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External Funding & Income Categories

External research funding is divided into research income categories as defined by the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC):

  • Category 1: Australian Competitive Grants.
  • Category 2: Other Australian public sector research income which is not eligible for inclusion as Category 1, and is sub-categorised as Commonwealth (own purpose); Commonwealth (other); State/Territory (own purpose); State/Territory (other).
  • Category 3: Consists of research income received from the private sector, philanthropic and international sources that are not eligible as Category 1 or Category 2.
  • Category 4: Research income derived from Australian Government grants to CRCs; research income derived from non-HEP members of CRCs; research income derived from external parties contributing to CRCs.

Prior to 2018, the Australian Competitive Grants Register (ACGR) was used to identify schemes that provide competitive research grants, commonly known as Category 1 funding/income, to higher education providers.  In 2018, the ACGR was abolished and Universities now use a prescribed Decision Tree, and the scheme guidelines, to determine which grants are nationally competitive.

Category 1 – Australian Competitive Grants income is a metric used to inform the allocation of the Australian Government’s Research Block Grants to Universities.

The major funding bodies  that fall within Category 1 are:

  • Australian Research Council (ARC)
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
  • Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
  • Rural R&D Corporations, such as Grain Research & Development Cooperation(GRDC)

Research funding can be obtained via tender submission provided the tender response addresses are research question, e.g. it may contain an evaluation element, and the information can be disseminated to a wider audience.

Not all tenders are through government departments however you may be interested in subscribing to searches / notifications through the following:

Funding can come from sources such as not-for-profit organisations, charitable foundations, philanthropic trusts and industry, whether it be through competitive open calls or contract research. This funding is categorised as Category 3 income and will be reportable under HERDC.

See Foundation and Trust Schemes for more information

Australian-based researchers are able to apply for international funding, however sometimes it does require collaboration with the country of origin.

Some places to start your search include:

US

UK

EU

Other funding can include:

  • Contract research: projects that aim to achieve mutually beneficial research outcomes. Contract research differs to a consultancy, which involves the provision of a service and/or expert advice. Contract research can be categorised as research income (category 2 or 3) and will be reportable under HERDC.
  • A negotiated offer of funding: ‘tap on the shoulder’ funding, industry that seeks to provide funding before EOFY, etc.
  • Funding provided from an external source for a specific research project.

If you are planning on applying for or coordinating arrangements for any external research funding please see our Applying for funding web page.

Contacts

For any queries or assistance please contact:

  • School Research Administration Officers (RAO) for details see below
  • Coordinator Research Administration (CRA) Lorraine Dunbar Tel: 6304 5402
  • Email: research-preaward@ecu.edu.au

Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences schools


Arts & Humanities
Business & Law
Education
Kurongkurl Katitjin 
WAAPA

Centre for People, Place and Planet


Nicky Kemp
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 2623

STEM schools


Engineering
Medical & Health Sciences
Nursing & Midwifery
Science

Nutrition & Health Innovation Research Institute
Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Security Research Institute 


Kylie Rudrum
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 3430

Mariko Huartson
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 3669

Donna Field
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 3638

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