Research Impetus Grants

Overview

The University of Melbourne recognises that significant interruptions to research and career opportunity, or disruptive life experiences, may detrimentally affect a researcher’s professional capacity and trajectory.

The University of Melbourne’s Research Impetus Grants scheme (pilot round open for application in 2024) aims to help early-career and mid-career researchers who have experienced significant career disruption/s regain their research momentum.

It does this by awarding funding for bespoke and targeted grants that have a strong and demonstrable likelihood of supporting the academic staff to regain the promising career trajectory they were on prior to the disruption/s. Research Impetus Grants support recipients to progress their research program, build partnerships and networks, and produce research of high quality and impact.

Funding

Grants awarded under this scheme are equally co-funded by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) strategic funding and Faculties. Applicants can apply for grant components that suit their circumstances and potential to a maximum of $50,000 (i.e. $25,000 DVCR funds and $25,000 Faculty/Department/School funds) per application.

Research Impetus Grants are available to salaried staff of the University of Melbourne who meet the eligibility criteria in the scheme guidelines and are based in any of the University of Melbourne’s academic divisions or in the Melbourne Business School.

Applicants under this scheme are encouraged to discuss their disruption/s, research record and application for funding with the nominated ‘Faculty delegate’ as part of completing the relevant application forms for this scheme.

How to apply

1. Review the Scheme Guidelines

   Read the Scheme Guidelines and supporting information linked below.

2. Review Faculty Processes

   Faculties may have additional submission requirements. Please ensure that you communicate your desire to apply to your respective faculty research office using the details below.

   Faculty	Contact	Instructions
   Architecture, Building and Planning	Matthew Scamporlino (abp-research),  abp-research@unimelb.edu.au
   Arts	School contacts
   Business & Economics*	Alex Campbell, 8344 5792, fbe-research@unimelb.edu.au
   Engineering and Information Technology	FEIT Research Services, FEIT-research@unimelb.edu.au	Please register your intent to apply by completing this form  (hyperlink  https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_b3N807kNy7rsDIO)
   Education	foe-research@unimelb.edu.au
   Law	Marcus Feaver, 83443661, law-research@unimelb.edu.au	Applicants interested in applying are asked to advise via the Law Research email address no later than 6 May
   Science	Science Research Office, science-internalfunding@unimelb.edu.au	Notice of Intent: Monday 6 May, 3.00pm- by email Review: Monday 13 May 2024,9.00am- draft application form (PDF copy generated in SmartyGrants)-by email
   Fine Arts & Music	fineartsmusic-research@unimelb.edu.au	Please email FFAM if you are planning on submitting an application
   Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences*	Tim Crockett, 83444637, mdhs-grants@unimelb.edu.au	In MDHS the HOD/HOS can confirm the career disruptions indicated on the ‘Faculty Confirmation Form’.  Alternatively, if applicants prefer, the career interruptions section can be discussed/confirmed by the ADI I&E (Prof Natalie Hannan).

3. Prepare and Submit your Application Form

   • Be in touch with the nominated Faculty delegate in your Faculty to discuss your intention to apply to this scheme. These contacts will be posted to the scheme webpage above (under Faculty Review Processes)
   • Log in to SmartyGrants to begin your 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 Faculty Confirmation form to your SmartyGrants application before submitting.
   • Submit your complete application via the 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 all applications.

   A guide 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 the 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 "Research Impetus Grants (RIG)- 2024". Add '%' before entering part of the scheme name (e.g., "%Impetus") 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, please 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