Coronavirus Response - 2020 Communication Strategies and Approaches During Outbreaks

TIMELINE

ASAP: Notice of Intent (NOI) registration OPEN
Wednesday, 1 July 2020: 1st Draft of Project Plan, budget and required attachments to MRFF team for review. Early submission encouraged.
Monday, 6 July 2020: Send out partner draft letters of support (along with draft proposal and budget)
Thursday, 9 July 2020: Final Draft and all attachments to MRFF team for review
Thursday, 9 July 2020: Submit completed Authority to Participate form (for UoM lead application)(this will enable MRFF team to obtain signature of DVCR on the UoM letter of support)
Thursday, 9 July 2020: UoM as partner: Provide partners draft proposal (including project plan, budget, IP arrangements), draft partner letter of support and completed Authority to Participate form
Thursday, 9 July 2020: Complete entry of online application details and assessment criteria for compliance check.
Tuesday, 14 July 2020: Submit application to sponsor by 5pm.

Overview

The objectives of this 2020 Communication Strategies and Approaches During Outbreaks grant opportunity are to:

research the information needs of individuals and the community during outbreaks (including population sub-groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, and those with disabilities)
investigate how individuals (including population sub-groups) access information about outbreaks (e.g. through peers, online, on radio or television)
consider the impact of the attitudinal and behavioural patterns on how information is sourced, interpreted and actioned
identify key information and messages about the outbreak and also the response that individuals and the community would benefit from understanding
propose options for communication strategies and approaches that address these needs and also support response strategies such as social isolation.

The intended outcome of this grant opportunity is to improve the community’s engagement with and responsiveness to Government communication efforts during outbreaks such as COVID-19, by:

improving understanding of the information needs of the community during outbreaks
improving understanding of attitudinal and behavioural drivers during outbreaks
proposing options for communication strategies and approaches that address the community’s needs and support adherence to response strategies such as social distancing and isolation.

Funding

For this grant opportunity, $600,000 is available in the 2020-21 financial year.

The grant amount will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs (grant percentage)

The is no minimum grant amount
The maximum grant amount is $600,000.

You must complete your project 8 months from the date of execution of your grant agreement.

Eligibility

Chief and/or Lead Investigators cannot be named as Chief and/or Lead Investigator on any other application under this grant opportunity.

Applications must provide evidence from your board (or chief executive officer or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported, and that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding

How to apply

Notice of Intent: Please register your Notice of Intent if you are considering applying for the 2020 Communication Strategies and Approaches During Outbreaks grant opportunity . RIC-MRFF team will then contact each applicant with further information.
Review documentation: Review the 2020 Communication Strategies and Approaches During Outbreaks grant guidelines available below and on grant connect.
Create online application: via business.gov.au
Submit first draft application to RIC: Provide draft of proposal, letter of support and all required attachements (as per section 6.1 of the Grant Guidelines) to RIC within the RIC internal submission period for review.
Submit Authority to Participate form which includes:
* names of all key UoM investigators and roles
* name of lead organization and partners
HoD signature or approval required for all involved departments with participating investigators.
Signed ATP to be sent to enquiries-mrff@unimelb.edu.au
Complete application: After taking feedback from the RIC team into consideration, complete the application on the portal. It is suggested advice is sought from colleagues, Faculty Mentors, etc. before finalising the application.
Finalise details in application for compliance review by RIC: email login details to RIC at enquiries-mrff@unimelb.edu.au to obtain an online application form and document upload check for compliance.
Final submission: Submit the application on the online portal.
Sent a copy of your final application to RIC at enquiries-mrff@unimelb.edu.au