MERI Updates
Ethics and Travel Update
Contact information for MERI
Visit the MERI contact page to learn more about the team.
General inquiries: bblaher@unimelb.edu.au
Grants: mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au
Graduate research: mgse-research@unimelb.edu.au
Ethics Updates
Explore the ethics reminders below, or discover other research news and funding opportunities on the left.
Ethics Reminders
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Research activity in government schools and early childhood settings
All research and evaluation activity involving Victorian government schools and Victorian early childhood services requires approval through the Department of Education and Training’s (DET’s) Research in Schools and Early Childhood settings (RISEC) process.
The move to increased restrictions across Victoria necessitates that the DET again pauses the RISEC process and research and evaluation activities involving schools and early childhood sites. These activities are suspended for the remainder of 2020.
Therefore, the following should not proceed:
- RISEC-approved research and evaluations
- Any other contact with schools or early childhood sites, staff, or children to conduct, or to recruit for, research and evaluation activity
- RISEC applications and amendment requests.
There is no guarantee that this suspension of activities will not continue into next year. MERI encourages all supervisors to continue to discuss with Graduate Researchers how to redesign their project so that it can go forward.
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Catholic Education Melbourne (CEM): Applications to conduct research
CEM is still accepting applications to conduct research in CEM schools and these applications will be subjected to the usual review process. However, even if approved, researchers are not yet permitted to approach schools until they are given written permission by CEM. All approvals at the moment are ‘conditional’. Some projects have been exempt from this current ban on approaching schools (e.g. research that has been instigated by a school not an external researcher, or research that had already begun pre-COVID), but this is considered by CEM.
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Travel updates: China, Hong Kong and Indonesia
China
China will not allow most foreigners to enter China due to COVID-19 and direct flights between China and Australia have been significantly reduced. DFAT advises that if, despite that advice, you travel to China you will be subject to 14 days mandatory quarantine and quarantine requirements may change at short notice. If you’re already in China and wish to return to Australia, DFAT recommends you do so as soon as possible by commercial means. Australians are advised that they may be at risk of arbitrary detention.
Hong Kong
National Security legislation for Hong Kong came into effect on 1 July 2020. This law could be interpreted broadly and the full extent of the law and how it will be applied is not yet clear. You could break the law without intending to. You may be at increased risk of detention on vaguely defined national security grounds. Visit the Smart Traveller website and select 'Local Laws' to find out more.
Indonesia
New regulations are in place for researchers wishing to conduct research in Indonesia and foreign researchers are advised to confirm compliance with following new regulations:
“Foreign nationals conducting research in Indonesia are advised to reconfirm their compliance with local regulations, following a legislative amendment in July that introduced new requirements. Foreign researchers must now seek ethical approval from the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry, alongside the pre-existing visa and permit requirements for conducting research. Penalties for non-compliance with this policy now include criminal prosecution with the possibility of imprisonment. Travellers intending to conduct research are advised to contact their nearest Indonesian Embassy for advice.”
The University of Melbourne would like to emphasise that researchers are to contact their nearest embassy or consulate for specific guidance if they are currently conducting research in Indonesia or will be in the future.
For more information:
Email the Research Integrity Unit
University travel portal
The University’s health and safety travel portal has been updated with the most recent DFAT travel advice.
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AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
AIATSIS has announced the release of the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (AIATSIS Code of Ethics) in conjunction with a Guide to applying the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research. These documents will supersede and replace the Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies 2012 (GERAIS).
Research News
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UA-DAAD Funding awarded: Jan van Driel and Merryn Dawborn-Gundlach
Congratulations to Jan van Driel and Merryn Dawborn-Gundlach for being awarded funding as part of the Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme. The project, 'Science teachers’ professional competencies related to scientific reasoning: Relationship with pedagogical content knowledge and beliefs', was one of 32 projects selected for funding in this round.
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Key Dates: APPII, Major Initiatives, and Health and Medical teams
RIC has developed a calendar reference guide for upcoming key dates of major grant schemes managed by the APPII, Major Initiatives, and Health and Medical teams in MICG. Please download the calendar and direct any queries to the appropriate team in MICG. Contacts are available within the calendar.
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Call for papers: Considering Viral Technologies: Pandemic-Driven Opportunities and Challenges
In April 2021, The University of Melbourne will host the Seventeenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society. Since the beginning of the COVID disruptions, lockdowns, quarantines, and stay-at-home orders have swept across our everyday lives – and at an incredible speed. To keep our societies functional during this time, we have turned increasingly to digital communication tools and networks.
Visit the Technology, Knowledge & Society website for more information on the call for papers. For more information about next year's conference visit the Special Focus page.
