering Organisation/Other Eligible Organisation(s)/Other Organisation(s) should be justified under section E2 of the DP15 application form.

5. INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AWARDS (ICAs)

5.1 How many ICAs can be applied for during the life of a DP15 project?

ICAs may be requested for up to two researchers (either CIs or PIs) per proposal. ICAs will only be awarded as a Special Condition, so requests must be fully justified.

5.2 Can ICAs only be requested as a 12 month/$20,000 package?

ICAs can be requested for up to 12 months over the life of the Project, up to the maximum amount of $20,000 per year, per CI or PI. For example: a CI could request 6 month period in year 1 for $20,000 and a 6 month period in year 3 for $20,000. Please see subsection C5.1.d. of the Funding Rules.

5.3 Can requests for travel for overseas-based PIs travelling to Australia, or CIs travelling overseas to collaborate with PIs, only be submitted through an ICA?

No. Travel costs such as these may be sought as budget items under ‘Travel’, and not necessarily as ICAs. Please see subsection C5.1.c. of the Funding Rules.

5.4 Are Australian researchers employed by Eligible Organisations (as listed in section A12.1 of the Funding Rules) who are predominantly based overseas eligible to apply for ICAs as a project PI?

No. ICAs may only be sought by overseas-based PIs who are not employees of Eligible Organisations listed in section A12. Please refer to subsection C5.1.d. of the Funding Rules.

of 32

5.5 Can I request funding for international travel under C5.1.c. of the Funding Rules and an ICA for a PI?

The Funding Rules do not preclude PIs or CIs from requesting travel costs under subsection C5.1.c. and an ICA under subsection C5.1.d.

Travel requests are permitted for CIs, PIs and research support personnel under C5.1.c. including economy travel costs for domestic and/or international travel and not exceeding $50,000 over the life of the Project.

An ICA may be requested for up to two researchers (either CIs or PIs) allowing for a CI to work overseas on the Project with an overseas based PI, and/or a PI based overseas to work in Australia on the Project. An ICA funds travel on international return economy class airfare, reasonable local travel, a living allowance and consumables. The living allowance should be based on standard institutional rates for academic visitors. Note that ICAs do not fund travel to Australia by PIs located at an overseas campus of an Australian Eligible Organisation.

Please note that a request for an ICA is not included under the $50,000 travel costs limit under subsection C5.1.c. and is a separate budget item under Part D (Project Costs) of the DP15 application form. Please refer to subsections C5.1.c. and C5.1.d. of the Funding Rules.

5.6 Can ICAs once awarded be converted to other uses?

No. ICAs are a special condition awarded by the Selection Advisory Committee at the time of the assessment process. The funds for their use cannot be converted for other uses, such as for research assistance, maintenance, other forms of international travel, workshops, and so forth.


6.1 Can a current ARC Fellow/Awardee submit a DP15 Proposal in the same research area as described in their Fellowship/Award Proposal?

A Fellow/Awardee is able to submit a DP15 Proposal for a project in the same research area as the awarded Fellowship/Award, provided that the DP Proposal does not seek funding that has already been awarded by the ARC for the Fellowship/Award. The ARC will not duplicate funding for research already funded by the Commonwealth. Please refer to sections A5.1.4 and A6.3 of the Funding Rules.

6.2 Are References still required in Part C1 of the DP15 application form?

References should be included to support the Project Description either under their own heading or throughout the document as required. These references/footnotes can be included in 10-point size Times New Roman font or equivalent in this question.

of 32

Part D – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award for funding commencing in 2015

1. DECRA CANDIDATE – ELIGIBILITY

1.1 Is DECRA open to international applicants?

Yes. International applicants are eligible to apply provided they meet all of the eligibility criteria, including the requirement under subsection D7.3.3 of the Funding Rules that they must obtain a legal right to work and reside in Australia for the duration of the Award.

1.2 Are Postdoctoral Research Associates on Australian Laureate Fellowships considered to be ARC Fellows or Award recipients?

No. As Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) employed on an Australian Laureate Fellowship are not named on the Proposal, they are not considered to be ARC Fellows or ARC Award recipients.

