HALLMARK AGEING RESEARCH INITIATIVE

SEED FUNDING SCHEME

GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS 2017

  1. INTRODUCTION

The Hallmark Research Initiatives are intended to enable the maturing of focused researchcommunities that build on existing strengths across the University of Melbourne. They are in selected areas that have been identified as having significant potential to harness cross-University capabilities to open up new targeted funding opportunities.

The Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative was created in response to recognition by the University of Melbourne of ageing as a significant social issue and one which requires an interdisciplinary approach. The aim of the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiativeis to help to co-ordinate interdisciplinary projects with the involvement of community partners. Although the following seven research clusters do not represent all of the research in ageing being undertaken at the University, the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiativewill develop high-quality applied research, policy and education programs by focussing on the following seven research clusters:

  • Technology and Ageing
  • Design for Ageing
  • Ageing in Low and Middle Income Countries
  • Leadership and Ageing
  • Healthy Ageing
  • Social Aspects of Ageing Across the Lifespan
  • Demography of Ageing

The Hallmark Ageing Research Initiativeprovides strategic support for the development of collaborative research projects both nationally and internationally that align with the University’s broader research strategy.

  1. PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME

The Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative will offer Seed Funding aimed to assist research aligned within one of the seven research clusters (as mentioned above). The scheme supports research teams to initiate innovative small-to-medium scale interdisciplinary research projects that show significant potential for future funding by granting bodies e.g. ARC, NHMRC, or a major industry player. Projects should catalyse the drawing together of academic staff from across disciplines to work on interdisciplinary problems consistent with the research cluster areas of the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative. The Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative is keen to support and enhance the career development of early career researchers (ECRs) by providing opportunities for them to participate and play a significant role within interdisciplinary research teams.

  1. FUNDING
  • In 2017, grants will be awarded from a total pool of $80,000. We are looking to fund between 3-4 projects in this round.
  • Expenditure on equipment should only be proposed in exceptional circumstances and a compelling justification will be required.
  • Conference travel or study tours will not be funded.
  • A 10-15minute interim oral report will be required to be presented to the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Steering Committee.
  • A final written report must be submitted to the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Steering Committee on completion of the seed-funded project.
  1. ELIGIBILITIY
  • Applications are expected to be developed by a proposing team, and each application must nominate a Chief Investigator.
  • Research proposals must be aligned with one of the seven research clusters (see above) and it is strongly recommended that applicants discuss their proposal with one of the cluster leads prior to submission of the 200 abstract.
  • Research proposals that involve interdisciplinary[1] inter-faculty collaboration, industry partnerships and/or consumer engagement will be given preference.
  • You must disclose if you are submitting this application to other University of Melbourne seed funding grant sources.
  • The Chief Investigator must hold a salaried academic appointment at the University of Melbourne of at least 0.5 EFT for the duration of the project and the reporting period (12 months post awarding of the grant). If the Chief Investigator leaves the employment of the University, this responsibility will be transferred to another member of the team.
  • There are no restrictions on other members of the proposed project team, including international team members.
  • A simple signoff process will be used. It will be assumed that in submitting an application, all project team members have consulted appropriately with their Heads and Deans and have the time and basic infrastructure resources to pursue the project concerned within the context of existing research, teaching and higher degree supervision responsibilities.
  1. FUNDING RULES

All requests for funding are to be made initially through the submission of a 200 word abstract to the HARI Steering Committee who will short-list and invite selected application to participate in an oral pitch session. From there, some participants will be invited to submit a formal written application. Projects should be costed in line with University policy and are subject to final approval by the Co-Chairs of the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative.

Funds may be used for:

  • Employing Research Assistants;
  • Employing casual staff to provide development or administrative support;
  • Modest and appropriate teaching or marking relief for the Chief Investigator and other Investigators on the team (specific justification for the item is required);
  • Costs associated with workshops or events, including accommodation and catering;
  • Travel costs such as bringing overseas or interstate industry partners to the workshop;
  • Modest equipment (specific justification for this item is required); or,
  • Accessibility costs (for example, for inclusive research, events or dissemination of findings)
  • Consultant costs for workshop preparation, facilitation and/or post-workshop follow-up.

Funds may NOT be used for:

  • Travel by University of Melbourne staff to attend conferences or other events; or,
  • Retainer fees for consultants.
  1. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The payment schedule will be agreed between the Chief Investigator and the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Steering Committee prior to the commencement of the project.

  1. APPLICATION PROCESS

There are three phases in the application process:

i)Submission of a 200 word abstract of your project

Applicants must submit a 200 word summary of their project idea to Friday March 3.Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission by Friday March 17. After peer review, applicants may or may not be invited to participate in presenting a 5 minute Oral Pitch of their research.

ii)Five minute Oral Pitch

The Oral Pitch sessions will be held onThursday 30 March.An Oral Pitch of up to 5 minutes duration will be presented to the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Steering Committee. Participants are encouraged to use the attached Oral Pitch Template as a guideline for making their pitch. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission by Friday March 31.At the discretion of the Pitch Panel consisting of members of the Steering Committee, applicants may or may not be invited to submit a written application.

iii)Written application

The written application must be made using the attached application form. Supporting documentation should comprise statements of no more than one page on the Chief Investigator and each team member, with the following details:

a)Current position

b)Expertise relevant to the proposed role in the current proposal, including track record in prior collaboration, and

c)A representative list of grants and/or publications in areas relevant to the proposal

Email Subject and Applications must use the filename format: Year-HARI-SFApplication-Initial+LastName e.g. 2017-HARI-SFApplication-JDoe

Submit your formal written application to by COB Thursday April 20.Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submission by Thursday May 4.

