FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award for funding
commencing in 2014
Version 1
Release date: 8 February 2013

All Participants should read the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for
funding commencing in 2014 (DE14 Funding Rules) and the Discovery Early Career
Researcher Award Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2014 (DE14
Instructions to Applicants).

The Australian Research Council (ARC) does not respond to queries from individual
Participants. Individual Participants should direct all queries regarding ARC funding schemes
to their Administering Organisation’s Research Office (or equivalent) in the first instance. If
further information regarding the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme
is required, the Research Office should contact arc-DECRA@arc.gov.au.

Information regarding the ARC’s definition of Medical and Dental Research is available at
www.arc.gov.au/applicants/md_research.htm.

Information regarding the Research Management System (RMS) is available at
www.arc.gov.au/applicants/system_default.htm, or by contacting rms@arc.gov.au for
assistance.
As soon as information regarding important scheme dates becomes available, the ARC website
will be updated at http://www.arc.gov.au/media/important_dates.htm. The ARC will also
endeavour to notify the Research Administrator’s Network of any updates via an email message.
CONTENTS
1
DECRA CANDIDATE – ELIGIBILITY ................................................................................................... 2
2
DECRA CANDIDATE - ROLE .............................................................................................................. 5
3
CROSS-SCHEME ELIGIBILITY ............................................................................................................ 6
4
FUNDING AND BUDGET .................................................................................................................. 8
5
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................................... 10
6
OTHER ........................................................................................................................................... 11
1 DECRA CANDIDATE – ELIGIBILITY
1.1
Is DECRA open to applicants who hold degrees or have experience which might be
considered a PhD equivalent?
The DECRA scheme acknowledges the PhD as an important qualification in establishing a
research career. In accordance with subsection 6.2.1 of the DE14 Funding Rules a DECRA
candidate must hold a PhD to be eligible for this scheme. Research experience as a PhD
equivalent will not be considered for funding purposes.
The DE14 Funding Rules do not include a pre-submission eligibility exemption process to deal
with PhD equivalency matters. These matters are managed during the peer review and
selection processes. The ARC will use the requirements of the Doctoral Degree specified by
Level 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework Second Edition 2013 (available at
www.aqf.edu.au ) in establishing equivalency of alternatively named awards. Applicants should
address these equivalency issues in their application in Part G of the DE14 Proposal form.
1.2
What does the ‘Award of PhD Date’ mean?
The ‘Award of PhD Date’ means the date of conferral of a PhD (that is, the date of the
graduation ceremony, regardless of whether the applicant attended the ceremony or received
the award in absentia). The ‘Award of PhD Date’ is not the date of submission of the thesis, nor
the date the thesis was accepted by the examination board.
1.3
Is a researcher eligible to apply for funding commencing in 2014 if their PhD will be
awarded between 2 March and 27 March 2013?
The DECRA scheme is intended for researchers up to five years post-PhD. For this round of
DECRA, researchers who have been awarded a PhD on or after 1 March 2008 until the closing
date for Proposals (27 March 2013) are eligible to apply.
1.4
Can you please confirm that a DECRA Candidate awarded a PhD between 1 March 2005
and 1 March 2008 is only eligible if they have had one or more periods of significant
career interruption between the 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2013?
Yes. In accordance with subsection 6.2.1.b of the DECRA Funding Rules, a DECRA Candidate
awarded a PhD between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2008 must, at the closing time of
submission of Proposals, have a commensurate period of significant career interruption (as
defined in the DE14 Funding Rules) between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2013. If taken into