1.3 Am I eligible to apply for a DECRA if I do not hold a PhD?

In accordance with subsection D7.3.1 of the Funding Rules a DECRA candidate must hold a PhD to be eligible for this scheme.

Qualifications are assessed during the peer review and selection processes. As defined in section A.3 of the Funding Rules, the ARC considers a PhD to be a qualification that meets the level 10 criteria of the Australian Qualifications Framework Second Edition 2013 (available at www.aqf.edu.au). Applicants should address any qualification equivalency issues in Part G of the DE15 Proposal form.

1.4 What types of career interruptions are acceptable as significant career interruptions?

Subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules lists the acceptable significant career interruptions. These are:

(i) carer’s responsibility;

(ii) disruption due to international relocation for post-doctoral studies or other research employment not exceeding 3 months per international relocation;

(iii) illness;

(iv) maternity or parental leave; and/or

(v) unemployment, or non-research employment.

1.5 Can I add together several periods of significant career interruption to meet the eligibility requirements under subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules?

Yes, however each of the career interruptions must be at least one month in length, within the eligible timeframe and of an acceptable type as described in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules.

1.6 Can you please clarify whether the term ‘international relocation’ in the Funding Rules only relates to physical activities associated with an international relocation or to the whole period of the fellowship/studies/research position?

The term ‘international relocation for post-doctoral studies’ as mentioned in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules refers to the initial activities directly related to relocating overseas, such as time spent organising rental properties and moving personal belongings. If the DECRA Candidate encountered further difficulties after the relocation period was completed, this would not be considered a disruption due to relocation.

of 32

http://www.aqf.edu.au/

The ARC may consider more than one career interruption due to international relocation. In these cases up to three months may be allowed per relocation, if justified. Please provide details for each international relocation in Part G.7 of the Proposal form.

of 32

1.7 When is it appropriate to claim a career interruption for an international relocation?

A career interruption for an international relocation may be claimed when post-doctoral studies, including a fellowship, teaching and/or research position or other research opportunities, were undertaken in a country other than the country where the Candidate had most recently been residing. Candidates should only claim the period of time that their research work was disrupted by the relocation. A maximum period of three months is allowed per relocation.

1.8 A DECRA Candidate is employed in a full-time academic position where research is a component of the role as specified in the employment contract. Can a career interruption be claimed?

No. Employment in a teaching role which allows some time for research is not considered a career interruption. However, the amount of time available for research activities will be considered as a factor in Part C - Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) in the DE15 Proposal form.

1.9 A DECRA Candidate is employed in a teaching only or non-research position where no research opportunity is provided for in the employment contract. Can a career interruption be claimed?

Yes. The time spent in non-research employment, with no opportunity for research, may be considered a career interruption under subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules, provided the employment was within the eligible period of 1 March 2005 to the closing time for Proposals.

1.10 A DECRA Candidate is employed for 12 months in a 0.5 FTE teaching only or non-research position and has no additional employment or carer responsibilities. Can a career interruption be claimed?

Yes. The Candidate may be able to claim up to twelve months as a career interruption as non-research roles and unemployment are listed as valid career interruptions under subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules.

Please note that, as well being one of the types described in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules, a career interruption must also fall within the allowable timeframe (that is, between 1 March 2005 and the closing time for Proposals).

1.11 A DECRA Candidate works for 30 months in a research and research support position where 0.7 FTE is spent on administrative tasks and 0.3 FTE is spent on research. Can a career interruption be claimed?

No. Any role with a research component will not be considered as a career interruption under subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules.

The part-time nature of the research employment would be a factor considered under Part C - Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) in the DE15 Proposal form, should the Candidate be eligible.

1.12 A DECRA Candidate works for 30 months in a 0.7 FTE research and teaching position and the remaining time (0.3 FTE) at home looking after children. Can a career interruption be claimed?

Yes. Carer’s responsibility is an eligible career interruption. Therefore, in this example, the Candidate may be able to claim up to 30% of this period (0.3 FTE over 30 months = nine months in total) as a career interruption, provided the time claimed falls within the eligible period specified in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules.

The part-time nature of the research employment would also be a factor considered under Part C - Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) in the DE15 Proposal form.

of 32

1.13 Is a DECRA Candidate awarded a PhD between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2009 only eligible if they have had one or more periods of significant career interruption between 1 March 2005 and the closing time for Proposals?

