Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines

Early Career Industry Fellowship scheme

Mid-Career Industry Fellowship scheme

Industry Laureate Fellowship scheme

Australian Research Council Act 2001

I, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, having satisfied myself of the matters set out in section 59 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, approve these grant guidelines under section 60 of that Act.

Dated 26/08/2022

Hon Jason Clare MP
Minister for Education

Contents

1 Linkage Program: Industry Fellowships Program processes

2 About the program

3 Grant amount and period

4 Eligibility criteria

5 What the grant money can be used for

Eligible grant activities

Ineligible grant activities

6 How to apply

Application process

Timing of the grant opportunities

7 The grant selection process

Eligibility and assessment

National Interest Test

Who will approve grants?

Requests not to assess process

8 Successful grant applications

Announcement

Grant Agreements

Responsibilities

Specific research policies and practices

Monitoring and Reporting

9 Probity

Part A Early Career Industry Fellowships

Eligibility criteria

Assessment criteria

Successful grant applications

Part B Mid-Career Industry Fellowships

Eligibility criteria

Assessment criteria

Successful grant applications

Part C Industry Laureate Fellowships

Eligibility criteria

Assessment criteria

Successful grant applications

Appendix A – Glossary

Appendix B – Eligible Organisations

1         Linkage Program: Industry Fellowships Program processes

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We notify You of the outcome
We advise You if Your application was successful or not through RMS.

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2         About the program

2.                    

2.1.         The Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) is funded under the ARC’s Linkage Program. The Linkage Program is one of two ARC National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) Programs which promotes national and international research partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations and other publicly funded research agencies. Information about the Linkage Program is on the ARC website.

2.2.         The primary goal of the IFP is to create a pathway to support academic researchers in establishing careers in industry, and industry-based researchers to work in university settings, with the aim of increased two-way mobility and skill-building in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation. The Schemes will also drive research collaboration, translation and commercialisation outcomes across a range of industry settings.​

2.3.         There are three levels in the IFP. All levels seek to:

• develop a strong pipeline of researchers in Australia with capabilities in research collaboration, translation and commercialisation;
• open up and maintain a diversity of career pathways traversing university and industry settings;
• increase strategic engagement and alignment between universities and industry;
• contribute to the solving of industry-identified challenges and opportunities; and
• create commercial, economic and other benefits for Australia through enhanced translation and commercialisation, including the development of start-up companies.

2.4.         Specific aims at each of the levels are:

3         Grant amount and period

3.                    

3.1.         We provide salary and project funding contributions for the Industry Fellowship Program grant opportunities as detailed below. Salary and/or project contributions will not be awarded separately.

These figures are based on 2022 funding levels and may be subject to variation (for example, due to annual indexation). Updated levels will be listed on the salaries and stipends page of the ARC website.

4         Eligibility criteria

4.                    

4.1.         We will only accept applications from Eligible Organisations as identified in Appendix A. An Eligible Organisation that submits an application will be the ‘Administering Organisation’ (henceforth, ‘You’).

What are the eligibility requirements for applications?

4.2.         Applications must:

1. include one IFP candidate; and
2. include one Key Industry Partner.

4.3.         An IFP candidate can only be named on one IFP application (at any level) in a program round.

Who is eligible to be a fellowship candidate?

4.4.         The IFP candidate must satisfy eligibility criteria for the role they are to perform (including criteria outlined in this section as well as scheme-specific criteria in Part A, Part B or Part C).

4.5.         An ARC Fellow or Award recipient cannot concurrently hold more than one ARC Fellowship or Award.  

4.6.         The IFP candidate must not undertake a HDR during the project activity period.

4.7.         The IFP Candidate must have met their obligations on previously funded ARC projects, including submission of satisfactory final reports, before the commencement date of their IFP.

Who is eligible to be a Key Industry Partner or Other Industry Partner?

