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Selection Report - Discovery - Indigenous Researchers Development
Objectives of Discovery - Indigenous Researchers Development
Discovery - Indigenous Researchers Development aims to:
- develop the research expertise of Indigenous Australian researchers to a level which is competitive to mainstream research funding;
- give Indigenous Australian researchers experience in the preparation of research grant applications;
- support excellent fundamental research by Indigenous Australian individuals and teams;
- assist Indigenous Australian researchers to undertake their research in conditions most conducive to achieving best results;
- expand Australia's knowledge base and research capability; and
- encourage research training in high quality research environments.
Selection process
Applications were sent to up to two Australian-based readers for assessment and applicants were invited to submit rejoinders. A selection committee comprising members of the relevant Expert Advisory Committees considered the assessments and rejoinders, ranked the applications and formed funding recommendations.
Selection criteria
Primary criteria were:
- the quality of the research project being proposed;
- the quality of the researcher(s) proposing the research project; and
- the quality of the research environment and/or mentor.
Other considerations were:
- the probable impact of a successful outcome for the research project; and/or
- the extent to which the successful completion of the research project will train and equip the researcher to compete for mainstream research funding.
Summary of outcomes
Overview
The total D-IRD budget for 2003 is $225,000, of which $125,000 is available for funding commencing in 2003.
Ten applications were considered, of which six are recommended for funding in 2003, totalling $125,000, with an average grant size of $20,833. One grant is recommended for funding over three years; four for two years and one for one year only. One application was received for the new Research Cadetship - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (RC-ATSI), and is recommended for funding.
The overall success rate for IRD applications is 60%.
Table 1: Indicative funding for IRD grants commencing in 2003
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| $125,000 | $69,688 | $29,666 | $224,354 |
Applications and recommended funding by institution
Applications were received from a total of 7 institutions. In total, 6 institutions will receive funding. Each of the successful applications is from a different institution.
Table 2: Requested and recommended funding by institution
| Institution | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total (2002-05) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Request ($) |
Rec ($) |
Request ($) | Rec ($) |
Request ($) |
Rec ($) |
Request ($) |
Rec ($) |
|
| Griffith University | 12,548 | 10,000 | 10,022 | $10,022 | 17,050 | 0 | 39,620 | 20,022 |
| The Flinders University of South Australia | 29,666 | 15,000 | 29,666 | $29,666 | 29,666 | 29,666 | 88,998 | 74,332 |
| The University of New South Wales | 18,339 | 10,000 | 16,760 | $10,000 | 0 | 0 | 35,099 | 20,000 |
| The University of Newcastle | 78,922 | 70,000 | 70,143 | $10,000 | 0 | 0 | 149,065 | 80,000 |
| The University of Western Australia | 38,904 | 10,000 | 24,364 | $0 | 0 | 0 | 63,268 | 10,000 |
| University of Western Sydney | 11,689 | 10,000 | 13,774 | $10,000 | 0 | 0 | 25,463 | 20,000 |
| TOTAL | 190,068 | 125,000 | 164,729 | $69,688 | 46,716 | 29,666 | $401,513 | 224,354 |
Table 3: Success Rates by Institution
| Institution | Total Applications | Funded |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith University | 1 | 1 |
| James Cook University | 1 | 0 |
| The Flinders University of South Australia | 2 | 1 |
| The University of New South Wales | 1 | 1 |
| The University of Newcastle | 2 | 1 |
| The University of Western Australia | 2 | 1 |
| University of Western Sydney | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 10 | 6 |