Yes. In accordance with subsection D7.3.1 of the Funding Rules, a DECRA Candidate awarded a PhD between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2009 must, at the closing time of submission of Proposals, have had a period of significant career interruption (as described in the Funding Rules) between 1 March 2005 and proposal submission. If taken into account, the period of the career interruption must equate with the Candidate’s PhD being awarded on or after 1 March 2009. Any career interruptions prior to 1 March 2005 or prior to the PhD award date will not be considered.

Please note that, as well as falling within the allowable timeframe, a career interruption must be of a type described in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules.

1.14 If a researcher was awarded their PhD on 1 June 2008 (nine months prior to 1 March 2009) and had a ten month eligible career interruption from 1 July 2008 to 1 May 2009, would they be eligible to apply for a DECRA?

Yes. The researcher in the example above has a ten month career interruption in the eligible period which accounts for their PhD being awarded nine months prior to the 1 March 2009.

In accordance with subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules, a researcher with a PhD awarded between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2009 must have had a significant career interruption between 1 March 2005 and proposal submission. Any significant career interruption prior to 1 March 2005 or prior to PhD award date will not be considered.

Please note that, as well as falling within the allowable timeframe, a career interruption must be of one of the types described in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules.

1.15 If a researcher was awarded their PhD on 1 June 2008 (nine months prior to 1 March 2009) and had a nine month eligible career interruption from 1 July 2004 to 1 April 2005, would they be eligible to apply for a DECRA?

No. The researcher in the example above only has one month of the career interruption in the eligible period of 1 March 2005 to the closing date for submission of proposals, and this is prior to the date the PhD was awarded. This does not account for their PhD being awarded nine months prior to 1 March 2008.

To be eligible to apply for a DECRA, this researcher would need to show at least a nine month career interruption after their PhD was awarded. The time between the PhD award date and the 1 March 2009 needs to be accounted for with a corresponding career interruption as described in subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules. Any significant career interruption prior to 1 March 2005 or prior to the PhD award date will not be considered.


1.16 If a researcher was awarded their PhD on 1 June 2008 (nine months prior to the 1 March 2009) and had a six month eligible career interruption from 1 July 2008 to 1 January 2009, would they be eligible to apply for a DECRA?

No. The researcher in the example above only has a six month career interruption in the eligible period which does not account for their PhD being awarded nine months prior to the 1 March 2009.

In accordance with subsection D7.3.1b of the Funding Rules, a researcher with a PhD awarded between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2009 must have an eligible career interruption between 1 March 2005 and proposal submission. Any significant career interruption prior to 1 March 2005 or prior to the PhD award date will not be considered.


of 32

1.17 The restrictions regarding deferment for the completion of another Commonwealth-funded fellowship and applying for another Commonwealth-funded fellowship within six months of the DECRA closing date appear to have been removed from the Funding Rules. What does this mean?

While there is no longer a restriction regarding applications for other Commonwealth-funded fellowships, there are still limitations regarding holding multiple Commonwealth-funded fellowships/awards and the duplication of Commonwealth funding.

The Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2014 and 2015 state, in A6.2.3 that “… a holder of an ARC Fellowship or Award cannot concurrently hold a Fellowship from another Commonwealth funding agency”, and in A6.2.4 that “A proposal may only be submitted for funding that the researcher would be eligible to hold under these rules as at the Commencement Date of the Project/Fellowship/Award being applied for.”

The Commencement Date is a fixed date defined for each scheme round in the relevant scheme-specific Part of the Funding Rules. If a researcher will be receiving funding for another Commonwealth-funded fellowship on the Commencement Date, they are not eligible to apply in that scheme round.

The Commencement Date for the upcoming DECRA round (DE15) is defined as 1 January 2015. This is a fixed date and for eligibility purposes it is not possible to defer commencement of the Award to avoid this eligibility rule. For DECRA this means that, if a researcher will be receiving funding for another Commonwealth-funded fellowship on 1 January 2015, they are not eligible to apply in the DE15 funding round and should instead consider whether they would be eligible to apply in the DE16 round.

