For Researchers

Applying for Funding

To apply for Hendra Virus funding click here

Applications for RIRDC funding for 2012-13 close at 5pm on Friday 23 September 2011.

Scholarship applications close Friday 11 November 2011.

• Not all RIRDC research programs will be seeking proposals in this call due to funding already being fully committed. 

• Click here to see RIRDC's research priorities for 2012-13 applications.

Important Notice

RIRDC uses a standard form contract for R&D projects (Research Agreement) which sets out the terms on which RIRDC will engage successful applicants to carry out the project.  The Research Agreement is available at General Conditions Research.pdf . Applicants must be familiar with the Research Agreement before lodging Preliminary Research Proposals (PRPs), and are advised to seek legal advice on it before lodging a PRP.

The Research Agreement has been developed to reflect RIRDC's statutory and other responsibilities in funding projects. RIRDC will generally not negotiate substantive amendments to any clauses of the Agreement unless:

• it is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist that require amendment to the standard form; and
• the applicant completes a statement of non-compliance for each of those clauses.

Applicants will be taken to have agreed to all clauses in the Research Agreement that are not referred to in a statement of non-compliance.  The extent of any non-compliance will be a factor in RIRDC's evaluation of the application.

If you require further information regarding the Project Agreement please contact Andrew Baker, General Manager Corporate (Andrew.baker@rirdc.gov.au).

Direct and Indirect Costs

Key Dates 

Clarity

RIRDC's business with research providers is facilitated by a web-based project management system called Clarity. This system is used to manage all stages of project administration.

Preliminary research proposals should be completed online using Clarity.

To set up a secure account before submitting a proposal, please contact the RIRDC helpdesk for a username and password.

Email: helpdesk@rirdc.gov.au or Ph: 02 6271 4100.

User names and passwords will be assigned from 1 August 2011.

Click here for a sample of the Preliminary Research Proposal and Budget sections to be completed when applying for research funding. Please note that this section is to be completed online in Clarity.

For the Clarity User Guide - submitting a Preliminary Research Proposal download Clarity User Guide - submitting a preliminary research proposal (PRP).pdf

For the Clarity User Guide - approving a Preliminary Research Proposal download Clarity User Guide - approving a preliminary research proposal for administrative contacts .pdf

Detailed user guides and telephone support are also available.

Clarity Entry Point - http://research.rirdc.gov.au/

Scholarships

Scholarship applications close Friday 11 November 2011.

• Download the  Application for Postgraduate Research Scholarship1.pdf and return to RIRDC before the closing date.
• You can complete the  Application for Postgraduate Research Scholarship (Word version).doc  and return to RIRDC
• Download the  Scholarships Terms and Conditions August 2010.pdf  and read carefully.
• Please contact the Scholarships Administrator for further information on (02) 6271 4132.

Scholarships under the National Weeds and Productivity Research Program

Scholarship applications for weed research should address one or more of the priorities of the National Weeds and Productivity Research Plan, 2010-15:

• Objective 1:  Improve knowledge for effective risk management of weeds.
• Objective 2:  Reduce current and future impacts of weeds on Australia's productive systems and environments.
• Objective 3:  Support improved adoption of weed management approaches.
• Objective 4:  Plan for future funding and institutional arrangements for national investment and management of weeds R&D.

Further information is available in the Plan at https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/10-209

Research funding

RIRDC will offer R&D funding to successful applicants according to standard terms and conditions (RIRDC Research Agreement).  The terms and conditions have been endorsed by RIRDC's Board and will generally not be negotiable unless exceptional circumstances exist. If you require further information or clarification, please contact Andrew Baker, General Manager Corporate. (andrew.baker@rirdc.gov.au)

Click General Conditions Research.pdf  to view the RIRDC Research Agreement Terms and Conditions.

Preliminary research proposals closes 23 September 2011

First step is to complete the preliminary research proposal (PRP). Full research proposals will then be invited from successful applicants of this PRP round. Information for that process is at the end of this information page. (Full research proposals close 10 February 2012)

The timeline for the application round is listed above.

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation invests in the knowledge needs of our three portfolio areas:

• New and Emerging Industries;
• Established Rural Industries; and
• National Rural Issues

Our investments are driven by Five-Year R&D plans which address the needs of each industry and ensure our priorities are industry and government-driven. Overall, our aim is for a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector.

If you think you or your organisation can help address the needs of our programs as outlined in the current research priorities, we would welcome your application for funding.

RIRDC welcomes proposals that will meet the specific objectives, or a number of objectives, as outlined in the research priorities and in more detail in program Five-Year Plans.

We also welcome and encourage your collaboration with other research providers to build the critical research mass necessary to meet our objectives.

In planning and submitting proposals for RIRDC-funded projects prospective researchers need to familiarise themselves with the application procedure, the Corporation's over-arching goals and strategies, the goals and strategies of the relevant R&D programs and the specific priorities for R&D for the year for which the proposal is being submitted.

Planning a successful application

The following factors will be taken into consideration in assessing research proposals:

• Corporate strategies and outcomes, including the Australian Government's Research and Development Priorities, in the RIRDC Corporate Plan 2007-2012
• Program strategies and outcomes in the sector five-year plans
• Relevant research priorities for that year
• Demonstrated industry support 

Checklist for proposals

Before applying for RIRDC R&D funding please:

• Ensure your proposal is aligned with current research priorities
• Check key dates for proposal submission
• Ensure proposals contain a clear pathway for adoption - see RIRDC Adoption Principles
• Follow the Clarity application instructions
• Public sector research must apply through the administration office

Checklist for projects

• For information download the General Conditions Research.pdf

• Signed research agreement-stored in Clarity
• Due dates for project reports-notification through Clarity
• Project progress reports-submitted through Clarity
• Final report template and RIRDC Style Guide
• Final approval and acceptance of report by RIRDC - notification through Clarity 

For Full Research Proposal Format and Guidelines download the 

        Full Proposal Format and Guidelines.pdf

• For the Clarity User Guide - Submitting a Full Proposal download the  Submitting a Full Proposal.pdf

Travel applications

Travel applications should be completed online using Clarity (RIRDC’s project management database).

To obtain a username and password, contact the RIRDC helpdesk:

E-mail:  helpdesk@rirdc.gov.au

Ph:         02 6271 4100

User guides to assist you in submitting your travel application are also available via the RIRDC helpdesk.

Clarity can be accessed at:  http://research.rirdc.gov.au//