MERI Updates
MERI Updates
Research News
MERI contact detail
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
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Ethics Support Contacts
The Infonetics Ethics Review Manager (ERM) is now fully operational for researchers to apply to conduct studies involving humans.
Ethics support contacts
Infonetica technical support
- ServiceNow webform (staff-only)
- Research helpline: (03) 8344 0999
General human ethics support
- General information can be found on the Human Ethics website.
- General queries can be emailed to the Human Ethics Enquiries team.
Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC)
- General information, including meeting dates and committee membership, can be found on the HREC page.
- For information regarding a specific HREC, please contact the Research Ethics Officer assigned to that committee, found under the Committee Membership of the HREC website.
- HREC queries can be emailed to the Human Ethics Enquiries team.
Apply for ethics approval
- To apply for ethics approval, please visit the step-by-step guide.
Complaints or concerns
- Any complaints or concerns about the conduct of a research project should be emailed to the Research Integrity Administrator. You can also call on (03) 8344 1376.
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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.
A phased resumption of the Research in Schools and Early Childhood settings (RISEC) process will commence in early 2021, subject to public health advice and operational guidance about external visitors to education settings.
Research activity involving education settings may resume in Term 1, 2021 for research commissioned, partnered, or supported by DET or other Victorian government departments. This research must meet the following conditions:
- that data have been provided to us about the anticipated time burden on education settings (further advice will be emailed to existing RISEC approval holders)
- we have subsequently confirmed that the research may proceed
- researchers may not contact schools or early childhood sites or participants until Week 3, Term 1 (week commencing 8 February 2021).
DET will accept new RISEC applications, or requests to amend existing RISEC approvals, meeting the above requirements from the week commencing Monday 25 January 2021.
The Department will provide advice regarding the resumption of RISEC for remaining research activity in Term 1, 2021. This webpage will be updated once further information becomes available.
Any queries may be directed to the Strategic Research Team at research@education.vic.gov.au
For more information visit the Conduct research page on the Education and Training website.
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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
The University of Melbourne has a central Staff Travel and Off Campus Work page which is continuously updated with advice to be considered by anyone travelling on University business. Please see the following page (access requires a UoM username and password).
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Scholarly Services Updates
Finding teaching and learning material for students
Visit the new library page for advice on how to find and make accessible T&L materials for students or get in touch with the Library Education team.
Phased library return to campus news
Visit the new Return to Campus Library page for the latest information on the phased re-opening of libraries and current services.
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Easier Research Business Program
Between 2018-2020 the seven workstream program of Easier Research Business was delivered with significant positive feedback from academics, external partners and the sector. For more information, visit the Easier Research Business webpage.
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Survey: Facilitating Academic Promotion
Closing Date: Monday 8 March
All academic staff at MGSE are invited to complete a short online survey about your perceptions of factors that can facilitate or hinder academic promotion.
Contact Marian Mahat for any queries.
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Survey: Academic resilience in times of adversity
Closing Date: Friday 30 April
You are invited to participate in a short online survey to identify one strategy that has helped you manage your academic work during COVID-19.
Contact Marian Mahat for any queries.
Research Events
Applications for TRAMx Now Open
TRAMx assists researchers from across the University as well as the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct to maximise the impact potential of their research. They provide a range of programs tailored to teach, support and guide researchers along this process, including problem validation and market engagement through to funding strategy and business case generation.
The program is currently recruiting participants for the first digital TRAMx Bootcamps for the year coming up on February 19, March 4, March 18 and March 30. There is no cost to the individual or faculty for attendance. TRAMx is keen to have the biggest impact possible by empowering as many researchers across all faculties at the University and Biomedical Precinct as possible.
Researchers will:
- Learn entrepreneurial methodology to think about research differently
- Connect with supporters/mentors
- Apply the frameworks to real projects
- Network with fellow go getter researchers
- Understand the potential pathways and support networks available to them
- Walk away with new skills to take back to their research groups
Register your interest or to find out more, head to the TRAMx website or contact Andrew Rowse, Program Manager via email: tram-program@unimelb.edu.au.
Facilitating Online Learning Program
Facilitating Online Learning (FOL) is a professional development program for University of Melbourne staff with teaching-related responsibilities. It provides an introduction to the guiding principles of effective teaching for learning in blended and online environments. The program is based around forming a Community of Inquiry exploring the Scholarship of Technology Enhanced Learning to inform online learning design using a Design-Based Research methodology. It is a semester-long program offered only in Semester 1.
Register or find out more on the FOL page.
