CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS for

CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS ADVICE AND INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS for funding commencing in 2010 Call for Applications OPEN: 13 January 2009 Applications CLOSE: 31 March 2009 Prepared by the National Health and Medical Research Council (December 2008) TABLE OF CONTENTS INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR NHMRC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD FUNDING COMMENCING IN 2010 .................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................. 2 COMPLETING THE APPLICATION................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 1. INITIAL GRANT DETAILS.......................................................................................... 3 SECTION 2. RESEARCH PROPOSAL ........................................................................................... 7 SECTION 3. ETHICS AND OTHER APPROVALS........................................................................ 10 SECTION 4. APPLICANT DETAILS ............................................................................................. 13 SECTION 5. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES & SUMMARY................................................................ 16 SECTION 6. RESEARCH .............................................................................................................. 17 SECTION 7. FORMS ..................................................................................................................... 18 SECTION 8. CERTIFICATION....................................................................................................... 18 SECTION 9. ATTACHMENTS AND SUBMISSION....................................................................... 19 INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS APPLYING FOR NHMRC CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD FUNDING COMMENCING IN 2010 • Ensure you have version 8.1.1 or later of Adobe Reader. This can be downloaded free using the link below and selecting your operating system (eg Windows, Mac etc). http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html NB: You may need administrator access to your computer for downloading software. If you do not have administrator access, you may need to contact your IT department for assistance. • • • Ensure you download the latest version of the Application Form template from the NHMRC website at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/cda/index.htm All character limits imposed on the application are inclusive of spaces. If you require assistance in completing the form contact the NHMRC via email at career.development@nhmrc.gov.au or telephone 1800 500 983. 1 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this document is to provide advice to applicants and Administering Institutions’ Research Offices to assist in the completion and submission of applications for NHMRC Career Development Award funding commencing in 2010. This document should be read in conjunction with the Career Development Award Funding Policy for Funding Commencing in 2010 (referred to herein as the ‘Funding Policy’) and the Adobe LiveCycle Form User Manual for Applicants (referred to herein as the ‘User Manual’) which provides important information on: • • • • • • • what is a Career Development Award; who may be eligible to apply; eligible institutions; how to apply; a brief description of the peer review process for Career Development Awards; confidentiality provisions; and IT requirements and useful tips on navigating through the application form. The Career Development Award Funding Policy for Funding Commencing in 2010 and the Adobe LiveCycle Form User Manual for Applicants may be located at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/cda/index.htm 2 COMPLETING THE APPLICATION Cover Page You must enter an Application ID number before you enter text into any field. This number must be obtained from your Research Administration Office (RAO) at your selected Administering Institution. Once you have entered the 6 digit number, click on the ‘Start Entering Data’ button. SECTION 1. – INITIAL GRANT DETAILS To begin Section 1, select 1. Initial Grant Details from the drop down menu in the top right hand corner of the screen. Select Question 1.1 1.1 Level and Type of Award Sought: Which Level of Award do you wish to apply for? – Select from the drop down menu the level of award you wish to apply for, noting the eligibility requirements for each level which is detailed in the Funding Policy. Which type of Award do you wish to apply for? – Select the category of award you wish to apply for (Biomedical, Clinical, Population Health or Industry). Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.2 Co-funded Awards Please indicate if you wish to be considered for a co-funding award. If yes, a list of co-funding partners will appear. You may select more than one co-funding partner, and you must provide a separate justification in Section 6 of your application addressing how your research is relevant to those of the co-funding partner. More details of each partner can be found at the following website: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/cda/index.htm Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.3 Time Commitment You may apply for a full-time or part-time award, depending on the category of award chosen. If applying for a Biomedical or Industry award, you may only select full-time. If applying for a Clinical or Population Health award you can choose either full-time or part-time. If part-time is chosen: • specify the percentage of your time that you will dedicate to the proposed research (30-70%); • outline any other responsibilities and duties that you will have in addition to your proposed CDA research role A maximum of 1,000 characters permitted; and • ensure that your employer completes and signs the certificate at Section 8. