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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 21
The University of Western Australia 2 1
University of Western Sydney 1 1
TOTAL 10 6

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