Application guidelines and eligibility requirements

ESSA is offering the Clinical Exercise Physiology Research Grant in 2016, to encourage members to engage in clinical exercise physiology research, in association with a relevant organisation/association or university, as appropriate, which will encourage participation in exercise or physical activity leading to better health outcomes.

The aim of the grant is to:1. Support research to develop clinical exercise physiology practice.2. Encourage applied research in the field of clinical exercise physiology that will encourage participation in

exercise or physical activity leading to better health outcomes.

Applications for up to $16,000 (AUD) will be considered and the selection of successful applicants will be based on merit and the eligibility criteria outlined below. The project will be funded based on consideration of the proposed budget. The grant may be used for any purpose associated with achievement of the aims of the research project. This may include participant reimbursements, small items of equipment, laboratory fees and consumable costs, any required travel and accommodation directly related to the project and any required laboratory or administration fees. The grant may not be used to fund any staff costs or any expenses associated with presentation of any aspect of the project at a conference.

EligibilityThe award is open to all financial members of ESSA as follows:

1. To be eligible for the grant, the principal investigator of the research team must have been a financial member for the past two years.

2. The team must include an AEP. Student members are not eligible to apply.3. Preference will be given to applicants who are in the early training phase of their careers. Members of

the current ESSA National Board, ESSA Research Committee members and ESSA staff are not eligible to apply as principal investigators.

4. Nominees for this grant must have a professional history demonstrating practice in line with the ESSA Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice. Nominees who have been identified as practicing against this code will not be considered eligible for this grant.

5. Research projects which have been developed in partnership with support associations are encouraged.6. The grant may be used to facilitate progress or assist in the completion of a higher degree, and/or provide

preliminary data for an application to another granting body.7. It is expected the research project would be initiated in late 2016 or early 2017, and completed by early

2018.

Applications: Must be submitted to the ESSA National Office by 5pm Monday 2nd May 2016. The application should include a research proposal as outlined below and certification letter from the relevant collaborating organisation where the work will be carried out, a budget and the CV of the investigator/s.

Research proposal: The research proposal must not exceed 4 pages (A4) with 1.5 cm margins and 12 point font, including only relevant references. The proposal should include: the aims and significance of the research project

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to be performed, a brief description of methods to be used, results, and show how the proposal will encourage participation in exercise or physical activity leading to better health outcomes. Supporting documentation: Applications must include the certification page signed by all investigators, and the Organisation where the work will be undertaken. Higher degree students should also include a letter of support/endorsement from their principal supervisor indicating that they approve of the proposed project.

Assessment: ESSA’s Research Committee will make a decision on the applications. In the event that any application exceeds the page limit in any of the application areas, only the section up to the page limit will be evaluated. Awarding of the grant in each year will depend on the quality of applications. Based on the number and quality of applications, the grant may not be awarded in some years at the discretion of ESSA’s Research Committee. All applicants will be individually informed of the outcome of their application and notification of the awarding of the grant will be communicated through ESSA marketing.

Post grant reporting: Within 6 months of the expected completion of the research project, a report, outlining the following must be submitted to the ESSA National Board for approval: 1) that the research aims were achieved, 2) what outcomes were achieved in terms of encouraging participation in exercise or physical activity leading to better health outcomes; and 3) how the grant has assisted the career development of the applicant. It is expected that the research project will form the basis of a presentation at the next ESSA Biennial Scientific Conference.

In addition, a brief (300-400 word) report on the project, suitable for publication in ESSA’s Activate magazine must also be submitted to the ESSA National office within 6 months of the expected completion of the research project. Both reports must also be submitted to the collaborating organisation(s) with which the partnership was developed.

Any publication arising from the work, must acknowledge the support, in whole, or in part, of the Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Clinical Exercise Physiology Research Grant.

If you have any queries relating to the grant please email info@essa.org.au

Application form: Type your details into the form, save it as a PDF file and send it as an email attachment to: renee.fitzgerald@essa.org.au

In exceptional circumstances, hardcopy applications will be accepted and should be forwarded to:

Renee Fitzgerald, ESSA, Locked Bag 102, Albion DC QLD 4010 AustraliaPhone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666 Email: renee.fitzgerald@essa.org.au

Submission of Application Deadline: Monday 2nd May 2016 by 5 pm.

A decision on the applications will be advised in July 2016.

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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Part A: Administrative Summary

A3 Participant Summary

Principal Investigator must have been a financial member of ESSA for the past 2 years (Include CV in part D – maximum of 4 pages as detailed in instructions)

Name: Title:

Position:

Address:

Email:

Tel: Fax:

Associate Investigator(s) (Include CV for each investigator in part D – maximum of 4 pages as detailed in instructions)

Name Organisation

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

A2Administering Organisation (if application is successful)

A1Project Title (20 words maximum)

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Collaborating Organisation/s Linkage

Organisation:

Address/Location:

Email:

Tel: Fax:

Organisation (if applicable):

Address/Location:

Email:

Tel: Fax:

A4 Summary of Proposal

Provide a written proposal summary of no more than 100 words focussing on the aims, significance and expected outcomes of the project. Use plain English and the minimum of terminology unique to the area of study; and

Avoid the use of quotation marks, acronyms and do not use all upper case characters in the text.