4.8.         The Key Industry Partner must be one of the following:

1. an organisation with an Australian Company Number (ACN);
2. an Australian government entity (Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local); or
3. an Australian not-for-profit/charity registered on the Australian Government’s Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Charity Register.

4.9.         Other Industry Partners are Australian or international organisations that provide Industry Fellows with additional or complementary support, facilities and/or networking opportunities.

4.10.      To be eligible as the Key Industry Partner or an Other Industry Partner, an organisation cannot be:

1. included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’ (www.nationalredress.gov.au);

b.       an Eligible Organisation;

c.        a controlled entity of any Eligible Organisation; or

d.       an entity (for example a joint venture) where more than 50 per cent is owned by one or more Eligible Organisations.

4.11.      Key Industry Partner and Other Industry Partner cash contributions cannot be sourced from funds awarded or appropriated by the Commonwealth or an Australian State or Territory or Local Government for the purposes of research, nor funds used to leverage any other government research or research infrastructure funding.

5         What the grant money can be used for

Eligible grant activities

5.                    

5.1.         The Linkage Program supports research activities that meet the definition of ‘research’ in the Glossary.

What grant funds can be used for

5.2.         Expenditure must:

1. be a direct cost of the research proposed in the application or training to build the Industry Fellowship candidate’s capacity for research commercialisation, translation and/or collaboration;

b.       not support ineligible grant activities (5.3) or ineligible budget items (5.4); and

c.        accord with any special conditions in the grant agreement.

Ineligible grant activities

5.3.         Ineligible grant activities include:

1. research activities or research infrastructure previously funded or being funded through any other Commonwealth grant;

b.       applications that involve medical research as detailed in the ARC Medical Research Policy;

c.        any application that uses ARC funds for clinical trials;

d.       applications where one or more Organisation(s) is seeking expert external assistance, not available within their own organisation, to develop applications or outputs that involve little innovation or are low risk;

e.       unless they meet the definition of ‘research’ and are directly related to the project activities:

1. activities leading solely to the creation or performance of a work of art, including visual art, musical compositions, drama, dance, film, broadcasts, designs and literary works; or
2. production of computer programs, research aids and tools; data warehouses, catalogues or bibliographies; or teaching materials.

What grant funds cannot be used for

5.4.         You cannot request or use grant funds for the following:

1. basic facilities (such as bench fees or similar laboratory fees; access to basic library collections; or basic computer facilities); 

b.       capital works and general infrastructure;

c.        equipment or consumables for broad general use;

d.       costs not directly related to the project, including but not limited to professional membership fees, fees for patent application and maintenance, equipment for live music or drama performances, equipment for gallery and museum exhibitions, visas, relocation costs, entertainment costs, purchase of alcohol, insurance, mobile phones (purchase or call charges) and other indirect costs;

e.       fees for international students or the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) liabilities for students;

f.         costs associated with starting up companies or legal (or other expert-related) costs associated with commercialisation of Intellectual Property; and/or

g.       salary top ups for personnel above the salary level specified in these grant guidelines or published on the ‘Salaries and Stipends’ page of the ARC website (any top-up salary or stipend support may be provided by funds other than ARC funds).

6         How to apply

6.                    

Application process

6.1.         Instructions To Applicants will be issued on the opening of the grant opportunity and applicants must follow the processes described in those Instructions.

6.2.         Your application must be completed in RMS.

6.3.         You cannot change Your application after the closing date and time, unless invited to by the ARC.

6.4.         We reserve the right to seek evidence to support the certification of applications at any point.

6.5.         Questions during the application period should be directed to the Administering Organisation’s Research Office. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions will be posted on GrantConnect.

Timing of the grant opportunities

6.6.         Schemes under the IFP typically accept one round of applications each year.

6.7.         You must submit Your application between the round opening and closing dates and times specified on GrantConnect.

