Early Career Researcher Program

This program supports on a competitive basis, early career researchers with a demonstrated research capacity who have little or no experience in applying for financial support and conducting funded research (How to Apply).The support of this program will identify the applicant as a member of a research group at USQ and enable the publication of their research outcomes that will assist the researcher in the development of a research track record and enhance future applications for research funding support.

Selection criteria

The following criteria will be used by the selection panel to assess applications for support under this program.

• Quality of the application

Applicants are expected to comply strictly with the application guidelines. The text must be well written and explain the project as clearly and concisely as possible, providing all the information that the selection panel will require to assess the application against competing proposals.

• Quality and originality of the research project and anticipated outcomes.

The proposal should demonstrate a conceptual advance in the understanding and knowledge of a subject and/or practical outcomes of social or economic value. Applicants should detail the scientific, theoretical or technological merit of the proposal.

• Appropriateness and soundness of the methodology.
   
• Appropriateness of the budget and its justification.
   
• Track record of the applicant in relation to research opportunities.

Duration and funds

Projects will be supported for a twelve-month period and applications are invited from individuals or small teams (all of whom must be early career researchers). Funds will be available as from 1 July 2008 (Round 1) and 1 Dec 2008 (Round 2) with the expectation that allocations will be expended in full or committed for expenditure by 31 July 2009 (Round 1) and 31 Dec 2009.

The minimum grant will normally be $2000. There is no upper limit but it is expected that most applications will request support between $5000 and $10000 although the need for purchase of equipment in some disciplines is acknowledged and requests in excess of this will be considered.

Funds from this program are not intended to support a project that is for a research higher degree.

Eligibility

Eligibility is restricted to

• staff currently holding full-time or fractional appointments at Academic Level A or B
• not previously received central University or external support in a competitive research funding round (receipt of faculty or centre funding does not exclude applicants)
• teaching-only appointees are not eligible to apply
• Early Career Researcher (ECR) = PhD post 24 Oct 2003 - PhD must have been awarded by 24 October 2008.

It is expected that applicants will

• have completed a research higher degree
• will not be participating in higher degrees studies over the funding period
• show evidence of beginning a track record in publications.

An applicant must also

• demonstrate alignment with a USQ Research Centre
• nominate a mentor, who is an established researcher at the USQ, and is prepared to provider advice on the preparation of the application and make a commitment to offer support and guidance to the applicant in the conduct of the proposed project.

Timelines

Round 1

Round 2