1.THE DSD RCP

1.1 Introduction

The Premier’s Research and Industry Fund (PRIF) Research Consortia Program (RCP) provides funding for significant research collaborations between universities, other research organisations, government and industry to tackle major challenges in areas of critical need and/or strategic importance to South Australia within the State’s Ten Economic Priority areas.The RCP seeks to bring together Research Consortia led by world leading researchers to pursue innovative leading-edge, outcome focussed research solutions with an emphasis on taking outcomes through to application.

Successful Research Consortia will be selected through a competitive two-stage process.

The RCP is administered by the Department of State Development.

Stage 1

A call for Expression of Interest (EOI) applications will be made in the first instance. The Expressions of Interest will be assessed and then shortlisted by a Selection Panel. The Selection Panel may request interviews with applicants.

Stage 2 (DSD invited applications ONLY)

Applications will be invited from this shortlist and will be assessed by a Selection Committee and external experts. Applicants will subsequently be invited to participate in interviews with the Selection Committee.

Full information and Guidelines are available at:

Each institution can submit a maximum of five applications to Stage 1. The University of Adelaide has therefore established an internal process to short-list EOIs and determine the level of co-contributions as required by this scheme. This internal process is outlined further below.

1.2. The objectives and assessment criteria of the RCP:

Strategically address large scale research challenges in areas of critical need and/or strategic importance to South Australia which align with the State’s Ten Economic Priority areas.

Develop and support local, national and international networks and collaborations that bring together academic, industry, private and public organisations to address these research challenges.

Support research that pursues innovative solutions that are high impact and capable of being effectively utilised by end-users, particularly South Australian companies, where possible.

Link existing research strengths and build critical mass and capacity for interdisciplinary approaches to address defined research challenges.

Attract and retain from within Australia and abroad, world-leading researchers.

Develop and support promising early to mid-career researchers and postgraduate research students.

1.3 Research Priorities:

  • Priority will be given in this round to research consortia that develop a specific research challenge that falls within one or more of the following broad research priority areas:
  • Energy
  • Water
  • Agriculture (including food and wine).
  • Research addressing challenges outside of these priority areas will be considered, but research within the three priority areas will be assessed more favourably and research consortia are strongly encouraged to target these priority areas.
  • Applications could be directed specifically at one of these priority sectors, or address an interconnected opportunity. For example, enabling technologies such as space/satellite technologies, informatics, robotics, machine learning and/or internet of things (IoT/IIot) are likely to have application across multiple sectors.
  • Multi-disciplinary research consortia are encouraged, with a long-term aim of developing transformative industries for the State.
  • Research consortia activities can include basic research but must have a strong outcome focus that includes knowledge transfer, commercialisation and direct industry benefit.

1.4 FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

Administering Organisations can be a partner in any number of other Research Consortium Applications.

Applications must have among its PartnerOrganisations at least one industry participant and/orend-user.

Initial consideration of any bid involving the University (whether the University as the lead organisation or other) is to be undertaken by the relevant Head(s) of School and Executive Dean(s).

Applications must only be submitted through the Research Office of the Administering Organisation.EOI Applications must be submitted via the online form. This form requires Organisational Approval in the form of a confirmation by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research or equivalent.

2. University of Adelaide Stage 1 EOI Submission Process

2.1UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE SELECTION PROCESS

  1. University of Adelaide EOIsmust be submitted by groups who are wishing to be considered for a DSD RCP EOI Submission, whether it is for a University of Adelaide led bid or for involvement in a bid led by another organisation.Only Expressions of Interest which proceed, and are supported, through the University of Adelaide vetting process will receive Organisational Approval for submission to DSD.
  2. University of Adelaide EOIs must have the support of all relevant Schools and Faculties and Institutes (and a commitment from external partners).
  3. University of Adelaide EOIs will be reviewed by the nominated University RCP Assessment Committee and applicants contacted as soon as possible to ensure that applicants have sufficient time to prepare their Expressions of Interest for submission to the DSD.