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Reminders
myProposals and Projects is now available
The myProposals and Projects resource will display data from Themis Research, Infonetica ERM, and Minerva Elements whilst providing direct access to the Researcher Financials report, in one easy-to-use interface. This new resource will make managing research projects easier for researchers because they will have:
- Transparency with an up-to-date holistic view of all the research activity they are named in one place
- A contact to discuss the progress of their applications
- A link to Researcher Financials to provide an overview of the financial status of each of their active projects
- A to-do list of tasks that require their attention to access myProposals and Projects.
For more information refer to the Getting Started Guide.
If you have any queries, please contact the Research Helpline on +61 3 8344 099 or submit a research help request.
ARC Grants - National Interest Test information
If you have applied or are applying for an ARC Grant, you must provide a National Interest Test Statement that articulates the extent to which the proposed research will contribute to Australia’s national interest through its potential to have economic, commercial, environmental, social, or cultural benefits to the Australian community.
The University has provided guidance to help you develop your response. Please bookmark these guidelines for the next time you apply for an ARC Grant.
ARC Conflict of Interest and Foreign Influence Transparency Questions
Management of conflicts of interest is designed to maintain public confidence in the ARC’s business processes and ensure that both ARC-funded projects and research outcomes supports and primarily benefits the Australian community.
The University has provided guidance on how to respond to Conflict of Interest and Foreign Influence Transparency questions. Please bookmark these guidelines for the next time you apply for an ARC Grant.
ARC scheme EOIs open
Expression of Interest (EOI) for ARC schemes opening in the third and fourth quarter of the year are now available. If you are interested in applying for the current rounds please complete the EOI so that the MERI team can support you through the application process.
Research Events
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ARC 2022 Discovery Projects Webinar
Date: Friday 4 December
Time: 11am – 12pmThis webinar intends to provide an overview of the application process and discuss the recent changes to the Discovery Projects scheme. It will also be an opportunity for researchers to clarify the scheme’s grant guidelines. A member of the ARC College of Experts and a successful DP applicant will provide tips in the preparation of a Discovery Projects application.
Prospective applicants for the DP22 scheme are encouraged to attend.
Please contact the RIC Discovery team with any queries.
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Finding data for your publishing story (drop-in 2)
Date: Wednesday 9 December
Time: 12pm – 1pmThe Library Publications Seminar Series concludes with a second drop-in, where you can get a hand finding data about attention to, mentions and citations of your publications. Weave this into stories about your research for grant applications, promotion rounds, and PDF discussion. Please contact Fransie Naude for any queries.
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ARC Grant Camp Series
The ARC Grant Camp series offers ARC applicants the opportunity to work on the background section of their application in a supportive environment. Led by Veronica Loew and Jonathan O’Donnell (Faculty of Science), each session provides concentrated time to draft a small part of your application and ask questions about specific parts of the application. The aim is not to produce polished prose, but to get words on paper that can be discussed with a mentor. It is designed to get people started on each section of the application in a timely manner.
Each session is run the same way, with a single overhead encapsulating the key points:
- 5 minutes of instructions
- 20 minutes of writing
- 5 minutes for questions
- another 20 minutes of writing.
Although designed for Discovery Project and Discovery Indigenous applicants, it is open to any ARC applicants. Each session in the series is detailed in the table below. Please note the zoom join link is the same for each session.
Additional join details:
- Join by phone: Dial (Australia): +61 3 7018 2005 or +61 2 8015 6011
- Meeting ID: 849 0720 6318
- Password: 184648
Session Date Time The background to this project and your aims
Thursday 10 December
11am – 12pm
ROPE – Talking about yourself and your research
Monday 14 December
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Talking about your team and your partners
Thursday 7 January
10.30am – 11.30am
Describing significance and innovation
Tuesday 12 January
2pm – 3pm
Publication context and your research outputs
Wednesday 20 January
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Talking about the feasibility of your research
Monday 25 January
2pm – 3pm
Detailing your methods
Thursday 4 February
11am – 12pm
Talking about impact and the National Interest Test
Wednesday 10 February
1.30pm – 2.30pm
Writing a stronger budget justification
Tuesday 16 February
2pm – 3pm
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Digital Methods for Research Led T&L Practices in the Covid New Normal
Date: Monday 14 December
Time: 1pm – 4.30pmIn 2020, COVID-19 forced most of our teaching and research online. Our work practices have shifted, and we have needed to embrace digital tools. But can the shift online be leveraged to understand and enhance how we work? This workshop will explore what data we create through the use of digital tools, how it can be analysed, and the kinds of research that can be produced. Additionally, it will explore how these methods can be used to enhance our research-led teaching practices. The workshop will be facilitated by the #DataCreativities collaboration: a diverse research team exploring the fast-paced shift to making, living, and learning in the creative industries during times of isolation. This diversity will help facilitate a workshop that provides you with a practical and approachable set of tools that you can apply to your own research-led teaching practices.
