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ACU Seed Programs

Based internally through our faculties and Graduate Research School, these seed programs are catalysts for our external engagement and income through partnerships with key international and domestic industry, government, and universities. They are also outward driven in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the university and forging pathways to social impact through community-led research, translation and commercialisation. The programs are invested in the entire ACU community - our students and staff, our partners and precincts, and networks across our region and world. They are particularly aimed at developing our doctoral and early career researchers to nurture the next generation of leaders at ACU.

ACU’s industry training program will co-fund PhD cohorts with Catholic, industry, community, and/or government partners.

Program details

  • PhD stipends co-funded by Catholic, industry, community, and/or government partner (minimum $1 for $1 partner to ACU cash contribution)
  • ACU will cover course fees, overseas health care, and relocation fees for international students. Domestic students will be covered under the RTP fee offset program.
  • Professional Development for staff and students in working with industry
  • $5,000 per student for mobility experiences with ACU strategic partners

Priority will be given to proposals that do one or more of the following:

  • Build capacity in ECR and novice PhD supervisors
  • Involve Indigenous and community led initiatives

This program links ACU research teams with a Catholic, industry, community, and/or government partner.

Program details

  • $20,000-$50,000 from ACU with a better than $1 for $1 cash contribution from a Catholic, industry, community, and/or government partner
  • Applications must make a case that funding will provide evidenced impact for existing research

Priority will be given to proposals that do one or more of the following:

  • Involve Indigenous and community led initiatives
  • Develop cross-faculty collaboration
  • Involve an international partner
  • Link to local partners to a specific ACU campus
  • Are led by an ECR who is seeking to establish the evidenced impact of their research

This program focuses on research translation projects seeking to increase their technology readiness levels (TRL).

Program details

  • $20,000-$50,000 to progress research higher in the TRL stages (minimum of advancing TRL 2 to TRL 3) or to advance a social entrepreneurial activity
  • Funding will be provided through ACU’s Enterprise Clinic for activities like market analysis, proof-of-concept studies, roadmap creation, prototype development and testing, and integration into systems/environments
  • During the funding period, the project will collaborate with the Enterprise Clinic for support.

Priority will be given to proposals that:

  • Include an ECR
  • Have external funding

Our flagship international program aims to progress an established relationship with a strategic international partner toward external funding.

Program details

  • Up to $20,000 to progress an established or new strategic relationship with an international partner (e.g., university, industry, and/or government) leading to Australian and offshore funding.
  • Established relationships may include co-authorship and/or existing HDR relationships (e.g., joint supervision or mobility experiences)

Priority will be given to proposals that:

  • Partner with strategic universities endorsed by the Associate Dean Research and approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research
  • Involve partners in our region
  • Enable grant seeking in both Australian and offshore funding bodies
  • Develop cross-faculty collaboration
  • Build capacity in ECR and novice PhD supervisors

This program aims to strengthen ACU-led applications to Category 1 schemes that scored in the top 10 per cent of unsuccessful proposals and can demonstrate pathways to alternative funding sources.

Program details

  • Up to $20,000 to strengthen a Category 1 application, led by ACU, that was in the top 10% of unsuccessful applications
  • At least one award will go to a near miss DECRA applicant
  • A clear case should be made that demonstrates potential pathways to alternative funding sources beyond Category 1 funding

Priority will be given to proposals that:

  • Involve cross-faculty collaboration

How to apply

Applications are open and can be submitted via Orion until 9 December 2024.

Applications should include an Expression of Interest Form that outlines:

  • Proposed aims
  • Expected outcomes, including a clear case that demonstrates a sustainable pathway to external funding
  • How the proposal aligns with Vision 2033 and ACU Seed Program guidelines

To apply for an ACU Seed Program, you need to complete an application form online through Orion.

To get started, log into Orion and click the 'Project eForms' button.

 

Then click the '+ New' button as shown below:

 

From the list, select 'ACU Seed Program Support', then click 'OK'.

 

Go to Orion

Orion access

Most staff have automatic access, but students do not. If you can’t access Orion, then you will need to complete an Orion Access Request Form.

Technical issues

If you are having technical issues with the online form, or Orion, please contact the research systems team:

E res.systems@acu.edu.au

Australian Research Council (ARC)

The ARC is responsible for administering the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) which funds excellent basic and applied research and research training through a nationally competitive grant process.

The NCGP supports:

  • High quality research leading to the discovery of new ideas and the advancement of knowledge;
  • Facilities and equipment that researchers need to be internationally competitive;
  • Researchers at different stages of their careers, including training and skills development of the next generation of researchers;
  • Incentives for Australia's most talented researchers to work in partnership with leading researchers throughout the national innovation system and internationally, and to form alliances with Australian Industry.

The NCGP comprises two funding programs Discovery and Linkage.

Discovery Program

Discovery funding recognises the importance of fundamental, 'blue sky' research to Australia and supports the national innovation system to build 'new' knowledge and a knowledge-based economy.

The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to excellence in research by supporting world-class researchers to conduct research in Australia.

Learn more

Future Fellowships reflect the Australian Government’s commitment to excellence in research by supporting excellent mid-career researchers to undertake high quality research in areas of national and international benefit.

Learn more

The DECRA scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.

Learn more

The Discovery Indigenous scheme supports research programs led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers and builds the research capacity of higher degree research students and early career researchers.

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The Discovery Projects scheme reflects the Australian Government's commitment to excellence in research by providing grant funding to support research projects that may be undertaken by individual researchers or research teams.

Learn more

Linkage Program

The Linkage funding schemes aim to encourage and extend cooperative approaches to research and improve the use of research outcomes by strengthening links with the innovation system in Australia and internationally.

Through the ARC Centres of Excellence, significant collaborations occur between universities, publicly funded research organisations, other research bodies, governments, and businesses in Australia and overseas, all to support outstanding research.

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The Linkage Projects grant opportunity supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research alliances to apply advanced knowledge to problems, acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research.

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The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme provides funding for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities.

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The Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) supports university researchers to partner with industry in priority areas for Australia.

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The Industry Laureate Fellowships scheme creates a pathway to support academic researchers in establishing careers in industry, and industry-based researchers to work in university settings, with the aim of increased two-way mobility and skill-building in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation.

Learn more

Page last updated on 28/08/2024
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