MERI Updates
Featured stories
MERI contact detail
Visit the MERI contact page to learn more about the team.
General enquiries:bblaher@unimelb.edu.au
Grants: mgse-grants@unimelb.edu.au
Graduate research: mgse-research@unimelb.edu.au
Research News
Update from Vic DET: A Phased Resumption
A phased resumption of the Research in Schools and Early Childhood settings (RISEC) process progresses, subject to public health advice and operational guidance about external visitors to education settings.
Visit the Research News page for more information.
Funding Opportunities
MGSE Researcher Development Schemes 2021
Closing 28 May 2021
There will be two schemes available for MGSE researchers:
Team-based research seed funding: Grants for up to $20,000 per project which build on current work within an Academic Group/Hub/Centre and align with the University’s Advancing Melbourne strategy.
Individual seed funded projects: Funding for individual research proposals, Academics Levels A-C, with a maximum $8,000 per application.
More information is available on the Funding Opportunities page.
MGSE Thesis to Pubs Scholarships 2021
Now Open
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education Thesis to Pubs Scholarship is specifically aimed to assist Graduate Researchers (GRs) (PhD and DEd) to write and submit journal articles on the basis of their doctorate thesis whilst the thesis is under examination. The journal articles must be co-authored with one or more of their supervisor(s) (principal or co-supervisors). This scholarship will be open throughout 2021 to all eligible GRs.
The scholarships will be for $5,000.00, sponsored through the William and Kate Herschell Trust.
Visit the Funding Opportunities page to find out more.
Fulbright Scholarships 2022/2023
Closing 6 July 2021
The Fulbright Program provides opportunities to take part in academic and cultural exchange, pursuing research or study at a US institution.
Scholarships are offered across all disciplines and career stages (postgraduate, postdoctoral, academics and professionals).
More information is available on the Funding Opportunities page.
Research Events
Supporting experiential learning in dual delivery teaching
The shift to online and dual delivery teaching poses significant challenges for supporting experiential learning in these delivery modes. In this webinar, hear from Rinske Ginsberg and A/Prof Sandra McLaren as they discuss practices and strategies that they have used and their reflections on them.
Date: Thursday, 13 May 1 at 2:15pm.
Contact Myron Yovannidis for any queries.
More information and registration is available on the Event webpage.
Producing quality graphs
Free seminar for UoM staff and Graduate Researchers.
If you are frustrated about the quality of the graphs you are currently creating and how much time it is taking, this seminar is for you! Explore principles of producing graphs to enhance the quality of your thesis and research presentations. Covers a software package freely available to UoM graduate research students and staff.
Dates: 13 & 14 May, 10.00-11.30am each day
Contact Deborah Maillardet for any queries.
More information and registration on the Event webpage.
Introduction to NVivo workshop series
This series of four free online workshops for researchers will introduce you to the qualitative data analysis tool NVivo. NVivo helps you discover more from your qualitative and mixed methods data. These facilitated workshops will help you work more efficiently, conduct deeper analysis from more sources, and defend your findings with one tool.
Date: Friday 14 May, 2.00pm
Contact Researcher Connect for any queries.
More information and registration can be found on the Digital Skills Training webpage.
Teaching and Learning Conference 2021
The theme is Transitioning to COVID-normal: Developing a new ecosystem for learning. The full program will be announced shortly.
Dates: 1-2 June 2021
Enquiries can be made to the CSHE.
More information and registration can be found on the Conference webpage.
REDCap 1: an introduction and REDCap ll: Beyond the Basics
These courses are half-day interactive workshops providing hands-on instructions in the development of a simple data management system and online surveys. The introductory course is suitable for those new to REDCap while the 'beyond the basics' workshop will introduce some of REDCap's more advanced features.
Date: Tuesday 22 June, 9.00am and Tuesday 6 July, 9.00am.
Contact MISCH for any queries.
More information and registration can be found on the REDCap page.
Design and Analysis of Experiments using R
Are you a researcher needing help in designing an experiment or analysing the data from your experiment? Applications include randomised trials in medicine and the social sciences, designed experiments in the biological sciences, and studies of processes in industry. Online: September 2021. Presenter: Associate Professor Graham Hepworth.
Dates: 23-24 September 2021
Contact Deborah Maillardet for any enquiries.
More information and registration is available on the Event webpage.
Purposeful Engagement Workshops
This series aims to:
- strengthen your confidence in enacting meaningful and ethical engagement practice;
- deepen your understanding of different engagement contexts, roles, approaches and frameworks;
- develop fundamental and purposeful engagement skills and capabilities; and
- create a shared space for mutual learning from peers and experienced practitioners to discuss current trends, challenges and opportunities.