2. DECRA CANDIDATE - ROLE

2.1 Does a DECRA Candidate need to hold an appointment at the Administering Organisation at the closing time for submission of Proposals?

No. The Candidate does not need to hold an appointment at the time of Proposal submission but, as noted in subsection D7.3.7 of the Funding Rules, must hold an appointment at the Administering Organisation for the duration of the Award.

Details of the prospective appointment must be included in the Organisational Statement in respect to the Research Environment as required under subsection D5.1 of the Funding Rules.

2.2 Can a DE15 recipient remain on their current employment contract while undertaking their DECRA?

Yes, if the DECRA Recipient’s employment contract enables them to be employed in accordance with the Funding Rules and Funding Agreement. The following conditions must be met:

A DECRA Recipient must hold an appointment at the Administering Organisation for the duration of the Award. This excludes honorary, adjunct or equivalent appointments. (subsection D7.3.7 of the Funding Rules)

DECRA Recipients must hold an appointment, appropriate to support the DECRA, at the Administering Organisation for the duration of the Award.

The Administering Organisation must ensure that any Personnel who are employed full-time on a Project and whose salary is provided from the Funding, shall not, without the prior agreement of the ARC, accept any remuneration whatsoever from any source other than the Administering Organisation in respect of work performed on the Project.

2.3 Is a DECRA Recipient allowed to teach while holding a DECRA?

of 32

Yes. As described in subsection D7.3.12 of the Funding Rules, a DECRA Recipient may spend up to 0.15 FTE of her/his time annually on teaching activities. Supervision of honours or postgraduate students is not included in this limit. The DECRA will not be extended to accommodate any periods of teaching.

2.4 Can I apply for a part-time DECRA?

The DECRA may be awarded on a full-time or part-time basis, however there is no need to indicate that the DECRA will be undertaken part-time in the Proposal. The Proposal budget and Project Description should be written as if the Award will be conducted on a full-time basis over three years.

As stated in subsection D7.3.9 of the Funding Rules, the DECRA may be converted to (or from) part-time at any time to enable the DECRA Recipient to continue to fulfil family and/or carer responsibilities, provided that the DECRA does not exceed six years from the date of commencement (excluding any approved periods of suspension and/or maternity and/or parental leave).

A DECRA does not have a minimum full-time equivalent (FTE), but the FTE of the DECRA must match that of the DECRA Recipient’s employment contract. The Administering Organisation and not the ARC is to manage changes to the DECRA Recipient’s working hours. The Administering Organisation will notify the ARC of any changes to working hours via Progress Reporting.

2.5 Can a DECRA Candidate be employed full-time by the Administering Organisation but work part-time on the DECRA?

No. As outlined in subsection D7.3.9 of the Funding Rules, the FTE of the DECRA Recipient must match that of the DECRA Recipient’s employment contract. For example, if a DECRA is undertaken over three years on a full time basis, the appointment must be three years full time equivalent (FTE). If a DECRA is undertaken over six years on a half-time basis, the appointment must be a six years 0.5 FTE.

DECRA Recipients may convert to part-time arrangements in order to fulfil family and/or carer responsibilities.

3. FUNDING AND BUDGET

3.1 How do I complete the budget table in Part E of the Proposal form if I intend to undertake the DECRA on a part-time basis?

The DECRA may be undertaken on a part-time basis, however the budget and Project Description should be written as if the DECRA will be conducted over three years. As noted under ‘Personnel’ in the DE15 Instructions to Applicants, the DECRA Candidate’s salary component should be entered as ‘100%-3.0 yrs – starting in year 1’, even if he/she intends on taking up the Award on a part-time basis.

3.2 What is the maximum per annum salary a DECRA Candidate can be paid by the ARC? Can project costs be used to supplement a DECRA Candidate’s salary?

Subsection D6.1.1 of the Funding Rules states that the per annum salary contribution from the ARC is fixed at $94,512 (2014$), including 28 per cent on-costs. Additional salary contributions will not be provided by the ARC, however, the Administering Organisation may ‘top up’ a successful DECRA Candidate’s salary. Project costs cannot be used for a DECRA Candidate’s salary.