  1. WRITTEN APPLICATION ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Suitability of the project team (30%)

  • Does the proposed research involve an interdisciplinary team of academic staff with appropriate and complementary expertise for the proposed project?
  • Does the proposal include a clear plan for involvement of early career or student researchers or to build capacity in lay researchers?

Project quality (50%)

  • Does the proposed project address an area of ageing research consistent with the research Clusters described in Section 1?
  • Is the method appropriate for the research aims, questions and hypotheses (if any)?
  • Does the project demonstrate innovation in a least one of the following areas: methodology and design; area of focus; conceptual approach and analysis; potential impact and engagement?
  • Is the proposal likely to generate new research activities? What are the intended short-and long-term impacts of the project?
  • Does it show potential for future funding by granting bodies?

Feasibility, significanceand outcomes (20%)

  • Is the project feasible in terms of timelines, budget, staffing and activities?
  • Is the proposed project budget aligned with the claimed outcomes?
  • Has the project identified and engaged with target audiences?
  • Does the proposed project demonstrate the significance of topic – why this research should be undertaken?
  • Does the proposed project demonstrate a clear and feasible plan for dissemination and knowledge translation?
  1. CONDITIONS OF GRANT
  • Grant Offers must be accepted in writing by the Chief Investigator and by the Head of the Department/School of the Chief Investigator.
  • Successful applicants must provide appropriate acknowledgement of the Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative when communicating project outcomes.
  • The Chief Investigator:
  • Will be the contact person for all administrative matters to do with the project and is responsible for internal reporting requirements.
  • Must ensure that the research is conducted in accordance with University policy, including compliance with the Code of Conduct for Research and policies on human research ethics, animal experimentation ethics, requirements of the Office of Gene Technology Regulator, health and safety and intellectual property. No project may proceed unless the appropriate ethical or other required clearances have been obtained.
  • Must comply with any instructions or conditions in the Offer of Grant relating to approved items of expenditure. This includes entering into a Collaboration Agreement with external parties involved in the project.
  • Is responsible for ensuring that the expenditure of the grant is broadly in accord with the budget presented in the application and is consistent at all times with the nature and aims of the specific project approved and the objectives of the Scheme.
  • Will be required to provide reports and presentations on the progress and outcomes of the project at the times and in the form requested by the Selection Committee from time to time, with a formal final report required on the outcomes of the project within 6 months of the project’s completion. The Chief Investigator is also required to participate in relevant Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Seminars and Workshops. Summaries of projects funded and project final reports may be published.
  • The Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative:
  • Will assign a Cluster Lead to oversee and support the project team.
  • Will arrange project kick-off meetings, a mid-term review and an end of project review with the Chief Investigator. Other members of the team who wish to attend are most welcome.
  • Will use project information for promotional purposes.
  • The successful team must sign a Standard Research Agreement (with IP). This reduces the administration load related with the waived overheads.
  • The project must be completed within 12 months of being awarded.
  1. RESEARCH CLUSTER LEAD CONTACT DETAILS

Applicants are encouraged to be interdisciplinary and consider which Cluster Leads would be best suited to their project.

Research Cluster / Cluster Lead / Email / Phone
Technology and Ageing / A/Prof Kathleen Gray
Dr Jenny Waycott /
/ 8344 8936
8344 8964
Design for Ageing / Professor Alan Pert
A/Prof Clare Newton /
/ 9035 9656
8344 6439
Ageing in Low and Middle Income Countries / Professor Barbara McPake / / 8344 8769
Leadership and Ageing / Professor Peter Gahan
Dr Joshua Healy /
/ 90359740
8344 7953
Healthy Ageing / A/Prof Briony Dow
A/Prof Christina Bryant / and
and
/ 8387 2639
8345 3906
Social Aspects of Ageing Across the Life Course / Professor Andrew Dawson
Professor Simon Biggs /
/ 8344 4201
8344 5970
Demography of Ageing / Professor Peter McDonald
A/Prof Jeromey Temple /
/ 9035 3478
9035 9900
  1. GENERAL ENQUIRIES

If you have any general enquiries about the scheme, please contact

Dr Ruth Williams, Academic Convenor, Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative on +61 3 8344 9793 or

Hallmark Ageing Research Initiative Seed Funding Scheme Guidelines 2017

[1] For the purposes of this seed funding round, ‘interdisciplinary’ refers to two or more academic disciplines or fields of research that represent different schools of thought combining their knowledge and expertise to explore or solve a common problem, question or issue.