HASS Enabler Funding Scheme (HASS EFS)

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The HASS Enabler Funding Scheme is provided to support early career and mid-career teaching and research academics (Level A-C) who have maintained a standard teaching load since Semester 1, 2020, to get their research program back on track after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated impacts on research productivity.

The HASS Enabler Funding Scheme is designed to enable researchers to commence or progress a significant piece of research, complete a concrete research outcome or publish high-quality research (conventional or non-traditional) in quality outlets. Staff are encouraged to think imaginatively about how to use the funding under the scheme. Collaboration between researchers is encouraged.

The HASS Enabler Funding Scheme will operate in two rounds. Staff will not be disadvantaged if they wait for Round 2. The approach is simply designed to recognise that some staff will be ready to apply immediately, whereas others may need more time. Two funding rounds will also assist Heads of School in managing any associated workload impacts across the remainder of 2021 (Semester Two) and into 2022 (Semester One and Semester Two).

Eligibility

Applicants must hold an eligible University of Queensland salaried appointment in a school of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The lead applicant (or all named applicants in a collaborative bid) must meet the following criteria:

must be in a Teaching & Research appointment at level A, B or C at time of submission.
must be appointed on at least 0.5 FTE (Full Time Equivalent) basis. Applicants on fractional appointments will be eligible for the full amount of funding;

must be contracted as a UQ employee until the end of 2022 (can be a single appointment or a series of back-to-back appointments). If not a single appointment, letter from relevant Head of School confirming school’s support until end of 2022 is required;

Any questions regarding eligibility please email research@hass.uq.edu.au.

Scheme Conditions

The HASS Enabler Funding Scheme will operate under the following conditions:

HASS Enabler Funding Scheme awards are up to a maximum of $15,000 per staff member.
Staff may submit a collaborative Team project in their own school and with other schools in HASS to undertake multidisciplinary projects, with a combined budget up to a maximum of $50,000 with a minimum of three eligible researchers. All Leads and Co-Leads need to meet the Scheme Eligibility for a Team project to be considered.
Individual and Team projects can include other staff as collaborators or mentors where relevant.
Activity funded by the Scheme may include research assistance, infrastructure equipment, fieldwork travel (local/interstate), marking relief and buy-out of some teaching activities. Please note that any requests for teaching buy-out are subject to the support of the Head of School. The Head of School may decline any teaching buyout requests where the justification is not clear, where school teaching plans are significantly disrupted and/or where alternative teaching arrangements may compromise teaching and learning quality
Activity not funded by the Scheme includes (but not limited to) investigator salaries or allowances, international travel, conference travel, open access publication costs, abstracting services, projects which consist substantially of student support (including stipends).

Scheme Criteria

The Scheme is designed to support eligible staff, with particular emphasis on supporting researchers most impacted by COVID-19 and other equity considerations. The Scheme Criteria under which applicants will be considered are:

Concrete research outcomes (eg publications/creative works)
Potential for the activity to lead to future research activity (e.g., an external funding opportunity)
Relative to opportunity research track record
Impact of COVID-19 and other equity considerations
Alignment with school research priorities
Budget and budget justification to demonstrate ability to expend funds by the deadline

Application Process

The Scheme process is as follows:

The HASS Enabler Funding Scheme Application Form needs to be completed in consideration of the Guidelines and Conditions of Award.
Following Head of School approval applications are submitted to the Faculty Research Office at research@hass.uq.edu.au by the due date for Round 1 or Round 2.
The HASS Faculty Research Office will undertake eligibility and compliance review of the proposals and seek Head of School ranking (if required) before distribution to the HASS Enabler Review Panel for consideration.
Applications will be considered by the HASS Enabler Review Panel which consists of the HASS Associate Dean (Research) and selected members of the HASS Faculty Research Committee.
Recommendations will be provided by the HASS Enabler Review Panel to the Executive Dean. The Executive Dean will make the final determination of the awards.
All applicants and their Head of Schools will receive notification on the outcome from the Faculty Research Office.
Successful applicants will receive further advice to advise on the operationalisation of their project.
Unsuccessful Round 1 applicants can reapply in Round 2. Staff will not be disadvantaged if they wait for Round 2.

Timeline, Key Documents and Contact Information

Timeline

Round 1 - funds will need to be fully expended by 15 December 2021.

Application due date: Friday 11 June 2021.
Applicants are expected to be notified of outcomes in June/July 2021.

Round 2 - funds will need to be fully expended by 15 December 2022.

Application due date: 17 September 2021 (updated 20 August)
Applicants are expected to be notified of outcomes in October/November 2021.

Scheme Documentation

Guidelines - as of 20 August 2021. Update to Round 2 Submission deadline
Application Form - as of 20 August 2021. Update to Round 2 Submission deadline
Conditions of Award - as of 2 July 2021

Further Information or Questions

Please contact the Faculty Research Office at research@hass.uq.edu.au.