For more information and Program schedule see the Purposeful Engagement Workshops webpage.
Research News
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Ethics Support Contacts
The Infonetica 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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Update from Vic DET: A Phased Resumption
A phased resumption of the Research in Schools and Early Childhood settings (RISEC) process progresses, subject to public health advice and operational guidance about external visitors to education settings.
Phase 1
Research activity involving education settings has resumed for research commissioned, partnered, or supported by DET or other Victorian government departments, on the condition that data have been provided to us about the anticipated time burden on education settings. DET is accepting new RISEC applications or requests to amend existing RISEC approvals, meeting the above requirements.
Phase 2
Research activity involving education settings may resume in Term 2, 2021 for remaining RISEC approval holders. This research must meet the following condition:
- that you have notified the DET about the anticipated time burden on education settings. A request was emailed to all existing RISEC approval holders.
Researchers may now contact schools or early childhood sites to arrange their Term 2 activities.
The following researchers may commence or recommence their research before Term 2. Please contact the Strategic Research Team to discuss your circumstances:
- university students who will not meet their course requirements if they delay their fieldwork
- RISEC approval holders with expiring funding, where that funding cannot be extended.
DET is accepting RISEC applications or requests to amend existing RISEC approvals, meeting the above requirements only.
For researchers attending education sites, completion of the School and Early Childhood Infection Prevention and Control During Coronavirus (COVID-19) eLearning module is required.
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NSW DET - Research involving sensitive issues post-COVID19
NSW DET is reminding research institutions who research in NSW public schools that if a research project involves investigating sensitive issues that could potentially cause distress to students, the project may be declined. The Directorate considers research in the following areas highly sensitive and potentially distressing to students:
- Mental health
- Body image and eating disorders
- Death, grief and trauma
- Anti-social and criminal activities or behaviours
- Alcohol, drug or substance abuse
- Attitudes towards the opposite sex and sexual behaviours, and
- Ethnic, race and gender issues and relations.
For favourable consideration of research applications in the abovementioned areas, researchers must provide a risk management plan with their application. It is a condition of research approval in these sensitive areas that researchers or their sponsoring organisation will provide free of cost support services. These support services include clinical or counselling services to participating students and their families in the case of potential mental health or psychological issues arising out of their participation in the research project.
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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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Melbourne Peer Review of Teaching Program
Applications are open for the Melbourne PRT Program, a university-wide program providing academic staff with opportunities for formal evaluation and recognition of teaching performance. Teaching academics may apply to have their teaching reviewed by members of the Melbourne College of Reviewers; these members are academics with a track record in teaching excellence.
Enquiries can be made to Sarah French.
More information is available on the Melbourne PRT Program webpage.
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Chancellor's Prize for Excellence in PhD Thesis
Nominations are invited for the annual Chancellor's Prize for Excellence in the PhD Thesis for 2021. Students who completed a PhD degree in 2020 are eligible for nomination and supervisors are encouraged to consult with their Head of Department/School. Nominations must be submitted to Faculty Deans by Heads of Departments/Schools by Friday 14 May.
Contact Xian-Zhi Lai for any queries.
More information is available on the Chancellor's Prize webpage.
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
MGSE Conference Registration Funding 2021
Now Open
This year the Graduate School will provide conference registration funding through MERI for academic staff who do not have access to other sources of funds. The funding will cover up to $700 for conference registration for academic staff Levels A-C.
All eligible staff who wish to be considered for MGSE conference registration funding will be required to submit to MERI an application via Smartygrants for funding. All applicants must include a statement of support from their supervisor.
More information and eligibility requirements are available in the revised Policy.
Applications are now open in SmartyGrants.
MGSE Researcher Development Schemes 2021
Closing 28 May 2021
Closing 28 May 2021
The 2021 Researcher Development Schemes aims to support the next generation of MGSE researchers; foster collaborations; and enhance research impact.
There will be two schemes available for MGSE researchers:
Team-based research seed funding: Grants for up to $20,000 per project which build on current work within an Academic Group/Hub/Centre and align with the University’s Advancing Melbourne strategy.
Individual seed funded projects: Funding for individual research proposals, Academics Levels A-C, with a maximum $8,000 per application.
More information is available in the Guidelines.
Applications are now open in SmartyGrants.
MGSE Thesis to Pubs Scholarship 2021
Now Open
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education Thesis to Pubs Scholarship is specifically aimed to assist Graduate Researchers (GRs) (PhD and DEd) to write and submit journal articles on the basis of their doctorate thesis whilst the thesis is under examination. The journal articles must be co-authored with one or more of their supervisor(s) (principal or co-supervisors). This scholarship will be open throughout 2021 to all eligible GRs.
The scholarship will be for $5,000.00, sponsored through the William and Kate Herschell Trust.
