Research updates

Proof-of-Concept Fund

UoM Commercial has established a Proof-of-Concept (POC) Fund to assist in the development of the University's intellectual property towards commercialisation.

The POC Fund is intended to propel University inventions and technologies across the funding “valley of death” to a stage where we can demonstrate worth to future potential partners. It is intended to help cover the gap between intellectual property disclosures and spin-out or licensing, where there is a compelling case for enhancing the technology's commercial potential.

For more details on eligibility and to apply visit the POC Fund page.

MGSE academic staff are encouraged to add their research outputs in the university publications system: Minerva Elements.

• All continuing and fixed term staff are required to lodge their research outputs in the School Annual Research Output Collection
• Casual Academic staff and research students are encouraged to lodge their research outputs
• For all staff and students, it is essential to lodge the research outputs where they relate to funded research activities.

Annual Research Collection

MERI is looking to deploy an improved process for the annual collection of publications at MGSE. Before the process is put into practice, an audit of publications accepted during 2019 across the following categories is required:

• A1 Books - authored - research
• B1 Chapters in research books
• C1 Journal articles - refereed
• F1 Conference publications - full written paper - refereed

Please send a list of your research outputs published from 1 January 2019 until today. The MERI team will check if they are already listed in Minerva Elements.

These lists can be sent to mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au.

MGSE Submission Policy

Please note that MGSE submission policy requires all proposals (internal and external) to be endorsed by the Dean, as Head of Department.

MERI close dates are set in advance of the close dates of the funding body (for submissions direct to sponsor) or the research innovation and commercialisation closing date (usually about a week).

If you are in a situation where you think you will be unable to make the MERI close date, please contact MERI and let us know that you are intending to apply, noting that the level of service MERI can provide in relation to feedback and assistance with proposals will be determined by the amount of lead time available.

MERI close dates are available on all funding opportunities found in the funding opportunities section below.

If you are interested in making an application to any opportunity, please notify MERI at your earliest convenience. This applies to both lead (submitted through UoM) and non-lead proposals (those submitted through other institutions). This feeds in to the MGSE Submission Policy, and additionally allows MERI to provide the appropriate support for your application.

Key opportunities

Submissions close Friday 13 December

The ISEE grants will stimulate and support connections between University staff and members of school communities in India. The grants will provide support for projects that aim to improve access to primary/secondary settings, promote sustained learning, and bring about positive change for school communities. Although not required for this round, the co-design of projects with local partners in India is encouraged.

The grants are open to all UoM academics and can be used to support projects that complement existing education research in the Indian context or extend current projects to Indian school communities. Successful ISEE grant applications will demonstrate clearly how projects translate to an Indian primary or secondary school setting and engage with stakeholders at a community level. Grants valued at $10 000 - $20 000 are available in 2020.

The application deadline is Friday 13 December at 12pm (AEDT).
For more information visit the ISEE webpage for any further enquiries conatct: lorraine.graham@unimelb.edu.au

Applications for ARC Future Fellowships for funding commencing in 2020 are now open in the ARC’s Research Management System. MGSE and RIC dates are:

• MGSE draft deadline: 30 October 2019
• Applications due to RIC for review: 6th November 2019
• MGSE Final deadline: 14 November 2019
• Final Applications due to RIC: 21 November 2019.

The ARC has advised that the following competitive grant schemes will be open – MGSE and RIC submission dates are to be advised:

• Discovery Projects (DP21): 13 November 2019 – 20 February 2020
• DECRA (DE21): 16 October 2019 – 6 March 2020
• Discovery Indigenous (IN21): 27 November 2019 – 13 March 2020.

For further information, please contact:

Alex Burns (Senior Research Officer): 03 9035 8871.

John and Eric Smyth Travelling Scholarship

Applications are currently open until 21 January 2020

The John and Eric Smyth Travelling Scholarship is aimed at supporting applicants who show potential as a researcher or teacher and wish to undertake study overseas for a period of up to two years. For more details and eligibility criteria please see the website.

Funding Items

Applications are now open for the ARC DECRA for funding commencing in 2021. This award provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.

