Strategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018€¦ · Web viewStrategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018. Guidelines and Application Form

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Strategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018

Strategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018

Guidelines and Application Form

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IntroductionThe Strategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) aims to seed programs of work that align with strategic research priorities and enhance the research capabilities of James Cook University (JCU). Research supported by SRIF should have high potential to contribute to the diversification of income and demonstrate clear pathways towards sustainability. Successful programs will demonstrate the potential to leverage existing research capability to build new platforms and access or develop new opportunities.

In 2018, a total of $1.55M is available for investment through SRIF.

The fund is open to JCU staff in Townsville, Cairns and Singapore. Application is by way of a Program Business Case that provides clear objectives, measurable outcomes and criteria by which success of the program can be evaluated. The Program Business Case must include clear plans for sources of external investment in the program, including end-user investment and support.

Each program of work will be funded for up to 3 years, with a total maximum investment of $1M from SRIF for the duration of the grant. A maximum of $500,000 may be awarded in any single year of the grant.

The SRIF scheme is intended to seed programs that are able to demonstrate a clear path toward sustainability through accessing a number of potential income streams that are credible and verifiable, including end-user contributions, and/or support from external grants. Total return on investment in the SRIF program should be 3:1 (this can include both external cash and external in-kind returns). Applications that can demonstrate an external cash component of at least 1:1 (ie. matching the SRIF investment) may be prioritised. In all cases, the program plan must demonstrate clear, achievable milestones and credible, verifiable outcomes. The SRIF scheme is not intended to provide funds to a program beyond three years, so the sources of support planned for sustained operation of the SRIF-seeded program beyond those three years must be clearly articulated.

Future years’ allocations of funding for each program will be contingent on progress towards milestones and intended outcomes.

EligibilityChief Investigators on a program must be academic or research staff with a current employment contract at James Cook University.

Due to Australian Government, Research Support Program (RSP) regulations JCU Singapore Investigators cannot be the first Chief Investigator on a program.

Adjunct staff may be included as Associate Investigators.

A researcher can be included as a Chief Investigator in no more than two programs in a funding round and may not be a CI on more than two funded programs at any one time.

To be eligible for consideration SRIF programs must be endorsed by the relevant Dean of College before submission to the round.

___________________________________________________________________________Strategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018

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How to Apply Application to the scheme is via the Program Business Case Form in this document.

Submission DetailsAn eligible application consists of a completed Program Business Case Form, a budget spreadsheet and evidence of support saved as one (1) PDF emailed to [email protected].

Closing DateApplications must be submitted to Research Services by 5pm, 5 June 2018.

Selection Criteria Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Proposed Program [50%]

a. Alignment with the Strategic Intent of the University, Division and College/Institute/Directorate

b. Distinctiveness of the program as compared to other programs within or beyond JCU

c. Demonstrable pathways to impact, such as economic, health, social, cultural and environmental impacts

d. Measureable outcomes for significant advancement of research capabilities, excellence and impact

e. Research investment strategy and plan - including plans for diversification of income streams and potential cash investment from end-users over time

2. Program Team and Ability to Deliver [30%]

a. Track record of CIs’ management of large projects, collaborations and teams

b. Track record of CIs’ productive engagement with end-users, collaborators and/or industry partners

c. Track record of CIs’ capacity to deliver high quality, fit-for purpose research

d. Feasibility of the design and budget of the program in ensuring the program achieves its aims

3. Benefit to James Cook University and End Users [20%]

a. Anticipated return on investment to JCU - including financial and non-financial benefits such as research income, research translation, commercial expectations, capacity building, student recruitment, and reputation (including consideration of obligations and outcomes of equity programs, such as SAGE)

b. Anticipated benefits to end-users/partners


mailto:[email protected]

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Budget Items SupportedSRIF funds may be used to support a program manager, postdoctoral and other research support positions and specific direct research costs, such as research assistance, equipment, maintenance, consumables, travel and publication costs.

It is expected that a Program Manager will be appointed to ensure that program milestones and outcomes are achieved.

