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Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects
Selection Report for Funding commencing in 2009

Overview and Objectives

The objectives of the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects (LASP) funding scheme is to support programs of research, or programs that support the conduct of a program of research, undertaken by one or more of the Australian Learned Academies which:

  • capitalise on their unique capabilities;
  • assist programs of research undertaken by organisations; and
  • may be expected to have results of broad benefit for research and scholarship in the natural and applied sciences, technological development and applied technology, the social sciences and the humanities.

The ARC is particularly interested in supporting activities in areas of demonstrable national importance.

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Selection Process

The closing date for LASP proposals was 19 September 2008. Six proposals were submitted by the closing date.

The proposals were assessed by members of the ARC College of Experts (CoE) who also recommended funding levels. Following CoE assessment, LASP proposals were assessed by, and considered by Executive Directors (EDs) at a selection meeting on 17 February 2009.

The ARC prepared funding recommendations for consideration by the ARC Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Four proposals were recommended for funding.

The ARC CEO considered these recommendations before making recommendations to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. This report reflects the recommendations of the ARC CEO to the Minister.

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Selection Criteria

Assessment of proposals for LASP was based on the following criteria:

  1. the extent to which the Proposal capitalises on the unique capabilities of one or more of the Academies;
  2. the extent to which the Proposal assists programs of research undertaken by organisations;
  3. the extent to which the Proposal may be expected to have results of broad benefit for research and scholarship in the natural and applied sciences, technological development and applied technology, the social sciences and/or the humanities;
  4. the merit of the Proposal in relation to its:
    1. goals and potential outcomes;
    2. conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses;
    3. budget justification and value for money; and
  5. the potential for the research to contribute to issues of national significance and the relevance of the Proposal to the National Research Priorities.

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National Research Priorities

In this round, all six LASP proposals considered were identified by their proponents as addressing a National Research Priority. Of those, four (67 per cent) are approved for funding.

Table 1 shows the Priorities identified in proposals submitted and approved for funding.

Table 1: Numbers of proposals and success rates, by National Research Priority

Priority
Proposals received
Proposals approved
Success rate %
Funding approved $
An Environmentally Sustainable Australia 2 1 50% $120,000
Promoting and Maintaining Good Health 1 1 100% $105,000
Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries 2 1 50% $120,000
Safeguarding Australia 1 1 100% $120,000
None selected - - - -
Total 6 4 67% $465,000

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Funding Levels and Duration

LASP projects may be awarded funding for up to three years subject to parliamentary appropriation.

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Summary of Selection Outcomes

Six LASP proposals were considered, seeking $775,921 in funding. Four proposals are approved for funding commencing in 2009, representing a total commitment of $465,000 over the financial years 2008–09 to 2009–10. On the basis of these approvals, the overall success rate is 67 per cent. This compares to a success rate of 75 per cent for LASP funding in 2008. The variation in success rates between 2008 and 2009 is due to fewer Proposals being submitted for funding commencing in 2009.

Numbers of proposals considered and approved, and success rates, by discipline group, are shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Numbers of proposals and success rates, by discipline group

Discipline group*
 Proposals received Proposals approved Proposals not approved Success rate %
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
BSB 1 0 1 na 0 na 100% na
EE 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 100%
HCA 2 1 2 1 0 0 100% 100%
MIC 0 1 na 0 na 1 na 0
PCG 2 1 2 1 0 0 100% 100%
SBE 1 2 1 1 0 1 100% 50%
Total 8 6 6 4 2 2 75% 67%

*BSB = Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; EE = Engineering and Environmental Sciences; HCA = Humanities and Creative Arts; MIC = Mathematics, Information and Communication Sciences; PCG = Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience; SBE = Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences

Total requested funding over the financial years 2008–09 to 2009–10 for all proposals received was $775,921. Total approved funding is $465,000 or 59.9 per cent of the total funding requested for recommended proposals, as shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Amounts requested and recommended, by discipline group

Discipline group*
Total requested over project life (all proposals) $
Total approved over project life $
Total approved funding as a % of funding requested
BSB - - -
EE $119,900 $120,000 100.1%
HCA $104,121 $105,000 100.8%
MIC $119,600 0 0
PCG $132,300 $120,000 90.7%
SBE $300,000 $120,000 40%
Total $775,921 $465,000 59.9%

*BSB = Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; EE = Engineering and Environmental Sciences; HCA = Humanities and Creative Arts; MIC = Mathematics, Information and Communication Sciences; PCG = Physics, Chemistry and Geoscience; SBE = Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences

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Selection Outcomes by Organisation

The number of proposals considered and approved, and funding requested and approved, by administering organisation are shown in Table 4.

Table 4: Number of proposals and success rates, by administering organisation

Administering Organisation
Funding requested (all proposals) $
Funding approved over project life (approved proposals) $
Proposals considered
Proposals approved
Success rate %
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia $300,000 $120,000 2 1 50%
Australian Academy of Science $132,300 $120,000 1 1 100%
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering $239,500 $120,000 2 1 50%
The Australian Academy of the Humanities $104,121 $105,000 1 1 100%
National Academies Forum - na na na na
Total $775,921 $465,000 6 4 67%

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Funding Assistance

The average funding per approved proposal for LASP commencing in 2009 is $116,250 (see Table 5).

Table 5: Average approved funding

Number of proposals approved
Amount requested for approved proposals
Funding over project life
Average approved funding per proposal
4 $476,321 2009 = $465,000
Total = $465,000
 $116,250

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Scheme Budget by Financial Year

The allocations from the LASP budget approved for commencement in 2009 are shown in Table 6 below.

Table 6: Recommended allocations by financial year

 
2008-09
2009-10
TOTAL
Total $232,500 $232,500 $465,000
Content Last Modified:

07/05/09


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