Funding Opportunities
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This new face of funding opportunities, introduced in April 2006, has brought an exciting look to our newsletter with databases and new features of enhanced functionality. Redesigned with input from various databases, our new page is easier to use --- which means more efficient searching and applying for grants that meet your needs.
Do stay tuned as new funding databases become available to support your research.
Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, http://www.dest.gov.au/default.htm On 28 February the Minister for Education, Science and Training announced the Roadmap for Research Infrastructure. This Roadmap outlines priority areas for major research infrastructure investment.
Sponsored Programs Information Network (SPIN) plus
http://australia.infoed.org/spin/spinmain.asp
SPIN (Sponsored Programs Information Network) is a computer database with detailed and up-to-the minute information about thousands of government and private funding opportunities from Australia and overseas (University only).
For brief instructions on SPIN, SMARTS and GENIUS download the SPIN Quick Reference Guide at http://australia.infoed.org/main.asp, or consult the Research Office on your campus.
Community of Science (COS) Funding Opportunities
http://fundingopps.cos.com/ is the largest and most comprehensive research funding database on the Web. Updated daily, COS Funding Opportunities includes more than 23,000 records, representing over 400,000 funding opportunities, worth over $33 billion (University only).
Philanthropy Australia, http://www.philanthropy.org.au/
Philanthropy Australia is the national membership organisation for grant making trusts and foundations. Its mission is to promote and protect the interests of family, private, corporate and community giving in Australia.
US Federal Government Funding Opportunities, http://www.grants.gov/ The database Grants.gov is THE single access point for over 1000 grant programs offered by all Federal grant-making agencies. It allows organisations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 billion in US Federal grants. Simple key words can be used to search the database.
JASON, http://www.jason.edu.au/ JASON is a search engine that contains information about postgraduate scholarships for Australia. The scholarships in the database apply to Australian students wishing to study at home or abroad, and to international students wishing to study in Australia.
The Rotman International Centre for Pension Management, Toronto, Canada, http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/icpm/research.htm
University of Tasmania Research Partnerships http://www.research.utas.edu.au/grants/research_news/socsci.ht
Partnerships for research with European context
Does your research involve a European topic? Could you be working on a theme specific to Australia or a third country which may also have implications in, or be applicable to, a European context? Would you like to collaborate with European colleagues?
If your answer is YES, the following links offer opportunities to pursue your research interests. But do bear in mind that collaboration with Europe may require certain protocols and that the term "Science" often includes Social Sciences and Humanities.
Links
European Commission's Delegation to Australia
European Commission Research website
European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)
European Science Foundation (ESF)
European Union Research in Social Sciences and Humanities website contains information on the Humanities and Social Sciences in the 7th Framework Program.
EU Community Research and Development Information Service
Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation
How to collaborate …
Michaela Bauer, Senior Science and Research Officer at the Australian Embassy/Australian Mission to the European Union in Brussels, offers the following recommendations and guidelines on How to engage with Europe.
How to engage with Europe
I Five Recommendations
1. Use existing links/networks with European researchers or identify "like-minded" researchers
Start to communicate and build trust2. Position your research in the European context
Highlight "your" added value3. Understand European research systems and funding mechanisms
Map opportunities for cooperation (bilateral and multilateral levels)4. Identify (jointly with your partners) possible areas of cooperation and explain what you want to do
Negotiate the best ways to implement these activities5. Do not expect to attract EU funding, but let ideas drive cooperation.
Examine funding options in Australia (NHMRC, ARC, DEST as well as State/Territory)
START THESE PROCESSES NOW, AS THE 7th FRAMEWORK PROGRAM (FP7) WILL COMMENCE IN 2007
II. Opportunities
Cooperation with researchers at the country level:
A. An overwhelming amount of funding (95%) is spent at country level.
B. There are many opportunities for international cooperation.
C. Note that there are different research systems and funding mechanisms in each state.
D. Funding possibilities for cooperation exist at central, state and local level.
Speak to your partners in Europe: they know their national systems best
Cooperation with researchers at the EU level:
A. EU Framework Programmes (next: FP7 2007-13): Australian participation on a self-funding basis
B. Integrated Projects: top-down process, calls for proposals, large multi-disciplinary projects
C. Joint Technology Initiatives: partnerships with industry
D. Marie Curie Fellowships: individual fellowships: going to EU and coming to Australia
E. COST and other ESF mechanisms
Speak to your partners in Europe: they need to include you in a Consortium
Foundations
Many philanthropic foundations and funding bodies do not provide grants to individual researchers, preferring instead to support initiatives carried out by institutions. Amongst foundations that do consider funding individuals are the following:
The Myer Foundation
The Myer Foundation supports initiatives that enrich civic society, strengthen democratic values and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged persons. Categories of funding include the Arts and Humanities; Australia in the Asia-Pacific Region; Education; Poverty and Disadvantage; and Sustainability and the Environment. Funds are administered through Large Grants and Small Grants programs.
Note: Myer will fund individuals only if they have a funding partner, i.e. “an organization working in the same or similar field as you, who is willing to accept a grant on your behalf [and who is] endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charity.”
The Toyota Foundation
The Toyota Foundation is committed to realising greater human fulfilment and contributing to the development of a human-oriented society. Activities supported may include individual or group research projects, conferences or publications. Research themes are announced annually, usually consisting of a Key Theme and Special Subject grants.
Monika
Monika Bhatia
Project Manager and Editor, Quality4life
21 June 2006