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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A5 Summary of Project for Public Release

Provide a two-sentence descriptor of no more than 50 words of the purpose and expected outcomes of the project which is suitable for media or other publicity material. Do not duplicate or simply truncate the ‘Summary of Proposal’.

Use plain English and make the summary comprehensible and accessible for the general public as far as possible; and

Avoid the use of quotation marks, acronyms and do not use all upper case characters in the text.

Note: This summary may be used for public release.

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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CERTIFICATION PAGE

Certification by Principal/Associate Investigators I certify that:i) All the details on this Proposal are true and complete;ii) Proper inquiries have been made and I am satisfied that I meet the eligibility criteria as specified in this

document.

In participating in this Proposal, I consent to:i) This Proposal being referred to third parties for evaluation or assessment purposes who will remain

anonymous.

Certification by Director/Head of collaborating organisation(s)i) I agree that the project can be accommodated within the general facilities in my organisation.ii) I am prepared to have the project carried out in my organisation under the circumstances set out in the

Proposal.iii) My organisation supports the Proposal and will contribute the resources outlined in the Proposal; and

In the section below, for each participant and organisation please obtain the signature(s) of Principal/Associate Investigator(s) OR attach written evidence of agreement. This written evidence needs to be first hand confirmation in written form (e.g. handwritten or electronic letters or emails).

Person Family name, title and initials(Printed)

Signature ofPrincipal/Associate Investigator

Signature of Director/Head of collaborating organisation (or

delegate)

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4

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Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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Part B - Project Description (Maximum of 4 pages in 12 point font) - you must use the headings below, and in this order.

PROJECT TITLE (must be the same as Part A)

Scientific BACKGROUND and rationale for project Provide a succinct overview of the relevant and contemporary background literature to the topic. Describe how the anticipated outcomes will advance the knowledge base of clinical exercise

physiology with novel and innovative aims.

AIMS and hypotheses Describe the aims and hypotheses of the project.

RESEARCH PROJECT Outline the project participants, methods, and analysis processes. Provide an overall project

timeline. Describe the expected results and likely impact of the proposed research on the stakeholders

(e.g. patients, community, policy makers, etc.)

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT Describe the existing, or developing research environment within the Administering Organisation/

Collaborating Organisation(s) for this project. Summarise the role, responsibilities and contributions of each organisation.

ROLE OF PERSONNEL Summarise the role, responsibilities and contributions of each Principal Investigator and Associate

Investigator(s).

REFERENCES Include a list of all references cited. Please highlight those references from the team with an

asterisk (*). References must be in 10 point font (and can be additional to the 4 page maximum)

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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Part C – Project Cost (1 page maximum)

C1 Detail the proposed budget for the project (Please add additional lines if needed)

CostingSource of funds ESSA Principal

InvestigatorAssociate/s Total

DIRECT COSTSConsumables

Equipment

Travel (directly related to research)

Other

TOTAL DIRECT COSTS

C2 Justification of funding requested from ESSA (Use the same headings as in the above budget table).

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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Part D – Personnel. Please include the information below for each Principal Investigator and Associate Investigator(s) (maximum of 4 pages for each investigator).

D1 Please list the ESSA member number of investigators (the Principal Investigator must have been a member of ESSA for the past 2 years).

Investigator ESSA member number Year joined

D2 Are any Investigator(s) listed above a current member of the ESSA national board, state chapter committee or other advisory council or committee? If yes, please list the person and their current position.

D3 Please include a CV for each Investigator including the following information and conforming to a maximum of four pages per investigator for assessment of track record relevant to opportunity.

a) Qualifications;b) Employment or educational history;c) Honours or awards;d) Professional and/or research experience;e) List of relevant publications and funding within the last 10 years; List your publications in the

following order: scholarly books, scholarly book chapters, refereed journal articles (do not include conference abstracts). Please number your publications continuously and asterisk the publications relevant to this Proposal.

f) Background and achievements over the last 10 years (less than 500 words for each investigator).

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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Selection Criteria Proposals will be assessed and ranked using the following selection criteria: a. Investigator(s) track record and capacity to undertake and complete the project = 15%

- evidence of the investigators track record relative to research project proposed.

- capacity of the investigators to undertake and complete the proposed project in a timely manner.

b. Project quality and the application of the research project to clinical exercise physiology = 50% - research addresses a significant problem within clinical exercise physiology and the purpose of

the project is clear.

- investigators demonstrated a clear understanding of the theoretical framework and previous research underpinning the project and the conceptual/theoretical framework is innovative and original.

- shows research design, participant recruitment and statistical analysis which is appropriate to answer the problem to be addressed, and shows that the aims, concepts, methods and results advance knowledge.

- evidence of methods and techniques used to collect the data are appropriate to the research project.

c. Research environment and support = 15%

- evidence of appropriate access to equipment or facilities at any associated high quality environment, to complete the research project, as stated.

- shows the budget for the project is appropriate and shows that adequate justification has been provided for each line of expenditure.

d. Application to Clinical Exercise Practice = 20%

- evidence that the project outcomes will be directly applicable to clinical exercise practice.

- proposed research will change practice or improve outcomes

Telephone: 07 3171 3335 Fax: 07 3318 7666ACN 053 849 460 | ABN 14 053 849 460

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