3.3 What is the funding level that a DECRA Candidate can apply?

Subsection D6.1.1 of the Funding Rules states the DECRA may be awarded ARC funding of up to $134,512 (2014$). In addition to the fixed annual salary contribution of $94,512 (2014$) (including on-costs), project costs of up to $40,000 can be requested for each funding year.

3.4 The Funding Rules indicate that a PhD stipend should be requested at a rate of $25,406 (2014$). Can a higher rate be requested for a PhD student in the proposal?

No. In accordance with subsection D6.2.1b of the Funding Rules, the stipend rate for higher degree by research students is $25,406 (2014$) per annum. As noted in A5.2.1f, only funding up to this level

of 32

may be requested from the ARC. The Administering Organisation, however, may provide additional funding to increase the stipend.

of 32

3.5 My research requires me to conduct field research in remote areas of Australia and overseas. Will the field research costs come out of the $50,000 limit on travel over the life of the project?

No. As stated in subsection D6.2.1c of the Funding Rules, the $50,000 travel limit does not apply to costs associated with Field Research. Field Research costs should be requested in the DE15 proposal form under the category ‘Field Research Expenses’.

Subsection A5.2.1.c of the Funding Rules notes that items associated with Field Research may include technical and logistical support as well as travel and accommodation costs. For the purposes of clarification, accommodation and living costs for the DECRA Recipient in the field would be considered Field Research costs.

Note that all funding requests must be fully justified.

3.6 Where in the budget table do I request travel costs that are related to Field Research?

As per D6.2.1c of the Funding Rules, travel costs related to carrying out Field Research are not included in the $50,000 limit for travel over the life of the Project. Travel costs associated with Field Research should be requested under the category ‘Field Research Expenses’ within the budget table and justified in terms of need and cost in Part F of the Proposal form in RMS. The main purpose of any travel designated as Field Research must be to carry out the research, not to attend a conference or other related meetings.

3.7 Can costs related to travelling to the field research site and carrying out the field research be requested for support personnel to assist in the field?

Expenditure on Field Research essential to the project, including travel and accommodation costs for personnel other than the DECRA recipient, may be requested. The ARC College of Experts considers the justification for each budget item (provided in Part F of the Proposal form) and makes a recommendation as to whether it should be funded. Please note that, if a Budget item is not recommended for funding, the costs associated with that item will be deducted from the total funding granted for that project.

4. GENERAL QUESTIONS and SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Does the DECRA candidate need to submit an Eligibility Exemption Request to claim career interruption?

There is no Eligibility Exemption Request process for DECRA. The justification for career interruption must be submitted as part of the Proposal (Part G7.2 of the DE15 Proposal form).

4.2 Can other researchers or organisations be nominated on the Proposal in addition to the DECRA Candidate and Administering Organisation?

No. The DECRA Proposal form will only allow one DECRA Candidate and one Administering Organisation to be listed. No other participant or organisational roles will be available.

4.3 Can a Proposal make reference to additional team members or people who will support them with the project within the Proposal itself?

Yes. Any support from additional team members will be assessed under the selection criterion 'Research Environment’. Support from additional team members at the Administering Organisation should be detailed at Part D2 (Organisational Statement in respect of the Research Environment) of the DE15 Proposal form. For further information please see subsection D5.1 of the Funding Rules and the DE15 Instructions to Applicants.

In addition, the DECRA Candidate can name other collaborators and their contribution to the Project in Part D1 (Project Description) of the DE15 Proposal Form.

of 32

4.4 Parts H and I of the DE form refer to ARC-funded projects ‘involving the Participant’. Does this include participants in projects who are not Chief Investigators?

Only research funding on which the Candidate is currently a 'named' Participant needs be included in Part H of the Proposal form for the current DECRA Round.

For example, if the Candidate was a named Chief Investigator, Partner Investigator or on an Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship Industry (APDI) for a current ARC Linkage Project then this should be included in Part H. If the Candidate is not a 'named' Participant but is being paid from project funding then this need not be listed in Part H. The Candidate may however wish to list this experience under section ‘G9 Current and previous appointment(s)/position(s) – during the past 10 years’ of the Proposal form.

4.5 If I will be working in a country which isn’t listed in the drop-down country menu, how do I record it on the Proposal form?

