Purpose
The purpose of these reports
is to inform the Corporation of:
-
progress against agreed milestones
and the significance and implications of the research to date;
-
problems that could influence
the conduct and outcomes of the project and that may require mutually agreed
modification of the workplan and budget; and
-
opportunities for new projects,
workshops, media releases, the protection of intellectual property, commercialisation
etc.
The information provided allows
the Corporation to consider both opportunities and problems arising from
the research project and will be the primary benchmark used by Research
Managers to check that the project is on track. Scheduled payments each
year are dependent on the annual progress report being assessed as satisfactory
by the Research Manager.
Timing
Reporting dates are as specified
in Part B of the Research Agreement. Reports must reach the Corporation
by the agreed reporting date and should be forwarded whether the milestones
have been achieved or not.
The Corporation may withhold
funding for a given project
-
when a report is not received
by the due date
-
when satisfactory progress does
not appear to have been made
-
when significant changes to
the workplan and budget need to be agreed.
To avoid delays in payment,
early warning should be given when it appears likely that an agreed milestone
cannot be achieved on time.
Format
The report should be prepared
using the structure over the page. An electronic template is available
to assist you in the preparation of your report. Tables and diagrams may
be used if desired.
RIRDC Project No.:
Title, first name, surname,
address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address
-
Organisation & Administrative
contact:
Title, first name, surname,
address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address
-
Project start and finish
dates:
-
Objectives of the project:
Agreed objectives as stated
in the Research Agreement
See Part B of the Research
Agreement
-
Progress against agreed
milestone(s):
Use the agreed performance
indicators to indicate whether the milestone(s) have been achieved or not
and, where appropriate, provide copies of material generated by the project.
Comment on the significance or implications of the milestone(s) achieved
to the targeted rural industry or community sector. Where the agreed milestones
have not been achieved, provide reasons for this and propose a revised
reporting date.
Variations to the project,
including timing and budgets, will need to be approved by the Corporation.
A justification for the changes sought must be provided.
Researchers should identify
issues such as commercialisation, communication/extension and opportunities
for new projects, workshops etc arising from the research.
-
Confirmation of industry
funding:
Where the project budget
shows a contribution from industry, the Corporation requires confirmation
that the research organisation has received that contribution for the relevant
financial year.
Length
and content
As annual progress payments
are made following approval of progress reports, sufficient information
should be provided to allow Research Managers to fairly assess progress
against the agreed tasks. Reports should enable the Corporation to
-
determine if milestones have
been achieved
-
respond to any problems that
have arisen
-
consider variations that are
proposed
-
develop ideas and opportunities
arising from the project.
As indicated above, they
should address the significance and implications of the outcomes reported
as well as providing information on the work completed. It is expected
that reports will comprise at least two single-sided A4 pages.
Reports should be written
in a user friendly manner with minimum use of scientific jargon and acronyms.
Where necessary, new technical terms should be explained.
Do not repeat information
included in previous reports.
Download
a 'rich text format'
RTF
or MS
Word template for your progress report.
Purpose