Approaches to dual delivery teaching to support student engagement - Seminar
Date: Tuesday 23 February
Time: 1pm - 2.15pm
Dual-delivery subjects at the University are those that are taught in two modes: blended delivery (online and campus-based) for students who can attend campus, and entirely online delivery for students who cannot attend campus. In this seminar, presenters will provide a brief overview of the main approaches to dual delivery teaching at the University (split cohort and blended synchronous) and outline some research-informed educational principles to guide the design of activities to engage students in these approaches.
Presenters will also offer some practical strategies and examples for lecturers in various disciplinary teaching and learning contexts.
More information and registration.
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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New Opportunities
Learning and Teaching Initiative Grants round 2 for 2021
Closing Wednesday 17 February
The Learning and Teaching Initiative Grants round 2 for 2021 will open for application on Monday 18 January. This round seeks applications in the 'open book exam' category. This category will support subject coordinators in the transition from a closed book to an open book exam, or in significantly improving an existing open book exam. Subjects must have an exam delivered between June and October 2021. Closing date for applications is 17 February.
Enquiries: landt-grants@unimelb.edu.au
Nominations open for the 2021 Arts Alumni Awards
Closing Sunday 28 February
Do you know an outstanding Arts alum making a difference locally or internationally? Our Faculty of Arts Alumni Awards recognise alumni who have achieved excellence in their field, and who have contributed to the Faculty, the University and their communities. Nominations close 28 February.
For more information visit the Arts Alumi Awards page.
Call for Nominations: 2021 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize
Closing Sunday 14 March
The Jacobs Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2021 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize. The prize awards outstanding scientific contributions of individuals from all scholarly disciplines aiming at improving learning, development, and living conditions of children and youth. This includes, but is not limited to, educational sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, family studies, media studies, political sciences, linguistics, neurosciences, computer sciences, and medical sciences.
The prize is endowed with 1 Mio. Swiss Francs, of which 900'000 Swiss Francs are for use in a research project and 100'000 Swiss Francs are for related costs, such as travel, networking, and dissemination. The prize has a global scope. It addresses scholars who have achieved major breakthroughs in understanding child development and learning, embrace learning variability and individual differences, and have the potential to advance the field by actively conducting research. Self-nominations cannot be accepted.All documents pertaining to the nomination should be submitted online by 14 March 2021. To begin the online submission process, please visit Research Prize Nomination Form
Applications for the inaugural 2021 Murray-Lopez Award are now open
Closing Monday 29 March
The Murray-Lopez Award was created in 2020 by Professor Christopher Murray, Director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, and University of Melbourne Laureate Professor Alan Lopez. The Award seeks to recognise early-career professionals (defined as no more than five years post terminal degree) who are carrying out Global Burden of Disease (GBD) research focused on either methods improvement or the application of GBD methods in low and middle income countries. Nominations are not limited to these universities nor any research organisation. Applications close 29 March 2021.
For more information and nominations visit the Murray-Lopez Award page.
For further enquiries contact Jane Inall.
The Laura Bassi Scholarship
Closing Wednesday 31 March
The Laura Bassi Scholarship, which awards a total of $8,000 thrice per annum, was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in April 2021.
All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. Further details, previous winners, and the application portal can be found on the Laura Bassi webpage.ARC DECRA 2023 & ARC Future Fellowships 2022
Closing November 2021
Applications for the ARC DECRA 2023 and ARC Future Fellowships 2022 will be open in September and October of this year. If you are intending to apply, please notify the grants team now.
Key dates for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2023
- Applications Open: 8 September 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 3 November 2021
- Applications Close: 17 November 2021
- Rejoinders: 28 February 2022 to 15 March 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Third Quarter 2022
Key dates for Future Fellowships 2022
- Applications Open: 13 October 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 24 November 2021
- Applications Close: 8 December 2021
- Rejoinders: 16 March 2022 – 29 March 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Mid-2022
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Reminders
ARC Discovery Projects 2022: Applications now open
Deadline to contact the Grants team: Wednesday 10 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
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
Email the Grants team to apply
2021 Key Dates: NHMRC
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
29 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 2021 Assessment Round 1
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 22 February 2021
Submit review ready application to RIC: 15 March 2021
Request not to Assess due to RIC: 7 April 2021
Final Application due to RIC: 7 April 2021
Final Applications due to ARC: 13 April 2021
Linkage Projects 2021 Assessment Round 2
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 28 June 2021
Submit review ready application to RIC: 19 July 2021
Request not to Assess due to RIC: 9 Augustl 2021
Final Application due to RIC: 9 August 2021
Final Applications due to ARC: 16 August 2021
Linkage Projects 2021 Assessment Round 1
- Submit review ready application to MERI: 25 October 2021
Submit review ready application to RIC: 17 November 2021
Request not to Assess due to RIC: 9 December 2021
Final Application due to RIC: 9 December 2021
Final Applications due to ARC: 16 December 2021
If you are contemplating submitting an application in Round 1, 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.