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Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects
Selection Report
for funding commencing in 2008

Overview

The objectives of the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects funding scheme is to support programs of research, or programs that support the conduct of programs 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.

Selection Process

The closing date for Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects proposals was 31 August 2007.  Eight 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 then considered at a selection meeting of ARC Executive Directors (EDs) on 19 November 2007. 

The ARC put forward a recommendation to the CEO identifying proposals which were most competitive and should receive funding. Six proposals have been recommended for funding.

The 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.

Selection Criteria

Assessment of proposals for Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects 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.

National Research Priorities

In this round, all eight Learned Academies Special Projects proposals considered were identified by their proponents as addressing a National Research Priority. Of those, six (75%) are recommended for funding.

The Priority for which the greatest amount of funding is recommended ($335,972) is An Environmentally Sustainable Australia.  Table 1 shows the Priorities identified in proposals submitted and recommended for funding.

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

Priority Proposals received Proposals recommended Success rate (%) Funding recommended ($)
An Environmentally Sustainable Australia 5 3 60 335,972
Promoting and Maintaining Good Health - - - -
Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries 1 1 100 78,800
Safeguarding Australia 2 2 100 146,500
None selected - - - -
Total 8 6 75 561,272

Funding Levels and Duration

Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects may be awarded funding for up to three years subject to parliamentary appropriation.

Summary of Selection Outcomes

Eight Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects proposals were considered, seeking $1,002,142 in funding.  Six proposals are recommended for funding commencing in 2008, representing a total commitment of $561,272 over the financial years 2007-08 to 2009-10.  On the basis of these recommendations, the overall success rate would be 75%.  Numbers of proposals considered and recommended, 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 recommended Proposals not recommended for funding Success rate (%)
BSB 1 1 0 100
EE 2 0 2 0
HCA 2 2 0 100
MIC 0 na na na
PCG 2 2 0 100
SBE 1 1 0 100
Total 8 6 2 75

*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 2007-08 to 2009-10 for all proposals received was $1,002,142.  Total recommended funding is $561,272 or 56% 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) ($) Total recommended over project life ($) Total recommended funding as a % of funding requested
BSB 151,400 95,000 62.8
EE 218,900 0 0
HCA 203,003 164,472 81
MIC - - -
PCG 308,839 212,300 68.7
SBE 120,000 89,500 74.6
Total 1,002,142 561,272 56

*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

Selection Outcomes by Organisation

The number of proposals considered and recommended, and funding requested and recommended, 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) ($) Funding recommended over project life (recommended proposals) ($) Proposals considered Proposals recommended Success rate (%)
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia 120,000 89,500 1 1 100
Australian Academy of Science 219,339 78,800 2 1 50
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering 270,300 95,000 2 1 50
The Australian Academy of the Humanities 203,003 164,472 2 2 100
National Academies Forum 189,500 133,500 1 1 100
Total 1,002,142 561,272 8 6 75

Funding Assistance

The average funding per recommended proposal for Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects commencing in 2008 is $93,545 – see Table 5. 

Table 5: Average recommended funding

Number of proposals recommended Amount requested for recommended proposals Funding over project life Average recommended funding per proposal
6 $783,242 2008 = $481,000
2009 = $80,272
Total = $561,272		 $93,545

Scheme Budget by Financial Year

The allocations from the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects budget recommended for commencement in 2008 are shown in Table 6 below.

Table 6: Recommended allocations by financial year

  2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 TOTAL
Total $240,500 $280,636 $40,136 $561,272
Content Last Modified:

28/3/08


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