1 Overview

HCSNet's Collaborative Grant-Writing Support Program aims to encourage the submission of cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional project proposals to major funding schemes such as the ARC Discovery Program, the ARC Linkage Program, and the NHMRC by supporting travel for the purpose of grant preparation.

2 Funding Available

The program provides travel and accommodation support up to a maximum of $500 per person, for up to two persons travelling to the site of a third party in order to prepare a grant proposal. Typically the funding would be expected to cover air travel and one or two nights accommodation. In exceptional cases, funding may be provided for more than two persons to travel, but only on the basis of a strong case being made.

3 Application Process

There is no application form. Application is made by way of a 1-2 page plan and proposal outline that includes the following:

• an outline of the proposed collaboration;
• the names of the proposed collaborators;
• an outline of how the funds will be used;
• the funding body to which a grant application will be made, including the date by which a proposal will be submitted.

Any evidence of seriousness of collaboration and likelihood of grant application being submitted will help the application.

Applications must also meet the Application Criteria listed below.

If your proposed project falls within one or more of HCSNet's Priority Research Areas, you should submit your application directly to the relevant Priority Area Leader. If your proposed project does not fall within the scope of any of the Priority Areas but is still within HCSNet's scope, you should submit your application to the HCSNet Convenor.

4 Application Deadlines

There is no deadline for applications to this program, although specific dates may be announced for applications corresponding to specific target funding programs. These announcements will generally be made via the HCSNet Newsletter.

5 Application Criteria

Applications should be written with the following criteria in mind.

• The proposed project must fall within the interdisciplinary scope of HCSNet.
• The proposed project must be cross-institutional.
• All applicants must be HCSNet members.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have been HCSNet members for at least three months.
• Preference will be given (but not limited) to cross-disciplinary proposals.
• Preference will be given (but not limited) to new collaborations, and in particular to collaborations whose existence is at least in part due to past HCSNet activities.

6 Fulfillment Criteria

1. A simple short report (e.g. half a dozen bullet-points) listing outcomes of the meeting must be submitted soon after the meeting has taken place.
2. It is absolutely expected that a grant application will be submitted as a consequence of the meeting.
3. The grant application should make explicit reference to HCSNet's support, using a form of words that is appropriate for the grant scheme being submitted to; HCSNet will provide appropriate wording and advice on where in the application this should be placed.
4. When the grant proposal is submitted, a copy of the 100 word project summary (or equivalent, depending upon the funding scheme) should be provided to HCSNet.