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.4 Titles Scientific Title The scientific title will be used to identify the application at all times during the assessment process and should accurately describe the nature of the research proposal. A maximum of 120 characters is permitted Simplified Title The simplified title is usually used in media releases and the annual publication of successful awards. It should be easily understood by the general public whilst still conveying the general nature of the research proposal. A maximum of 120 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.5 Is this research proposal directed primarily towards Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations and/or health issues? As part of its commitment to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, the NHMRC has established certain requirements and processes which are designed to ensure that research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health is not only of the highest scientific merit but that it is beneficial and acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The NHMRC has also made a commitment to a target of at least 5% of its total research funding being allocated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research. Your responses to the following questions enable the NHMRC to accurately monitor its performance relative to that target. This question enables applicants to identify research which is specifically and primarily motivated by a desire to investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues. It is also designed to enable the NHMRC to identify those research proposals which will require assessment for their benefit and acceptability to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. You must answer “Yes” to this question if the research relates to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Research such as this requires specific ethics consideration as detailed in the Funding Policy. If you have answered “Yes” to this question, you must address the “Criteria for Health and Medical Research of Indigenous Australians” which can be found at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/_files/indighth.pdf A maximum of 10,000 characters is permitted to address these Criteria. The Indigenous Health Research Panel will review your application against these criteria to support the standard peer review process. Further information regarding this is available in the Peer Review Guidelines. 4 Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.6 Does this research proposal include a discrete Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health research component or capacity building component? This question enables applicants to identify specific components of their proposal that relate to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. If your proposal contains a specific or discrete component related to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health, you are asked to identify how much of the overall research funding is budgeted for that component, and to describe what proportion of the research effort and/or capacity building activity will be directed to this component. If you answer YES to this question, you must briefly describe what proportion of the project relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research or Indigenous research capacity building, in terms of both allocation of funds, and research effort. A maximum of 2,000 is permitted. This question is also designed to enable the NHMRC to identify those research proposals which will require assessment for their benefit and acceptability to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Research proposals which specifically relate to the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples must address The Criteria for Health and Medical Research of Indigenous Australians as part of their application. The statement addressing The Criteria for Health and Medical Research of Indigenous Australians is integral to the peer review process and will be assessed by an Indigenous Health Research Panel. Researchers proposing to do research which specifically relates to the health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or which includes distinct Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations, biological samples or data, should be aware of, and refer to, the following documents in formulating your proposal: The NHMRC Road Map: A Strategic Framework for Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health through Research – describes broad research themes which were identified through a national consultative process and reflect the health and medical research priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research – provide guidance to researchers for conceiving and designing research proposals which meet the highest ethical standards and ensure respect for the principles and values of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture/s in which the research will be conducted. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.7 Access Eligibility You must answer “Yes” to this question if you are currently receiving or applying for, support from an Institution or Centre which receives research funding (not infrastructure funding) directly or indirectly from the Australian Government. You must also provide a justification of how this proposal is not funded, or could be expected to be funded, through current Government research initiatives. Failure to address this requirement may result in your application being excluded from further consideration. A maximum of 1,000 characters is permitted 5 Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.8 Clinical Interaction You must answer “Yes” if your research involves direct interaction between investigators and one or more patients or subjects. This information may be used to identify research that involves clinical research. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.9 Clinical Trial You must answer “Yes” if your research is to conduct a clinical trial. This information will be used to identify research that involves a clinical trial. The Large Scale Clinical Trials (LSCT) Committee may provide additional review of applications to conduct clinical trials. A clinical trial should be considered as the evaluation of any health care intervention (including prevention, early detection, treatment, health service, behavioural change) in a human population with disease or at risk of disease. The clinical trial will usually involve the comparison of a new treatment or intervention against a standard care/management assessing the impact of each on health outcomes or intermediate endpoints, using a controlled design (eg randomised). A trial could also involve early phase I / II trials without a control group. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.10 Referral to Other Funding Agencies a. If you answer “Yes” to Part a) of this question, enter the names of any agency to which you are also submitting this proposal (or a very similar proposal, which overlaps with the work to be undertaken) and the corresponding application numbers. A maximum of 240 characters is permitted b. If you choose “Yes” to Part b) of this question, you will be giving permission to the NHMRC to provide certain information, on request, to other funding agencies seeking information from the NHMRC about high ranking but ultimately unfunded applications in areas of research that they may wish to fund. If you choose “No”, that information will not be released. This permission is essential because of the “in-confidence” nature of the grant application. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.11 Access to Facilities If you require access to a currently funded NHMRC Enabling Grant facility, you must answer ‘yes’ to this question. If you answer yes, you must also indicate whether agreement has been made with the facility for use of the resource. The following is a link to currently funded NHMRC facilities: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/rounds/enable.htm Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 6 1.12 Administering Institution Select the name of the administering institution from the drop down menu. The application must be submitted through an NHMRC registered administering institution. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.13 Actual institutions and departments In some cases the Institution that will administer your application may differ from the Institution in which you will actually conduct the proposed research. Select the Institution from the narrow arrow button and enter the Department. If the Institution is not on the drop down list, enter the details in the Department section. You may enter up to 5 Actual Institutions by adjusting the number in the purple box depending on how many entries you need to make. Please also indicate the time allocation anticipated for each entry. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 1.14 Industry Partner Details Only those applicants applying for an Industry award (at Question 1.1) need to complete this question. Provide details of the Industry partner and the proposed dates of the Industry placement (month and year only). Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen SECTION 2. – RESEARCH PROPOSAL Classifications/Objectives This section requires you to broadly identify the research area and objectives of the research proposal. The NHMRCs’ Broad Research Areas and the Burden of Disease categories (based on an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare construct) are used to inform Government of the breadth of NHMRC research funding. The Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines (formally known as Field of Research), and Socio-Economic Objectives categories are published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in the Australian Standard Research Classification 1998 edition. More information on the ABS classifications are available on the Internet at: http://www.abs.gov.au (Search the ABS site for “1297.0”) When completing this section refer to the keywords (for Questions 2.3 and 2.4) and the ABS classifications used by the NHMRC which can be found at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/policy/keywords.htm 2.1 Broad Research Area From the pick list provided, select the Broad Research Area that best describes the research proposal. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 7 2.2 Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines (RFCD) From the pick list provided select one of the Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines (RFCD) that best describes the research proposal. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.3 Keywords/ Phrases to describe the field of research more specifically When completing this section refer to the keywords (for Questions 2.3 and 2.4) and the ABS classifications used by the NHMRC which can be found at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/policy/keywords.htm This information may be used in the peer review process to assist with the selection of appropriate Grant Review Panel members for your application. It may also be used for analyses of the NHMRC’s funding profile. From the list provided at the above website, enter a minimum of three and a maximum of five keywords, which describe the research more specifically. If no appropriate keywords can be found, up to two new keywords may be inserted. Note: you can adjust the number of keywords by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many entries you need to make. A maximum of 60 characters per entry is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.4 Keywords/ Phrases – Health Issue/ Disease/ Clinical Condition relevant to this research When completing this section refer to the keywords (for Questions 2.3 and 2.4) and the ABS classifications used by the NHMRC which can be found at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/policy/keywords.htm From the list provided at the above website, enter a minimum of three and a maximum of five keywords or key phrases, which describe the specific health areas or diseases/conditions to which this research is relevant. Note: you can adjust the number of keywords by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many entries you need to make A maximum of 60 characters per entry is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.5 Burden of Disease From the pick list provided select a Burden of Disease that best describes the area of research of the application. You may select up to three Burden of Disease types and you must allocate a percentage of time against each. The percentage total must equal 100%. Note: you can adjust the number of entries by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many lines you need. 8 Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.6 Socio-Economic Objectives From the pick list select a minimum of one and a maximum of five Socio-Economic Objectives (SEO). Note: you can adjust the number of entries by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many lines you need. The SEO of research allows it to be classified in line with the researcher's perceived purpose in undertaking the particular study. This is different to the nature of the research, ie the Research Fields, Courses and Disciplines, which is covered under Question 2.2. Should it appear that your research proposal is not adequately covered in the list provided, use the closest “other - not elsewhere classified” objective. The NHMRC acknowledges that any particular piece of research may be relevant to and have more than one purpose. You will be required to allocate the percentage of research applicable to any specific objective. The percentages entered must total 100%. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.7 National Research Priorities Select the relevant National Research Priority (NRP) area(s) and enter a percentage in each table to describe that portion of the research relevant to the selected priority sub-group. The total percentage should not exceed 100% in any table but may be less. Detailed descriptions of the NRPs are available via the following weblink: http://www.arc.gov.au/pdf/2004_designated_national_research_priorities_&_associate.pdf Note that, while the application is not required to address a NRP area, information regarding which priority area(s) this research proposal may address will assist the NHMRC to capture appropriate data for reporting purposes. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.8 Consumer and Community Participation The Consumers Health Forum of Australia Inc (CHF) and the National Health and Medical Research Council worked in partnership with consumers and researchers to develop the Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research. The Statement on Participation was developed in recognition of the contribution that consumers can make to research, as well as their right to participate in research. Applicants should refer to the Consumers Health Forum of Australia Inc and National Health and Medical Research Council Statement on Consumer and Community Participation in Health and Medical Research available via the following weblink: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/r22syn.htm 9 If you answer ‘YES’ to this question you will need to address the two questions listed on the form regarding accountability to participants and communication of the results. A maximum of 1,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 2.9 Significance – Lay Description (suitable for the media) In this section of the application, you are required to provide a summary description of the research proposal that is suitable for release to the media. A maximum of 500 characters is permitted Avoid the use of highly technical terms. Be brief and describe the overall aims of the research and expected outcomes in a manner the general public will understand. This information will be made available, if requested, to members of the public, journalists, etc. and may be used for the purposes of reporting on grants to Government. Note that this information plays an important part in relaying research outcomes to the public, and as such should be written in a manner appropriate for the intended audience. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen SECTION 3. ETHICS AND OTHER APPROVALS Note: Applicants must obtain all the necessary human, animal and biosafety approvals from the relevant ethics committee or other approval body and send a copy of the approval(s) to the Research Administration Officer of the Administering Institution. Award payments will not begin until the RAO has advised the NHMRC that the clearances are held. Research funded by the NHMRC must be conducted in accordance with the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice, available on the Internet at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/policy/code.htm 3.1 Research involving humans You must answer “Yes” to this question if your research proposal requires submission to a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). If you answer “Yes” to this question, you must then answer Questions 3.1 a, b and c and the RAO must complete the Approvals Section of the application form at Section 8. 3.1 a) You must answer “YES” if your research involves of drugs, chemicals or vaccines to humans 3.1 b) Outline the ethical implications of your research involving humans. A maximum of 2,000 characters is permitted 3.1 c) If your research involves humans, is there an equal male/female ratio? If no, provide a brief explanation of the sample size and ratio. A maximum of 2,000 characters is permitted 10 Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen Use of personal information obtained from a Commonwealth Department or agency - Privacy issues If you answer “Yes” to this question, you must also enter the name of the Commonwealth Agency or Department involved. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 3.3 Research involving the use of excess ART embryos The Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 were passed by Parliament in December 2002. These Acts establish a strong regulatory framework to prohibit certain unacceptable practices including human cloning, and to regulate uses of excess human embryos created though assisted reproductive technology (ART). The legislation regulates certain uses of excess ART embryos. After 19 June 2003, it became an offence to use an excess ART embryo unless the use is authorised by a licence issued by the NHMRC Licensing Committee, or is an exempt use. The Act includes a number of “exempt” uses of excess ART embryos, for which no licence is required from the NHMRC Licensing Committee. These are: • storage of the excess ART embryo; • removal of the excess ART embryo from storage; • transport of the excess ART embryo; • observation of the excess ART embryo, including photographing or video recording; • allowing the excess ART embryo to succumb; • diagnostic investigations on the excess ART embryo carried out by an ART clinic, where the embryo is biologically unfit for implantation. Such investigations can be carried out in an attempt to find the cause of the abnormal development, in order to directly benefit the woman for whom the embryo was created in subsequent ART treatment; and • using the excess ART embryo in the ART treatment of a woman other than the woman for whom the excess ART embryo was created. That is, where the excess ART embryo has been donated by the couple or woman for whom it was created for the ART treatment of another couple. All uses of excess ART embryos that are not exempt uses (as detailed above) can only be carried out if authorised by a licence issued by the NHMRC Licensing Committee. Further information regarding research using human embryos can be found from the NHMRC website at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research/embryos/index.htm Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 3.4 Research involving the use of human stem cells You must answer “Yes” to this question if your research involves the use of human stem cells. You must also select from the pick list if these human stem cells are Adult, Embryo or both. 3.2 11 Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 3.5 Research involving the use of animal stem cells You must answer “Yes” to this question if your research involves the use of animal stem cells. You must also select from the pick list if these animal stem cells are Adult, Embryo or both. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 3.6 Research involving animals You must answer “Yes” to this question if the research proposal requires submission to an Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. If you answer “Yes” to this question, you must then answer Questions 3.6 a, b and c and the RAO must complete the Approvals Section of the application form at Section 8. 3.6 a)Identify the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee to which the application has been or will be referred. A maximum of 300 characters is permitted 3.6 b) For experiments involving animals, a brief statement justifying the use of animals in the experiments related to the application must be given here. The statement should address the general principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. A maximum of 2,000 characters is permitted Note that it is not sufficient to state that “The Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes will be observed.” The Research Proposal must include sufficient detail to enable the program to be fully assessed in respect of ethical issues by an independent Animal Ethics Committee. 3.6 c) Animal usage – select the species from the drop down menu, enter the strain and number. Note: you can adjust the number of entries by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many lines you need. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 3.7 Genetic manipulation of organisms Answer “Yes” to this question if the program will involve organisms being genetically manipulated such that it falls under current Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee guidelines. If there are ethical implications such as possible animal welfare aspects, you must include them in your answers to Questions 3.5 and 3.6. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 3.8 Use of carcinogenic or highly toxic chemicals Answer “Yes” to this question if the project will involve the use of carcinogenic or highly toxic chemicals. If there are ethical implications such as possible animal welfare aspects, you must include them in your answers to Questions 3.5 to 3.6. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 12 SECTION 4. APPLICANT DETAILS 4.1 Personal Details Enter the requested personal details of the applicant. Ensure that you include a current email address so that NHMRC can contact you if required. You should advise your Administering Institute if any of your details change after submission of your application. If you are not an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen holding a special category visa, you must provide an explanation of your circumstances. (A maximum of 1,000 characters is permitted). Note that you must acquire permanency and provide evidence of it before you take up an award. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Origin – Select if the applicant is Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or both. An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is: A person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Data on the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status of people involved with NHMRC grants is being collected to allow the NHMRC to determine the extent of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participation in NHMRC funded health and medical research. This information is then used to inform the development of NHMRC policy and strategy. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.2 Postal Address Enter your postal address in the fields provided. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.3 Courier Address If your courier address is the same as the postal address, click on the Same as Postal button on the right hand side of the screen. If not, enter your courier address in the fields provided. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.4 Date PhD Approved Do you currently hold a PhD? If YES provide the date of the letter advising you that your PhD was approved. Click on the arrow to the right of the date box to display a calendar and choose the appropriate date. If NO provide details of your equivalent research experience A maximum of 2,000 characters permitted. Note: this information will be used to assess your eligibility to apply for a CDA and therefore it is advisable that you read the eligibility criteria outlined in the Funding Policy. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 13 Note: Sections 4.5-4.19 address the Research Performance Descriptors at Appendix 2 of the Funding Policy. It is advisable that applicants review the Descriptors before completing these Sections. 4.5 Postgraduate Training and Research Productivity Outline postgraduate opportunities relevant to experience. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.6 Details of present (and proposed if different from present) appointment, including the size of your research group, availability of research infrastructure and any future developments that may affect your research opportunities. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.7 Details of collaborations, both past and present, indicate the type of involvement and mention any publications resulting from these collaborations. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.8 Details of local, national and international profile, including seminar participation and presentations, participation in conferences, conference presentations (mention any personal invitations to attend) and roles as a session chair in discussion groups or panels or in plenary sessions. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.9 Details of postgraduate and undergraduate teaching. For the former, indicate whether you were acting as sole or co-supervisor, and include information on any degree completions and the current positions of postgraduates, your ability to attract and supervise postgraduate students (in relation to local regulations), your projected involvement in teaching over the next few years and the impact of clinical sessions on the proposed research (if relevant). A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.10 Details of clinical experience including an outline of your responsibilities with respect to patient care and your professional affiliations. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.11 Details of public/population health experience including the production of reports, policy development work and professional affiliations. 14 A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.12 Details of administrative responsibilities including laboratory, departmental, faculty, institutional or government responsibilities. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.13 Details of peer review experience including reviews of grant applications for funding bodies, manuscripts and editorial board responsibilities. Indicate approximate frequency of involvement. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.14 Details of scientific discipline experience, including membership of societies and committees, executive positions held and roles in the organisation of local, national and international meetings. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.15 Details of involvement in the wider community, including work to raise community awareness of health issues, participation in science education forums, assistance with media contacts and research awareness campaigns. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.16 Details of previous research experience highlighting the most significant contributions and those that most significantly affect the proposed research. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.17 Academic Qualifications/Awards. Enter up to 20 of your academic qualifications/awards, starting with the most recent. Indicate whether they were obtained in Australia or Overseas by clicking on the arrow next to the Location box. Note: you can adjust the number of entries required by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many lines you need. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.18 NHMRC Grant support (since 2002) List all NHMRC grant support (including the NHMRC grant number, type, year, duration, total amount). Include details of your role (eg CIA/CIB or AI) and % time involvement on the grant. Provide details on 15 other Chief Investigators involved with each grant listed. This information is to be included for the following : a. b. c. d. Past support. Current support (including support to commence in January 2009). Funding requested/to be requested for funding commencing in 2010. Details of the Postdoctoral Fellowship to cease if this Career Development Award application is successful – note that you cannot hold both a Postdoctoral Fellowship and CDA simultaneously. Note: you can adjust the number of entries required by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many lines you need Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 4.19 Research funding support from other sources (since 2002) List support from all non-NHMRC sources, such as other national competitive grants, industry or private sector (include year, amount, duration, source of support). Also include details on other Chief Investigators involved. Include details on your role (eg CIA/CIB or AI) and % time involvement. This information is to be included for the following: a. b. c. Past support. Current support, (including support to commence in January 2009). Funding requested/to be requested for funding commencing in 2010. Note: you can adjust the number of entries required by changing the number in the purple box depending on how many lines you need Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen SECTION 5. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES & SUMMARY 5.1 Research objectives Outline your career development objectives for the next five years and relate these to the development of your research career and the purpose and aims of the Career Development Award scheme (all applicants). Set out your reasons for choosing the laboratory or place where you plan to work (excluding Industry applicants who will address this in detail at 5.1 (a)). A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted If an Industry CDA is sought also answer the following questions: 5.1 a) Justification of Project, Industry Partner and Administering Institution Provide a justification of your Project and reasons for choosing the Industry Partner and Administering Institution. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted 5.1 b) Commercialisation skills to be gained from Industry placement 16 Outline the commercialisation skills to be gained from your Industry placement and how these will be acquired. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted 5.1 c) Application of skills in subsequent academic appointment Provide details of how you will apply the skills gained in your subsequent academic appointment. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 5.2 Executive summary Address the selection criteria that you consider will provide the most compelling evidence in support of your application. A maximum of 3,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen 5.3 Provide a full list of publications resulting from both NHMRC and other funding support (20042008) numbered in chronological order and sorted into the following publication sub-categories. For additional guidance, refer to Appendix 2 of the Career Development Award Funding Policy. List only those items that have been accepted for publication or published and books that have been published or are in press. a) b) c) d) e) Refereed journal article; Review; Book; Chapter; Any other publication eg. letter/note, un-refereed journal article, other contribution to a journal, technical reports, commissioned reports etc; f) Conference papers or abstracts; and g) Patents. Include the impact factor for all relevant publications. A maximum of 30,000 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen SECTION 6. RESEARCH This section is to be provided as a separate attachment. Instructions on the format of the attachment is outlined in Section 9 of this document. Exceptional Circumstances If required, outline any exceptional circumstances relating to your eligibility to apply for the level of CDA proposed in your application. Refer to the Funding Policy for a detailed description of the eligibility requirements. A maximum of 2,500 characters is permitted 17 Background and research plan The assessment of your application will take into account the merits of your research proposal relative to the purpose and aims of the Career Development Award scheme and the Position Classification Statements set out in Appendix 1 of the Funding Policy. Briefly explain the background to your