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Selection Report: Linkage Projects 2021 Round 1

Overview

The Linkage Projects scheme supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research alliances to apply advanced knowledge to problems, acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research.

The objectives of the Linkage Projects scheme are to:

  • support the development of long-term strategic research alliances between higher education organisations and industry and other research end-users, in order to apply advanced knowledge to problems;
  • provide opportunities for internationally competitive research projects to be conducted in collaboration with organisations outside the higher education sector; and
  • enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas.

 

Selection process 

Applications for Linkage Projects 2021 Assessment Round 1 opened on 18 December 2020 and closed on 13 April 2021. Applications were submitted using a continuous application process, this is the first of the three assessment rounds for this scheme. Applications were submitted through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Management System (RMS). This report outlines outcomes from the selection process for that round.

These outcomes are based on advice from the ARC Selection Advisory Committees (SAC) which:

  • assigned independent assessors to review the applications
  • assessed applications and reviewed assessments made by independent assessors
  • reviewed applicants’ comments on assessors’ reports
  • ranked each application relative to the others on the basis of the application, the assessors’ reports and applicants’ responses to those assessments
  • assessed and recommended budgets;

and, advice from the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) Eligibility Committee which:

  • considered eligibility issues identified by ARC staff, the members of the ARC College of Experts or independent assessors
  • where required, sought advice from the ARC’s Medical Research Advisory Group
  • made recommendations to the CEO in respect of ineligible applications.

This report reflects the outcomes approved by the Minister. Unless otherwise specified, data presented in this report exclude withdrawn applications.

 

Assessment Criteria

All applications that meet the eligibility criteria for Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) were assessed and merit ranked using the following assessment criteria:

a. Investigator(s)/Capability (25%)

Describe the quality of the candidates’ Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) including evidence of:

  • potential to engage in collaborative research with end-users;
  • experience in research training, mentoring and supervision; and
  • time and capacity to undertake and manage the proposed research in collaboration with the Partner Organisation(s).

b. Project quality and innovation (25%)

Describe the extent to which the project is significant and innovative including:

  • any new methods or technologies to be developed that address a specific market opportunity;
  • how the anticipated outcomes will advance the knowledge base to address an important problem and/or provide an end-user and/or industry advantage;
  • how the project’s aims and concepts are novel and innovative; and
  • how the project will significantly enhance links with industry and/or other organisations outside the Australian publicly-funded research and higher education sectors.

Describe the research approach and training including:

  • the conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses, demonstrating these are adequately developed, well integrated and appropriate to the aims of the project; and
  • the intellectual content and scale of the work proposed is appropriate to a higher degree by research student where relevant.

c. Feasibility and commitment (20%)

Describe:

  • the extent to which the project represents value for money;
  • the supportive and high quality environment for this research in the Administering Organisation and the Partner Organisation(s);
  • the availability of the necessary facilities to conduct the research;
  • the commitment of each Partner Organisation to collaboration in the research project and capacity to implement the outcomes of the research; and
  • the adequacy of the budget, including cash and in-kind contributions pledged by the participating organisations.

If the project involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research describe:

  • the strategies for enabling collaboration with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where appropriate (for example, dialogue/collaboration with an Indigenous cultural mentor); and
  • any existing or developing, supportive and high quality research communities.

d. Benefit (30%)

Describe:

  • the new or advanced knowledge resulting from outcomes of the research;
  • the economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for relevant Australian research end-users (including relevant industry sectors);
  • the potential contribution to building capacity in the Australian Government’s National Science and Research Priorities and other priorities identified by Government;
  • benefits of the research for Partner Organisation(s) and other relevant end-users;
  • the contribution of the research to developing strategic research alliances between the higher education organisation(s) and industry and/or other organisation(s);
  • strategies to encourage dissemination, commercialisation, and if appropriate, the promotion of research outcomes; and
  • where relevant, the extent to which the applicants have identified the freedom to operate in the Intellectual Property and patent landscape to enable future benefits to industry and/or end-users.

 

Assessment process 

The ARC assessment process for Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) involved 17 SAC members as part of one multidisciplinary panel and was managed in RMS. A total of 538 independent assessors’ reports were submitted to the ARC.

 

Funding levels and duration

Funding of between $50,000 and $300,000 per annum for up to five years may be awarded for each Linkage Projects application.

 

Summary of outcomes 

The ARC received a total of 156 applications for Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1), none of which were withdrawn.

The overall success rate for Linkage Projects for funding applied for in 2021 (Round 1) is 33.3 per cent.

Of the unsuccessful applications, one was found to not meet eligibility requirements.