2.2UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE co-investment guidelines

  1. DSD RCP proposals require a minimum cash investment of 50% of the funding sought from DSD (from all partners). Cash includes the salary costs of staff (new or existing) employed and dedicated at least 0.5 FTE to work on the Research Program; funds to pay for proposed travel consistent with the Research Program; and cash to fund direct research costs for the Research Program. DSD will fund up to $1M pa (for up to 4 years).
  2. For University of Adelaide led bids the DVCR will consider co-funding requests of up to $200K pa, as part of a total University cash support package of up to $400K pa (or $1.6M over 4 years). It is expected that external partners (other universities, research organisations, industry/business and others) would provide the remaining $100k pa as outlined above (as a minimum in order to meet the required cash co-funding for the scheme). These co-funding limits are guidelines only, and all bids will be considered in line with the selection criteria specified in 2.3. Faculties can determine their own funding splits with schools/departments as long as it totals 50% of the University cash co-contribution (most frequently it is 25% Faculty and 25% School/s). Leverage of less than 1:5 may be acceptable for University of Adelaide led bids where the bid is identified by the selection committee as being a high strategic priority.
  3. For University of Adelaide involvement in externally led bids, the DVCR will consider co-funding requests where the expected leverage on the University of Adelaide investment to is at least 5:1. Requests for DVCR co-funding of up to $50,000 pa cash will be considered where there is matching cash support contributed by School/Faculty (most frequently:25% Faculty and 25% School).

2.3 UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE RANKING PROCESS AND TIMEline

PROCESS / TIMELINE

STAGE 1 DSD RCP EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

SUBMIT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
  • UofA Chief Investigator submits EOI to Research Services
  • Expression of Interestare required for University of Adelaide led AND externally led RCP bids
/ Wednesday, 4 October 2017
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
UofA REVIEW AND RANK EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
  • EOI’s ranked by University RCP Assessment Committee
/ Friday, 13 October 2017
University of Adelaide led bids
RANKINGS COMPLETE AND SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS NOTIFIED TO PREPARE STAGE 1 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Externally-led bids
SUPPORT AND UNIVERSITY CO-INVESTMENT FINALISED AND APPLICANTS NOTIFIED
STAGE 1 DSD RCP EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
BID DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATION (APPROVED BIDS) / Friday, 13October 2017 – Monday, 6 November 2017
COMPLETE AND FINAL STAGE 1DSD RCP EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SUBMITTED TO RESEARCH SERVICES
with:
  • completed UofA Certification page,
  • other organisations’ signed certifications confirming cash and in-kind contributions
/ Monday, 6 November 2017
University Internal Deadline
Electronic submission of all documents is required to:
FINAL RCP STAGE 1 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SUBMITTED TO DSD (BY LEAD INVESTIGATOR) / Monday 13 November 2017
External Deadline

STAGE 2 – DSD RCP applications - FULL PROPOSAL (SHORTLISTED AND INVITED BY DSD)

STAGE 1 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ASSESSED AND SHORTLISED BY DSD (SELECTION PANEL AND/OR EXTERNAL ASSESSORS) / TBA
STAGE 2 DSD RCP APPLICATIONS INVITED / TBA
STAGE 2 DSD RCP APPLICATIONS - BID PREPARATION (APPROVED BIDS) / TBA
COMPLETE AND FINAL STAGE 2 DSD RCP APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO DSD / Friday, 30 April 2018
External Deadline

3. further information

Guidelines and instructions:

DSD RCP:

General queries:

Karen Burke, Director, Research Grants / / 08 8313 1732
Dale Godfrey, Senior Research Grants Officer / / 08 8313 3534