research proposal and outline your research plans. A maximum of 10,000 characters is permitted Partnership Award If you are applying for one of the partnership awards you must also provide an outline of the relationship between your research plans and the strategic research interests of the funding partner. This outline is separate from and in addition to your “Background and research plan”. A maximum of 2,500 characters is permitted Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen SECTION 7. FORMS Provide the names and contact details of two referees who will comment on your research contributions and potential as a researcher and who agree to provide a referee report. In addition, ALL applicants must request completion of a report from the following: • • • The two referees referred to above; Head of current Laboratory/Department; and Head of proposed Laboratory/Department. INDUSTRY applicants must request completion of a report from the following: • • • • The two referees referred to above; Head of current Laboratory/Department; Head of proposed Laboratory/Department; and The Industry partner. You should make it clear to your referees that they should send this report directly to the NHMRC by the deadline for the submission of applications. Details for submitting the report are included on the form which is available at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/apply/cda/index.htm Note: The NHMRC will not give referee reports to the applicant without written consent from their author. Click on the Next Question button to move to the next screen SECTION 8. CERTIFICATION 18 The following Certifications and Verifications are required: Certification by Head of Department/ Head of Research Committee From the Actual Institution, agreement to provide facilities and conduct the project in accordance with the Deed of Agreement relevant to the award. An original signature from the Head of Department or Institute Research Committee where the research will be conducted is required. Certification by Head/ Nominee of Administering Institution From the Administering Institution, agreement that the application meets the requirements of the institute and that the institute has established the administrative processes to ensure sound scientific practices in accordance with established guidelines. An original signature from the Head or Nominee of the Administering Institution is required. For Part-Time Applicants: Certification by Head of Institution for Release to conduct Part-time research From the Actual Institution, agreement to the applicant conducting part-time research. An original signature from the Head of Department or Institute Research Committee where the research will be conducted is required. Certification by Applicant The applicant to certify that: • all information provided in the application is correct at the time of submission; • if successful, the conditions that govern NHMRC grants will be accepted; and • the NHMRC may use the resulting research material for NHMRC’s internal evaluations and reviews. Verification by Research Administration Officer From the Research Administration Officer of the Administering Institution, verification that the details contained in the application are correct at the time of lodgement. Original signature from the RAO is required. RAO APPROVALS AND CERTIFICATES The RAO is required to complete these pages of the electronic application form before the application is lodged. By answering “Yes” to the questions, the RAO is verifying that the questions have been completed, the necessary approvals have been obtained and that the Research Office holds the approval documents. Under the requirements of the Deed of Agreement between the NHMRC and the Institute, payments for a grant cannot commence until appropriate institutional approvals, including ethics clearances, have been obtained and are held by the Administering Institution. SECTION 9. ATTACHMENTS AND SUBMISSION Attachments Applicants and RAOs are to follow the advice in this Section prior to submitting applications for funding to NHMRC. 19 This section provides advice on the following: • Composition, format and submission of the Career Development Award application and its Attachment; and • Method of Submission. A complete Career Development Award application comprises of the following: • • Adobe LiveCycle Form: The electronic application form, completed in accordance with this Advice and Instructions document and the User Manual; and PDF File: Is to include information specific to Section 6 of the application. Formatting of the PDF File The following formatting requirements must be adhered to: Header: The Application ID advised by the Administering Institution in large type (at least 14 point in top right hand corner). Scientific Title is optional. Margins: All margins at least 2cm. Font: Must be Times New Roman and at least 12 point. Graphics: Colour images and diagrams are permitted, however, you should keep in mind that the electronic file may be printed and photocopied in black and white for distribution to the reviewing panel and there may be some loss of definition in the images. Labelling Graphs and Images: Labelling of axes of graphs and labelling of parts of images may be in a reduced font. However, the description and/or legends of all graphs and images must comply with the guidelines set out under the heading of ‘Formatting of the PDF file’. Tables: Tabulated information containing text is not considered to be an image or diagram. Text within tables must comply with the guidelines set out under the heading of ‘Formatting of the PDF file’. Line spacing: Must be set to single. Character spacing: Spacing must be set to normal. Scale must be set to 100%. Submission of Application and PDF File This section provides advice to applicants and RAOs on the requirements for submission of completed applications to the NHMRC. Submission Applications are to be submitted as follows: 20 • • The Adobe LiveCycle form is to be submitted to the NHMRC electronically by the RAO, as outlined in Section 22 of the User Manual. The PDF file(s) must be provided to the RAO of your Administering Institution who is responsible for ensuring that the file meets the criteria stated in this document, and sending the file to the NHMRC by email to career.development@nhmrc.gov.au In submitting the application to NHMRC the RAO certifies that they hold the Certification/ signature page of the Informed Filler application form with all required original signatures and that this will be made available to the NHMRC on request. • 21