A comparison of success rates and funding amounts is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Comparison of application numbers, success rates, requested and allocated funds for approved Linkage Projects applications from 2020 (Rounds 1, 2 and 3) and 2021 (Round 1)

Scheme RoundApplications consideredApplications
approved
Success rate (%)Requested funds over project life for all applications considered ($)Requested funds over project life for approved applications ($)Funds allocated over project life for approved applications* ($)Return rate for approved applications (%)
2020 (Round 1)1806133.9$87,268,182$30,685,046$26,881,00187.6
2020 (Round 2)2596725.9$138,269,232$36,054,450$30,666,57585.1
2020 (Round 3)2766724.3$140,742,080$36,563,401$31,724,73886.8
2021 (Round 1)1565233.3$79,107,431$27,924,670$24,453,51287.6

*May include indicative funds

 

Outcomes by discipline 

A summary of outcome by discipline is shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Application numbers, success rates and requested and allocated funds for approved Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications by discipline

Discipline*Applications consideredApplications approvedSuccess rate (%)Requested funds over project life for all applications considered ($)Requested funds over project life for approved applications ($)Funds over project life for approved applications ($)Return
Rate for approved applications (%)
BEM26726.9$13,950,363$3,779,879$3,586,00094.9
ET491836.7$25,934,213$9,819,880$8,709,00288.7
HSE451533.3$21,212,040$8,000,901$6,471,31480.9
PMI361233.3$18,010,815$6,324,010$5,687,19689.9
Total1565233.3$79,107,431$27,924,670$24,453,51287.6

*BEM = Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Environmental, Medical and Health Sciences; ET = Engineering and Technology; HSE = Humanities and Creative Arts, Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences; PMI = Physical, Mathematical and Information Sciences

 

Outcomes by Science and Research priorities 

A summary of outcomes by Science and Research Priorities is shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Approved funding and success rate for Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications by Science and Research Priorities

Science and Research PrioritiesApplications consideredApplications approvedSuccess rate (%)Approved funds over project life ($)
Advanced Manufacturing281035.7$5,554,550
Cybersecurity800-
Energy11654.5$2,381,816
Environmental Change20630.0$2,961,578
Food8225.0$1,346,688
Health241041.7$4,688,777
Resources9333.3$1,059,884
Soil and Water11218.2$1,375,926
Transport9444.4$1,441,964
None selected28932.1$3,642,329
Total Applications1565233.3$24,453,512
Total Applications within Science and Research Priorities1284333.6$20,811,183
Percentage within Science and Research Priorities (%)82.182.7 85.1

 

Leverage of ARC funding 

Of the 156 applications considered, 52 were approved with a total approved funding, of $24.5 million over the life of these projects. There are 104 unique Partner Organisations involved with these projects and they have pledged a total (cash and in-kind) of $36.5 million. This represents $1.49 from Partner Organisations for every dollar funded by the ARC.

 

Outcomes by Administering Organisation 

A summary of outcomes by Administering Organisation is shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Numbers of applications, success rates, ARC approved funding and Partner Organisation contributions for approved Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications by Administering Organisation

Administering OrganisationApplications consideredApplications approvedSuccess rate (%)ARC approved funding over project life (approved applications)Partner Organisation contributions (cash & in-kind) over project life (approved applications)
Australian Capital Territory5120.0$238,000*
The Australian National University5120.0$238,000*
New South Wales621930.6$8,983,550$15,720,908
Australian Catholic University4125.0$777,000*
Macquarie University4125.0$459,593*
Southern Cross University11100.0$429,569*
The University of New South Wales17529.4$1,960,137$4,128,321
The University of Newcastle5240.0$909,009$1,160,000
The University of Sydney12650.0$2,974,768$4,470,695
University of Technology Sydney10330.0$1,473,474$2,417,736
University of Wollongong500--
Western Sydney University400--
Northern Territory11100.0$532,815*
Charles Darwin University11100.0$532,815*
Queensland27933.3$3,171,055$3,733,635
Griffith University700--
James Cook University100-
Queensland University of Technology6350.0$837,077$1,009,412
The University of Queensland10550.0$1,635,537$1,824,223
The University of Southern Queensland11100.0$698,441*
University of Sunshine Coast200-
South Australia10660.0$2,880,791$3,962,188
Flinders University5240.0$1,667,959$2,107,724
The University of Adelaide4375.0$927,194$1,495,064
University of South Australia11100.0$285,638*
Tasmania5120.0$478,589*
University of Tasmania5120.0$478,589*
Victoria30620.0$3,056,884$4,002,432
La Trobe University5240.0$1,084,189$1,432,779
Monash University10110.0$617,990*
RMIT University300--
Swinburne University of Technology4125.0$470,000*
The University of Melbourne8225.0$884,705$1,017,637
Western Australia16956.3$5,111,828$7,557,762
Curtin University4125.0$290,831*
Edith Cowan University2150.0$499,654*
Murdoch University2150.0$1,069,066*
The University of Western Australia8675.0$3,252,277$4,691,804
Total1565233.3$24,453,512$36,478,542

* For confidentiality reasons, total contributions by Partner Organisations are not shown in instances in which Administering Organisations are associated with one approved application only. The Table 4 total does, however, include the total contributions by Partner Organisations on approved Projects associated with those Administering Organisations.

