OzGrav is pleased to offer a range of funding opportunities to its members. We encourage our OzGrav members to familiarise themselves with the Grants available to them and all submissions are welcome.
- Objective: The Hardship grants scheme is intended to support OzGrav students and postdocs facing financial difficulty or loss of income/employment as a result of extraordinary circumstances (e.g. impacts of the pandemic leading to unforeseen financial difficulties, gaps in employment, etc). The funds are intended to allow the recipient to work effectively on OzGrav research.
Use of Grant Funds: Depending on the specific circumstances, funds could be used to support items such as salary/stipend, equipment or consumables.
Eligibility: The recipients of funds must be students or postdoctoral researchers in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).
Application process: We understand these can be sensitive and complex matters, therefore the first step in the application process is to contact the OzGrav Chief Operating Officer Dr Yeshe Fenner coo@ozgrav.org for a confidential meeting to discuss the situation and the next steps in the application process. The application will be reviewed by the OzGrav Directorate (comprising the Director, Deputy Director, and Chief Operating Officer). If the applicant wishes, all identifying information will be removed from the application. The Directorate will aim to decide on the outcome of applications within 1 month of submission.
If the application is successful, the recipient will be provided funding either directly or to their home institution, depending on the nature of the request.
OzGrav has a strong commitment to supporting equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from females, minority groups, and people with diverse backgrounds.
* It is the applicant's responsibility to check any visa terms and conditions before applying (if applicable) and if you are already receiving funding from your home institution please ensure that any additional funds will not be in breach those funding agreements in place.
Please be aware that the recipient is responsible for seeking professional advice on any financial or tax implications associated with the receipt of this grant.
OzGrav is pleased to offer Research & Innovation Grants to provide funding to enable our students and postdocs to undertake new and innovative projects. The funds are aimed at empowering early career researchers to pursue novel ideas. These projects may be pure research or innovative projects to apply technology or skills to other real-world applications. Applications from teams of students/postdocs are welcomed, with cross-nodal teams especially encouraged.
Funds:
The allocation of funding will be determined by the OzGrav Executive Committee. Successful applicants may be awarded:- Up to $5,000 for individual/sole projects
- Up to $20,000 for team projects consisting of at least 3 or more OzGrav PhD students and Postdocs
- Note that we also have a separate Research Translation Seed Funding scheme that provides grants up to $25,000 and may be more appropriate for some projects. Contact coo@ozgrav.org if you have questions about the most appropriate funding scheme for your proposal.
- Funds can be used to support equipment, consumables, stipends for students, travel, and services that are necessary to complete the project.
Eligibility criteria:- The grant is open to OzGrav postdoctoral researchers and PhD students
- The grant application must have the endorsement of their supervisors
Requirements:
It is expected that research projects funded from these Grants will be written up and published as a short-author paper within 24 months.
Grant recipients must provide a report describing the project and its outcomes for inclusion in OzGrav reports. Grant recipients may also be asked to give a presentation on their project at the annual retreat or other OzGrav events/meetings.
Application process:
Please complete the form below to apply for a Research & Innovation grant, and email it to info@ozgrav.org. Applications can be submitted at any time. We aim to assess applications and announce the outcome within 2 months of submission. Applications will be assessed by the OzGrav Directorate. The program has a limited budget and if successful, you may not be offered the full amount requested.
Assessment criteria: In making its assessment, the OzGrav Directorate will take into account:
1) Impact and innovation: 50%
The potential innovation, significance and impact of the work.
2) Budget: 20%
The extent to which the budget is well justified and represents a good return on investment.
3) Suitability and Feasibility: 30%
The suitability and skills of the applicant/team and feasibility to meet the project goals and deliverables.
OzGrav has a commitment to supporting equity and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in science and technology, including women, minority groups, and people with diverse backgrounds.- OzGrav is pleased to offer it's Students and Postdocs the opportunity to apply for a Professional Development Grant. The OzGrav Professional Development Grant aims to enable OzGrav Early Career Researchers to participate in activities and training to improve their professional development skills.
Eligibility
The Professional Development Grant is open to all OzGrav Postdocs and Students who have specific professional development activity or training that they wish to participate in. In most instances we expect to award the grant to individuals for their development and training, but in some cases we may offer the requested development or training activity as a group event to the wider OzGrav ECR cohort, if appropriate. We especially encourage applications from Students and Postdocs from groups or demographics that are underrepresented in science & technology.
Use of Grant funds
The amount a recipient can be awarded is up to $1,500 and under exceptional circumstances up to $5,000. The funds can be used for, but not limited to, the following:- Travel, accommodation and other out-of-pocket costs to attend e.g. training, an event, or course.
- Registration/fee for training or a professional development event.