7         The grant selection process

Eligibility and assessment

7.1.         All applications will be considered through a competitive peer process, based on:

1. how well it meets the assessment criteria;

b.       how it is ranked against other applications; and

c.        whether it provides value for money (as defined in the Glossary).

7.2.         Assessment of applications will be undertaken by an Assessment Committee of IFP Assessors and Detailed Assessors.

7.3.         In Our absolute discretion, We may recommend an application not be approved if we consider it (a) incomplete, (b) inaccurate or contains false or misleading information, or (c) is otherwise in breach of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

7.4.         We may seek advice on security or other matters from Commonwealth agencies at any time during the process. We may seek information from You about activities and protections in line with that advice.

7.5.         During the assessment, We may request additional information, which does not change the nature of Your application.

National Interest Test

7.6.         Applicants must provide a National Interest Test statement.

7.7.         The National Interest Test statement should address, in terms that are easily understood by the general community, the potential of the project to contribute to Australia’s national interest.

Who will approve grants?

7.8.         Our CEO will make recommendations for funding to the Minister, after considering the advice from peer review, the National Interest Test, national security considerations, and alignment with Australian Government priorities.

7.9.         The Minister will decide which grants to fund. The Minister’s decision is final in all matters.

7.10.      The outcome of all applications will be published in RMS.

Requests not to assess process

7.11.      You may name up to three persons whom You do not wish to assess an application by submitting a ‘Request Not to Assess’ form in RMS as detailed on GrantConnect and on the ARC website. This form must be received by Us two weeks prior to the grant opportunity closing date.

7.12.      Only one request containing the names of up to three individual assessors may be submitted per application.

7.13.      If a request includes the name of a current ARC College of Experts member, as listed on the ARC website or in RMS at the time of submitting the ‘Request Not to Assess’ form, the request must be accompanied by comprehensive evidence justifying the request for the ARC College of Experts member or members named. If We consider the evidence is not sufficient for the named ARC College of Experts member or members, We will reject part, or all of the request.

7.14.      We have discretion about whether We accept or refuse a ‘Request Not to Assess’. We will not notify You of the outcome.

8         Successful grant applications

Announcement

8.                    

8.1.         If successful, Your grant will be listed on GrantConnect no more than 21 calendar days after the date of effect.

8.2.         We will publicise offers and grants awarded, which may include the following information:

1. Your name and any other parties involved in or associated with the project;

b.       Industry Fellows and their organisations;

c.        project description (the title and summary description);

d.       Your response to the National Interest Test;

e.       classifications and international collaboration country names; and

f.         the ARC grant funding amount.

8.3.         You should ensure information contained in the project title, summary descriptions and National Interest Test statement will not compromise Your requirements for confidentiality (such as protection of Intellectual Property).

8.4.         We may publish a project description, including title and summary, which differs from that provided in the application.

Grant Agreements

8.5.         You must enter into a grant agreement with Us to receive a grant.

8.6.         We use the ARC Linkage Program IFP grant agreement which contains standard terms and conditions that cannot be changed. A sample grant agreement is available on GrantConnect. Any special conditions will be identified in the grant offer.

8.7.         You will have 30 calendar days from the date of offer to execute the grant agreement.

8.8.         We must execute a grant agreement with You before We can make payment. We are not responsible for any of Your project expenditure until a grant agreement is executed. You must not start any activities until all third-party agreements are executed.

How We pay the grant

8.9.         Payments will be made as set out in the grant agreement. Grant funding will typically be paid monthly through Our payment system to You.

8.10.      The grant offer will specify the approved grant amount. We will not pay more than the approved grant amount under any circumstances. If you incur extra costs, You must meet them.

8.11.      All amounts referred to in these grant guidelines are exclusive of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), unless expressly stated otherwise.

Grant Agreement Variation

8.12.      Variations must be submitted where there are changes to the duration of the fellowship, changes to the Key Industry Partner, or if changes to the project result in it no longer aligning with the project description. Further information can be found in the Grant Agreement.