Partner Organisations were identified as Australian, international, government, non-profit, industry or overseas higher education organisations. The Partner Organisation contributions in these categories for Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications approved for funding are shown below in Table 5.

Table 5. Partner Organisation contributions by sector for approved Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications

Type CashIn-KindTotal
  $%$%$%
Government 
Australian Federal $113,9001.2$1,078,6064.1$1,192,5063.3
Australian state, territory and local $1,133,90011.5$3,516,83413.2$4,650,73412.7
 Sub-total$1,247,80012.6$4,595,44017.3$5,843,24016.0
Industry Body 
Australian $6,102,41961.8$12,200,63045.9$18,303,04950.2
International $440,0004.5$1,516,3185.7$1,956,3185.4
 Sub-total$6,542,41966.3$13,716,94851.6$20,259,36755.5
Non-profit 
Australian $1,196,75312.1$6,594,50524.8$7,791,25821.4
International $125,0001.3$287,8221.1412,8221.1
 Sub-total$1,321,75313.4$6,882,32725.9$8,204,08022.5
Higher Education 
International $00.0$89,4630.3$89,4630.2
 Sub-total$00.0$89,4630.3$89,4630.2
Other 
Other $760,9007.7$1,321,4925.0$2,082,3925.7
 Sub-total$760,9007.7$1,321,4925.0$2,082,3925.7
 Total$9,872,872100$26,605,670100$36,478,542100

Note: All percentages are shown using rounded figures, and as such may not sum to 100%.

 

Partnerships 

Linkage Projects applications represent partnerships between researchers, higher education organisations and other organisations, as well as collaborations between Partner Organisations within projects. There are a total of 107 instances of collaboration with Partner Organisations (including multiple collaborations with a number of organisations) in Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) giving an average of 2.06 Partner Organisations involved in each application. These partnerships form congruent and/or complementary linkages in Fields of Research (FoR). A summary of the FoR categories identified by applicants of approved applications and the total Partner Organisation contributions are shown below in Table 6.

Table 6. Application data by Field of Research category for Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1)

Field of Research categoryNumber of applications approved#Partner Organisation contributions (cash & in-kind) over project life (approved applications)
Mathematical Sciences1*
Physical Sciences1*
Chemical Sciences4$2,597,221
Earth Sciences3$2,480,561
Environmental Sciences3$2,022,167
Biological Sciences3$1,735,775
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences1*
Information and Computing Sciences3$2,392,231
Engineering16$11,527,853
Technology2$1,619,896
Medical and Health Sciences2$2,192,231
Built Environment and Design1*
Education2$2,749,999
Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services1*
Studies in Human Society4$1,335,436
Law and Legal Studies1*
Studies in Creative Arts and Writing1*
History and Archaeology3$1,839,972
Total52$36,478,542

# Based on the primary FoR

*For confidentiality reasons, total contributions by Partner Organisations are not shown in instances in which FoR codes are associated with one approved application only. The Table 6 total does, however, include the total contributions by Partner Organisations on approved Projects associated with those FoR codes.

 

Career age and gender 

Of the 543 Chief Investigators (CIs) in this round, 189 were female, 353 were male and one chose not to specify their gender. The success rate for female, male and unspecified CIs in Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) is 35.4 per cent, 34.0 and 100 per cent respectively. 

Success rates of CIs by career age and gender in Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) are presented in Figure 1. CIs who did not provide gender information (0.2 per cent) and CIs who did not specify the date of completion of their PhD (or equivalent) or who do not hold a PhD (2.2 per cent) are not represented in the figure below.

Figure 1. Participation and success rate of Chief Investigators (CIs) in Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) by gender and career age*

 

Figure 1.   Participation and success rate of Chief Investigators (CIs) in Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) by gender and career age*

*Career age is calculated as years since PhD (or equivalent). The earliest PhD award date was used where there was more than one PhD.

 

International Collaboration 

In the 156 applications considered, applicants foreshadowed 129 instances of collaboration with researchers in 39 overseas locations. Of the applications approved for funding, 26 foreshadowed 45 instances of collaboration with researchers in 21 overseas locations (Figure 2).

Figure 2. International collaborations by location on approved Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications*

 

Figure 2.   International collaborations by location on approved Linkage Projects 2021 (Round 1) applications*

*The top 8 international collaboration locations are listed in Figure 2 and the remaining locations are grouped in the ‘Other’ category.