account, the period of the career interruption must equate with the Candidate’s PhD being
awarded on or after 1 March 2008. Any career interruptions prior to 1 March 2005 will not be
taken into account.
Please note that, as well as falling within the allowable timeframe, a career interruption must
be of one of the types described in section 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules.
1.5
If a researcher was awarded their PhD on 1 June 2007 (nine months prior to the 1
March 2008) and had a ten month eligible career interruption from 1 July 2007 to 1 May
2008, would they be eligible to apply for a DECRA?
Yes. The researcher in the example above has a ten month career interruption in the eligible
period which accounts for their PhD being awarded nine months prior to the 1 March 2008.
In accordance with subsection 6.2.1 b of the DE14 Funding Rules, a researcher with a PhD
awarded between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2008 must have a commensurate period of
significant career interruption between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2013. Any significant career
interruption prior to 1 March 2005 will not be considered.
Please note that, as well as falling within the allowable timeframe, a career interruption must
be of one of the types described in section 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules.
1.6
If a researcher was awarded their PhD on 1 June 2007 (nine months prior to the 1
March 2008) and had a nine month eligible career interruption from 1 July 2004 to 1
April 2005, would they be eligible to apply for a DECRA?
No. The researcher in the example above only has one month of the career interruption in the
eligible period of 1 March 2005 to 1 March 2013. This does not account for their PhD being
awarded nine months prior to the 1 March 2008.
In accordance with subsection 6.2.1 b of the DE14 Funding Rules, a researcher with a PhD
awarded between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2008 must have a commensurate period of
significant career interruption between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2013. Any significant career
interruption prior to 1 March 2005 will not be considered.
Please note that, as well as falling within the allowable timeframe, a career interruption must
be of one of the types described in section 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules.
1.7
If a researcher was awarded their PhD on 1 June 2007 (nine months prior to the 1
March 2008) and had a six month eligible career interruption from 1 July 2007 to 1
January 2007, would they be eligible to apply for a DECRA?
No. The researcher in the example above only has a six month career interruption in the eligible
period which does not account for their PhD being awarded nine months prior to the 1 March
2008.
In accordance with subsection 6.2.1 b of the DE14 Funding Rules, a researcher with a PhD
awarded between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2008 must have a commensurate period of
significant career interruption between 1 March 2005 and 1 March 2013. Any significant career
interruption prior to 1 March 2005 will not be considered.
Please note that, as well as falling within the allowable timeframe, a career interruption must
be of one of the types described in section 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules.
1.8
A DECRA Candidate works for 30 months in a 0.7 FTE research and teaching position
and the remaining time (0.3 FTE) at home looking after children. Can a career
interruption be claimed?
Yes. In the example above the Candidate may be able to claim up to 30% of this period (nine
months in total) as a career interruption, provided the time claimed falls within the eligible
period specified in subsection 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules.
The part-time nature of the employment would also be a factor considered under Part CResearch Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) in the DE14 Proposal form.
1.9
What types of career interruptions are acceptable?
Subsection 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules lists the acceptable significant career
interruptions. These are:
 carer’s responsibility;
 disruption due to international relocation for international post-doctoral studies not
exceeding more than 3 months;
 illness;
 maternity or parental leave; and/or
 unemployment or non-research employment where the work is predominantly nonresearch (not exceeding three years).
1.10 Can you please clarify whether the term ‘international relocation’ in the DE14 Funding
Rules only relates to physical relocation activities associated with a researcher taking