Funding opportunities
MGSE funding submission essentials
This process is in response to both the MGSE Submissions Policy and the MGSE Grants Notice of Intent (NOI) Policy. It applies to both lead proposals (submitted via University) and non-lead proposals (submitted through other institutions).
It's essential to notify the MERI Grants team of your intent to apply for any funding opportunity, as all funding proposals (internal and external) need to be endorsed by the Dean, as Head of Department.
As all applications require several internal approvals, MERI sets its own close dates in advance of both the funding body (for submissions direct to sponsor), as well as the Research, Innovation, and Commercialisation (RIC) closing dates. This allows time to process your application before it is formally submitted.
If you're not sure you can make the MERI close date, email the Grants team with your intent to apply.
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Melbourne MicroCert Incentive Funding Scheme - Round Two
Applications close on Wednesday 9 December.
To assist academic divisions to participate in the Melbourne MicroCerts initiative, funding has been allocated across two rounds to support development projects. The first round of funding was opened via a round of open Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in early 2020, with funding awarded to 27 Melbourne MicroCerts. A second round of funding has now been allocated to extend the wholly online Melbourne MicroCert product portfolio to address current and emerging workforce learning and development needs. This round continues to build a strategic, market research-informed approach to identifying Melbourne MicroCerts, which will be the focus of development in 2021 across three tranches of activity.
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ARC Discovery Indigenous 2022: Applications now open
Deadline to contact the Grants team: Wednesday 3 March 2021
The Discovery Indigenous scheme provides funding to Administering Organisations to support research programs led by an Indigenous Australian researcher and to build the research capacity of higher degree research and early career researchers. The scheme provides $30,000-$500,000 funding per annum for three years. Project costs can be used for a variety of purposes. As indicated in the key dates below, applications are now open.
Key dates for Discovery Indigenous 2022
- Release of Grant Guidelines: 8 October 2019
- Applications Open: 25 November 2020
- Request Not to Assess Close: 3 March 2021
- Applications Close: 17 March 2021
- Rejoinders: 17 June 2021 to 30 June 2021
- Anticipated announcement: Fourth Quarter 2021
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Reminders
ARC Discovery Projects 2022: Applications now open
Deadline to contact the Grants team: Wednesday 17 February
The ARC Discovery Projects support fundamental research conducted by both individuals and teams. The scheme provides $30,000-$500,000 funding per annum for projects of two to five years duration. Project costs can be used for a variety of purposes. As indicated in the key dates below, applications open on Wednesday 11 November.
Key dates for Discovery Projects 2022
- Release of Grant Guidelines: 8 October 2019
- Applications Open: 11 November 2020
- Request Not to Assess Close: 10 February 2021
- Applications Close: 24 February 2021
- Rejoinders: 8 June 2021 to 22 June 2021
- Anticipated announcement: Fourth Quarter 2021
Email the Grants team to apply
2021 Key Dates: Multiple Schemes
The below dates represent proposed key dates only and are subject to change. If you intend to apply for any of these grants, please ensure you communicate with the MGSE Grants team for a smoother application process.
An update confirming the exact dates will be made once the NHMRC makes an announcement.
Scheme
Application Open
Minimum Data
Application Close
2021 Investigator Grants
3 February 2021
3 March 2021
31 March 2021
2021 Synergy Grants
24 February 2021
24 March 2021
21 April 2021
2021 Ideas Grants
10 March 2021
7 April 2021
5 May 2021
2021 Postgraduate Scholarships
14 April 2021
12 May 2021
9 June 2021
2021 CTCS Grants
30 June 2021
28 July 2021
25 August 2021
Email the Grants team to apply
ARC Linkage Projects
Linkage Projects 2020 Assessment Round 3
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 26 October 2020
Submit review ready application to RIC: 2 November 2020
Request not to Assess due to RIC: 15 November 2020
Request not to Assess Close: 17 November 2020 - Final Application due to MERI: 17 November 2020
Final Application due to RIC: 24 November 2020
Final Applications due to ARC: 1 December 2020
If you are contemplating submitting an application in round 3, you must email the Grants team as soon as possible.
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Ongoing opportunities
The Ford Foundation - Challenging Inequality
Expressions of Interest are open on an ongoing basis
The Ford Foundation is a prestigious United States funder that has fellowship and project opportunities available in the broad thematic area of Challenging Inequality. Having a United States partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Applications are open on an ongoing basis
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has a grants database with fellowship and project opportunities that includes Higher Education in the Humanities, Arts and Cultural Heritage, Diversity, Scholarly Communications, and International Higher Education. Having a United States partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.
The Economic and Research Council
Applications are open on an ongoing basis
The Economic and Social Research Council has called for proposals for a range of project ideas and specific grant opportunities. Having a United Kingdom partner would improve the competitiveness of your application.