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Department of State Development –
Research Consortium Program (DSD – RCP)
INTERNAL UOFA EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM /
1. RCP DETAILS
Research Consortia Program Title
Proposed Administering Organisation & Location / UA Role
(tick as applicable) / Administering Organisation
Other Organisation
UA Lead ChiefInvestigator / Name: / Phone:
School: / e-mail:
Other participating Research Institutions/ Chief Investigators / Name of Institution / Full Name (and title) of CI / Contribution
(please indicate cash and/or In-kind, confirmed/requested)
Partners (industry and government)
Please list all – add rows as needed / Name of Institution/ Organisation and Contact / Contribution
(please indicate cash and/or In-kind)
2. Research Challenge and Consortium Proposal Briefly outline the following
Research Challenge:What is the challenge being addressed and how does the Research Consortium meet one or more of South Australia’s Economic Priorities?
Proposed Consortium Partners:Provide a brief description of the role of each Consortium Investigator.
Research Program:Provide a brief description of the Research Program and expected outcomes.
Translation of Research:Provide a description of how the Research Consortium outcomes can be translated into benefits to the End-Users, either by the Research Consortium itself, or by translation partners.
Capacity Building:How will this Research Consortium leverage existing strengths and build critical mass above existing research programs?
Provide justification of the expertise and capability of the proposed partners to address the research challenge and achieve the research program outcomes.
Supporting Researchers:How will the Research Consortium develop and support promising early to mid-career researchers and postgraduate research students?
Briefly describe how the consortium relates to the University & Faculty Research and Innovation Strategic Plans and to other major strategic funding bids or funded programs already underway. List any other strategic benefits that will result from participation in this consortium.
3. DSD FUNDING REQUEST
Year 1 (total DSD funds) / Year 2 (total DSD funds) / Year 3 (total DSD funds) / Year 4 (total DSD funds) / Total (REQUESTED)
Year 1
(funds to stay at UofA) / Year 2
(funds to stay at UofA) / Year 3
(funds to stay at UofA) / Year 4
(funds to stay at UofA) / Total
(funds to stay at UofA)
3. CASH CONTRIBUTION Provide details of proposed UA cash contributions.
Source (e.g. School / Faculty / Institute / Other) / Cash $ Amount Per Annum / Confirmed?
Yes / No / Requested
<add more rows as necessary>
Total (per annum) / $
4. STAFF IN-KIND COMMITMENTS Provide details of proposed UA staff in-kind contributions from each School (FTE)
Researcher Name / School / % FTE
<add more rows as necessary>
5. OTHER ‘non-staff’ IN-KIND COMMITMENTS Provide details other in-kind contributions from each School
School / Calculated $ Amount Per Annum / Details (i.e. what is to be provided)
<add more rows as necessary>
6. OTHER COMMENTS
BENEFIT:COST ASSESSMENT (to be completed by Research Services)
Total Direct $ Income / Est. Total Block Grant Income$ / Total Cash & non-staff In-Kind Cost $ / Benefit : Cost Ratio
$ / $ / $
UA DSD RCP - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST CERTIFICATIONS
(ONLY REQUIRED FOR INTERNAL UOFA EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO DSD)
Consortium Name

UA CHIEF INVESTIGATOR

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, the details of this UA Expression of Interest for participation in the above DSD RCP are correct.

Name of UA Key Researcher / Signature / Date

HEAD/S OF SCHOOL

i) I certify my approval of the proposed involvement of participating staff from my School (as detailed above) and availability of the School facilities, space, equipment etc indicated as necessary for participation in this RCP; and

ii) I have discussed the proposal with participating staff from my School and agree to the indicative per annum contribution(s) in cash and in-kind by my School as indicated below.

Name of Head of School / Signature of Head of School / Indicative School per annum
Cash & In-kind contributions if known
Cash / $p.a.
In-kind / $ p.a.
Cash / $ p.a.
In-kind / $ p.a.
Cash / $ p.a.
In-kind / $ p.a.

EXECUTIVE DEAN(S) AUTHORISATION

i) I have been consulted about the proposal by staff from my Faculty and agree to the indicative per annum contribution in cash from the Faculty as indicated below;

ii) I support and recommend this UA Expression of Interest for participation in the above RCP to the Office of the DVCR

Name of Executive Dean or delegate / Signature & Date / Indicative per annum cash contribution from my Faculty towards this RCP
Cash / $p.a.
Cash / $p.a.

REQUEST FOR DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR & VICE PRESIDENT (RESEARCH) CASH CONTRIBUTION

The indicative per annum cash contribution requested from the DVC&VP(R) budget towards this Consortium(in conjunction with annual cash contributions requested from Faculty[s] and School[s]):

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) / Signature & Date / Per annum cash contribution requested from DVC&VP(R) budget
Cash / $p.a.

CERTIFICATION OF PARTICIPATING ORGANISATION CONTRIBUTION

I have been consulted about the RCP proposal and agree to the indicative per annum contributionsof cash and/or in-kind from my Organisation as indicated below;

I certify that my organisation supports the proposal and will contribute the resources outlined in the proposal; and

Name and Position
(delegated authority for Participating Organisation) / Signature & Date / Indicative per annum cash contribution from ParticipatingOrganisation
Cash / $p.a.
Cash / $p.a.

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