Understanding Linkage Projects: A Guide for Applicants

1. Linkage - ProjectsFundamentals for applicantsCoombs Extension 1.04 18 September 2013

2. Linkage – Projects: Speakers • Sean Downes, Research Services, College of Asia and the Pacific • Dr Nicholas Biddle, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, College of Arts and Social Sciences • Dr Ann Nevile, Crawford School of Public Policy, College of Asia and the Pacific

3. Linkage – Projects: College contacts • CAP – Sean Downes sean.downes@ • CASS – Louise Knox louise.knox@ • CBE – Dora Gava dora.gava@ • CoL – Katy Paterson katy.paterson@

4. Linkage – Projects: The program • What are Linkage-Projects? • Lived experience • Approaching the application • Resources and support

5. Linkage – Projects: What they are • Put simply, Linkages are partnerships between University researchers and outside bodies (Partner Organisations) built around a significant research project of both fundamental and applied merit.

6. Linkage – Projects: Key points • Supports the initiation and/or development of long-term strategic research alliances between higher education organisations and other organisations (including industry) and end-users, in order to apply advanced knowledge to problems and/or to provide opportunities to obtain national economic, social or cultural benefits • The proposed research will be assessed by academic reviewers and therefore should be of a quality comparable to Discovery Projects, innovative and significant with clear benefits to the field, the Partner(s) and Australia.

7. Linkage – Projects: What they’re not • Highly-leveraged consultancies • Token relationships between Researchers and Partner Organisations • Pure, basic research with little or no application beyond the academy

8. Linkage – Projects: What you need • A well articulated, credible research project addressing significant research problems in innovative and applied ways • Demonstrated commitment and collaboration from the Partner Organisation(s) • A research team with the appropriate track record and skills, including member(s) from the Partner Organisation • Demonstrated ability to enhance links to non-academic organisations and deliver real-world outcomes

9. Linkage – Projects: Partner Organisations • Are genuine partners from outside the Australian University sector • Must nominate at least one researcher to be their representative, called a PI (Partner Investigator) • Must provide a Letter of Support meeting the ARC’s requirements, included as part of the application • Must at least match the funding requested from the ARC, with at no less than 25% of that amount in cash. The rest must be a real, in-kind contribution • If successful, will enter into a contract with the ANU

10. Linkage – Projects: Partner Investigators • A Partner Investigator (PI) is a researcher not based at an Australian University • They take significant intellectual responsibility for the project, along with Chief Investigators (CIs) from the University. • A Partner Investigator’s record will be part of the assessment. • While each Partner Organisation must provide at least one PI, additional PIs can come from non-Partners.

11. Linkage – Projects: Lived experience 1 Dr Nick Biddle, Fellow, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, College of Arts and Social Sciences

12. Linkage – Projects: Lived experience 2 Dr Ann Nevile, Senior Lecturer, Crawford School of Public Policy, College of Asia and the Pacific

13. Linkage – Projects: The project • Must be of 2 or 3 years’ duration • Request a minimum of $50k and maximum of $300k p.a. from the ARC • Must address the selection criteria set out in the ARC’s Funding Rules • Submitted through the Research Management System • ARC funds can be used for fieldwork, travel, non-CI/PI personnel (incl. HDR students), teaching relief, specialised equipment, web hosting/development and publication costs

14. Linkage – Projects: Selection criteria • Investigator(s) 20% • Proposed Project 50% • Significance and Innovation 25% • Approach and Training 15% • Research Environment 10% • Commitment from Partner Orgs 30% • See LP14 Funding Rules, section 4.3 for more information

15. Linkage – Projects: New sub-criteria • Does the Project significantly enhance links with organisations outside the Australian publicly-funded research and higher education sectors? (S&I) • Does the Project represent value for money? (A&T) • Are there adequate strategies to encourage dissemination, commercialisation, if appropriate; and promotion of research outcomes? (RE)

16. Linkage – Projects: Important changes • There is no longer a postdoctoral fellowship (APDI) • There does not need to be an Australian partner Organisation • Projects must comply with the ARC Open Access Policy • Publication/dissemination and web costs are now allowable • Funding for hosting of seminars, conferences, etc. is no longer allowed • Consult your RO about other changes

17. Linkage – Projects: Application structure Part A: Administrative Summary Part B: Classification and Other Statistical Information Part C: Project Description Part D: Project Cost Part E: Budget Justifications Part F: Personnel Part G: Partner Organisation Details Part H: Research Support Part I: Statements on Progress of ARC Funded Projects Part J: Additional Details

18. Linkage – Projects: Key components Some key sections: • Title and 100 word summary • Keywords and FoR codes • Project Description • Letters of Support • Budget and justifications • Personnel summaries

19. Linkage – Projects: Fundamentals Grant Writing Tips Clear, direct writing - What, why and how? A sales document for a skeptical audience Interrelationships within the form: The idea is to construct one story

20. Linkage – Projects: Good applications • Present exciting or ambitious goals. • Describe hypotheses and/or controversies and explain how the proposed work will address or resolve them. • Explain why funding is needed now • Give context - how the proposed work fits into international work in the field. • Balance technical detail and general explanations. • Include clear and convincing material regarding National Benefit and practical application. • Demonstrate clear partnerships, benefits to and lasting strategic links with Partner Organisations

21. Linkage – Projects: Poor applications • Lack evidence of genuine collaboration and/or show weak Partner Organisation commitment • Are full of jargon, impenetrable and are difficult to read. • Demonstrate poor knowledge of the field. • Make implausible claims about outcomes or experience. • Have flawed or incomplete methodologies. • Relate to areas which are widely seen to be well worked over, or without momentum. • Convey a negative tone or feeling • Show weak track records

22. Linkage – Projects: Assessment • Selection of assessors • ARC College • Assessments and rejoinder process • Feedback

23. Linkage – Projects: Resources • Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants • ARC website, eg ‘Information for Applicants’ • Other documents and templates • Local Research Office (check timelines) • Heads of School, mentors, fellow applicants

24. Linkage – Projects: Dates • Sept 18: proposals open in RMS • _______: draft application/budget/peer review deadlines • _______: internal deadlines for requests not to assess • _______: compliance deadlines • Mid-Nov : ARC deadline

25. Linkage – Projects: Wrap-up Questions?