SR14 Antarctic Selection Report

Overview

The Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership will provide facilities and research funding for a partnership focussed on Antarctic and Southern Ocean research. The Program will be led by the Administering Organisation, the University of Tasmania, and involve researchers with track records in quality research outcomes and coordinating team-based cross-disciplinary projects.

 

The Initiative’s core function will include building significant national progress towards coordinated collaboration in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research. Proposal for projects commencing in 2014 opened on 22 September 2014 and closed on 24 September 2014. This report outlines recommendations from the selection process for that round.

 

Objectives

The Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership represents a 2014 Budget commitment by the Australian Government by establishing an Antarctic Gateway Partnership. The successful Initiative, led by the Administering Organisation and involving researchers with track records in quality research outcomes and coordinating team-based cross-disciplinary projects, will be responsible for coordinating collaborative research relating to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean conducted by the University of Tasmania, CSIRO and the Australian Antarctic Division.

 

Selection process

The Australian Research Council (ARC) prepared funding recommendations for submission to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The recommendations were based on advice from an expert Selection Advisory Panel which:

• assessed the Proposal
• assessed and recommended the budget.

 

The ARC considered the eligibility of the proposal and it was considered to be in order.

This report reflects the recommendations of the ARC CEO to the Minister.

Selection criteria

Selection criteria and corresponding weights for Special Initiative Research for Antarctic Gateway Partnership proposal are:

• Program Quality and Innovation                                (60%)
• Feasibility, Benefit and Research Environment         (30%)
• Investigators                                                               (10%)

 

Funding levels and duration

Funding of $24 million over three years will be awarded to the successful Initiative, commencing 1 July 2014.

Summary of Outcomes

Table 1.          Details of successful proposal

 

Project ID	Administering Organisation	Project Leader	Recommended funds over project life
SR140300001	University of Tasmania	Prof Richard Coleman	$24,000,000

 

Table 2.          International collaboration

International Collaboration Country name

United States of America

United Kingdom

Canada

Finland

New Zealand

Netherlands

Spain

Italy

France

Sweden

Germany

Japan