Budget Items Unable to be SupportedSRIF funds are unable to support:

Research towards a higher degree Conference or event travel Infrastructure Costs for basic facilities such as:

o Accommodation (e.g. laboratory and office);o Access to film or music editing facilities;o Access to a basic library collection;o Standard reference materials or funds for abstracting services;o Provision of computers, including laptops (excluding access to high-

performance computers or other specialised applications) and basic computing facilities such as printers, word processing and other standard software; and

o Use of photocopiers, telephones, mail, fax, email and internet services.

Duration of Grant The SRIF will fund a program for up to 3 years. Successful programs will be awarded an initial allocation of 1 year’s funding with allocation of future years funding dependent upon externally generated income and/or end-user contributions and support in years 2 and 3 of the grant. Funding allocations for years 2 and 3 of the grant are also dependent on meeting the milestones and objectives of the proposal.

Assessment ProcessAcademic Divisions are encouraged to screen their Division’s applications. Applications endorsed by the division, must be accompanied by commentary from the relevant DVC/s or Director/s Research Development on the alignment of the proposed program with the Division’s strategic priorities.

Any applications subsequently considered by the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) as not meeting the intent of the scheme will not be taken forward.

Applications which do meet the intent of the scheme, will be assessed by a panel chaired and appointed by the DVC R&I. The panel will include external members with relevant industry, research and investment expertise, supplemented by additional advice as required.

The lead applicant for each proposed SRIF program will be required to be available to the assessment panel to address any questions that the panel may have during their deliberations.


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The level of funding awarded to successful programs will be at the discretion of the panel. The panel also has the discretion to request further information or clarification from CIs on short-listed programs.

Appeals against the decisions of the panel will only be considered on the basis of process. The DVC R&I will have sole discretion in determining if an appeal is considered and the appropriate means of review.

ReportingThe Division (Research & Innovation) will call for progress reports and will provide a pro-forma for this purpose.


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Program Business Case Form1 Project name

Project TitleShort Title*Amount Requested

*Descriptive title of no more than 40 characters, including spaces [Finance 1 data entry limit]

2 Applicant Details 2.1 Chief Investigators(Retain in same order throughout the application.)

# Last name First name Orgu/Academic Group Appointment*1 Choose an item.

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n item.4Choose an item.5

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item.8Choose an item.9

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Choose an item.*Indicate the investigator’s appointment status as either Permanent (P), Fixed Term (FT) or Part Time (PT). See Eligibility criteria in the Guidelines for further details.

2.2 Associate Investigators/Project Participants Do not include any persons named above. Provide details of any other participants in the project (e.g. associate investigators, research staff, and technical staff).

# Last name First name Orgu/Academic Group12345


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2.3 Organisation SummaryPlease add each End-User/Partner organisation participating in the Program (Evidence of support much be attached to this form)

# Organisation123

2.4 External ExpertsProvide contact details of two sector/discipline experts who would be willing to comment on the proposed program if required. Note: Named experts must not be involved in the proposed program.

# Name Organisation Email Mobile12


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3 Research CodesRefer to the Research Office website for classification codes.

https://www.jcu.edu.au/research-services/data-and-policies/research-classification-codes

3.1 Fields of ResearchFoR Code %

3.2 Socio-Economic Objective(s) SEOSEO Code %

3.3 JCU Research ThemesTheme %Tropical Ecosystems & EnvironmentIndustries & Economies in the TropicsPeople & Societies in the TropicsTropical Health, Medicine & Biosecurity

3.4 Type of ActivityType %Pure BasicStrategic BasicAppliedExp’l Development

3.5 KeywordsKeyword


https://www.jcu.edu.au/research-services/data-and-policies/research-classification-codes

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3.6 Ethics/Safety Compliance RequirementsPlease type an “X” next to one or more of the following if the project involves:

Project involves Select(a) living animals ☐(b) human participants ☐(c) clinical research ☐(d) biotechnology activities ☐(e) in vitro production of recombinant DNA ☐(f) organisms of Risk Group 2 or higher ☐(g) ionizing radiation ☐(h) hazardous / dangerous substances or drugs ☐


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4 Selection Criteria (SC)Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Proposed Program (50%)2. Program Team and Ability to Deliver (30%)3. Benefit to James Cook University and End Users (20%)

4.1 Proposed Program4.1.1 Alignment with Strategic Intent250 word limit

Demonstrate how the Program aligns with the Strategic Intent of the University, the Division and College/Institute.


