Macquarie University Research Fellowships Scheme (MQRF) Briefing Session 2011

1. Macquarie University Research Fellowships Scheme (MQRF)Briefing Session 2011 Robyn Langdon (Chair: Human Sciences) Malcolm Choat (Deputy Chair: Arts) Ian Wright (Panel Member: Science)

2. 2011 Panel • Robyn Langdon (MACCS, Human Sciences) • Malcolm Choat (Ancient History, Arts) • Alberto Avolio (Australian School of Advanced Medicine) • Amanda Barnier (MACCS, Human Sciences) • Kate Gleeson (Politics & International Relations, Arts) • Ewa Goldys (Physics & Astronomy, Science) • Paul Haynes (Chemistry & Biomolecular Sciences, Science) • Jeanette Kennett (Philosophy, Arts) • Nonna Martinov-Bennie (Business & Economics) • Joanne Mulligan (Education, Human Sciences) • Brian Opeskin (Macquarie Law School, Arts) • Lucy Taksa (Business & Economics) • Ian Wright (Biological Sciences, Science)

3. General Context • MQRF Panel – selection process • RO – manages applications, outcome letters, etc • 7 Research Fellowships, including one dedicated to Australian Indigenous Researcher • 3 years full-time salary & up to $50,000 for research costs (max of $20,000 in any yr)

4. General Context • Funding Rules • Purpose of scheme • Support ECRs (</= 5 yrs since award of PhD) with outstanding track record (relative to opportunity) & evidence of excellent research potential • Support Australian Indigenous ECR • Provide incubation period for ECRs to increase competitive edge & secure external funding • MQRF recipients must apply during 2nd yr to ARC, NHMRC or other agency for a Fellowship • Enhance existing & emerging areas of research concentration & excellence within MQ • List of COREs at http://www.research.mq.edu.au/about/research_@_macquarie/cores

5. General Context • Funding Rules • Applicant Eligibility • PhD on or after 1 March 2006; or submitted by 31 Aug 2011 • Or make case for ECR status (career interruptions due to non-research employment, misadventure or carer responsibilities) • Applicants who were/are PhD candidates at MQ, or employed by MQ, must make convincing case for why it is crucial they continue (or recommence) research career at MQ

6. General Context • Funding Rules • Sponsor • Need good Applicant-Sponsor fit • Sponsor associated with area of recognised / emerging research strength (need not be a CORE) • Australian Indigenous candidates encouraged to consult A/Prof Susan Page, HOD Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Arts (familiar with experiences of Indigenous academic staff at Australian Universities) • Sponsor may be named on only one EOI & subsequent proposal per round • Co-sponsorship is acceptable • nominate Primary Sponsor for EOI

7. Timeline

8. EOI Application Process • See Funding Rules • Contact proposed host Faculty Research Manager to discuss endorsement of application • Download EOI template & EOI coversheet available via MQ online recruiting system http://www.mq.edu.au/jobs/index.html (Ref: 01698 Macquarie University Research Fellow) – click on MQRF header line • Do not apply via MQ online Jobs @ MQ system • Submit completed EOI & EoI Coversheet via email to grants@mq.edu.au (cc to Faculty Research Manager)

9. EOI Coversheet • Applicant Details (name, email, address) • Project Title (max 20 words. Avoid discipline-specific terms & jargon) • PhD Qualification (Award date & Organisation) • PhD Not Yet Awarded? (Supervisor’s full name & email address; date submitted - must be awarded or submitted by 31 Aug 2011) • Sponsor • Host Faculty (Arts; Business & Economics; Human Sciences; Science) • MQRF2012 Expression of Interest • Complete MQRF2012 EoI Template, using the following naming convention: FamilyName_MQRF12_EoI (eg Smith_MQRF12_EoI • Complete this coversheet (eg Smith_MQRF12_EOIcoversheet) • Attach only these 2 files to your email to grants@mq.edu.au • Certification • I certify that my Fellowship Sponsor and Host Faculty have endorsed my application to the 2012 MQRF scheme, including my standing as an Australian Indigenous Researcher, if applicable. • Signed: ______________________ Dated: ___________________

