ATTACHMENT A

RESEARCH STUDIES PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM

POLICY STATEMENT

The Research Studies Program (RSP) providesacademicstaffmembersrelief from some of their normal duties (teaching, University service and communityengagement)inordertoundertakeresearchactivitieswhichwillresultinspecificand measurableoutcomestoenhancethestrategicdirectionsoftheSchoolandUniversity.

Major responsibilities such as research supervision of graduate research degree students are expected to be on-going. If necessary, a staff member on RSP may be required to undertake service duties such as participation in interview panels.

TheRSPis not an entitlement. Applications are approved on their individual merit. Applications that promote Murdoch University nationally or internationally will be viewed favourably.

The activities undertaken within the RSP must be consistent with the roles of the academic staff members and their expected professional development. Such activities undertaken while on RSP will ordinarily include, but are not limited to:

•Research (including research on teaching or clinical/professional effectiveness if it leads to publication).

•Programof specialisedactivityrelatingtoresearchthat is consistent with research-led teaching and evidence-based practice.

The deadline for submission of applications to DVC (Research and Development)will be announced each year.

If you intend applying for any form of leave to be taken in conjunction with your RSP, it must attached to this RSP application

Section 1 – to be completed by the RSP Applicant

  1. Background

Name: ______

School: ______

1.1 Please identify the eligibilitycriteria is met:

You are employed as an Academic (Level A – E) or equivalent level, occupying a continuing position

 Yes No

You are employed on a Research and Teaching contract that provides for RSP

 Yes No

You are research active, in accordance with Murdoch University definition

 Yes No

You have continuous employment at Murdoch University for at least three years prior to the commencement of RSP

 Yes No

You have completed a satisfactory Performance Enhancement System (PES) review no more than 12 months prior to the RSP proposal submission.

 Yes No

Period(s) of any previously completed RSP (previously, ASP and OSP):

______

Period applied for in this application ______months

Commencing / Ending
Single period
Split / (i)
(ii)

2.Proposed RSP Activities

Please provide the following information on your proposed RSP activities.

2.1An attachment of up to 2 pages in length describing the activities you propose for your RSP. This statement should give enough information for the School Dean and DVC (Research and Development)to evaluate the merit of your proposal and its feasibility in terms of time constraints. It is important to indicate in this statement the skills, knowledge and competencies you will acquire or improve as a result of the activities proposed.

2.2Provide a list of the proposed outcomes of the RSP. These outcomes must be addressed specifically in your post-RSP report.

2.3Provide a concise statement of all the benefits that your RSP will have for your School and the University.

2.4Letters from institutions and organisations you plan to visit or from which you expect to receive accommodation, services or access indicating that your visit has been approved. Where these letters are not available at the time of making application, your RSP will be approved conditional on this information being supplied at least two months before the RSP starts.

3.Provision for Academic and Professional Responsibilities

Before completing this section of the application, applicants must have the agreement of relevant colleagues and the School Dean on arrangements to cover for their absence.

3.1Teaching commitments

For the period of the proposed RSP list any unit(s) you would otherwise coordinate or in which you would normally present lectures. Ensure you have approval of the School Dean before completing this table:

Unit code / Unit title

3.2Postgraduate and Honours supervision

Majorresponsibilitiessuchasresearchsupervisionofgraduateresearchdegreestudentsareexpectedtobeon-going.Ifnecessary, astaffmemberonRSPmayberequiredtoundertake servicedutiessuchasparticipationininterviewpanels.

Student name / Degree / Thesis due date / Acting supervisor agreement *Signature / Student
agreement *

*Acting supervisor and student to initial to indicate acceptance for the duration of RSP.

3.3Administrative and service responsibilities

Please list the major University, School and other committees on which you serve where you represent your discipline or the University, and indicate the arrangements to cover your absence.

Committee / Term of office / Representation/Position / New arrangementsSignature

4.Secondment/Leave

Have you taken periods of secondment to, or service at, other institutions or organisations, or leave without pay since your appointment at Murdoch University?

 Yes No

If Yes, attach copies of the Vice-Chancellor's letter(s) of approval for such periods of secondment or leave without pay.

5.RSP Support Grants

Any RSP holder travelling outside the Pert metropolitan area is eligible for a single RSP travel grant to assist with expenses incurred regardless of the length of the RSP period. The funding for RSP grants is provided in full by the School and approved by the School Dean. Please refer to the Research Studies Program Policy and Procedures for further information about RSP grants.

5.1Do you wish to apply for a support grant from the University to offset part of the expenses associated with your RSP?

 Yes No

If Yes, please provide details ofcostsof the support grant you are applying for below:

5.2Have you made application for financial assistance to support your RSP from any other source?

 Yes No

If Yes, please summarise details below and attach copies of relevant documentation.

Source of grant / Nature of assistance / Amount ($A) / Status*Signature

*To be applied for, Confirmed, Under consideration.

