Rejoinders for ARC DP Assessment Reports: Your last chance for influencing the CoE members Zhihong Xu Griffith University

The objectives of Discovery Projects for 2014 funding support excellent basic and applied research by individuals and teams; enhance the scale and focus of research in the National Research Priorities; expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability;

The objectives of Discovery Projects for 2014 funding (Continued) encourage research and research training in high-quality research environments; enhance international collaboration in research; and foster the international competitiveness of Australian research.

ARC DP Selection Criteria for 2014 Funding a.Investigator(s) (40%) Research opportunity and performance evidence (ROPE); and Time and capacity to undertake the proposed research;

ARC DP Selection Criteria for 2014 Funding (Continued) b.Project Quality (25%) Does the research address a significant problem? Is the conceptual / theoretical framework innovative and original? Will the aims, concepts, methods and results advance knowledge?

ARC DP Selection Criteria for 2014 Funding (Continued) c. Feasibility and Benefit (20%) Do the Project’s design, participants and requested budget create confidence in the timely and successful completion of the Project? Will the completed Project produce innovative economic, environmental, social and/or cultural benefit to the Australian and international community? Will the proposed research be value for money?

ARC DP Selection Criteria for 2012 Funding (Continued) d.Research Environment (15%) Is there an existing, or developing, supportive and high quality research environment for this Project? Are the necessary facilities to complete the Project available? Are there adequate strategies to encourage dissemination, commercialisation, if appropriate; and promotion of research outcomes?

It’s all about ranking… With five times as many applications as funding, ranking is used to apportion funds The ARC process is designed to rank all applications and fund as many of the top ranked applications as monies allow So each applicant is competing with hundreds of others to be in the top ca. 20% for DP proposals

The ranking process Select the most relevant research fields, courses and disciplines (RFCD) and use important key words for the most appropriate ARC Panel to assess Applications are ranked by two sets of appraisers, with increasing levels of specialism: –EACs (CoE members) read and rank applications –Specialist Assessors –Rejoinders (in response to the Assessor Reports)

The basis of rankings EACs are likely to be approach (or general) but not necessarily area specialists They read hundreds of applications proposing important research on under-studied areas by talented academics They look for a research idea that is compelling and original even to a non-specialist (e.g. project title and 100 word summaries) And a research plan that is detailed and well- suited to the project for an approach specialist

Rejoinders The rejoinder is an important part of the ranking process, and it is your last chance to influence the CoE members (EACs1 and 2) The rejoinder should be calm, considered and diplomatic, and it should be self-explanatory Use positive language and make it concise and easy to follow It is often useful to reference any new work or highlight any significant relevant publications It is the CoE members who would read the rejoinders and modify the rankings if justified.

Thanks and Best Wishes Any comments and questions?