|
|
|
 |
Bill Dawbin Postdoctoral Fellowship 2012: Guidelines
ObjectivesThe objectives of this Fellowship scheme are to:
Research PrioritiesThe Fellowship is targeted at national goals which are closely aligned to the Australian Government’s National Research Priorities and the Australian Marine Mammal Centre’s Research Priorities relating to cetaceans. National Science Research PrioritiesNational Science Research Priorities [PDF]
The AMMC Research PrioritiesThe AMMC research priorities (not in priority order) will guide the assessment of applications submitted. Research Priority 1Quantify population status, structure, distribution, habitat use and ecological influences for cetacean populations for which such data can demonstrably inform and improve conservation management:
Research Priority 2Characterise and quantify threats to cetacean populations, with a focus on understanding the nature and extent of interactions with humans such as:
Research Priority 3Develop risk management and mitigation tools/strategies for cetacean and human interactions and test their efficacy Research Priority 4Develop powerful, new, non-lethal, minimally invasive, technologies and methodologies (e.g. molecular, bio-logging, remote sensing) that best address the above objectives Research Priority 5Scientific research which supports the development, review and implementation of Recovery or Threat Abatement Plans prepared under the EPBC Act, or which supports other agreed recovery actions, for listed Australian cetacean species Fellowship FundingThe fellowship will be $96,800 annual salary GST inclusive and annual project funding of $50,000 GST inclusive for a period of three years. Proposals that include co-investment in the stipend and/or project funding will be favourably considered. Funding RulesEligibilityThe postdoctoral fellow must have a PhD. The Fellowship supports research by investigators based at the following Australian organisations:
Applicants must provide evidence that if successful their fellowship will be hosted by an appropriate Australian organisation. A description of the support provided by the host institution should also be provided. Applicants may have already commenced their postdoctoral studies. Postdoctoral fellows must be less than 5 years since graduating from a PhD. Academic transcript detailing date of PhD or MD graduation must be provided. Applicants will not be eligible for an Award if an ethics approval is required for the project activity and that approval has not been obtained. Evidence of ethics approval must be provided by the time of commencement of the award. Overseas institutions and researchers are not eligible to apply unless the overseas researchers are employed on a full-time basis at an Australian organisation. Stipend and AllowancesThe Fellowship is valued at an annual rate of $96,800 for three years. Co-investment in the stipend by the host university/organisation or another funding body will be considered favourably. Project activity fundingIn addition to the salary component applicants can apply for up to $50,000 per annum to fund the project activity. A detailed budget and justification will be required. Co-contribution by the host university / organisation or another funding body will be considered favourably. Project activity costs may be funded from other sources but details of any obligations imposed by other funding bodies must be communicated to the AMMC. Fellowship for 2012Timelines
While every effort will be made to comply with these dates, they are indicative only. Please refer to the AMMC web page1 for the most up to date information. At the conclusion of the study, the recipient must present their research to the annual meeting of the National Marine Mammal Scientific Committee. TenureThe award is for a period of three years, conditional on a satisfactory progress report twelve months into the Award. A twelve monthly report will be required for each year of tenure. The report must be emailed to the Coordinator, Australian Marine Mammal Centre (AMMC) followed by a signed hard copy. Following completion of the project, a full report is to be submitted to the National Marine Mammal Scientific Committee with copies of publications and abstracts included. Selection CriteriaQuality and Relevance of the ProjectThe primary assessment criterion for a Fellowship is the scientific quality and impact, and the relevance of the project being proposed. The research must be clearly aligned with National and AMMC’s research priorities. The research priorities are sufficiently broad to allow most research projects to establish some linkage to one or more priorities, but applicants should note that strong preference will be given to projects that:
Quality of the ApplicantThe quality of the applicant is also critical to the assessment of a Fellowship. This applies to the applicant’s track record of publications or abstracts, awards and achievements, extracurricular expertise such as scientific membership, administrative expertise, and work experience in research. ProspectsThe potential of the proposed project to support the directions of AMMC to deliver outcomes that are relevant is essential. Also important are the broader prospects of the nature and value of the benefits of the deliverables from the project, and in particular whether it will help the AMMC achieve its major national goals. AssessmentApplications are assessed by the National Marine Mammal Scientific Committee (NMMSC) against the following criteria:
Following the evaluation of all eligible applications, the NMMSC make a recommendation to the International Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation and Initiatives (IWMMCI) Steering Committee. The IWMMCI Steering Committee will then recommend to the Minister for SEWPaC, the projects to be funded. Once approved by the Minister the Parties enter into a Funding Agreement, and successful projects are funded. These assessments will be based on the assessed relative merit of the proposal against the funding round assessment criteria, the potential impact of the proposed research project, and the assessed relative importance in terms of relevant current whole-of-government priorities. Universities/organisations and applicants will be advised of the successful Fellowship holders as soon as the results are known. Conflict of InterestCommittee members and staff members are required to divulge any Conflict of Interest in relation to:
If any Conflict of Interest applies the Committee member and staff members will not assess the relevant application. Applicants are required to declare as part of their application, existing conflicts of interest or that to the best of their knowledge there is no conflict of interest, including in relation to the examples below, that would impact on or prevent the applicant from proceeding with the project or any funding agreement it may enter into with the Australian Government. Where an applicant subsequently identifies that an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest exists or might arise in relation to this application for funding, the applicant must inform the department in writing immediately. A conflict of interest may exist, for example, if the applicant or any of its personnel:
Reporting and AccountabilityAnnual ReportThe Fellow will provide an annual progress report to the AMMC Coordinator following endorsement by the Fellow’s supervisor in the host university/organisation. The report should be emailed to the AMMC Coordinator followed by a signed hard copy at the same time it is provided to the university/organisation supervisor. ResponsibilitiesThe Fellow and their supervisor will be required to report to the AMMC on project deliverables at intervals necessary to satisfy internal government reporting requirements. Funding agreementsA Sample Funding Agreement [PDF] is available for information purposes. Details of the Fellowship awarded will be published on the department's website within 7 working days of signing the funding agreement. Administration of the FellowshipThe award recipient must be undertaking work within a host university department, research institute or other approved institute. The financial administration of the award will be through the appropriate finance office of the organisation. Intellectual Property and PublicationIntellectual Property Rights in Activity Material vest immediately in the host Organisation (but without affecting the position between the Organisation and a third party). The Organisation grants to the Commonwealth a permanent, irrevocable, free, world-wide, non-exclusive licence (including a right of sub-licence) to use, reproduce, adapt and exploit the Intellectual Property Rights in Activity Material (which includes Research Outputs) and Existing Material for any purpose, including a Commercial purpose. Further information on Intellectual Property is available on the Sample Funding Agreement [PDF], Clause 12. Financial and Reporting ObligationsEach Fellowship will be managed as a separate project with its own budget, milestones, and end date. It is the responsibility of the host university/organisation to ensure that a financial report is provided to AMMC detailing the annual expenditure of funds for the Fellowship. PublicationsAny publications (papers or conference abstracts) derived from the project must acknowledge the financial support of the AMMC. ContactFor further information on the Bill Dawbin Postdoctoral Fellowship please contact: Ms Renata Robertson Phone: 03 6232 3247 Email: ammccoordinator@aad.gov.au |
 
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||