Information for researchers

Application Calendar

We will have three application rounds for 2021. The critical dates are outlined below:

 Round 1Round 2Round 3

Applications Open

21st December 2020 3rd May 20212nd August 2021

Applications Close

5th February 202128th May 202127th August 2021

Final Outcome Notification

26th February 202121st June 202116th September 2021

The platform accepts out-of-session applications for low-cost and urgent research support. Please contact the platform coordinator for further details.

Application Eligibility

Researchers can apply once per application round and may be provided support multiple times per year. However, priority will be given to researchers who have not previously been granted support. There may be a fixed funding cap due to budget limitations.

To be eligible for research support you must:

  • Be an academic researcher or graduate research student (limited support available)
  • Require specialised research support (i.e. not a co-author or someone who will carry out intellectual work like literature reviews or ethics applications and not a whole project)
  • Be able to use the research support within 2021
  • If you are a graduate research student
    • the research support must not be part of the required or learning experience for your course (i.e. transcription),
    • the research support must be for the completion of your research project (essentially you are close to completing your research) and
    • you must have a clear justification for the research support i.e. you are unable to complete the task(s) yourself as it requires a specialist
  • Have fulfilled all application form requirements

Application Assessment Criteria

All applications are assessed by a committee of representatives (e.g. Director of Research) from both Colleges. In assessing applications the Committee looks for the following to be demonstrated:

  • Research has clear alignment with the research strategy of the University as a whole and/or the research discipline
  • Research is close to completion. Some research activities such as transcription can be applied for in the early stages of a project
  • Research outcomes are defined and achievable. Sufficient evidence of achievability via track record and endorsements
  • Application outcomes demonstrate return on investment for the University, e.g. via scholarly publications, partnerships, opening up of future opportunities etc.
  • Budget has been thought out and is reasonable.
  • Assistance requested is within scope i.e.
    • No intellectual work on the part of the research support staff
    • Not work that would be more appropriate for a co-author to carry out
    • Not for scoping new projects nor funding of pilot projects
    • Not for lab work
    • Not for payment towards another research platform in the University

Examples of Successful Applications

Example 1

Project Background: The production of a publication A Time of Change: Questioning the Collapse of Anuradhapura Sri Lanka

Support Needed: Assisting with re-formatting manuscript from MS Word to Adobe InDesign in accordance to publisher requirements.

Outcomes: Book published.

Reason for funding: Researcher has no expertise using this software. The funding enables the researcher to focus on other high value activities which is a better use of their time.


Example 2

Project Background: Despite clear evidence that the best approach to manage arthritis is appropriate education and exercise, 57% of Australian’s with the condition do not receive appropriate healthcare. Previous research indicates the most effective formats for teaching patients and physiotherapists how to use exercise therapy in osteoarthritis is through video. The aim of this project was to create video resources that were derived from the research article describing suitable exercises for the treatment of arthritis

Support Needed: Professional filming and editing of 40 how-to exercise and education videos.

Outcomes: The production of exercise rehabilitation videos to be used by participating physiotherapists and patients who are suffering from osteoarthritis.  The videos are available here

Reason for funding: Ensuring that the research paper produced has maximal impact to help improve practice and care of osteoarthritis patients.


Example 3

Project Background: Archiving of linguistic materials collected as part of fieldwork on endangered languages in North East India during the period 2003-2016.

Support Needed: Archiving of materials to specialist linguistic archives.

Outcomes: The archiving of these important recordings of endangered languages for use by members of the language community and by linguistic researchers.

Reason for funding: Researcher is making his research accessible to a wider audience. The funding enables the researcher to focus on other high value activities which is a better use of their time.


Example 4

Project Background: The production of an edited scholarly book Gold Rush: A Global History (Berkeley: University of California Press)

Support Needed: Assisting with compiling manuscript, basic copy-editing and indexing in accordance to publisher requirements.

Outcomes: Book published.

Reason for funding: Facilitate effective completion of the book.


Example 5

Project Background: Tracing Threads of the Past [Tracciando Fili del Passato]: embroidery [ricamo] is a collaborative live art performance. A homage to the researcher's Italian Calabrian heritage, the performance attempts to re-imagine traditional methods of "making" or women's work, interpreting and translating the experiences of Calabrian settlers to North-West Victoria in a contemporary visual art and sociological context.

Support Needed: Documentation (photography and video) of performative elements of practice based research.

Outcomes: Live art performances, conferences, grant applications, exhibitions, exhibition catalogues, possible newspaper and magazine articles and will be used in the written and creative output for thesis.

Reason for funding: Applicant can't do the photography and videos while they are performing in the production.


Example 6

Project Background: Investigate the implications of two Asia-Pacific trade agreements for pharmaceutical policy and regulation in China.

Support Needed: Review Chinese literature and translating Chinese legal and policy documents.

Outcomes: Publication of paper

Reason for funding: Researcher has no expertise in Chinese language. The funding will facilitate effective completion of the paper.

FAQs

Why has the social research assistance platform been introduced?

Social Research Assistance Platform has been introduced to accelerate research programs and outcomes.


Who can access the platform?

The services are available to researchers and graduate research students across the University.


What is the scope of the research support I could receive?

The research support should provide specialised technical support on an element of a research project which enables the effective completion of the research output. The research support staff should not carry out intellectual work i.e. literature reviews, ethics applications etc. but can support the intellectual work you are doing. The support will not cover an entire research project nor the scoping of new projects and it should not be used to provide teaching relief. Applications from graduate research students should provide clear justification as to why the work cannot be completed themselves. Graduate research student applications will not be approved for support if the committee agree that the work should be carried out by the research student as part of the learning experience


How are applications assessed?

The support provided by the platform is needs assessed. When you submit your application you will be asked about the support you need and an estimated budget. The application assessment group will score and rank the applications and determine their eligibility.

If the application assessment group determines that you are able to cover the cost of the research support yourself, you will still be eligible for the other services of the platform, e.g. the recruitment and booking of research support staff.


Is there a limit to how much I could receive?

There is no strict limit to how much support you would receive through the platform, however as stated above the amount will be needs assessed. The average amount awarded is between $2,000 and $3,000. If you have a query regarding support limits, please contact the platform coordinator directly.


Does the support cover open access fees?

No, unfortunately this isn't something currently offered by the platform.


What if I need support next year or my needs cover this and next year?

If the support you need falls entirely in another year, please submit an application in the year the support is needed.

If the support you need covers this and next year, please submit the application this year and state that you will also need the support next year in the application. The platform coordinator will work with you to provide the funding when needed.


What if I already have a research support person I would like to use?

The Social Research Assistance Platform can still provide support if you already have a research support person in mind. There is a field in the application form to include the details of this person.