Responsibilities

Fellow responsibilities

8.13.      The Industry Fellow:

1. takes responsibility for the authorship and intellectual content of the application, appropriately citing sources and acknowledging all significant contributions, including from third parties;

b.       must obtain a legal right to work and reside in Australia, prior to the commencement of the project if the candidate is not an Australian citizen; and

c.        must meet residential, time commitment and relinquishment requirements specified in the grant agreement.

Your (Administering Organisation) responsibilities

8.14.      You must ensure the Industry Fellow is supported to spend significant time working in the Key Industry Partner setting (at least 20% of the project activity period) and Administering Organisation (at least 20% of the project activity period). You must provide appropriate facilities for project-related activities, and have arrangements in place with the Key Industry Partner to ensure the Fellow’s access to their facilities.

8.15.      The salary component of a grant is a contribution to assist You employing the Industry Fellow to conduct research. An Industry Fellow’s total salary must be agreed between You and the Industry Fellow, and may include top-ups provided by funds other than ARC funds.

Key Industry Partner responsibilities

8.16.      The Key Industry Partner will be required to certify their commitment to the successful completion of the project, including any financial contributions they will make and that they have appropriate governance arrangements in place.

8.17.      The Key Industry Partner must ensure the Industry Fellow is supported to spend significant time working in an industry setting (at least 20% of the project activity period) as well as in the Administering Organisation (at least 20% of the project activity period). The Key Industry Partner must provide appropriate facilities for project-related activities.

Specific research policies and practices

8.18.      All applications and ARC-funded research projects must comply with the requirements for responsible and ethical research practice specified in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the codes, guidelines, practices and policies on the ARC website.

8.19.      An ethics plan must be in place before commencement of the Fellowship.

8.20.      Intellectual Property arrangements should be negotiated between You, the Key Industry Partner and Other Industry Partners. Key Industry Partners or Other Industry Partners may have access to Intellectual Property arising from the project. We do not claim ownership of any IP arising from the project.

8.21.      All research projects must comply with the ARC Open Access Policy on the dissemination of findings on the ARC website.

8.22.      A data management plan must be in place before the project commences, in line with the grant agreement, and ARC expectations on the ARC website.

Monitoring and Reporting

8.23.      You must inform us of any changes to Your:

1. name;

b.       addresses;

c.        nominated contact details; or

d.       bank account details.

8.24.      You must submit reports in line with the grant agreement. Reports must be submitted through RMS, unless otherwise advised by Us. Reporting includes:

1. End of year reports;

b.       Final reports; and

c.        Post-project reporting.

8.25.      We will monitor progress by assessing Your reports and may conduct site visits or request records to confirm details of Your reports if necessary. We may re-examine claims, seek further information or request an independent audit of claims and payments.

8.26.      We may evaluate the project to measure how well the outcomes and objectives were achieved. We may use information from Your application and reports or may contact You after grant completion to assist evaluation.

9         Probity

9.                    

9.1.         The Australian Government will make sure that the grant opportunity process is fair, according to the published guidelines, incorporates appropriate safeguards against fraud, unlawful activities and other inappropriate conduct and is consistent with the CGRGs and the ARC Act.

Appeals process

9.2.         We will only consider appeals against the NCGP administrative process and not against committee decisions, assessor ratings and comments, or the assessment outcome. Appellants must identify the specific guideline/legislative instrument clause, policy or procedure which they believe has been incorrectly applied.

9.3.         You must submit an appeal using the Form on the ARC website and have it authorised by the Administering Organisation’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or equivalent. Appeals must be received by 5.00pm (AEDT/AEST) within 30 days of the date You were notified of the outcome of Your application.

9.4.         The appeals process is set out on the ARC website.

Conflicts of interest

9.5.         You will be asked to declare any perceived, potential or existing conflicts of interests or that, to the best of Your knowledge, there is no conflict of interest in Your application. Each named individual or organisation must make this declaration about any aspect of the application or project to You at the date of submission.

