Early Career Researcher Grant

Overview

The University of Melbourne’s Early Career Researcher (ECR) Grants scheme aims to support early career researchers (ECRs) to undertake high-quality research projects and pilot studies, strengthen their track record, and build capability in competing for external funding. This scheme is a core part of the University’s research development strategy under Advancing Melbourne 2030, which places a high priority on nurturing research careers.

Funding

Each successful project is funded by a matched commitment from Chancellery (50%) and the host faculties and departments (50%).

• Applicants from the faculties Architecture Building and Planning, Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Fine Arts and Music, and Law, may apply for between $5000 and $25,000 in research funding.
• Applicants from the faculties Engineering and Information Technology, Science, and Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, may apply for between $5000 and $40,000 in research funding.

How to apply

1. Review the Scheme guidelines

   Read the Scheme Guidelines and supporting information linked below.

2. Review faculty processes

   Ensure that you are aware of any additional submission requirements specific to your Faculty/School.

   Faculty	Contact	Instructions
   Architecture, Building and Planning	Matthew Scamporlino (abp-research),  abp-research@unimelb.edu.au	Draft project description and application form (PDF copy generated by SmartyGrants) must be submitted to the abp-reserach@unimelb.edu.au mailbox by 5pm on Monday 1st April 2024.
   Arts	School contacts	Submit directly to RIC. To arrange signoff please liaise with your School Research Coordinator: Asia Institute: Claire Maree cmaree@unimelb.edu.au Culture and Communication: Natalya Lusty natalya.lusty@unimelb.edu.au Historical and Philosophical Studies:Matthew Champion mscha@unimelb.edu.au Languages and Linguistics: Brett Baker bjbaker@unimelb.edu.au Social and Political Sciences: Terry MacDonald terry.macdonald@unimelb.edu.au
   Business & Economics*	Ryan Perera, 9035 3863, fbe-research@unimelb.edu.au	Notice of Intent Due:  5.00 pm Friday 15 March to fbe-research@unimelb.edu.au Review: 5.00 pm Wednesday 3 April. Email draft application form ( PDF copy generated in SmartyGrants) to fbe-research@unimelb.edu.au for FBE review.
   Engineering and Information Technology	FEIT Research Services, FEIT-research@unimelb.edu.au	Register for the FEIT applicant support program.
   Education	foe-research@unimelb.edu.au	Please submit your draft project description and application form (PDF copy generated in SmartyGrants) for review to foe-research@unimelb.edu.au by COB 25 March 2024
   Law	Mas Generis, 8344 9983 , Marcus Feaver, 83443661, law-research@unimelb.edu.au	Please contact Mas and Marcus ASAP if you intend to apply.
   Science	Science Research Office, science-internalfunding@unimelb.edu.au	Notice of Intent: Monday 18 March 2024, 3.00pm- by email Review: Monday 8 April 2024, 3.00 pm - draft application form (PDF copy generated in SmartyGrants)
   Fine Arts & Music	Charlotte Midson, fineartsmusic-research@unimelb.edu.au	Please email fineartsmusic-research@unimelb.edu.au if you are planning on submitting an application
   Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences*	Tessa Grimmond, 9035 0995, mdhs-grants@unimelb.edu.au
   Eligible Affiliated Research Institutes	Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC) The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Bionics Institute The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute Melbourne Business School (MBS) Orygen/CYMH [noting that most staff of CYMH are directly employed by the University, meaning they can apply under 4.1(b) of the guidelines]	*ECRs with honorary appointments who are employed by eligible affiliated research institutes may apply. MBS please follow any instructions from FBE. PMCC researchers please contact  Grants@petermac.org at least 2 weeks before the submission date if you are interested in this scheme. Other MRIs follow any instructions from MDHS. If awarded, these grants will be administered via the UoM faculty/department.

3. Prepare and submit your Application form (including Eligibility Exemption Requests if relevant)

   • Log in to SmartyGrants to begin your application. If you do not meet all of the eligibility criteria due to exceptional circumstances, please provide additional details in part B-1 of the application.
   • Start a draft Themis submission and copy the Themis submission #ID (the seven digit number starting with a ‘2’) to your SmartyGrants application.
   • Ensure you upload the fully signed HoD Certification Form to your SmartyGrants application before submitting.
   • Submit your complete application via SmartyGrants portal by the due date.
   • Once you submit your SmartyGrants application a PDF of the application will be sent to you. Ensure you attach a copy to your Themis submission.

4. Create and submit a Themis Grants Workbench Submission

   A Themis Grant submission is required for non-MRI-based applicants. MRI-based applicants should contact res-devschemes@unimelb.edu.au for assistance.

   A Walkthrough of this process is found here: Themis Workbench Submission (TS).

   Here are a few things that will help you with your Themis submission:

   • Access the workbench via Themis Homepage  > UoM Research Self-Service > Grants and Contracts > Grants Submission Workbench.
   • When filling out your submission details on the first page, select "4 - internal grant sponsored by UoM" as the type of submission.
   • On the sponsorship page, search for " Early Career Researcher Grants Scheme - 2025". Add the '%' mark before entering part of the scheme name (e.g., "%Early") and click on search.
   • Ensure you attach a PDF copy of your SmartyGrants application.
   • On the validation page, verify the listed Head of Department and change the status to 'Forwarded to HoD' before submitting. Do not add any other individuals (reviewers, etc.) on this page as it is not relevant to this program.
   • The status of the workbench submission should be 'Forwarded to HoD' by the submission due date.

   We understand that electronic approval from the Head of Department (HoD) may experience some delay. If you are unfamiliar with the approval process, your faculty research office can provide assistance.

Technical Support: In case you encounter any technical difficulties with the submission, kindly email res-devschemes@unimelb.edu.au with your Themis submission number (TS), and we will do our best to assist.

Supporting documents

Key documents

Resources

Contacts

Manage Your Grant