FAQs for Internal Scheme Applicants
General
Applying for a grant
Managing current grants
- I have been awarded research funds via an internal granting scheme. I’ve accepted the grant – how do I get the money?
- Circumstances have changed and I want to utilise my research funds in a different way to that detailed in my grant application budget – what do I have to do?
- I haven’t been able to expend my research funds within the term of the internal grant scheme – what do I have to do?
Budgeting
- What sort of things count as in-kind support?
- What sort of things count as indirect costs in my budget?
Individual Internal Schemes
MQRF - Macquarie University Research Fellowships
- My PhD was awarded before 1 March 2002 (outside the Early Career Researcher date). Am I still eligible to apply?
- Can I undertake my Macquarie University Research Fellowship on a part-time basis?
- Do I need to be on campus on a daily basis to undertake my Macquarie University Research Fellowship?
Note: More FAQs on other Individual Internal Schemes will added soon
I am a new researcher at Macquarie University – what research funds can I apply for?
You should seek guidance from your Division’s Associate Dean of Research, and look at the Research Office website for details of internal granting schemes (http://www.research.mq.edu.au/researchers/funding/internal_schemes). As a starting point, new staff appointed at Lecturer Levels A, B and C are eligible to apply for a Macquarie University New Staff grant for project funding up to $20,000 within the first two years of appointment. Details of this scheme are linked from the above site.
I have been awarded research funds via an internal granting scheme. I’ve accepted the grant – how do I get the money?
Your grant acceptance will be entered into the Research Office database and the file sent to Financial Services for establishment of the account. Financial Services will alert your Divisional/Departmental Finance Office when the account is established. This process usually takes just a day or two. Your Divisional/Departmental Finance Office is responsible for informing you of the account details.
Circumstances have changed and I want to utilise my research funds in a different way to that detailed in my grant application budget – what do I have to do?
A Variation of Expenditure Request Form, available at (http://www.research.mq.edu.au/researchers/funding/internal_schemes/forms, should be submitted to the Research Office, detailing the circumstances surrounding the need to change the budget. The request must be adequately justified, and it must be demonstrated that the budget variation is directly linked to achieving the project outcomes outlined in the original application. The Variation request will be submitted for consideration by the relevant Panel of the Research Strategy and Policy Committee (RSPC), and the researcher will be advised as soon as a decision is to hand.
I haven’t been able to expend my research funds within the term of the internal grant scheme – what do I have to do?
A Carry Forward Request Form, available at http://www.research.mq.edu.au/researchers/funding/internal_schemes/forms, should be submitted to the Research Office, detailing the reasons why the project has not been able to be completed within the grant period. A new timetable for completion of the project should be also be provided. The request will be submitted by the Research Office for consideration by the relevant Panel of the RSPC, and the researcher will be advised as soon as a decision is to hand.
What sort of things count as in-kind support?
Researchers should read the relevant section of the particular scheme from which they are seeking funding, but as a general guide, in-kind contributions are those that are over and above the cash contribution that might be made by a partner, and are directly related to the project such as -
• Salaries – proportional based on the amount of time spent on the project
• Analyses
• Travel
• Use of or purchase of equipment specific to the project
• Use of or setting up of laboratories specifically for the project
What sort of things count as indirect costs in my budget?
Researchers should read the relevant section of the particular scheme from which they are seeking funding, but as a general guide the following types of infrastructure can be counted towards indirect costs:
• Office space
• Internet access / web hosting
• Proportional salary
• Administrative support
• Computers
• Laboratory time
• Library costs
• Subscriptions
To represent University indirect costs, Macquarie applies the ARC recommendation of applying 0.92% to the in-kind salary component of a grant application for researchers working out of labs, and 1.25% of the in-kind salary component for those researchers working in labs.
To represent the indirect costs of partner investigators, researchers will need to ask their collaborators for an estimate of the above expenses, or provide the above percentage figures as a guide.
My PhD was awarded before 1 March 2002 (outside the Early Career Researcher date). Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes. In 2007, the MQRF scheme is open to applicants whose PhD was awarded since1 March 2002. If an intending applicant’s PhD was awarded before this date, a convincing case must be made for early career researcher status. Circumstances establishing early career status beyond the above definition could include career interruptions due to non-research employment, misadventure or carer responsibilities, or a research career not preceded by the award of a PhD or equivalent research doctorate.
Can I undertake my Macquarie University Research Fellowship on a part-time basis?
No. MQRFs are tenable on a full-time basis only and recipients must be in full-time attendance at Macquarie University.
Do I need to be on campus on a daily basis to undertake my Macquarie University Research Fellowship?
Yes. The Fellow is expected to be at Macquarie University on a daily basis for normal academic times and conditions.