9.6.         If a Conflict of Interest exists or arises, You must have documented processes in place to manage that Conflict for the duration of the project. Processes must comply with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018), the ARC Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy and any relevant documents.

9.7.         We will handle any Conflicts of Interest as set out in Australian Government policies and procedures. Refer to the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy on the ARC website.

Privacy and protection of personal information

9.8.         We treat your personal information according to the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act 1988.

9.9.         You are required, as part of Your application, to certify Your compliance with the Privacy Act 1988, including the Australian Privacy Principles and impose the same privacy obligations on any subcontractors You engage. You must ask for our consent in writing before disclosing confidential information.

Confidential information

9.10.      The Australian Government may use and disclose confidential information about grant applicants and grant recipients to any other Australian Government business or function.

9.11.      We will treat the information You give Us as confidential if:

1. You clearly identify the information as confidential and explain why We should treat it as confidential;

b.       the information is commercial in confidence;

c.        revealing the information would cause unreasonable harm to You or someone else; or

d.       You provide the information with an understanding that it will stay confidential.

Freedom of information

9.12.      All documents in the possession of the Australian Government, including those about this program, are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

Part A       Early Career Industry Fellowships

A1.1       The requirements for the Early Career Industry Fellowship scheme set out here must be read with the IFP requirements in Sections 1–9 of these grant guidelines.

Eligibility criteria

A1.2       The Early Career Industry Fellowship candidate must hold a Higher Degree by Research or equivalent.

A1.3       Your application must justify why the candidate may be considered ‘early career’. The candidate should have a total of 5 or less years of industry and/or academic research experience (measured by FTE), and may take career interruptions into consideration.

A1.4       A previous recipient of an Early Career Industry Fellowship is not eligible to apply for another Early Career Industry Fellowship, but may apply for a Mid-Career Industry Fellowship or Industry Laureate Fellowship.

A1.5       An individual may submit a maximum of two Early Career Industry Fellowship applications.

A1.6       You may apply for an Early Career Industry Fellowship on behalf of an Australian or international candidate.

Assessment criteria

A1.7       Your application must address all assessment criteria. We will assess your application based on the weighting given to each criterion. The assessment criteria for the Early Career Industry Fellowship grant opportunity are:

1. Impact 25%

• The significance of the industry challenge or opportunity being addressed in the research project and its relevance to industry partners;
• The potential for short-, medium- or long-term outcomes, translation, adoption and/or commercialisation beyond Fellowship completion; and
• The appropriateness, completeness and effectiveness of proposed pathways to impact, and related activities to support research translation, adoption and/or commercialisation, including IP management.

b.         Commitment and Alignment 25%

• Demonstration of the mutual benefit to the Fellow and Key Industry Partner including potential to lead to longer-term collaboration;
• Strength of engagement between the Fellow and Key Industry Partner, including previous projects (where applicable), and interactions to date on the proposed project; and
• The extent to which all parties demonstrate a commitment to the success of the project and to expanding a collaborative relationship.

c.          Candidate Capability 25%

• The extent to which the candidate’s skills and experience, relative to opportunity, are aligned to the project;
• The candidate’s demonstrated capability to undertake research projects in collaboration with industry and/or other research end-user groups; and
• The appropriateness and effectiveness of the proposed career development plans for the Fellow, including to enhance their research translation and/or commercialisation skills.

d.         Research Quality and Innovation 25%

• The clarity and novelty of the aim and conceptual framework and the innovativeness of the research method(s) to the industry challenge or opportunity;
• The novelty of the research in the context of previous research in the area;
• The clear presence of the Key Industry Partner in the design, method and delivery of the research; and
• The feasibility of the research in terms of the project’s design, participants, requested duration, required resources/facilities, risk management and appropriateness of the budget.