10. EOI Template • General rules • Include host faculty, your name & project title in header • Each section clearly marked with number & subheading (eg 1 Research record relative to opportunity, etc) • Don’t exceed page limits (otherwise EOI will be ineligible) • Formatting requirements • Min 12 point font (10 point OK for references & footnotes only) • Min 2 cm margins on all sides • If using Track Changes in Microsoft Word, accept all changes & save as final version before attaching to email • EOI template as a single file before emailing (PDF or Word.doc only) • Delete instructions & any detail not required before you email EOI & other attachments

11. EOI Template • Research record relative to opportunity (max 1 page) • Research achievements, skills, etc • Focus on what makes your research interesting & unique; How will your skills & expertise ensure success of project • Evidence of impact in field (eg prizes, invitations – talks, lab visits, collaborations; international links are good) • Any circumstances that may have slowed down your research & pubs (eg parental leave) • Include submitted & in-prep articles here (if ‘in prep’ link to published conference abstract in Section 2 if possible) • Research funding • All grants awarded/requested (your role, all named investigators, funding body, project title, yrs of funding, amounts (AUD) • Case for Early Career Status (if applicable) • State total time research-active since PhD was awarded. • Are You an Indigenous Researcher?

12. EOI Template • Publication list (max 4 pages) • List pubs under following headings & in order: • Scholarly Books • Scholarly Book Chapters • Patents • Refereed Journal Articles • Refereed Conference Papers • Other publications • Referencing • Include acceptance date for “in press” (avoid “forthcoming”) • Don’t include pubs only submitted (mention in Section 1) • Full referencing details (full author list as published, page nos) • Include indicator of rank • Asterisk pubs relevant to proposal

13. EOI Template • Proposed project (1 page) • Address following: • Project Aims • Background Context • Expected Outcomes & Outputs • Significance & Innovation • Approach • Brief ballpark statements – tested experimental techniques; innovative paradigms already piloted in publications # - #; combining own & Sponsor’s expertise • Just aim to get across you know what you’re doing • You can’t spell out detailed methodology & Panel know that • Benefit to Macquarie University & National Benefit • Benefit to MQ most important • Relevant to any National Research Priorities?

14. EOI Template • Works Cited above in description of Proposed Project (1/2 page max – 10 pt) • One-page CV

15. EOI Tips • See document on RO website • Common reasons why EOI candidates not invited to submit Full Proposal • Administrative • Correct EOI form not attached (eg only letter of interest) • Application incomplete • Page limit exceeded • Case for ECR status not convincing • Sponsor named on more than one EOI • Sponsor not confirmed • Quality of application • Track record relative to opportunity not strong (tough field – 5% success rate) • Project significance & innovation not outstanding, lack of clarity

16. EOI Tips • See document on RO website • General Advice • Panel comprised of senior researchers, but multi-disciplinary • Make project interesting, understandable & clear to people outside your area; avoid technical jargon • Tell main story about project, as to intelligent lay person. Convince Panel why research is interesting, innovative & significant. Why does it matter? Why are you best person for job? • Give yourself time to leave, & come back; get others to read it – a rushed job & a lack of polish show • Top-ranked applicants are those whose project is very clear to all Panel members, backed up by strong track record

17. EOI Tips • See document on RO website • Research record • Don’t be modest but back up claims; state highlights (eg, developed / changed a paradigm). What impact have you had? • Funding Rules state: • “All applicants must be able to demonstrate track record in quality pubs (eg min of either 3 book chapters/articles or book manuscript, published or in press). All applicants who are 3+ yrs since PhD must demonstrate substantial track record, relative to opportunity. • Australian Indigenous Researchers must demonstrate engagement with Indigenous community, including capacity to mentor other Australian Indigenous Researchers.”

18. EOI Tips • See document on RO website • Publications • Don’t assume Panel members know convention for your area • Include introductory sentence to clarify conventions (Is person who did most of work usually listed first or last? Are papers in your area usually multiple-authored or sole-authored? Are conference papers the norm rather than journal papers?) • Be sure to include indicators of quality

19. EOI Assessment • Applicant (40%) • Project Significance & Innovation (30%) • Does research address important problem? Will anticipated outcomes advance knowledge • Are aims significant/innovative • Will any new methodologies be developed? • Approach, Environment & Sponsor (20%) • Does applicant have relevant experience • Are there appropriate resources? Does Sponsor have appropriate track record? • Why is MQ the right place for this project? • Benefit to MQ & National Benefit (10%)