Research Application

The Research Fellowship is designed to provide a level of funding which will enable forensic practitioners to devote a significant block(s) of time to research/development work. Where appropriate, the Fellowships will also enable recipients to travel and engage in collaborative projects. Two Fellowships will be offered each year.

The closing date for applications is 29 September 2000.  Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Following assessment of applications by the NIFS Panel of Advisers, recommendations for support or non-support will be forwarded to the Board of Control for consideration. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of the year.

Letters of offer to the recipients will state the amount of funding approved and the conditions of the Fellowship. The letter should only be signed and returned to NIFS if all conditions are agreed to.

The criteria adopted by the Panel of Advisers and the Board of Control are not inflexible, and the factors taken into consideration include the following:

• the merit of the proposed project, particularly in terms of its likely contribution to the advancement of forensic science;
• the quality (qualifications/expertise/experience) of the applicant/s;
• the reasonableness of the proposed expenditure;
• (is the expenditure justifiable and is the project likely to be cost effective?)
• the benefit of the proposed project to the recipient, their organisation and the forensic science community;
• the practicability and feasibility of the proposed project strategy;
• the degree of infrastructure support.

Applications should state clearly the objectives of the proposed project; the Panel of Advisers prefers clear limited goals which can be realistically achieved.

The maximum amount of funding for any project for a twelve month period is set at $25,000.

4. DURATION OF SUPPORT

Support will be limited to one year. However, in exceptional circumstances the Board of Control may agree to an extension to ensure completion of a project.

All applications must be accompanied by a completed application form. The application form is included in the application package. It is important to address the following points when completing the application form:

• the original of the completed form must be forwarded to NIFS for assessment;
• it is necessary to ascertain current costs including any travel/accommodation, in framing the budget for the Fellowship;
• the referee nominated by the applicant is to be a person external to the agency of the applicant;
• the application will include a concise summary of the project (150 words or less), suitable for inclusion in publications such as the Annual Report of NIFS. The summary should include the aims, expected outcomes and benefits of the project;
• applicants should include an indication of their experience/expertise related to the proposed project;

6. ETHICS

It is essential that applicants proposing to conduct research involving human subjects and/or animals, obtain the formal approval of the ethics committees of the institution with which they are affiliated, and of the institution where the project will be conducted.

Copies of relevant proposals and documentation of institutional approval must be included in the application.

It is also essential that any laws and regulations, relating to a project, of the State or Territory where the project is to be conducted, are adhered to.

Responsibility for the lack of adherence to these laws or regulations will not be accepted by NIFS.

Where equipment is included as a budget item, applicants are strongly encouraged to take the option of leasing if the equipment has a purchase price in excess of $5,000. The institution of the successful applicant would then have first option of purchasing the equipment at the residual value.

8. REPORTS

Successful applicants are required to provide a final report.

The report must be provided to NIFS not more than three months after the completion of the project and must be in the following format:

1. Project title;
2. Author(s);
3. Executive summary;
4. Specified project goals;
5. Findings related to specified goals;
6. Additional findings;
7. Implications of findings for forensic science;
8. Protocols*; and
9. Suggestions for further research.

* Where a project involves methods development, detailed protocols must be provided.

In addition, NIFS reserves the right to call for special reports if and when they are considered necessary.

9. ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDS

Successful applicants must select an appropriate funds administrator and provide such information to NIFS. A certified statement of expenditure will be required at the conclusion of the project.

Interviews with applicants by the Panel of Advisers may be a part of the assessment process.

11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Successful applicants are required to acknowledge the financial support given by NIFS in any publication, article, feature or presentation.

12. ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS

Funds will not be forwarded to successful applicants until they inform NIFS, in writing, that they are aware of and accept all the conditions of the grant.

13. NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANTS

All applicants will be contacted and notified as to whether or not their project is to be supported. A brief summary will be included in the notification as to the reasons for the outcome of the assessment.

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©2001 NIFS Australia