If the proposed research involves international collaboration with a country not specified on the drop-down menu in Part B6 of the DE15 Proposal form, please choose ‘Unspecified’. Details of the international collaboration should be listed in Part D1 (Project Description) of the DECRA Proposal form.

of 32

Part E – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2015

1. INVESTIGATOR ROLES

1.1 Can I be a CI on a Discovery Indigenous Proposal while undertaking a higher degree by research?

No, a CI cannot be undertaking a higher degree by research, as at 1 January 2015. Researchers must have their higher degree by research conferred by the Commencement Date of the Project. Please refer to section E6.2.5 of the Funding Rules.

1.2 Do I need a PhD or other higher degree by research to be eligible as a CI for the Discovery Indigenous Scheme?

No. There is no requirement to hold a PhD or other higher degree by research to be eligible as a CI on a Discovery Indigenous proposal. Please refer to Section E.5.2.5 of the Funding Rules which states that a researcher undertaking a higher degree by research is not eligible to be a CI. Researchers must expect to have their higher degree by research conferred by the Commencement Date of the Project (1 January 2015) in order to be eligible.

2. ORGANISATIONS

2.1 How do I complete the Proposal Form if, apart from my current place of employment, I hold an Adjunct Appointment at an Eligible Organisation?

In your ‘My Details’ go to the ‘Personal Details’ section. Insert the name of your Current Organisation (i.e. current place of employment). This role will auto-populate in the Proposal Form. In the Personnel section of the Proposal Form, list the organisation where you hold or will hold an Adjunct Appointment as at the Commencement Date and select your affiliation in the drop-down box. Once you have completed the Personnel Section of the Proposal Form, the ‘Relevant Organisation for this Proposal’ section of the Person Participant Summary Table in Part A of the Proposal Form will auto-populate.

2.2 What is the difference between 'Current Organisation' and 'Relevant Organisation for this Proposal' in the Person Participant Summary Table in Part A of the Proposal Form?

'Current Organisation' is the place where you are currently employed. ‘Relevant Organisation’ is the place at which you will be employed at the Commencement Date for the purpose of the role on the Discovery Indigenous Project. For example, if you are not currently employed by an Eligible Organisation, but hold an Adjunct Appointment at an Eligible Organisation and are eligible to be a CI, the name of your 'Current Organisation' will be different to the 'Relevant Organisation for this Proposal'. Please refer to the IN15 Instructions to Applicants.

3. COMMONWEALTH-FUNDED RESEARCH

3.1 I am a CI on a proposal and am associated with a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre; do I need to provide a letter from the Centre Director?

You do not need to provide a letter from your Centre Director. The Administering Organisation is required to certify that the research does not overlap with research funded by a Centre funded by the Commonwealth.

3.2 I am employed full-time by a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre outside the higher education sector and hold an adjunct position at an Eligible Organisation. Can I apply as a CI for a Discovery Indigenous proposal with other participants from my university?

No, you are not eligible to be a CI. Participants may not hold the role of CI if they are employed more than 50 per cent of their time at organisations outside the higher education sector that engage in

of 32

research which is funded predominantly from State/Territory or Commonwealth Government sources. Please refer to subsection E6.2.1 of the Funding Rules.

4. BUDGET

4.1 If I do not spend my teaching relief in the year for which it has been allocated, can I roll it over to another year?

Yes. As teaching relief is not a special condition, the research team can determine if the funds should be used for teaching relief or project funds.

4.2 How do I submit requests for PhD stipends?

PhD stipends should be requested under the Personnel category in the Project Costs table in the Proposal Form. The funding requested should be based on section E4.2.1.d of the Funding Rules. Funds are not provided for international students' fees or HECS/HELP liabilities.

4.3 Can PhD stipends be used for living allowances for students who already hold scholarships?

No. A PhD stipend is a scholarship.

4.4 If a participant currently holds an ARC Fellowship/Award do they include their salary and time-commitment (FTE) in the Administering/Other Eligible Organisation column in the Project Costs table or the Budget Justification in the Proposal Form?

As a current holder of an ARC Fellowship/Award is not a salary expense to the Administering/Other Eligible/Other Organisation, the Fellowship/Award holder should not be included as a time-commitment (FTE) or salary contribution in the Project Costs table in the Proposal Form. The time-commitment (FTE) of the Fellowship/Award holder to the Proposal should be included and justified in the Project Description.