Please refer to ATTACHMENT A – Section 5 application form to provide details

6Will you be accessing funds during your RSP?

 Yes No

If yes, please provide details here:

Name of fund / Fund account code
(include IRMA code if appropriate)

7.How much leave will you be applying in conjunction with your RSP?

Annual leave forms part of the total period of leave but is not included as RSP. Below is an indicator of the minimum period of annual leave to be cleared during RSP:

Period of RSP / Minimum Period of Annual Leave to be cleared
26 weeks / 10 days
52 weeks / 20 days

Long service leave (LSL) may be taken in conjunction with RSP at a time mutually convenient to the staff and School.

Please complete Form PY32 and attach it to this application.

This is available on the web at:

8.Declaration

I have read and understood the Research Studies Program policy. I undertake to return to Murdoch University to submit a report by the due date and to serve a period devoted to my usual duties at least equal to the period granted for this RSP.

Signature of Staff Member

Name...... Signature...... Date...... /...... /......

BLOCK LETTERS
9.Summary Report: Proposed and Actual RSP

The left-hand column is to be completed and included with this application. The right-hand column is to be completed and included in the report you submit to your School dean and the DVC (Research and Development) on completion of your RSP.

Proposed / Approved Programme / Actual Programme
1st Month / 1st Month
2nd Month / 2nd Month
3rd Month / 3rd Month
4th Month / 4th Month
5th Month / 5th Month
6th Month / 6th Month
7th Month / 7th Month
8th Month / 8th Month
9th Month / 9th Month
10th Month / 10th Month

10. List here anticipated major outcomes of your RSP:

Anticipated outcome
1
2
3
4
5

* Please be specific; for example:

Research Outcomes

(1)Publications: Journal, Book, Proceedings, other.

(2)Category 1 Grant applications

(3)Other Grant applications.

Provide the information which is required for entries into IRMA.

Teaching Outcomes

(1)OLT Grant Applications

(2)Curriculum development outcomes

Other Outcomes

(1) Community/Professional Engagement

(2) International partnerships

(3) Income generation

Section 2 – to be completed by the School Dean

11.The School Dean is required to advise the DVC (Research and Development) on the academic merit of the proposed RSP whether the proposal will benefit the School, and to demonstrate that arrangements have been made for the applicant to be released from normal duties.

Where a School Deanis the applicant, this section should be completed by the person who will be acting in that capacity in that person’s absence.

11.1PLEASE ATTACH A BRIEF CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED RSP.

NOTE: Leave cannot be approved without this statement.

11.2Are you satisfied with the merit of the proposed RSP and is it an appropriate activity for the professional development of the applicant?

 YesNo

If No, the application must be referred back to the applicant for reconsideration.

11.3Have satisfactory arrangements been made to cover the applicant's teaching duties?

 Yes No Not relevant

If No, the application must be referred back to the applicant for reconsideration.

11.4Have satisfactory arrangements been made for the supervision of Postgraduate and Honours students?

 YesNo Not relevant

If No, the application must be referred back to the applicant for reconsideration.

11.5Can the applicant be released from all other duties, including administrative and service duties, for the period proposed?

 Yes No

If No, the application must be referred back to the applicant for reconsideration.

11.6Will the proposed RSP assist the School to achieve its objectives?

 Yes No Not relevant

Comment:

______

11.7Has the applicant performed satisfactorily since their last RSP?

 Yes No Not relevant

Comment:

______

11.8Are there special circumstances or other information which would be of value to the DVC (Research and Development) in assessing this application?

 Yes No

If Yes, please attach information on a separate sheet.

11.9Will the approval of this RSP require the cancellation of any units for the period covered by the RSP?

 Yes No

If Yes, the application must be referred back to the applicant for reconsideration.

11.10After taking account of all aspects of this application as they affect your School do you recommend approval of the proposed RSP?

 Yes No

If No, the application must be referred back to the applicant for reconsideration

Signature of School Dean

Name...... Signature...... Date...... /...... /......

BLOCK LETTERS

Section 3 – to be completed by the DVC (Research and Development):

12.After consideration of this Research Studies Program Proposal I confirm that:

I approve the application as submitted.

I approve the application with amendments to the content of the program as detailed below.

I approve the application with amendments in the total period of the RSPand/or length of parts of the RSP as detailed below.

I approve the application with amendments in the timing of the RSP, and/or division of the RSP into partsas detailed below.

I defer consideration of the application and remit it to the applicant with a request for further clarification or information as detailed below.

I do not approve the application for the reasons detailed below.

Explanation:

Signature of the DVC (Research and Development)

Name...... Signature...... Date...... /...... /......

BLOCK LETTERS

The Office of the DVC (Research and Development) will arrange for the applicant to receive a copy of this page. If approval is granted, the staff member will be advised of the period of the RSP, amount of travel grant, and any conditions that apply to the approval

Distribution by DVC (Research and Development) for approved RSP applications:

  • Applicant
  • School Dean
  • Director Human Resources
  • Central Records

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