Skip to Specific Areas

Search ARC website

Site Navigation

Main Content

Breadcrumb Navigation

You are here:

Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology
Selection Report for Funding Commencing in 2010

Overview

The Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative is funding two proposals to deliver a program of activities that support the development of a functional bionic eye. The successful proposals were selected on the basis of the excellence of the researchers and the proposed research program, including demonstrated opportunities for collaboration and the potential to produce outcomes of significant health and economic benefit for the Australian community through spin-off innovations and commercialisation.

The selection round for the ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative for funding commencing in 2010 consisted of seven proposals.

[top]

Objectives

The objectives of the ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative are:

To deliver a program of activities that will support the development of a functional bionic eye in Australia, including:

  • Undertaking highly innovative and internationally competitive research through a pioneering and feasible research and development program;
  • Undertaking significant collaboration with experts in a broad range of relevant fields, including development of national and international networks and linkages with leading researchers and institutions;
  • Developing outcomes with significant health and economic benefit for the Australian community in the short and longer term;
  • Providing for potential spin-off innovation, with commercial applications to be pursued through a robust commercialisation strategy; and
  • Building Australia’s human capacity in this area by attracting; from within Australia and overseas, researchers of high international standing as well as the most promising research students.

[top]

Selection Process

The closing date for ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative was 29 July 2009. Assessment of proposals was undertaken by the Selection Advisory Committee, which:

  • ranked each proposal relative to the others on the basis of excellence;
  • shortlisted proposals;
  • interviewed shortlisted applicants;
  • assessed and recommended budgets; and
  • prepared funding recommendations for the ARC CEO.

[top]

Selection Criteria

The assessment of proposals was based on the following criteria and weighting:

  • Nature and Merit of the Proposal (50%)
  • Investigators (40%)
  • National Significance (10%)

[top]

Summary of Outcomes

A total of seven proposals were submitted to the ARC. From these seven proposals, a shortlist of three was determined by the Selection Advisory Committee. Of the three shortlisted proposals considered, two were approved for funding, giving a success rate of 28.6 per cent.

Table 1: Summary of approved ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative proposals for funding commencing in 2010

Proposals received
 7
Proposals shortlisted
 3
Proposals funded
 2
Success rate
 28.60%
Requested funding
 $127,092,209
Approved funding
 $50,000,000

[top]

Funding Levels and Duration

The ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative offered minimum funds of $1 million per year up to a maximum of $50 million over four years (subject to Parliamentary appropriations), commencing in the financial year 2009-10.

Table 2 shows the indicative funds for the two approved proposals over the four year funding period.  On the basis of these approvals The University of Melbourne will receive 84 per cent of their requested amount and Monash University will receive 97 per cent of their requested amount.

Table 2: Indicative funds for approved ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative proposals for funding commencing in 2010
Requested funding
Approved funding
Percentage of requested funds approved for funding
The University of Melbourne
 $49,976,803 $42,000,000 84%
Monash University
 $8,230,183 $8,000,000 97%
Total
 $58,206,986 $50,000,000 85.90%

[top]

International Collaboration

Participants on ARC Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative proposals were asked to indicate who will be involved in the proposed collaborations. There were nine instances of international collaboration reported within the seven proposals considered. Funded proposals include international collaboration with the United States of America, Germany and Japan.

Content Last Modified:

15/12/09


Top of page