- Childcare support to enable the recipient to participate in the training or event (note that we also have a carer's grant that may be useful)
Application process
To apply, please complete the application form below. The applicant will be asked to provide the following details:- Brief budget outline and what the amount is intended to cover
- Details of the Professional Development training or activity
- Details of expected benefits you hope to gain from attending the particular professional development training
Applications can be submitted at anytime. The OzGrav Directorate (comprising the Director, Deputy Director, and Chief Operating Officer) will assess applications and announce the outcome within 2 months of submission, therefore, please submit at least 2 months prior to the event. In some circumstances the grant offered may be less than the total costs. In such circumstances it will be up to the applicant to pay any additional expenses incurred via other means e.g. personal finances, university funds.
Please be aware that the recipient is responsible for seeking professional advice on any financial or tax implications associated with the receipt of this grant.
If successful, the applicant can make the arrangements to attend professional development activity and request reimbursement from OzGrav HQ. If this is not feasible, please contact OzGrav headquarters at info@ozgrav.org and we can provide assistance.
Recipients may be asked to supply a description of the project and outcomes in our annual reports or newsletters.
- OzGrav is pleased to offer seed funding to support translational research related to, but outside the scope of, funded OzGrav activities. The funds are aimed at stimulating and supporting the translation of OzGrav-developed techniques, technologies and know-how for applications not directly related to gravitational wave research, in particular where the applications may benefit other sectors, society, industry and/or be commercialisable.
Funds:
The allocation of funding will be reviewed by the Research Translation Committee and recommendations will be provided the Executive Committee for approval. Successful applicants may be awarded:- Between $5,000-$25,000 (unless by special exemption).
- Funds can be used to support equipment, consumables, and travel that is necessary to complete the project.
Eligibility criteria:- Applications from postdoctoral researchers and PhD students are strongly encouraged.
- Applications involving only students should specify an OzGrav Chief Investigator from the same node to support the application. This CI will be expected to provide mentorship to the students and take financial responsibility for administering the funds.
- OzGrav Chief Investigators are ineligible to lead an application but can participate in post-doc/student led applications.
- The grant application must have the endorsement of the node leader.
Application process:
Step 1: A brief Expression of Interest of up to one-page outlining:- Your proposed idea
- Who will be involved
- Description of your project and the broader application for it
Step 2:
An informal meeting will be organised to discuss your EOI with OzGrav COO and Research Translation Chair, who can provide assistance in submitting the formal application via the MS template provided below.
APPLICATION TEMPLATE (MS WORD DOCUMENT)
All successful applicants will be offered a mentor.
Applications can be submitted at any time. We aim to assess applications and announce the outcome within 2 months of submission. Applications will be reviewed by the OzGrav Research Translation Committee and recommendations will be provided to the Executive Committee for approval. The program has a limited budget and if successful, you may not be offered the full amount requested. We encourage you to review the other funding schemes OzGrav have to offer and can be utilised in conjunction with the OzGrav Seed Funding Grant.
Requirements:
Grant recipients must provide a report (with photos) describing the project and its outcomes for inclusion in OzGrav reports. Grant recipients may also be asked to give a presentation on their project at the annual retreat or other OzGrav events/meetings.
OzGrav has a strong commitment to supporting equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from females, minority groups, and people with diverse backgrounds. - Background: OzGrav has been awarded additional ARC funds to support Australian participation in the GWIC Third Generation Ground-based Detectors Study. These funds may be used to enable OzGrav members to work with the GWIC 3G working groups and subcommittees to develop plans and reports articulating:
• The science case for the next generation of observatories which drive the designs of future detectors
• Recommendations for the coordination of key research and development themes and programs that will lead to technological breakthroughs needed to achieve design goals
• Recommendations for governance frameworks to efficiently manage and operate the next generation GW network
Funds: The allocation of funding will be at the Directorate’s discretion. Successful applicants may be awarded:- Up to 100% of their total travel costs if the exclusive purpose of the trip is to actively help develop the 3G Working Group science cases and reports (e.g. attending a Working Group meeting to write the science case reports).
- Up to 50% of their total travel costs if the aim of the trip includes contributing to the development of the 3G Working Group activities, but that is not the exclusive purpose of the trip.
Eligibility criteria:- You must be an OzGrav CI, AI, or postdoctoral researcher
- You must be an active member of one of the GWIC 3G design study working groups/sub-committees. (See the 3G Science Case Team Working Groups described here: https://gw-astronomy.org/registry/pages/public/gwic-3g-sct-wg-sign-up)
- Your proposed activities/travel must contribute directly to the GWIC 3G design study planning and reports
Application process: Please fill out the below form to apply for funding to support your participation in GWIC 3G Global Design Study activities. Applications can be submitted at anytime. We aim to assess applications and announce the outcome within 2 months of submission. Therefore, you are advised to submit your application at least 2 months prior to the date of the proposed travel. The program has a limited budget and these applications will be reviewed by the OzGrav Directorate (comprising the OzGrav Director, Deputy Director and COO). If successful, you may not be offered the full amount requested.
