EHLT News

Release of Research Funds

The University, through the Office of Research and Finance Services, has updated the policies and procedures in relation to the release of research funding to ensure that it is meeting the terms of its funding agreements.

The University enters into annual funding agreements with the NHMRC and the ARC. The Deed of Agreement between the University and the NHMRC states that the project should not commence until all required Ethics clearances have been obtained. The ARC funding agreements state that all ARC grants require a research management agreement to be in place, as well as all necessary ethics and other approvals, before a project commences. No ARC funds can be spent until this occurs. If a Project commences without appropriate approvals and clearances, both agencies can demand repayment of the funds.

It became apparent last year that these conditions of grant have been breached in some instances. As a consequence, changes have been made to practice and policy in relation to the release of research funds. The Office of Research will now be the only source of authorisation for the release of research funds. This authorisation will be given once the Office is satisfied that the requirements of the funding agreements have been met. In most cases, this is in line with current practice.

The Office is, however, aware that there are circumstances in which this procedure can be problematic. In exceptional circumstances the DVCR(R) or the EDA are authorised to approve the release of funds prior to these conditions being met. Such circumstances might be:

• where the research project does not require ethics approval until some time after the project has started and where this is obvious through the proposal (the Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee has developed procedures for the seeking support from SBREC for early release of funds (see the ethics committees pages) 
• NHMRC Fellowships
• where the research project does not entail any ethics approvals and the OoR can affirm that all contract negotiations are complete (even though not all parties have returned executed documents)
• in the case of equipment grants, where the above conditions are met and the exchange rate has an significant impact.

In cases that do not require ethics approvals, the Office will liaise with the DVC(R) and/or the EDA to approve the early release of funds on receipt of certification from the relevant Faculty that it will underwrite the release of funds pending the receipt of fully executed documents.

The Office of Research will provide the Grants Finance Office with authorisation to release funds. The requirements in relation to funding sources other than ARC and NHMRC vary and will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Researchers who are concerned about the ongoing appointments for staff funded by research projects should talk to their Faculties about processes to ensure continuity of employment.

For further information contact Katrina Hall, Manager Research Services. You can view the entire post by clicking the following link
http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/research/2009/09/01/release-of-research-funds/

Research Grants

Congratulations to the following recent grant recipients

Associate Professor Murray Drummond, School of Education and Associate Professor Michele Slatter, Flinders Law School

Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth Grant, $15,000

Project: Future Voices: Developing youth-focused policy and practice at the intersections of voicelessness and homlessness

This is especially exciting not only because the issue (youth voicelessness and links to homelessness) is a complex and challenging issue to explore with people who have themselves experienced youth homelessness but also because it's the first time  'housing' researchers here have worked with the National Children's and Youth Law Centre and YACSA. It's great to build on our established relationship with Anglicare-SA and also to strengthen our links with USyd though the involvement of A/Prof Judy Cashmore, an acknowledged expert in matters of youth and family disputes.

Other participants in the project are: Professor Andrew Beer, Acting DVC (Research), GPEM; Associate Professor Judy Cashmore, University of Sydney; Ms Jennifer Duncan, Director, Youth Affairs Council of South Australia; Mr James McDougall, Director, National Children’s and Youth Law Centre; and Mr Simon Schrapel, Executive Director, Strategy, Policy and Services, Anglicare SA.

Ms Jennifer McKinnon, School of Humanities (Archaeology) and Dr Toni Carrell

National Park Service American Battlefield, US$49,995

Project: WWII Invasion Beaches Underwater Heritage Trail

August 2009 – December 2010

This project will identify and document selected submerged archaeological remains of the battle of Saipan for the creation of an underwater maritime heritage trail.

Research Higher Degree Completions since January 2009

Masters

PhD