Candidates must at the closing date of submission have been awarded a PhD on or after 1 March 2015, or have eligible, certifiable career interruptions. Up to 200 fellowships are awarded each year, with a per annum salary contribution of up to $104,316 for three years, as well as up to $50,000 of non-salary funding per year. Funding commences on 1 January 2021.

ARC Discovery applications:

• MGSE Draft Deadline: Tuesday 21st January 2020
• RIC Review Ready Deadline: Tuesday to Thursday, 28-30 January 2020
• MGSE Final Application deadline: Thursday 13 February 2020
• RIC Final Application deadline: Thursday 20 February 2020
• Final Applications due to ARC: Wednesday 26 February 2020

ARC DECRA dates are:

• MGSE Draft Deadline: Monday 10 February 2020
• Review Ready for RIC Deadline: Monday 17 February to Wednesday 19 February 2020
• Final Application Due to MGSE: Friday 28 February 2020
• Final Application Due to RIC: Friday 6 March 2020
• Final Application due to ARC: Thursday 12 March 2020

Instructions to Applicants and FAQs: Now available at Grant Connect or RIC DECRA website.
Please contact Alex Burns if you are interested in applying.

McCoy Project Seed Fund and PhD Scholarships

The University of Melbourne, in collaboration with Museums Victoria, invites applications to the McCoy Project Seed Fund and PhD Scholarships. The McCoy Seed Fund provides funding to support the development of collaborative research projects. A small number of grants of between $5 000 and $20 000 will be awarded annually to project teams involving at least one researcher from both UoM and Museums Victoria. Additionally, the McCoy Project will be offering two PhD Scholarships to commence in 2020, allocated between the HASS and STEM disciplines. Applications for both are due Thursday 6 February 2020.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm Thursday  6 February 2020

• Seed Fund
• PhD Scholarships
• RIC Contact: mccoy-project@unimelb.edu.au

The Ford Foundation is open to new ideas and invite you to submit yours on their online form. They will review and contact you within 45 days. One of the areas they are focusing on is persistent prejudice and discrimination against women, people with disabilities and racial, ethnic and caste minorities.

Please contact MERI if you are interested in applying.

The Australian-American Fulbright Commission invites applications for its professional scholarship in vocational education and training. This enables employees within the vocational education and training sector or training leaders in business and industry to undertake a short course or research programme in this field at a US institution. The scholarship may also be used for other forms of professional development, including visits to relevant organisations. The outcomes must benefit the wider vocational and training sector in Australia.

Teachers, managers, administrators and other employees of private and public registered training organisations may apply. People who are leading vocational education and training strategies within their business, and staff within universities that teach within the training and skills sector, are also eligible. Applicants must hold at least an undergraduate degree or equivalent, and be Australian citizens residing in Australia at the time of application. Applicants may not hold dual US-Australia citizenship or US permanent residency, and must be prepared to return to Australia for the two years following the programme.

Scholarships include living, travel and dependent allowances, and health insurance worth up to AUD 100,000, for up to four months.

Applications re-open February 2020 visit the Fulbright Australia page for further information.

Your funding opportunities can be found through Melbourne Graduate school of Education Research Professional Magazine, this curated fortnightly e-publication is updated simultaneously with the MGSE News release.

Consultations are available for HASS researchers seeking to extend their research capabilities through the use of digital technologies. SCIP Informatics experts can provide advice on research data management and informatics questions (including help with ARC applications).  Please email the SCIP informatics team to arrange an appointment: scip-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au

Location: 100 Leicester Street (near staff kitchen/lounge) Level 3
Time: Between 1pm to 5pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, by appointment, please email scip-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au

Publications Launchpad

Minerva Elements

Have you been entering your publications into Minerva Elements? If so, please also send your supporting evidence to MERI. This way, we can also include your recent publications in ‘Publications Launchpad’.

Below is a summary of publication and Minerva updates:

How To Add Publications To Minerva: Minerva Elements is the system used to add and update publications. A Minerva User Guide is available. It is also important to check against the University Publications Collections Guidelines on evidence needed for each publication category. Please contact MERI for further advice on publications collection.

Training: additional MGSE specific training sessions will be held in the coming months or contact MERI to organise a one-on-one session.