Bonn-Melbourne Research Excellence Fund

Overview

The Bonn-Melbourne Research Excellence Fund fosters the development of high-quality research activities that include Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in a significant role. Applications from all schools and disciplines are encouraged that propose innovative and sustainable projects built around collaborative research linking researchers from the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne. The research may take place in any country as long as it is done collaboratively. The expectation is that these initial projects will lead to long-term collaborations, institutional and research relations, and when applicable, generate publications, exhibitions, and/or external funding for ongoing collaboration.

All proposals must be led by, or include in a significant role, ECRs. For the purposes of the fund, an ECR is within 10 years of the conferral date of their PhD, excluding periods of career interruptions.

Proposals should focus on new research areas that have not yet received funding from Bonn or Melbourne or through third-party funding before, unless their application seeks to significantly expand the number of researchers in their collaboration. Applications that encourage broad collaborations across schools, disciplines, and units and/or seek to develop new joint PhD opportunities in the future are encouraged. Projects developing digital research links between both institutions are also welcome.

Principal Investigator Eligibility:

• University of Bonn: Principal investigators from the University of Bonn must be research staff who have completed a doctorate and be able to show proof of their employment at least until the end of the collaborative research project. Previous recipients may not currently reapply to the scheme but may participate as a co-investigator.
• University of Melbourne: Principal investigators from the University of Melbourne must hold an appointment at Academic Level A (6) or higher and 0.5 FTE or higher at the time of application and for the duration of the award. Honorary employees whose primary academic affiliation is the University of Melbourne are eligible to lead the application if their primary employer has entered into an agreement with the University for the support of the Australian component of the collaborative activity; or may participate at their own expense if they are otherwise unaffiliated (for example, they hold an emeritus position). Previous recipients may not currently reapply to the scheme but may participate as a co-investigator. The relevant Heads of Department/School must endorse applications.

Funding

In 2022, up to three applications will be funded (each with two Principal Investigators: one from the University of Bonn and one from the University of Melbourne). Each application will receive up to 10,000 € or $16,000 AUD from their respective institution.

How to apply

1. Review the guidelines

   The call documentation will be published under 'Supporting Documents' when the round goes live.

2. Prepare and submit your application

   Collaborating applicants from the University of Bonn and from the University of Melbourne should submit their proposals in a joint submission via the University of Bonn application portal.

3. Themis Submission

University of Melbourne PIs are also asked to attach the PDF of the application to a Themis Workbench submission.  The type of submission is "4 - internal grant sponsored by UoM" and the scheme name is "Bonn-Melbourne Research Excellence Fund - 2022 - JUL". The status needs to be "Forwarded to HoD" at minimum by the due date.

Supporting documents

University of Bonn scheme webpage

2022 Guidelines

Themis Help

Contacts