The Collaborative Research Networks Program (Draft) is designed to encourage less research-intensive smaller and regional higher education institutions to develop their research capacity and adapt to a research system driven more strongly by performance outcomes by teaming up with other institutions in areas of common interest.
The Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) Program is designed as a structural adjustment fund. But unlike the Structural Adjustment Fund, which does not have government grants available for projects directed solely at strengthening university research activities, the CRN is research-specific. It will encourage less research-intensive smaller and regional universities to develop their research capacity and adapt to a performance-driven research system by teaming up with other institutions.
The research mission of less research-intensive institutions could be enhanced by the formation of linkages with larger, more research-intensive universities. The CRN program will facilitate the formation of such linkages. The intention is that all participants in a collaborative network – including both large and small universities – will benefit from the partnership, with flow-on effects for the research and innovation system as a whole.
The CRN program was established in the 2009 Budget to the value of $114.1 million over six years from 2010-11. The initial government grants will provide up to $51 million from January 2011 until mid 2013.
Eligibility
Less research-intensive smaller and regional institutions listed in Tables A and B of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) as defined below will be eligible to apply for funding through this program. Specifically, the program will be open to institutions listed in Table A and B of HESA which:
- have an average Australian Competitive Grant (ACG) income over 2007 and 2008 of less than $2.5 million OR
- have an average ACG income over 2007 and 2008 of less than $12 million AND are based 100km or more from a state capital city.
Based on these eligibility criteria, sixteen institutions will be eligible to apply for CRN funding:
- Australian Catholic University
- University of Ballarat
- Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
- Bond University
- University of Canberra
- Central Queensland University
- Charles Darwin University
- Charles Sturt University
- Edith Cowan University
- Melbourne College of Divinity
- University of New England
- University of Notre Dame Australia
- Southern Cross University
- University of Southern Queensland
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Victoria University
Funding
The Collaborative Research Networks program will provide approximately $20 million in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and $10 million in the first half of 2013. Government grants are available for any purpose which supports research capacity building, other than the direct costs of research such as those supported by ARC and NHMRC project grants. CRN funding can be used for some personnel costs, including teaching relief and salaries for staff engaged specifically for CRN projects.
The program will provide up to $5 million government grants per project. There is no set duration for CRN projects, but government grants will be provided for a maximum of three years from 2011.
Applications
Applications are not open yet but we advise potential universities (lead or support) to begin discussions on likely projects. For assistance with the application process, contact us to discuss further.
