1. FUNDING RULES AND APPLICATION SUPPORT
ARC DISCOVERY 2015
FUNDING RULES AND APPLICATION SUPPORT
SCHEME OBJECTIVES
AWARD STATISTICS
CHANGES TO DISCOVERY PROGRAM RULES FOR 2015
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
ARC WEBSITE
APPLICANT SUPPORT: COMPLIANCE REVIEW – DATES & SERVICE
APPLICANT SUPPORT: RSO AND FACULTY CONTACTS
Dr. Gayle Morris – Director Research Services

2. ARC DISCOVERY SCHEME OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Discovery Projects scheme are to:
support excellent basic and applied research by individuals and teams
enhance the scale and focus of research in the Strategic Research Priorities
expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability
encourage research and research training in high-quality research environments
enhance international collaboration in research
foster the international competitiveness of Australian research.

3. AWARD STATISTICS
Comparison of proposal numbers, success rates, requested and allocated funds for successful proposals from Discovery Projects from 2013 to 2014
Funding Year
Proposals Considered
Proposals approved/ recommended
Success rate
Requested funds over project life (all proposals)
Requested funds over project life (approved/ recommended proposals)
Funds allocated over project life
Allocation as a percentage of request
2013
3425
732
21.4%
$1,684,521,879
$417,616,167
$253,982,000
60.8%
2014*
3534
703
19.9%
$1,778,872,658
$403,772,090
$257,632,541
63.8%
Discovery Projects 2014 proposals by discipline panel
Panel
Proposals considered
Proposals recommended
Success rate
Requested funds over project life for all proposals considered
Indicative funds over project life for recommended proposals
BSB
703
129
18.4%
$385,733,994
$53,988,259
EMI
1005
194
19.3%
$518,210,102
$76,482,510
HCA
440 95
21.6%
$184,948,105
$26,511,060
PCE
653
139
21.3%
$369,810,599
$54,571,216
SBE
733
146
19.9%
$320,169,858
$46,079,496
Total
3534
$1,778,872,658
$257,632,541
Biological Sciences and Biotechnology (BSB)
Engineering, Mathematics and Informatics (EMI)
Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA)
Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences (PCE)
Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences (SBE)

4. CHANGED ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCOVERY PROJECTS FOR 2015 INCLUDE:
For Discovery Projects “Changes to Funding ” document, includes:
Funding years – now up to 5 years
Publication costs to be justified in budget
ICAs (international collaborative award): for up to two researchers. Up to a maximum amount of $20,000 per year of the project per CI or PI, for a total period of 12 months per ICA.
DORAs not available for DP15
Sole CI limit of one project does not apply to DP15
Feasibility and Benefit wording includes “cost-effective”: - Will the proposed research be cost-effective and value for money?
See
See FAQs to check cross-scheme eligibility within the Discovery Grants Program (

5. CHANGED ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCOVERY PROJECTS FOR 2015 INCLUDE:
For Discovery Projects “Instructions to Applicants” document, new items include:
A6 - Impact Statement
B1 – Strategic Research Priorities instead of National Research Priorities
C1 – Project Description: new heading “Management of Data”
C1 - Project Description: heading “References” has been removed (but recommend that reference list still be included)
C2 - Medical and Dental Research Statement required if applicable
Part D – new budget heading “Fieldwork Expenses”
Part F12.3 – best 10 “publications” now best 10 “research outputs”
Part G – only CIs (not PIs) required to list project/proposal funding

6. DISCOVERY PROJECT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Investigator(s)
40%
Track Record / Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) and time and capacity to undertake research
Project Quality and Innovation
25%
Does the research address a significant problem?
Is the conceptual/theoretical framework innovative and original?
What is the potential for the research to contribute to the Strategic Research Priorities?
Will the aims, concepts, methods and results advance knowledge?
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?
Will the proposed research be cost-effective and value for money?
Research Environment
15%  
Is there an existing, or developing, supportive and high quality research environment?
Are the necessary facilities available to complete the Project?
Are there adequate strategies re dissemination, commercialisation (if appropriate), and promotion of research outcomes?
TOTAL
100%

7. TYPES OF RESEARCH SUPPORTED UNDER DP
Research/Activities Supported
Creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings.
Research is “creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man [humankind], culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications”
Research/Activities Not Supported
Production of:
a. compilation of data, computer programs, research aids and tools;
b. descriptive data compilations, catalogues or bibliographies; or
c. teaching materials.
Medical and Dental Research as defined in the Funding Rules
See

8. GRANT APPLICATIONS: WHAT’S IMPORTANT?
Time: allow adequate time
on-going preparation
read guidelines: familiarity and eligibility
reviewing
proposal time (~4 weeks)
Presentation: well presented
use the exact titles in application form
formatting – sub-sections; occasionally diagrams/figures/dot points
language - clear and concise
logical presented

9. ARC WEBSITE DP15 Instructions to Applicants & FAQs:
DP15 Funding Rules and Changes to Funding Rules for 2015:
ARC Research Management System:
register RMS ID
Login to RMS to create, edit & submit proposals, rejoinders, eligibility requests

10. INTERNAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW: KEY DATES
Proposals Opened: 15 January 2014
RSO Closing Date: 19 February 2014
ARC Closing Date for Submissions: 19 March 2014
RSO Complete Review Process – 3 Stage:
Initial Full Review: Comprehensive review by single reviewer includes: eligibility check; check of each field for completion; and conformity with the Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants but not scientific quality. Upon complete of review, CIs will also be advised that only recommended changes will be checked. All additional changes made by the CI following the review will be the responsibility of the CI;
Compliance Check: Changes recommended / suggested by first reviewer checked by second reviewer utilising the compliance review template against the updated application.
Submission to ARC 10

11. INTERNAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW: SERVICE
A sliding scale of service is being provided for Discovery Project applications received after the RSO closing date of 19 February as outlined below:
Date Application Received
Review Provided
At least 14 DAYS prior to ARC deadline:
Initial Full Review: CI/PI Eligibility Checks, grant holder restrictions & Progress Reports checked. Application Checks e.g. budget & budget justification consistency checks, all required Parts of Application completed/ populated. (time permitting)
At least 7 DAYS prior to ARC deadline:
Compliance Check: Eligibility Checks only and review of application for completeness. (time permitting)
7 DAYS or less to ARC deadline:
Basic review of application for completeness only. (time permitting) 11

12. APPLICANT SUPPORT RSO Contacts:
ALL Applications MUST be accompanied by a fully signed Flinders Certification Form, and relevant, signed ARC Certification Forms:
DP resources:
RSO Contacts:
Acting Senior Grants Officer - Ula Alexander (x12045)
Research Administration Assistant - Tonia Keating (x15173) 12