More information is available in the Guidelines.
Applications are now open in SmartyGrants.
Learning and Teaching Initiative Grants Round 3 2021
Closing 21 May 2021
Applications in this round must address one of the following activity streams.
This call for LTI applications welcomes proposals in four categories, with three categories corresponding to the Online, Blended and Alternative Mode Subjects and Assessment Enhancement activity streams in the FlexAP Implementation Program:
- Improving online learning quality (FlexAP)
- Open-book exams (FlexAP)
- Assessment literacy modules (FlexAP)
- General learning and teaching
Contact LTI for any queries.
More information and Guidelines are available on the Learning and Teaching Initiatives webpage.
2022 Melbourne Research (Career Interruptions) Fellowships
Closing 15 June 2021
The objective of the Melbourne Research Fellowships (Career Interruptions) Program is to enable eligible researchers who are University of Melbourne staff and who do not have a continuing research position whose careers have been severely interrupted, delayed or otherwise constrained by circumstances such as acute or chronic illness, child bearing, child rearing or primary responsibility for the sustained care of a dependent family member to enhance or re-establish their academic research careers.
More information is available on the Scheme webpage.
Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme
Closing 15 June 2021
The Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme is a joint initiative of Universities Australia (UA) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The scheme supports exchanges for researchers to spend time at partner institutions in Germany and for collaborating German researchers to spend time at UoM. Proposals must include an ECR.
Contact RIC Internal Grants for any queries.
More information is available on the RIC webpage.
The Creswick Foundation Fellowships in Child and Adolescent Development
Closing 30 June 2021
The Creswick Foundation was established in 1952 to facilitate study by Australians intoemotional, social and psychological conditions affecting children and young people and to give guidance to those involved in treating or preventing those conditions. Generally, two or three fellowships are awarded in the range of $10,000 to $20,000 each. It is essential that applicants for fellowships follow the Foundation's requirements for submissions. The Foundation will pay the return economy airfare and the overseas living expenses of the successful candidate for up to three months, which will cover a budget submitted by the candidate to the Trustees and approved by them.
More information is available in the advertisement and on the Creswick Foundation webpage.
Fulbright Scholarships 2022/2023
Closing 6 July 2021
The Fulbright Program provides opportunities to take part in academic and cultural exchange, pursuing research or study at a US institution.
Scholarships are offered across all disciplines and career stages (postgraduate, postdoctoral, academics and professionals).
Email enquiries can be made to Debra Lee.
More information can be found on the Fulbright 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
2021 Key Dates: Australian Research Council
Key dates for ARC Centres of Excellence 2023
- Expression of Interest (EOI) period
- EOI Open: 8 June 2021
- EOI Close: 28 July 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 14 July 2021
- EOI Rejoinder period: 30 September 2021 to 14 October 2021
- Full application period
- Applications Open: 8 December 2021
- Applications Close: 23 March 2022 (extended from 2 March 2022)
- Rejoinder period: 25 May 2022 to 9 June 2022 (previously 5 May 2022 to 18 May 2022)
- Anticipated announcement: Fourth Quarter 2022 (previously Third Quarter 2022)
Key dates for Australian Laureate Fellowships 2022
- Applications Open: 1 September 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 13 October 2021
- Applications Close: 27 October 2021
- Rejoinders: 2 February 2022 to 15 February 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Mid-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
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 Discovery Projects 2023
- Applications Open: 10 November 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 9 February 2022
- Applications Close: 23 February 2022
- Rejoinders: 14 June 2022 to 27 June 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Fourth Quarter 2022
Key dates for Discovery Indigenous 2023
- Applications Open: 24 November 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 2 March 2022
- Applications Close: 16 March 2022
- Rejoinders: 20 June 2022 to 1 July 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Fourth Quarter 2022
Key dates for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2023
- Applications Open: 27 January 2022
- Request Not to Assess Close: 23 March 2022
- Applications Close: 6 April 2022
- Rejoinders: 13 July 2022 to 26 July 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Fourth Quarter 2022
Key dates for Industrial Transformation Training Centres 2022
- Applications Open: 4 August 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 29 September 2021
- Applications Close: 13 October 2021
- Rejoinders: 5 January 2022 to 18 January 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Second Quarter 2022
Key dates for Industrial Transformation Research Hubs 2022
- Applications Open: 4 August 2021
- Request Not to Assess Close: 29 September 2021
- Applications Close: 13 October 2021
- Rejoinders: 5 January 2022 to 18 January 2022
- Anticipated announcement: Second Quarter 2022
Key Dates ARC Linkage Projects
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 2, you must email the Grants team as soon as possible.
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 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
- Expression of Interest (EOI) period
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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.