Tourism Research and Education Network

(TRENd)

PITCH FEST EXPRESSION OF INTEREST APPLICATION FORM

2017

The vision of TRENd is to strengthen tourism research linkages across the University of Tasmania and to extend these linkages to the tourism industry.

TRENdPITCHFESThas been designed to stimulate highly innovative, well communicated and industry relevant tourism research that will:

a)enhance the tourism research output from UTAS researchers;

b)be of relevance to the Tasmanian and/ or broader tourism industry; and

c)encourage new collaborative research projects between researchers at UTAS and tourism industry partners.

Pitchfest has been developedin conjunction with TRENd’s strategic research partners: The Parks and Wildlife Service; the Department of State Growth and the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG).

Funding Conditions

The TRENd Pitchfest research fund will support TWOpitches, to the maximum value of $6000 for each project. The allocation of the two awards is as follows:

  1. One TRENd Regional Development Grant (value $6000): this will be awarded to a pitch that seeks to explore innovative ways to boost community andregional tourism development and/ or engagement with the broader university in teaching and learning opportunities;
  1. One TRENd Theme Grant (value $6000): this will be allocated to a pitch that seeks to undertake research related to the TRENd Priority Areas. These are:
  2. Nature based tourism, wilderness tourism & tourism in protected areas
  3. Cultural and Heritage Tourism
  4. The Tasmanian Visitor Experience
  5. Blue Skies Research.

Applicants are encouraged to:a) work in collaborative teams with other UTAS researchers; and/ or b) seek support from relevant industry partners to further support their research.

Applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of:

  1. Manager Business Development and Technology Transfer
  2. Professor Can Seng Ooi
  3. Director of TRENd
  4. Deputy Secretary State Growth, Jacqui Allen
  5. Representative from Parks and Wildlife Service
  6. Director, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
  7. Pro-Vice Chancellor (community, Partnerships and Regional Development)

Eligibility

  • This scheme is open to all University of Tasmania staff and PhD students.

Application process

  • Electronic Expression of Interest forms must be submitted to the Director of TRENd:Anne Hardy at by COBFebruary 27th
  • Applicants selected to take part in the Pitchfest will be informed in writing on March 1st

Allowable expenditures

Research-related expenditures (as per REGS guidelines), include:

  • research assistance;
  • technical staff or services;
  • administrative staff; and
  • travel to undertake the research

Funding cannot be used to support:

  • teaching relief;
  • PhD stipends;
  • per diems; or
  • conference travel.

Reporting

  • Successful applicants must present a brief written 500 word report to be published on the TRENd website
  • Successful applicants must also present the results of their findings at the Yearly TRENd Symposium

Assessment Criteria

Step 1: Expression of Interest Form- to be assessed against the following criteria- by COB February 27th, 2017:

  1. Project Summary (70%)

Use this section to justify the academic basis and industry relevance of the proposal and convince the assessment panel that the project will develop industry relevant, publishable new research outputs. Demonstrate how:

  • the research addresses an important tourism industry problem;
  • the research builds upontheory that is relevant to the field of tourism studies;
  • the project is novel and innovative; and
  • new methodologies could be developed (if applicable).

2Research plan (30%)

Use this section to indicate how your plan for carrying out research:

  • Will transfer into publishable outcomes and/ or future research funding
  • has an achievable timeline;
  • has a wellplanned budget.

The 4 Highest Ranked EOIs will proceed to the Pitchfest. Successful teams will be notified on March 1sth.

Step 2: PitchFest- 4pm 16th March -Your 5 minute pitch will be assessed against the following criteria:

Pitchfest Criteria

Your Pitch must be 5 minutes in length. TRENd Recommends the style of the Pitch should be in lay-persons language, it should be engaging and most of all it has to be fun! Teams need to convince the audience that their research will solve an industry problem.

Pitches should therefore:

  • Describe the ‘pain’ of the tourism industry
  • Outline how your research will help resolve that ‘pain’
  • Describe how your solution/ research is unique
  • Define the ‘why now’- why recent trends in research and/ or tourism make your solution possible
  • Identify the sector of the industry your research will assist
  • Introduce your team and why you are the best team for the job
  • Describe your current stage of development & next steps
  • Ask for what you need!

TRENd recommends that teams explore on-line resources to help prepare their pitch, as well as a suggestedtemplate that will be emailed to successful EOI applicants. One useful resource is the Sequoia style of pitch:

Assessment Criteria for Pitchfest:

  • Clearly articulated problem 20%
  • Clearly articulated research objectives 20%
  • Innovation 10%
  • Potential for impact 20%
  • Team 10%
  • Audience Vote (the Pitchfest audience will vote on each pitch) 20%

Pitches will be judged on the night of Pitchfest and the winning team will be notified at the end of the evening

Step 1: Expression of Interest Form– due COB 27th Feb 2017

Applicant 1 details

Name
School and Faculty
Email
Academic level

Applicant 2 details

Name
Discipline area
Email
Academic level

Please add more applicants as required

Funding

Other funding
Will your project be supported by funding from other sources? / Yes ☐ / No ☐
If yes, please provide a description of the association and/or funding.

Project details

Project title(Please provide a short descriptive title)
Project summary (please limit 400 words)60%
Please provide a 400 words description of the project summarising its aims, rationale and expected outcomes.
Research Plan (40%)
Potential Target Journals and Research Grants that may result from this funding
Project timeline- please note all projects should be complete by December 2017
Research project costs
Please provide a detailed budget of expected costs for the project (exclusive of GST). Refer to the ATO Schedule for allowable rates on travel:
Budget item / Details / Requested funds / Other funds
Personnel
(Salaries plus on costs) / $ / $
Equipment
(Computers will not be funded) / $ / $
Travel
(Please itemise) / $ / $
Other expenses
(Please specify) / $ / $
Total project costs / $ / $
Total funding requested from TRENd / $

I confirm that my WARP record is up to date. I understand that a copy of this record may be downloaded for consideration by the Committee.

Applicant 1 signature
Date
Applicant 2 signature
Date

Please forward an electronic copy of your signed, completed EOI to the Director of TRENd, no later than C.O.B, 27thFebruary , 2017.

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