If the project involves Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander research, additional criteria include:

• The project’s level of collaboration, engagement, relationship building and benefit sharing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and First Nations Organisations and Communities;
• The project’s strategy and mechanisms for Indigenous research capacity building within the project;
• The project’s adherence to the Australian Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles; and
• The project’s understanding of, and proposed strategies to adhere to, the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and NHMRC’s guidelines on Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities.

Successful grant applications

A1.8       The Early Career Industry Fellowship may be undertaken full-time or part‑time subject to Your employment conditions and provided it does not exceed 6 years (excluding any approved suspensions).

A1.9       You must employ the Early Career Industry Fellow at a minimum of academic level A (or equivalent) for the entire project activity period.

Part B       Mid-Career Industry Fellowships

B1.1       The requirements for the Mid-Career Industry Fellowship scheme set out here must be read with the IFP requirements in Sections 1–9.

Eligibility criteria

B1.2       The Mid-Career Industry Fellowship candidate must hold a Higher Degree by Research or equivalent.

B1.3       Your application must justify why the candidate is considered ‘mid-career.’ The candidate should have 5 to 15 years of industry and/or academic research experience (measured by FTE), and may take career interruptions into account.

B1.4       A previous recipient of a Mid-Career Industry Fellowship is not eligible to apply for another Mid-Career Industry Fellowship or an Early Career Industry Fellowship, but may apply for an Industry Laureate Fellowship.

B1.5       An individual may only submit a maximum of three Mid-Career Industry Fellowship applications.

B1.6       You may apply for a Mid-Career Industry Fellowship on behalf of an Australian or international candidate.

Assessment criteria

B1.7       Your application must address all assessment criteria. We will assess your application based on the weighting given to each criterion. The assessment criteria for the Mid-Career Industry Fellowship grant opportunity are:

1. Impact 25%

• The significance of the industry challenge or opportunity being addressed in the research project and its relevance to industry partners;
• The potential for short-, medium- or long-term outcomes, translation, adoption and/or commercialisation beyond Fellowship completion;
• The potential to build and expand sustainable relationships between industry partners and the research organisation and the wider research community; and
• The appropriateness, completeness and effectiveness of proposed pathways to impact, and related activities to support research translation, adoption and/or commercialisation, including IP management.

b.         Commitment and Alignment 25%

• Demonstration of the mutual benefit to the Fellow and Key Industry Partner including potential to lead to longer-term collaboration;
• Strength of engagement between the Fellow and the Key Industry Partner, including previous projects (where applicable), and interactions to date on the proposed project; and
• The extent to which all parties demonstrate a commitment to the success of the project and to expanding a collaborative relationship, including the industry partners’ financial and/or in-kind contributions.

c.          Candidate Capability 25%

• The extent to which the candidate’s skills and experience, relative to opportunity, enable them to deliver the goals of the research project;
• The demonstrated capability of the candidate to lead research projects in collaboration with industry and/or other research end-user groups;
• Evidence of the candidate’s capability to effectively supervise and mentor more junior staff (in industry and university) and students; and
• The appropriateness and effectiveness of the proposed career development plans for the Fellow, including to enhance their research translation and/or commercialisation skills.

d.         Research Quality and Innovation 25%

• The clarity and novelty of the aim and conceptual framework and the innovativeness of the research method(s) to the industry challenge or opportunity;
• The novelty of the research in the context of previous research in the area;
• The involvement of the Key Industry Partner’s staff and resources in the design, method and delivery of the research; and
• The feasibility of the proposed research in terms of the project’s design, participants, requested duration, required resources/facilities, risk management and appropriateness of the budget.

If the project involves Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander research, additional criteria include:

• The project’s level of collaboration, engagement, relationship building and benefit sharing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and First Nations Organisations and Communities;
• The project’s strategy and mechanisms for Indigenous research capacity building within the project;
• The project’s adherence to the Australian Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles; and
• The project’s understanding of, and proposed strategies to adhere to, the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and NHMRC’s guidelines on Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities.