4.5 Teaching relief no longer has a separate budget category in the budget table in the Proposal. How do we enter teaching relief in the budget?

Teaching relief is no longer a special condition under the Funding Rules, but comes under budget items supported (section E4.2.1.a). A Chief Investigator (CI) requesting teaching relief should request it under the Personnel category of the budget. Please refer to the IN15 Instructions to Applicants.

4.6 Can a proposal include items such as international airfares for keynote speakers who are not working directly on the project to attend conferences organised by CIs as part of their project or international airfares for visitors?

No. Requests for international travel can only be submitted for CIs and research personnel working on the project. It should be noted that the rationale for international travel needs to be well justified in the proposal. Please refer to subsection E4.2.1.b of the Funding Rules.

5. DISCOVERY INDIGENOUS AWARD

5.1 What information do I include in question F12.1 – Justification?

A DIA candidate must demonstrate how the Project would be benefitted, enhanced and expedited by a DIA and provide details on how the additional research time would be utilised. This may include how the Project quality would be enhanced by a DIA and the ways in which the additional research time would be utilised (for example, undertaking sustained Field Research, archival research or laboratory work).

5.2 Can a DIA be held for less/more than three years?

No, the DIA can only be awarded for the same duration as the Project. Please refer to section E7.1 of the Funding Rules.

of 32


6.1 Can a current ARC Fellow/Awardee submit an IN15 Proposal in the same research area as described in their Fellowship/Award Proposal?

A Fellow/Awardee is able to submit an IN15 Proposal for a project in the same research area as the awarded Fellowship/Award, provided that the IN Proposal does not seek funding that has already been awarded by the ARC for the Fellowship/Award. The ARC will not duplicate funding for research already funded by the Commonwealth. Please refer to sections A5.1.4 and A6.3 of the Funding Rules.

of 32

Table 1 - Scheme Date Reference Table

Scheme round Commencement Date Date of Completion per original Funding Agreement

Discovery Projects – NB these examples assume a Discovery Project has been funded for three years

DP15 1 Jan 2015 n/a

DP14 1 Jan 2014 31 Dec 2016

DP13 1 Jan 2013 31 Dec 2015

DP12 1 Jan 2012 31 Dec 2014

Future Fellowships

FT14 1 July 2014 n/a

FT13 1 July 2013 30 June 2017

FT12 1 July 2012 30 June 2016

FT11 1 July 2011 30 June 2015

FT10 1 July 2010 30 June 2014

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award

DE15 1 Jan 2015 n/a

DE14 1 Jan 2014 31 Dec 2016

DE13 1 Jan 2013 31 Dec 2015

DE12 1 Jan 2012 31 Dec 2014

Australian Laureate Fellowships

FL14 1 July 2014 n/a

FL13 1 July 2013 30 June 2018

FL12 1 July 2012 30 June 2017

FL11 1 July 2011 30 June 2016

FL10 1 July 2010 30 June 2015

FL09 1 July 2009 30 June 2014

Discovery Indigenous

IN15 1 Jan 2015 n/a

IN14 1 Jan 2014 31 Dec 2016

IN13 1 Jan 2013 31 Dec 2015

IN12 1 Jan 2012 31 Dec 2014

of 32

Table 2 - Example scenarios to assist in understanding the cross-scheme eligibility rules

These examples refer to the dates in Table 1. While other scenarios are possible, the below may assist in applying the rules.

Note: these examples assume a Discovery Project has been funded for three years.

ARC Funding currently held/ submitted

Proposal/s to be submitted

Is Proposal eligible to be submitted under A6.2 of the Funding Rules?

Reason

DP12 DP15 x 2 Yes DP12 formal date of completion is before the DP15 Commencement Date. Only two Projects as a CI will be funded concurrently if both Proposals are successful.

