Early Career Researcher Grant
Critical Dates
- Monday 4 March 2024
Round opens
- Thursday 14 March 2024
- 9.00am
ECR Grant Information Webinar (register here)
- Friday 26 April 2024
- 3:00pm
Full applications due via SmartyGrants
- October 2024
Notification of outcomes
*PLEASE NOTE: Faculty Expression of Interest deadlines may also apply. Please see the table below (How to Apply) for further information.
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
Review the Scheme guidelines
Read the Scheme Guidelines and supporting information linked below.
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.auDraft 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.auBusiness & 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.auPlease 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.
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.
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
- Please kindly ensure you have consulted the Scheme Guidelines, and FAQs and Instructions to Applicants prior to submitting a query.
- res-devschemes@unimelb.edu.au