If successful, the applicant’s home institution will be responsible for booking the travel, accommodation etc, and should invoice Swinburne for the amount awarded.
OzGrav has a strong commitment to supporting equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from females, minority groups, and people with diverse backgrounds
- We invite applications from OzGrav PhD students, postdocs and ECR Associate Investigators for travel awards to enable them to spend time working at nodes and other collaborating organisations on OzGrav projects.
Objective: This scheme is intended to support travel and placements that would not be possible without supplemental funding. We note that each node already has a budget that includes a base level of travel support for students and postdocs. Under this scheme, priority is given to extended placements/visits to work on OzGrav research. Only in exceptional circumstances will we support travel to attend a conference, as this would usually be expected to be covered by the node.
Funds: This is a competitive funding program. Successful applicants may be awarded up to $4,000 for international placements/travel or up to $2,500* for domestic placements/travel. Co-investment from the node is encouraged. Request for funding above these amounts will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The award may cover costs including but not limited to airfare, accommodation, meals and transport.
Requirements: Applicants must be registered students, postdoctoral researchers, or Associate Investigators in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav). We recommend that placements/visits to other nodes or collaborating organisations should be at least 1 week in duration. Award recipients must provide a brief report (with photos) describing the visit and its outcomes for inclusion in OzGrav reports to government.
Application process: Applications can be submitted at anytime. We aim to assess applications and announce the outcome within 2 months of submission. Therefore, you are advised to submit your application at least 2 months prior to the date of the proposed travel. To apply, you must complete the application form below and upload a copy of your CV.
The program has a limited budget and therefore these applications will be reviewed by the OzGrav Directorate and/or Executive Committee, who will award funds on a competitive basis. Even if successful, you may not be offered the full amount requested.
Assessment criteria: In making its assessment, we will take into account:
1) the expected increase in cross-institutional collaborations
2) the expected advancement of OzGrav research
3) the expected professional benefit to the applicant, and
4) the level of co-investment from node or other sources (we encourage at least 1/3 of the total cost to be covered by other sources).
We will also take into consideration the equitable distribution of funds across nodes. Any exceptions to these guidelines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If successful, the applicant’s home institution will be responsible for booking the travel, accommodation etc, and should invoice Swinburne for the amount awarded.
OzGrav has a strong commitment to supporting equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from females, minority groups, and people with diverse backgrounds.
* The $2500 domestic travel award is exclusive of GST - OzGrav acknowledges the difficulties that primary care givers can face and the possible missed professional opportunities to participate in events and conferences. The OzGrav Carers Grant initiative is a pilot program that aims to enable primary carers to participate in range of research activities that enhance the momentum of their research productivity and strengthen their research profile.
Eligibility
The Carers Grant is open to OzGrav CIs, AIs, Postdocs, Staff & Students whose professional opportunities are impacted by their primary care giver role*.
Use of Grant funds
The maximum amount that can be awarded to a recipient is $2,000 and the funds can be used for, but not limited to, the following:- Childcare, nanny or carer services
- Travel expenses for dependent child/children )
- Expenses associated with providing in-home care for the dependent, e.g. in-home care services, or travel for a family member to provide in-home care
- Travel expenses associated with bringing a collaborator to visit the primary care giver
Application process
To apply, please complete the application form below. The applicant will be asked to provide the following details:- Brief budget outline and what the amount is intended to cover
- Details of the event or conference in which you intend to participate or attend
- Details of carer responsibilities and interruptions, including implications if the carer grant is not awarded
Applications can be submitted at anytime. We aim to assess applications and announce the outcome within 2 months of submission, therefore, please submit at least 2 months prior to the event. In some circumstances carer expenses may exceed the amount granted to a successful applicant. In such circumstances it will be up to the applicant to pay any additional expenses incurred via other means i.e. personal finances, university funds (excluding OzGrav funds).
If successful, the applicant can arrange their travel and childcare arrangements personally and request reimbursement from OzGrav HQ. If this is not feasible, please contact OzGrav headquarters at info@ozgrav.org and we can provide assistance.
Financial and insurance implications
It is the responsibility of the person applying for a Carer Grant to seek professional advice on any potential impact it may have on their family tax benefits, childcare allowance and/or any other financial aide they are currently receiving.
It is also the responsibility of the Carer to arrange for any travel insurance for their travelling dependents. Your university may be able to provide cover. For instance, at Swinburne, you can notify the insurance team in advance at insurance@swin.edu.au to request that your dependent is covered under the university's corporate travel insurance policy.