DP12, DP13 DP15 Yes DP12 formal date of completion is before the DP15 Commencement Date. Only two Projects as a CI will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

DP13 x 2 DP15 No DP13 formal date of completion is not before the DP15 Commencement Date. Three Projects as a CI would be funded concurrently if the Proposal was successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The DP15 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DP13, FT10 DP15 Yes FT10 formal date of completion is before the DP15 Commencement Date. Only two Projects as a CI will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

DP13, FT11 DP15 No DP13 and FT11 formal dates of completion are not before the DP15 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and a Fellowship would be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The DP15 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DP13, FL12 DP15 No DP13 and FL12 formal dates of completion are not before the DP15 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and a Fellowship would be funded concurrently if the Proposal was successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The DP15 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DE14 DP15 Yes Only one Project as a CI and one Award will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

DE14 DP15 x 2 No DE14 formal date of completion is not before the DP15 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and one Award would be funded concurrently if the Proposals were successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2.

of 32

CE11, DP14 DP15 Yes CE11 falls under the Linkage Program and does not count toward the total number of Projects funded under the Discovery Program. Only two Projects as a CI will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

DP14, LP14 x 2 (submitted)

DP15 Yes LP14 falls under the Linkage Program and does not count toward the total number of Projects funded under the Discovery Program. Only two Projects under the Discovery Program as a CI will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

DP13, FT14 (submitted)

DP15 No DP13 and FT14 formal dates of completion are not before the DP15 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and a Fellowship would be funded concurrently if the Proposal was successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The DP15 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DP14, FT10 FL14 Yes FT10 formal date of completion is before the FL14 Commencement Date. Only two Projects as a CI will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

FT13 FL14 No FT13 formal date of completion is not before the FL14 Commencement Date. Two Fellowships would be funded concurrently if the Proposal was successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The FL14 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DP13 x 2 FL14 No DP13 formal date of completion is not before the FL14 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and a Fellowship funded concurrently if the Proposal was successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The FL14 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DP12 x 2 FL14 No DP12 formal date of completion is not before the FL14 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and a Fellowship would be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The FL14 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

DP12, DP13 DE15 Yes DP12 formal date of completion is before the DE15 Commencement Date. Only one Project as a CI and one Award will be funded concurrently if the Proposal is successful.

DP13 x 2 DE15 No DP13 formal date of completion is not before the DE15 Commencement Date. Two Projects as a CI and an Award would be funded concurrently if the Proposal was successful. This exceeds the limits set in A6.2. The DE15 Proposal would be considered ineligible.

of 32

Changes to Document

Updated 28 February 2014


Question 1.9 has been updated to further clarify the eligibility rules with respect to researchers who are holding other Commonwealth-funded fellowships.


Question 3.4 has been updated with the correct PhD stipend rate $25,406($2014), in accordance with D6.2.1b. of the Funding Rules.

Part E – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2015

Question 1.2 is a new question to clarify whether CIs are required to hold a PhD or other higher degree by research.

Updated 7 February 2014


Question 1.10 is a new question to clarify the eligibility rules with respect to researchers who are holding a Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award (DORA).

Questions 3.12 and 3.13 are new questions to clarify the requirements with respect to the Management of Data section within the Project Description.

Updated 20 January 2014


Question 1.9 is a new question to clarify the eligibility rules with respect to researchers who are holding other Commonwealth-funded fellowships.

Question 2.8 has been updated to clarify that all costs relating to Field Research should be requested under ‘Fieldwork Expenses’ in the Project Costs table in the Proposal Form.

Part C – Scheme specific Frequently Asked Questions for Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2015

Question 4.9 has been updated to include ‘research support personnel’ as an acceptable cost to claim for an overseas based PI.

Question 4.10 is a new question to clarify where to include cash or in-kind contributions from the Administering Organisation/Other Eligible Organisation(s)/Other Organisation(s) in the DP15 application form (Part D – Project Cost).

of 32

Question 5.5 has been updated to clarify that a request for an ICA is not included under the $50,000 travel costs under subsection C5.1.c. and is a separate budget item under Part D (Project Costs) of the DP15 application form.

Question 6.2 is a new question to clarify that References should be included in Part C (Project Description) to support the Project Description either under their own heading or throughout the document as required.


Question 1.17 is a new question to clarify the eligibility rules with respect to DECRA Candidates who are holding other Commonwealth-funded fellowships.

of 32

archive.arc.gov.auarchive.arc.gov.au/archive_files/funded research/1 disc… · web viewpage 1 of...

Documents