GUIDELINES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS AND

GUIDELINES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY COLLABORATIVE
RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS AND
NHMRC EQUIPMENT GRANTS SCHEMES 2014
CLOSING DATE: 5PM FRIDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2014
The University of Sydney Collaborative Research Equipment Grants and the NHMRC Equipment
Grants Schemes are now open for applications. Funding is available to support total or partial
cost of equipment. Applications may be made for equipment to be purchased in 2015.
Applications for the University of Sydney scheme may be up to $200,000 for one item of
equipment or a complete system or facility. If the item is valued at more than $200,000 the
application will still be considered but only up to $200,000 will be provided.
Applications for the NHMRC scheme will be considered within the following 2 categories of
funding:
Category 1 - $75,001 – $200,000 (excl. GST) for one item of equipment or a complete system or
facility. If the item is valued at more than $200,000 the application will still be considered but only
$200,000 will be provided;
Category 2 - $10,000 - $75,000 (excl. GST) for one item of equipment or a complete system or
facility. If the item is valued at more than $75,000 the application will still be considered but only
up to $75,000 will be provided.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed and ranked on the basis of scientific merit, taking into consideration
factors including:
 The equipment (whether it is high-end or workhorse) should enable the highest quality
research.
 The degree of alignment of the proposal with the research strategies of SPARCs, Faculties
and the University.
 Collaborative gain and increase in critical mass to be achieved through the use of the
equipment. E.g.: multi-user equipment which crosses disciplines, research groups and
departments.
 Details of availability of related or alternative equipment within the Institution
and/affiliated research area, and why new equipment is required.
 Arrangements for access and sustainable operation of the equipment, including payment
of maintenance contracts, if relevant.
 The degree to which the proposal leverages funding secured from other sources,
particularly external.
 Justification and nature of the use of the equipment as well as the relative amount of time
the equipment will be used by each named investigator.
 The Track Record of each named Chief Investigator as reflected in competitive grant
funding, refereed publications (best 10 relevant papers in the past 5 years), contributions
to post-graduate research training and any other relevant measures.
Limit of 2 pages per
chief investigator.
Selection Committee and Time-line
Applications will be considered by a working group of the Research Infrastructure Sub-Committee
of the SEG Research Committee, with broad representation from the key faculties. The
committee will review the applications against the selection criteria and need for the equipment
addressing the strategic needs of SPARCs, Faculties and the University.
Time-line
Applications Open
Applications Close
Committee Meeting
Outcomes Announced
13th October 2014
21st November 2014
16th December 2014
19th December 2014
Eligibility
 The Chief Investigator A (CIA) must be a member of the academic staff of the University,
and on the payroll of the University or have been formally appointed according to
established processes for conjoint or clinical appointments for Local Health Districts or
associated research institutions. Emeritus and Honorary Appointees are not eligible to
apply for funding.
 The CIA must have all their research productivity (e.g.: grant applications, postgraduate
research supervision, publications) submitted through and administered by the University
of Sydney
 There will be a maximum of five CIs per application.
 Applicants can be named as a CIA on one application only in each category;
 Applicants can be named as a Chief Investigator only on two applications regardless of the
category i.e. can only be on 2 applications in total.
If there is more than 1 application from
a research precinct/grouping and/or School/Faculty then the applications must be ranked
by that group in priority order
 NHMRC Specific - The CIA must have held a grant from the NHMRC or any other agency
specified in the list of Australian Competitive Grants Register during 2014 (or award is
granted commencing 2015).
NOTE: if the above criteria are not satisfied, the entire application may be excluded as
ineligible.
Submission Process
 Applications must be made using the application template provided.
 One electronic copy of the full application including quotes, as a single pdf file, should be
sent to the following email address: [email protected]
 A completed and signed Research Proposal Clearance Form must be submitted with the
application.
Conditions of Award
• Equipment purchased with grant funds will be owned by the University and listed on the
University’s Asset Register; however affiliated institutions may have unfettered use of such
equipment.
• University purchasing policy must be strictly adhered to – details of University Purchasing
Policy is available at http://www.finance.usyd.edu.au/purchase_pay_lease/purchasing/index.shtml
• Grant must be fully spent by 31ST JULY 2015
• All necessary ethics clearances and other approvals must be in place before commencing
research projects using the relevant equipment.