2019 Investment Round
Overview
Our investment round looks for projects that support our vision to see autistic people empowered to discover and use their diverse strengths and interests.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) for our 2019 investment round closed on February 1. Only applicants who have already submitted an EOI are invited to make a full submission.
If you submitted an EOI, you should have received an email advising whether it has been approved. Details for accessing the application form can be found below.
Online Application Form
We have a new online application process available for the 2019 Investment Round. Before starting your application, please read our Guideline for Applications:
If your EOI has been approved, you can begin the full submission process. Enter your Full Form Submission ID (sent to you via email) in the online form to begin your application. Access the online form here:
While we have undertaken rigorous testing, we encourage you to save your own copies of your application data just in case technical errors occur. The simplest way to do this would be to print a PDF copy of your form. If you do experience issues, please email support@autismcrc.com.au
Key dates
20 December 2018: EOIs open for submission
1 February 2019: Deadline to submit EOIs
11 March 2019: Deadline to submit Full Project Applications
July 2019: Investment announcements made. All applicants notified of outcomes
Eligible project categories
Innovation Projects
Innovation Projects must demonstrate how they assist Autism CRC to meet program objectives set out in Commonwealth milestones.
Utilisation Projects
Utilisation Projects aid the translation and utilisation of Autism CRC research outcomes consistent with the Commonwealth Utilisation objectives and milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I Submit a Project Application for the 2019 Investment Round?
Expressions of Interest are to be submitted online by 5pm AEST on 1 February 2019. Applicants who have an Expression of Interest approved by the relevant Program Director will receive a registration to submit their Full Project Application online. Full Project Applications are to be submitted online by 5pm AEST on 11 March 2019.
When will we find out if our Project Application has been successful?
The Board of Autism CRC will determine which projects will receive investment funding, taking account of the recommendations of the Autism CRC Research and Development Committee. Announcements of successful investments are expected to be made in July 2019. All applicants will receive notification of outcome from Autism CRC by the end of July 2019 via email.Who can apply?
Innovation Projects
The 2019 Investment Round for Innovation Projects is open to all industry sectors and research disciplines. 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, and will preferably be led or co-led by an end-user organisation.
Utilisation Projects
The 2019 Investment Round for Utilisation projects must demonstrate how they assist Autism CRC to meet its utilisation and dissemination objectives for existing project outputs. Teams must involve one (preferably more) CRC Essential and/or Other Participant and preferably be led or co-led by an end-user organisation.
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 an Innovation or Utilisation Project that meets Autism CRC objectives.
What does it mean to have an end-user organisation project lead or co-lead?
The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program 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.
We ask that projects preferably have an end-user organisation lead or co-lead. We do this to ensure that the leadership of the team includes end-user organisations, service providers, and policy makers. This ensures that the groups who work with and support the community are involved in the project leadership teams. This also means there is a ready path to translation incorporated into our projects.
The Project Leaders and co-leaders are the lead organisations in the collaboration responsible for managing the project on behalf of Autism CRC. The Project Leader is the main contact for the project and holds primary responsibility for all reporting to Autism CRC, however this must be done in consultation with any co-leaders.
It is a desirable feature for projects to be led or co-led by an end-user organisation. A full list of end-user Participants is available in the 2019 Investment Round Guideline for Applications.
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 improving the lives of those on the spectrum through collaborative research and help shape our programs. We have a total of 56 participants: 14 Essential Participants and 42 Other Participants. For a full list of Autism CRC Participants, visit Our Participants.
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
Projects that focus on the first five years of life, including parenthood of young children.
Program 2, School Years
Projects with a focus on education or development during the school years (ages five to eighteen).
Program 3, Adulthood
Projects that focus on health, wellbeing, employment or community access of adults (ages eighteen and over).
For more information on our three programs, visit Our Programs
What if my project does not fit within one of Autism CRC’s three programs, or it aligns with more than one?
It is possible for projects to run across multiple Autism CRC programs – please contact Autism CRC’s research office at 07 3377 0600 or research@autismcrc.com.au for more information.
Where can I access more information about the application process?
We have detailed information about the application process and what is required, in our Guideline for Applications.
Who assesses the Full Project Applications?
Autism CRC will conduct the first review and send Full Project Applications that meet the outlined criteria to independent scientific and autism advisors for review. Project Applications that involve the development of technology will also be reviewed by independent technology advisors. Autism CRC's Research and Development (R&D) 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 R&D Committee.
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.
Where can I find out more about inclusive research practice?
It is highly desirable that Applicants and their Project Plans demonstrate inclusive research practice with the autistic and autism communities. More information about inclusive research practice is available in our Knowledge Centre.
General enquiries on the application process:
Autism CRC Research Office:
research@autismcrc.com.au
07 3377 0600
Program-specific enquiries:
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: T.Falkmer@curtin.edu.au