*Primary Care Giver is a person who has primary and sustained responsibility for the care of a family member who is a dependent including children under the age of 18 years, elderly parents, other relatives or family members and other relatives with a disability or chronic medical condition.
- The OzGrav International Visitor Program has been established to support travel by leading international scientists to collaborate on OzGrav projects with OzGrav CIs and other members within Australia. This is a competitive funding program, with potential visitors to be nominated by OzGrav CIs. Visitors will be encouraged to visit multiple nodes, participate in node and theme meetings, and give seminars or public talks during their visit. At least one third of the budget should come from the hosting or sponsoring node(s).
Aim: The OzGrav International Visitor Program has been established to support travel by leading international scientists to collaborate in Centre programs within Australia.
Requirements: The program is intended to support visitors who are typically academics from outside Australia, including OzGrav Partner Investigators, to spend time working at OzGrav node(s) on OzGrav project(s) with an OzGrav Chief Investigator and other OzGrav members. Visitors are strongly encouraged to:
· Visit at least 2 OzGrav nodes.
· Stay for at least 2 weeks, to maximize the value of the trip. Should that not be possible, e.g. due to child caring responsibilities, please indicate the reasons for a shorter trip in your application.
· Give seminars and/or public talks on OzGrav-related topics during their visit.
· Participate in relevant OzGrav Node and Theme meetings and videocons.
In addition, the nominating CI must provide a brief report (with photos) describing the visit and its outcomes for inclusion in OzGrav reports to government.
Application process: Applications can be submitted at anytime. We aim to assess applications and announce the outcomes within 2 months of submission. Therefore, applications should be submitted well in advance of the proposed visit (at least 4 months in advance is recommended). To apply, you must complete the below application form and upload a copy of the proposed visitor’s CV.
The program has a limited budget and therefore these applications will be reviewed by the OzGrav Executive Committee, who will award funds on a competitive basis. In making its assessment the Executive Committee will take into account:
1) the expected benefit to OzGrav’s research program
2) the expected increase in international collaboration and benefit to OzGrav staff and students
3) the level of co-investment from the host node(s) or other sources (minimum 33% of total budget).
Over the lifetime of OzGrav, the Executive Committee will also take into consideration the equitable balance of visitor placements across nodes. Any exceptions to these guidelines will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If successful, the nominating CI’s institution will typically be responsible for booking the travel, accommodation etc, and should invoice Swinburne for the amount awarded.
OzGrav has a strong commitment to supporting equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from females, minority groups, and people with diverse backgrounds. - OzGrav is pleased to offer a financial contribution towards vacations scholarships up to 12 weeks per student for a suitable Project. OzGrav central will provide 2/3 of the stipend support (capped at a maximum of $400/week per student from OzGrav central) and nodes will fund the remaining portion of the stipend. We assume that the level of the stipend will be in accordance with the node’s usual vacation scholar rates. We will support a maximum of 2 vacation students per CI's group.
Eligibility- At least half of a node’s vacation scholar cohort must be from underrepresented groups or working with underrepresented supervisors.
- Scholars should have a track record that makes them competitive for PhD scholarships.
- Scholarships are available to third-year undergraduate students, honours and masters students (exceptions can be made for second-year undergraduate students for some research projects).
- The financial stipend support is available to vacation scholars supervised by OzGrav CIs, AIs and Postdocs to work on gravitational-wave-related projects.
- It is recommended to integrate the OzGrav vacations scholar(s) with your node's existing vacation scholarship program so that they have a larger local peer group.
- Scholars should participate in relevant Centre-wide activities.
Each node is encouraged to promote the vacation scholarships through their channels, and with a special effort to attract students from underrepresented groups.
Application Process
To apply for the 2022/23 summer vacation round, the supervisor will need to contact their local node administrator or node leader. It is preferred that your node submits all vacation applications within the one application (either by the node leader, node admin or delegate). Applications are now open and will be reviewed in batches every fortnight up until 15 Dec 2022.
The application will request the following information:- Summary of the project each vacation student will work on
- Number of vacation scholarship positions you would like financial contribution towards, including if students will require the additional relocation support
- Duration of scholarships (maximum 12 weeks)
- Confirmation from node leader that the remaining 1/3 of the stipend will be covered by your node funds or another source of funding
- Details of scholarship candidate(s) if known
- Confirmation if the student or supervisor meets the criteria of identifying from an underrepresented group.
We expect node leaders to endorse applications and for node leaders to be aware of, and coordinate, their researchers’ applications to ensure that the cohort meets the eligibility criteria.
The researcher’s home institution will coordinate and arrange the scholarship application process, stipend and student access to campus and facilities. Each node can invoice OzGrav headquarters for the HQ contribution to the stipends when required. Please seek assistance from your local administrator.
Please contact Dr Yeshe Fenner if you have any questions regarding your application coo@ozgrav.org.