up an international post-doctoral position or to the whole period of the fellowship/
studies/ research position?
The term ‘relocation for international post-doctoral studies’ as mentioned in subsection
6.2.1.b.ii of the DE14 Funding Rules refers to the initial activities directly relating to relocating
overseas, such as time spent organising rental properties and moving personal belongings. If
the DECRA Candidate encountered further difficulties after the relocation period was
completed, this would not be considered a disruption due to relocation.
The ARC may consider more than one career interruption due to international relocation. In
these cases up to three months may be allowed per relocation, if justified. Please provide
details of each relocation under G.7 of the Proposal form.
1.11 What is the definition of international post-doctoral studies?
International post-doctoral studies means post-doctoral studies, including a fellowship, teaching
and/or research position and other similar opportunities, undertaken in a country other than
the country where the Candidate’s PhD was awarded.
1.12 A DECRA Candidate is employed in a teaching only or non-research position where no
research opportunity is provided for in the employment contract. Can a career
interruption be claimed?
Yes. The time spent in non-research employment, with no opportunity for research, may be
considered a career interruption under subsection 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules, provided
the employment was within the eligible period of 1 March 2005 to 1 March 2013.
1.13 A DECRA Candidate is employed in a full-time academic position where research is a
component of the role as specified in the employment contract. Can a career
interruption be claimed?
No. Employment in a teaching role which allows some time for research is not considered a
career interruption. However, the amount of time available for research activities will be
considered as a factor in Part C- Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) in the
DE14 Proposal form.
1.14 A DECRA Candidate is employed for 12 months in a 0.5 FTE teaching only or nonresearch position and has no additional employment or carer responsibilities. Can a
career interruption be claimed?
Yes. In the example above the Candidate may be able to claim up to twelve months as a career
interruption as non-research roles and unemployment are listed as valid career interruptions
under subsection 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding Rules.
Please note that, as well being one of the types described in section 6.2.1.b of the DE14 Funding
Rules, a career interruption must also fall within the allowable timeframe (that is, between 1
March 2005 and 1 March 20013).
1.15 Is DECRA open to international applicants?
Yes. International applicants are eligible to apply provided they meet all of the eligibility criteria,
including the requirement under subsection 6.2.4 of the DE14 Funding Rules that they must
legally reside predominantly in Australia for the duration of the Award. This requirement does
not necessarily require Australian residency or citizenship status.
2 DECRA CANDIDATE - ROLE
2.1
Does a DECRA Candidate need to hold an appointment at the Administering
Organisation at the closing time for submission of Proposals?
No. The Candidate does not need to hold an appointment at the time of Proposal submission
but, as noted in subsection 6.2.2 of the DE14 Funding Rules, must hold an appointment at the
Administering Organisation for the duration of the Award.
Details of the prospective appointment must be included in the Organisational Statement in
respect to the Research Environment as required under section 4.4 of the DE14 Funding Rules.
2.2
What kind of appointment does a DECRA Recipient need to hold at the Administering
Organisation for the duration of the Award?
As outlined in subsection 6.2.6 of the DE14 Funding Rules, the appointment must be
appropriate to support the DECRA Recipient for the duration of the Award. For example, if a
DECRA is undertaken over three years on a full time basis, the appointment must be three years
full time equivalent (FTE). If a DECRA is undertaken over six years on a half-time basis, the
appointment must be a six years 0.5 FTE. Honorary or Adjunct appointments, as defined in
other ARC schemes, are not sufficient to support the Award.
2.3
Can a DE14 recipient remain on their current employment contract while undertaking
their DECRA?
Yes, if the DECRA Recipient’s employment contract enables them to be employed in accordance
with the Funding Rules and Funding Agreement. The following conditions must be met:
2.4