Successful grant applications

B1.8       The Mid-Career Industry Fellowship may be undertaken full-time or part-time subject to Your employment conditions and provided that it does not exceed 8 years (excluding any approved periods of suspension).

B1.9       You must employ the Mid-Career Industry Fellow at a minimum of Academic Level C (or equivalent) for the project activity period.

Part C       Industry Laureate Fellowships

C1.1       The requirements for the Industry Laureate Fellowships scheme set out here must be read with the general IFP requirements in Sections 1–9.

Eligibility criteria

C1.2       Your Industry Laureate Fellowship application must:

1. nominate an Industry Laureate Fellowship candidate;

b.       request funding for a minimum of two PDRAs and two PGRs; and

c.        nominate a Key Industry Partner.

C1.3       You may apply for an Industry Laureate Fellowship on behalf of an Australian or international Industry Fellowship candidate.

C1.4       A previous recipient of an Industry Laureate Fellowship is not eligible to apply for another grant under the Industry Fellowship Program.

Assessment criteria

C1.5       Your application must address all the assessment criteria. We will assess your application based on the weighting given to each criterion. The assessment criteria for the Industry Laureate Fellowship grant opportunity are:

1. Impact 25%

• The significance of the industry challenge or opportunity being addressed in the research project;
• The case for industry transformation upon successful completion of the Fellowship;
• The potential for short-, medium- or long-term research impact, translation and/or commercialisation beyond the Fellowship completion; and
• The appropriateness and effectiveness of the pathways to impact, and related activities to support research translation and/or commercialisation, including IP management arrangements.

b.         Commitment and Alignment 25%

• The mutual benefit to the Fellow, the Fellow’s team, and Key Industry Partner including potential to lead to longer-term collaboration;
• Strength of engagement between the Fellow, other project research participants and Key Industry Partner, including previous projects, and interactions to date on the proposed project; and
• The extent to which all parties demonstrate a commitment to the success of the project and to establishing a collaborative relationship, including the industry partners’ financial and/or in-kind contributions.

c.          Candidate Capability 30%

• The extent to which the candidate’s skills and experience, relative to opportunity, ensure they will drive the achievement of the goals of the program of research;
• The candidate’s capacity to lead a high-quality program of ground-breaking, internationally competitive research undertaken by a research team in collaboration with industry and/or other research end-user groups;
• The candidate's potential to create an enduring legacy through acting as a senior academic-end user ambassador; and
• The candidate’s ability to build world class research translation/commercialisation capabilities and end-user connections within diverse teams.

d.         Research Quality and Innovation 20%

• The clarity of the aim and conceptual framework and the appropriateness of the research method(s) to the industry challenge or opportunity;
• Clear innovation by the Key Partner including in the design, method and delivery of the research;
• The novelty of the proposed program of research and its potential to transform current bodies of knowledge and practices; and
• The feasibility of the proposed research in terms of the design of the program of research, participants, requested duration, required resources/facilities, risk management and appropriateness of the budget.

If the project involves Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander research, additional criteria include:

• The project’s level of collaboration, engagement, relationship building and benefit sharing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and First Nations Organisations and Communities;
• The project’s strategy and mechanisms for Indigenous research capacity building within the project;
• The project’s adherence to the Australian Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles; and
• The project’s understanding of, and proposed strategies to adhere to, the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research and NHMRC’s guidelines on Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities.

Successful grant applications

C1.6       The Industry Laureate Fellowship may be undertaken on either a full-time, or a part‑time basis subject to Your organisation’s employment conditions and provided that the Industry Laureate Fellowship does not exceed 8 years from the project start date (excluding any approved periods of suspension).

C1.7       You must employ the Industry Laureate Fellow at a minimum of academic level E (or equivalent) for the project activity period.

Appendix A – Glossary

Acronyms

Definitions

Appendix B – Eligible Organisations

[1] OECD (2015), Frascati Manual 2015: Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development (p.378).