• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Policy Statement and Principles
• Section 4 - Reporting
• Section 5 - Review
• Section 6 - Further Assistance
• Section 7 - Associated Information

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) (ODVCRE) funds and administers a range of internal schemes to support the ACU Strategic Plan. This Policy identifies internally funded research and enterprise opportunities, including those listed within the 2022-2023 Research and Enterprise plan.

Section 2 - Scope

(2) The Policy applies to all eligible ACU staff and students seeking funding through an approved research and enterprise opportunity, including but not limited to:

1. Competitive Grant Start Up
2. Early Career Researcher (ECR) Development
3. PartnershipInvest
4. Translate4Impact (T4I)

(3) Specific operational requirements including eligibility and further information are detailed within each scheme’s Guidelines.

Section 3 - Policy Statement and Principles

(4) The Research and Enterprise funding schemes are designed to support the delivery of Vision 2033 by supporting the development of future research capability and capacity, fundamental research, the translation of research and the delivery of impactful, mission-based research to ACU’s communities and stakeholders.

(5) Applications will be assessed using designated merit-based and equity principles in accordance with the specifications of each scheme’s Guidelines.

(6) Applicants will be advised as soon as possible following the assessment if they are successful.  The successful outcome letter will include:

1. Start and end dates of the funding;
2. Allocation of budgeted items;
3. Details on management of the allocated funding, including due dates for expending the funding;
4. Expected deliverables as per the funding application including any submitted/successful grant applications, publications, or other outputs as a direct result of receiving this funding;
5. Obligations including:
   1. Liaising with nominated academic mentor (if applicable)
   2. Expending the funding in accordance with budget, and within the agreed timeframe;
   3. Completing the research project to agreed standards;
   4. Providing the ODVCRE and the Faculty Executive Dean (where applicable) with a comprehensive report on the research and its findings within three months of the completion of the project.  This should specify how the project met the objectives outlined in the application, or where and why it did not;
   5. During the funding period, the project investigators will liaise with the appropriate ODVCRE staff, such as the Enterprise Clinic or the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research (PVCR), for support

(7) The University will ensure regulatory compliance and will be fiscally accountable and transparent in the way in which it allocates, manages, monitors and reports its activities and outcomes.

Section 4 - Reporting

(8) Awardees are required to adhere to any reporting requirements and other obligations as outlined in each scheme’s outcome letter.  These should include at a minimum:

1. Completion of the research project within the agreed timeframe;
2. Providing the ODVCRE and the Faculty Executive Dean (where applicable) with a comprehensive report on the research and its findings within three months of the completion of the project.  This should specify how the project met the objectives outlined in the application, or where and why it did not.

(9) Following receipt of the Report by the ODVCRE, the Report will be forwarded to the DVCRE and PVCR for review.  Approval of the Report, and/or further recommendations, will then be provided to the research investigators.

Section 5 - Review

(10) In line with the University's Policy Development and Review Policy, this Policy is scheduled for review every five years, or more frequently if appropriate.

(11) Unless otherwise indicated, this Policy will still apply beyond the review date.

Section 6 - Further Assistance

(12) For further assistance, please refer to the Find Research funding website for ACU Seed Programs funding information and guidelines.