ABRS National Taxonomy Research Grant Program
Capacity-Building Grants
The 2013–2014 grants round is CLOSED.
In line with the National Taxonomy Forum recommendation for improved support for early career researchers, the National Taxonomy Research Grant Program features a capacity-building focus. The ABRS offers Capacity-Building Grants in the form of Honours Scholarships, Masters Scholarships and APA Top-Ups (see below). In addition, non-salaried researcher grants are offered on an annual basis to allow the completion of projects by non-salaried researchers. A particular priority for these grants is to capture knowledge from senior, retired professionals and allow mentoring of junior researchers.
Capacity-Building Grants do not have a cash co-funding requirement. That is, applicants do not need to obtain a commitment of cash co-funding for their application to be considered.
The ABRS is offering applicants starting a PhD on an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) in 2013 the opportunity to top up the existing APA rate ($23 728 in 2012) by $10 000 per year. The PhD research project of applicants must be focused on taxonomy or systematics analysis and address the ABRS Research Priorities. At least $5 000 of the Top-Up must be used to supplement research costs, with up to $5 000 of the Top-Up used to supplement living costs. Evidence of an APA and enrolment will need to be provided to the ABRS by 31 January, or with acceptance of the grant.
Table 1 below outlines the grants available for capacity-building in the 2013–2014 grants round.
| Type of grant & amount (per annum) |
ABRS contribution (per annum) |
Duration (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Honours Scholarship — $10 000 | 10 000 | 1 (or 2 part-time) |
| Masters Scholarship — $10 000 | 10 000 | 1 (or 2 part-time) |
| APA Top-Up — $10 000 | 10 000 | 3 |
| Non-salaried researcher — $5 000 | 5 000 | 1 |
Application Form and Guidelines
No applications are being accepted at this time.
Assessment Criteria and Process
All Capacity-Building Grant applications are assessed by the independent, ministerially appointed ABRS Advisory Committee according to the evidence provided in the application. The criteria used by the Advisory Committee to select successful Capacity-Building Grant applications are:
| Academic merit of applicant |
| Feasibility of proposed research |
| Suitability of supervisor (applicable to scholarships only) and research environment, including physical and intellectual resources available in the institution |
| Relevance of proposed research to ABRS Research Priorities |
Funding Agreements
All grant recipients who receive funding from the ABRS, are subject to the terms and conditions set out in the ABRS Grant Funding Agreement.
The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has developed standard funding agreements for grants. Applicants who are successful in receiving funding under the ABRS National Taxonomy Research Grant Program are subject to the conditions set out in the following funding agreement templates.
Note: These funding agreements are samples only and may vary slightly from year to year.
- Sample Mini Funding Agreement (PDF - 365 KB)
- Sample Short Form Funding Agreement (PDF - 760 KB)
- Sample Long Form Funding Agreement (PDF - 1 MB)
Reporting
ABRS grant recipients are required to report to the ABRS on the progress of their grant. Failure to submit any Report by the due date may result in cancellation of the grant and ALL future funding.
Note: All reporting forms are to be submitted either electronically (with a PDF of the signature page) to abrs.grants@environment.gov.au OR as posted hard copies.
If you are uncertain of your grant type, the reporting requirements or which grant reporting template you should use, please contact the ABRS Grants Officer.
Note: dates listed below are guidelines only. For specific grant reporting due dates, please refer to your grant funding agreement or contact the ABRS Grants Officer.
- Capacity-Building Grants Notification Report Form (Doc - 350 KB)
Notification Reports are required from APA Top-Up recipients only (unless otherwise specified).
Due: 15 December of the first year of the grant - Capacity-Building Grants Progress Report Form (Doc - 350 KB)
Progress Reports are required from APA Top-Up recipients only (unless otherwise specified).
Due: 15 December in the second and third grant years - Capacity-Building Grants Final Report Form (Doc - 350 KB)
Due: 15 December following grant completion date - Financial Acquittal Form (Doc - 50 KB)
Ensure this form is submitted for each grant year (1 July – 30 June).
Due: 30 September each year
Please send Capacity-Building Grant reports to:
By email:
abrs.grants@environment.gov.au
Business Address:
Grants Officer
Australian Biological Resources Study
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
For further information
Email
abrs.grants@
environment.gov.au
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