NHMRC Synergy Grants
| Status | OPEN Please note this application will be submitted via the NHMRC's new Grant Management System Sapphire. If you had an active RGMS account your CV and Profile email was migrated into Sapphire on 12 February 2020. To login to Sapphire: 1. If you have an existing RGMS account, a Sapphire account has been created for you. Click here to Activate your account. 2. If you did not have an RGMS account, you will need to register for a Sapphire account. Click here to Register for an account. Tutorial and training modules for Sapphire can be found here. |
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| Changes to DVCR Co-Funding | For NHMRC grants (excluding Investigator Grants) applicants will now be required to submit a formal DVCR Co-funding request. The formal DVCR Co-funding request replaces the previous support of the Strategic Research Fund (SRF), which was managed directly between your Faculty Research Office and DVCR Office. The award of the DVCR Co-funding is to support MQ researchers to successfully complete their proposed NHMRC and MRFF projects by providing up to 20% co-funding on funds to remain at Macquarie. The goal is for the DVCR Co-funding is to facilitate MQ applicants in providing a ‘top-up’ of NHMRC salary costs (PSP’s), which are lower than MQ equivalent salary rates. These changes are a testament to the increase in NHMRC and MRFF applications and awards to Macquarie University researchers, in recent years. Since 2019 we have submitted double the number of applications per annum, than in 2018 and before. We know that health and medical researchers at Macquarie will be more active than ever in the coming years in applying for NHMRC and MRFF funding to support their research, hence the need to make changes to meet the growing volume of awards. Eligibility for DVCR Co-Funding is still contingent on submission of a full application by the Macquarie submission date. Further to this, the Pre Award team has recommenced tracking the on-time submissions after pausing this due to the impacts on workload brought about by COVID-19. Eligibility for DVCR Co-Funding Eligibility for the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme is now contingent upon on-time submission of grant applications by the Macquarie University submission date. Many applications for external funding require cash and in-kind contributions from the host institution in order to be considered for funding. In most cases, researchers request cash contributions, such as project support funds, funding for research associates, scholarships and major equipment, from the DVCR via the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme to support their external funding applications. To be eligible to request this DVCR Co-Funding, grant applications must be submitted internally, via Pure, by the Macquarie University submission date.
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| Aim | The objective of the Synergy Grants scheme is to support outstanding multidisciplinary teams of investigators to work together to answer major questions that cannot be answered by a single investigator. The expected outcomes are:
A Synergy Grants 2020 grant opportunity is awarded for a fixed five-year term. |
| Assessment Criteria | Applications for Synergy Grants 2020 are assessed by peers on the extent to which the application meets the scheme objectives. Applications will be assessed against the Assessment Criteria listed below.
Track Record: NHMRC defines ‘Track Record’ for the Synergy Grant scheme as the value of an individual’s past research achievement, relative to opportunity, not prospective achievements, using evidence. Assessment of Track Record comprises peer reviewers’ consideration of:
Knowledge Gain: NHMRC defines ‘Knowledge Gain’ for the Synergy Grant scheme as the quality of the proposed research and significance of the knowledge gained. It incorporates theoretical concepts, hypothesis, research design, robustness and the extent to which the research findings will contribute to the research area and health outcomes (by advancing knowledge, practice or policy). Synergy: NHMRC defines ‘Synergy’ for the Synergy Grant scheme as the quality of a diverse team’s multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to solving a major health and medical research question, while building workforce capacity. Applications are assessed relative to opportunity, taking into consideration any career disruptions where applicable. It is recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants often make additional valuable contributions to policy development, clinical/public health leadership and/or service delivery, community activities and linkages, and are often representatives on key committees. If applicable, these contributions will be considered when assessing research output and track record. |
| Funding | The provisional funding allocation for the Synergy Grants 2020 grant opportunity is estimated to be up to $50 million. NHMRC’s Research Committee annually reviews and recommends indicative budget amounts to be awarded across individual funding schemes. A Synergy Grant provides a total and fixed budget of $5 million. |
| Faculty Processes | Guide for NHMRC Applicants on Macquarie Approvals Process Through PURE The Faculties have their own approval and review processes for grants under this scheme. They may also have deadlines for submission of draft applications that are earlier than Research Services deadlines. Please ensure that you contact your Faculty, as early as possible, for information on process and deadlines. Faculty contacts: Faculty of Arts Macquarie Business School Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Key Dates | Dates for the 2021 Funding Round NHMRC opening date in Sapphire: Wednesday 24 February 2021 |
| Resources | Note: NHMRC locates all their Scheme documentation in GrantConnect. You will be required to set-up a username and password to access. Notification Of Intent (NOI) NHMRC Information NHMRC DVCR Co-Funding Request Form CERTIFICATIONS
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| Contacts | Information and Compliance Research Proposals Team Research Services research.preaward@mq.edu.au Ph: +61 2 9850 4193 Strategic Advice Ms Courtney Bendall Research Development Manager Research Services courtney.bendall@mq.edu.au Ph: +61 2 9850 4745 |