Intellectual climate fund for graduate researchers
2020 fund information and application guidelines
Sponsored by the Graduate Research School and the Associate PVC (Research) of ASSC and SHE, these grants of up to $500 are available to graduate research groups to support your local research community.
Purpose of the scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to encourage graduate researchers to lead a range of academic, social and cultural activities that will seed or enhance a stimulating intellectual climate and supportive network within their local graduate research community. The scheme is not prescriptive about whether the activities take place across schools, departments, physical locations or disciplines; it is really about developing your research community. Graduate researchers may organise academic activities such as conferences and symposia, visual exhibitions, seminars, masterclasses and visiting speakers. This scheme encourages applications that enhance inclusiveness for the graduate researcher community (e.g. from smaller campuses, focused on part-time or international graduate researchers).
This scheme is not intended for recurring events.
With the advent of COVID-19, working from home, and distancing, the challenges and opportunities for developing research culture are heightened. While face-to-face events are no longer feasible, let’s test our creativity and see what initiatives we can generate. For example, you could invite guest speakers and have an interactive Q&A, convene a book club, produce a research culture resource, hold a series of masterclasses with discussion between them, and/or cater using food delivery vouchers - use your imagination!
Benefits
In applying to this scheme, graduate researchers can gain additional valuable experience in event organisation, grant application writing, project management, communication, and leadership. Successful awardees will have a full briefing about the resources and advice available to them. Other mentorship and support for successful applicants will be available from the RED team in the GRS on request.
Application information
Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate researchers at La Trobe. Events must be produced primarily BY and FOR graduate researchers, and they must be held in 2020. Proposals that seek to secure additional financial support for the activity from departments, schools or external bodies will be well regarded.
Applications will be assessed on:
- The strength of the proposal
- Anticipated impact on intellectual climate
- Whether it enhances inclusion
- Whether additional funding was sought
Enquiries about the scheme can be sent to red.grs@latrobe.edu.au. Or you can email Dr Tseen Khoo, Senior Lecturer - Research Education and Development: t.khoo@latrobe.edu.au.
2020 applications are now open
If you are keen to apply in this round, get together with other graduate researchers in your community and come up with an idea and plan. Consult widely, be creative and think about what would make a difference to the intellectual climate in your community! You might like to speak to your Graduate Research Coordinator or Director of Graduate Research, or other academics in your area.
Important Dates:
- ICF scheme opens – 6 April 2020
- ICF scheme closes – 4 May 2020, 12:00 PM
- Successful applications announced – 1 June 2020
Application form
Complete all sections of the Application form and submit it to red.grs@latrobe.edu.au.
Apply now [Word Document 116KB]
Note: Applications close by Monday 4 May 2020, 12:00 PM. The application requires the approval of your School Graduate Research Director so we would strongly encourage you to discuss your project with them.
Conditions
- Grants are available for projects run BY and FOR graduate researchers.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled.
- All projects must take place before the end of 2020.
- A written report must be sent to red.grs@latrobe.edu.au at the conclusion of the activity. A report pro forma can be found here [Word Document 75KB].
- Awardees from previous ICF rounds schemes who did not lodge an activity report are ineligible to apply.