Key dates
When can I submit a project application for the 2018 Investment Round?
Project applications must be submitted by COB 1 March 2018.
When is the 2018 Investment Round webinar?
An informational webinar will be hosted in early February to provide more information and address questions related to the application process. This webinar will only be available to Applicants that have passed the Expression of Interest stage, with a Project Summary already approved by the relevant Program Director. This webinar will be recorded and accessible on request.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
The 2018 Investment Round is open to all industry sectors and research disciplines and funding is available to organisations from all industry, research and community sectors. However, teams must include representatives from at least two, (preferably more) Autism CRC Participant organisations.
This utilisation project call is only open to Autism CRC Essential or Other Participants and must follow up the utilisation and dissemination of existing outputs/resources and deliverables or those that are well advanced/in train.
I am currently not part of an Autism CRC Participant organisation – am I eligible to submit a project application?
Yes – organisations that are not currently one of Autism CRC’s Participants are encouraged to partner with our 56 Participants in order to propose / deliver a project that meets Autism CRC objectives. For a list of our Participants, click here.
What is an end-user organisation?
The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Programme supports industry-led end-user driven research collaborations to address major challenges facing Australia. In the context of Autism CRC, an end-user organisation is one that focuses on service delivery, support or advocacy for people on the autism spectrum. For a list of our Participants, click here.
What does it mean to have an end-user organisation co-leader?
The project leader and co-leader are the lead Participants in the collaboration responsible for managing the project on behalf of the Autism CRC.
Who are Autism CRC’s Essential Participants and Other Participants?
Essential and Other Participants are organisations and individuals who have formal partnership agreements with Autism CRC. Our Participants share our dream of transforming lives through collaborative research and help shape our programs. We have a total of 56 Participants: 14 Essential Participants and 42 Other Participants. For a list of our Participants, click here
How do I know which program my project belongs in?
Autism CRC works across the lifespan, from early years to adulthood. Our programs align with the following topics:
- Program 1, Early Years
Focusing on earlier and more accurate diagnosis, the most effective interventions for identified subtypes, and family support through the process. - Program 2, School Years
Focusing on educational environments and programs that optimise autistic students’ social and academic success, and equipping teachers to support diverse needs. - Program 3, Adulthood
Focusing on improved opportunities for autistic people to successfully participate in higher education and employment, and identifying best practice in physical and mental health management.
For more information on our three programs, click here.
What if my project aligns with more than one of Autism CRC’s three programs?
It is possible for projects to run across multiple Autism CRC programs – please contact Autism CRC’s Research Office at cro@autismcrc.com.au for more information.
What happens if two or more project applications address the same topic?
If two or more project applications address the same topic, applicants will be encouraged to collaborate, unless it can be demonstrated that their proposals are complementary and address different outputs and/or milestones.
What is an in-kind contribution?
In-kind contribution means non-cash resources contributed by a Participant to conduct the Project. Types of in-kind contribution:
In-kind staff contributions: Participants contribute their staff member’s time to Autism CRC activities. All costs are incurred by the Participant and measured as Full Time Equivalent (FTE).
Non-staff in-kind: Participants incur expenses towards Autism CRC activities that are not otherwise funded under the cash budget
For more information, please refer to page 14 in the 2018 Investment Round Guideline for Applications.
Application and assessment
What criteria will project applications be assessed on?
Project applications will be assessed with regard to the following criteria:
- Meet Autism CRC’s milestones and outputs
- Clearly focus on end-user driven outcomes identified for Autism CRC
- Utilise Participant in-kind (staff and non-staff)
- Comply with proposal guidelines
- Are well developed and demonstrate feasibility over the timeline
- Are collaborative and involve at least two (preferably more) Autism CRC Essential and/or Other Participants
- Include Participants with adequate skills and infrastructure to operationalise the project
- Clearly identify and describe any planned involvement of PhD and/or other students and post docs, where applicable
- Demonstrate co-production and engagement with end-users
All applicants and their project plans must demonstrate inclusive research practice with autistic individuals and/or families/carers, through the phases of project design, conduct and evaluation. Project plans demonstrating co-production with autistic research team members will be highly regarded, and may be the determining factor in determining which proposals are approved for investment by Autism CRC.
What are the Commonwealth milestones and where can I find them?
Autism CRC’s Commonwealth milestones will be added by the Program Director in the Expression of Interest stage of the proposal development process. The relevant Program Director will list these on the project application form. To view more information about our Programs click here.
What is “co-production of research” and why is it important?
Autism CRC is committed to inclusive research practices and coproduction of research with those on the autism spectrum and their families. We believe that, in order for our research to be effective, we need to collaborate with individuals with the lived experience of autism.
Do I need to provide the full project plan in my Expression of Interest?
It is up to the Applicant. Autism CRC Program Directors require a project summary for the initial Expression of Interest sufficient to assess whether the application should proceed for further consideration, but Applicants are welcome to provide a full project plan.
Who assesses the Project Applications?
Autism CRC will conduct the first review and send Project plans that meet the outlined criteria for review by independent scientific and autism advisors. Autism CRC’s Research & Development Committee will consider the outcomes of these reviews.
The Board of Autism CRC will determine those projects that will receive investment funding, taking account of the recommendations of the Research & Development Committee.
What happens if my Project Application is successful?
If a project is approved for funding, notification and feedback will be provided to the Project Leader.
A Project Agreement is to be executed by Autism CRC and the Project Participants for the conduct of the Project. Funding for projects will commence once the Project Agreement has been fully executed and evidence of ethical clearance has been provided to Autism CRC.
The initial payment will be made in advance, once the Project Agreement is fully executed and subsequently all payments will be made in arrears on the satisfactory completion of project milestones, research progress, and cash and in-kind reporting. Unsatisfactory reporting or unsatisfactory progress against project milestones, not remedied to the satisfaction of Autism CRC, will lead to termination of project funding.
What happens if my Project Application is unsuccessful?
If a project is not recommended at any stage, notification and feedback will be provided to the Project Leader.
When will I know if my application is successful?
After submitting your initial project application, applicants will receive notification of outcome and feedback from Autism CRC via email.
Where can I find more information about the application and project plan process?
Applicants are invited to attend an informational webinar in early February. To register, please contact the Research Office at cro@autismcrc.com.au with your name, email and phone number.
Key contacts
General inquiries on the application process
Autism CRC Research Office: cro@autismcrc.com.au
Program-specific inquiries:
Program 1, Early Years: Professor Valsamma Eapen: v.eapen@unsw.edu.au,
Program 2, School Years: Professor Suzanne Carrington: sx.carrington@qut.edu.au,
Program 3, Adulthood: Professor Torbjorn Falkmer: T.Falkmer@curtin.edu.au.