FAQs
- How will the register work?
- Researchers and supporters have been invited to complete an online registration form that summarises key aspects of their research programs or granting objectives. Researchers have been asked to include details about the research topic, who will benefit, and the amount of funding sought. These details will be contained in a database managed by Research Australia which will not be publicly available.
- Who will manage the register?
- Research Australia staff will have access to the register and will manage its operation. Direct access to the register by other parties will not be allowed.
- How will trusts, foundations and others access information on the register?
- Research Australia will meet with Trusts and Foundations to discuss their granting criteria and to ascertain the processes and services which may deliver their desired outcomes. Trusts and foundations will not be given direct access to the database but may be provided with research program detail where profiles match and researcher permission has been granted.
- What additional help can Research Australia provide?
- Research Australia’s Advisory Panel Service may be able to assist a trust, foundation or other grant maker in determining the appropriateness of a project they may wish to fund. This service, available on a fee paying basis, will assist grant makers to identify quality scientific projects that meet their funding intentions. Research Australia is also developing a toolkit of resources to assist trusts and foundations in the design and management of their grant making programs.
- How is privacy protected?
- The confidentiality of all parties will be respected and no identifying information will be transferred without prior permission.
- How will funds be handled?
- Research Australia will not receive or disburse funds. Funding arrangements will be made directly between the parties.
- How will researchers apply for support?
- Research Australia staff will search the register to identify research programs that match the criteria specified by potential grant makers. Researchers may then be asked to provide more information about their research and permission to provide this information to potential grant makers.
- Intellectual property and confidentiality
- Disclosure by researchers should include non-confidential information only. Please contact your commercialisation office (or if relevant, obtain legal advice) for further advice. Whilst you can disclose an area of research, you should not disclose the nature of an invention (or a significant part of it) before making an application to register the relevant patent. Otherwise you risk invalidating a potential patent application.
- I have many potential research projects, how should I select those that are most likely to appeal to a potential philanthropist?
- Many factors can affect a philanthropist’s ability to give who may be bound by historical legal agreements that determine the eligibility of one project over another. Initially researchers should use lay terms when completing the online register to identify potential outcomes, benefits and deliverables. Researchers should consider the broad objectives that a philanthropist may require and group potential projects where practical into a single entry. Multiple entries into the register can be made.
- I am busy doing my research, how much of my time will this take?
- Research Australia is cognisant of the administrative burdens that grant applications may place on researchers. For this reason we are utilising a multistage applications process. The first stage of registering your research project(s) and needs should take less than 20 minutes. Answers to the questions should be brief and in lay terms as these are used to assist in the identification of potential matches with philanthropists whose objectives may include; disease area, community benefits and how these benefits may be delivered.
- What happens when a potential match has been identified?
- Research Australia will commence the second stage of the review process by contacting researchers to ascertain that the researchers need still exists and to clarify specific areas that may have been identified in the stage I review. Following confirmation, researchers may be requested to provide further information to assist with the review process. The information requested includes that typically seen in scientific grant applications but extends in particular to the identification and delivery of community benefits. It may also include specific criteria requested by the grant maker. Research Australia will use its staff and an independent advisory panel to review the applications and provide recommendations to the grant maker.
- Why is Research Australia developing philanthropic support services?
- Research Australia is conscious of the growing opportunity for the philanthropic sector to contribute to promoting human health by supporting Australian health and medical research. It is often difficult to choose projects that meet the key objectives of grant makers. Research Australia aims to make it easier for grant makers and at the same time to help Australian scientists do what they do best – excellent research!