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4.1.2 Distinctiveness of the Program250 word limit

Outline the distinctiveness of the Program:

• Is the Program a new initiative or opportunity for JCU?• What is the Program’s “point of difference” and importance compared to similar

initiatives within JCU, other Universities/Research organisations, or in the private sector (if relevant)?


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4.1.3 Demonstrable Pathways to Impact500 word limit

Research impact is the contribution that research makes to the economy, society, environment or culture, beyond the contribution to academic research.

Provide details of activities that will be undertaken to ensure the Program will support the delivery of tangible impact.

Describe the size and nature of the likely impact – for example economic, health, social, cultural and environmental impact.


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4.1.4 Research Investment Strategy 500 word limit

A clear and credible path towards sustainability of the program is required. Provide details of the investment and sustainability plans for the Program:

• Short term - outline the investment plan for the duration of the SRIF funding (up to 3 years) – including identifying confirmed or potential co-investors to the program (both cash and in-kind) and describing all alternative income streams expected to support the goals of the program over this period, and any commercial expectations. Provide evidence where available.

• Long-Term – what is the investment plan for the sustainability of the Program beyond the SRIF funding? Outline how, and through which avenues, the program will be sustained financially beyond the initial SRIF funding period.

Note: a total return on investment in the SRIF program should be 3:1 (this can include both external cash and external in-kind returns). Applications that can demonstrate an external cash component of at least 1:1 (i.e. matching the SRIF investment) may be prioritised.


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4.1.5 Measureable Outcomes

No word limit - Provide as an attachment to this application.

Provide a table of milestones and key performance indicators to enable the success of the program to be measured over time.

Milestones and KPIs should capture outcomes such as planned approach to engagement with external partners/end-users, the advancement of research capabilities, excellence and impact.


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4.2 Program Team and Ability to Deliver4.2.1 Track Records of Chief Investigators 250 word limit per CI

Outline the track record of each CI on the program team in relation to:

• management of large projects and collaborations; • productive engagement with end-users, collaborators and if applicable

industry partners;• capacity to deliver high quality tangible research outcomes.


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4.2.2 Feasibility of Design and Budget500 word limit

Explain how the design of the program, the expertise of the investigators, the involvement of any partners/end-users/co-investors, and the budget will be sufficient to ensure that the program achieves its deliverables as outlined at 4.1.5 Measureable Outcomes.


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4.3 Benefit to James Cook University and End-Users 4.3.1 Anticipated Benefits to JCU500 word limit

Provide details of any short and long-term benefits to JCU that the program is expected to generate - include financial and non-financial benefits such as:

research income; research translation; research capacity or capability building, including student recruitment and income

commercial expectations; and reputational benefits with industry sectors, Government or community.

Outline the expected return on investment of the program, and specify over what time period this is likely to be realised.


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4.3.2 Anticipated Benefits to End-users250 word limit

Provide details of the short and long-term benefits to end-users of the Program.


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5 BudgetPlease note (1) it is not essential that all end-user and other sources of cash contributions are confirmed prior to the commencement of the project, however all anticipated contributions/revenue should be evident within milestones provided in section 4.1.5, and (2) internal JCU contributions cannot be counted towards the expected RoI of 3:1 for SRIF funded programs

Please complete and submit the SRIF Business Case budget details spreadsheet with this application.


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6 Budget justification

6.1 SRIF FundsJustify budget requests as per SRIF Business Case budget details spreadsheet. Budget items must be essential to the Program.


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6.2 End-User/Other Cash and In-kind ContributionsExplain End-User/Other cash contributions to the Program. Also explain any End-User/Other in-kind contributions to the Program and how in-kind has been calculated.


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6.3 College/Institute Cash and In-kind Explain College/Institute cash contributions to the Program. Also explain any College/Institute in-kind contributions to the Program and how in-kind has been calculated.

(Note that internal contributions are not considered as part of the expected RoI of 3:1.)


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Strategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018€¦ · Web viewStrategic Research Investment Fund (SRIF) 2018. Guidelines and Application Form