A DECRA Recipient must hold an appointment at the Administering Organisation for the
duration of the Award. This excludes honorary, adjunct or equivalent appointments.
(Section 6.2.2 of the DE14 Funding Rules)

DECRA Recipients must hold an appointment, appropriate to support the DECRA, at the
Administering Organisation for the duration of the Award. (Section 9.2 of the DE14
Funding Agreement)

The Administering Organisation must ensure that any Personnel who are employed fulltime on a Project and whose salary is provided from the Funding, shall not, without the
prior agreement of the ARC, accept any remuneration whatsoever from any source
other than the Administering Organisation in respect of work performed on the Project.
(Section 8.7 of the Funding Agreement)
Is a DECRA Recipient allowed to teach while holding a DECRA?
Yes. As described in subsection 6.2.13 of the DE14 Funding Rules, a DECRA Recipient may spend
up to 0.15 FTE of her/his time annually on teaching activities. Supervision of honours or
postgraduate students is not included in this limit. The DECRA will not be extended to
accommodate any periods of teaching.
3 CROSS-SCHEME ELIGIBILITY
3.1
Section 7.1.7 refers to the final year of a Fellowship. Does this mean the final year set
out in the Funding Agreement or does it include carryover funding?
In accordance with subsection 7.1.6 of the DE14 Funding Rules, a Project is considered to be
funded for the years set out in the Funding Agreement.
3.2
May a researcher who is currently holding an ARC Project which will receive funding in
2014 or is applying for an ARC project for funding commencing in 2014 be nominated
for a DECRA?
Yes. However, in accordance with subsection 7.1.4, a researcher nominated for a DECRA may
only be funded for one Project under the following Schemes and Programs combined:
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
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Discovery Projects scheme;
Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme;
Discovery Indigenous scheme or
Centre Personnel receiving funding under the ARC Research Centre Program.
As per subsection 7.1.6 of the DE14 Funding Rules, a researcher cannot be involved in more
than the maximum number of Projects (including ARC Awards and Fellowships) permitted in
2014. That is, a researcher cannot apply for funding that they would not be allowed to hold due
to cross-scheme eligibility rules.
The number of Projects (including Awards and Fellowships) is calculated at the closing time of
submission of Proposals by adding the number of applications the Candidate has submitted
with the number of Projects for which they are already receiving funding in 2014. A Project is
considered to be funded for the years set out in the Funding Agreement.
Please note that a researcher will not be permitted to relinquish a Chief Investigator,
Fellowship, Award or Centre Personnel role or an existing ARC grant held on 1 January 2013, to
circumvent these limits.
3.3
Can the DECRA Candidate submit the same Proposal for DECRA and Discovery Projects?
Yes. A Proposal for the same project can be submitted to both the DECRA and Discovery
Projects schemes. If a Proposal is submitted to more than one ARC funding scheme, Part H of
the DE14 proposal form should be completed accordingly.
Please note in accordance with subsection 7.2.1 of the DE14 Funding Rules the ARC will not
duplicate funding for research, including infrastructure, funded as at 1 January 2014 by the
Commonwealth.
3.4
May a DECRA Candidate apply for or hold one Discovery Project as a sole Chief
Investigator?
Yes. In accordance with subsection 7.1.4 of the DE14 Funding Rules, a DECRA Recipient may be
funded concurrently for only one Project under the following Schemes and Program combined:
Discovery Projects, Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development or Discovery Indigenous
schemes, or Centre Personnel receiving funding under the ARC Research Centres Program. This
is in addition to the DECRA and can be as a sole Chief Investigator.
3.5
Can a current ARC Fellowship or ARC Award recipient apply for a DECRA?
Yes, but only in the final year of that Fellowship or Award.
In accordance with subsection 7.1.7 an ARC Fellowship or ARC Award recipient cannot
concurrently hold more than one ARC Fellowship or ARC Award. Therefore, an ARC Fellowship
or ARC Award recipient may only apply for a DECRA in the final year of that Fellowship or ARC
Award. A Fellowship or Award is considered to be funded for the years set out in the Funding
Agreement.
3.6
Are Postdoctoral Research Associates on Australian Laureate Fellowships considered to
be ARC Fellows or Award recipients?
No. ‘ARC Fellowship’ is defined in the DE14 Funding Rules as a named Fellowship position within
any ARC scheme where the salary is funded wholly or partly by the ARC. The DE14 Funding
Rules also define an ‘ARC Award’ as a named Award within any ARC scheme, where the salary is
wholly or partly funded by the ARC.
As Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) employed on an Australian Laureate Fellowship
are not named Fellows on the Proposal, they are not considered to be ARC Fellows or ARC
Award recipients. Therefore they would not need to wait until the final year of the PDRA
funding to apply for a DECRA.
4 FUNDING AND BUDGET
4.1
What is the maximum per annum salary a DECRA Candidate can be paid by the ARC?
Can project costs be used to supplement a DECRA Candidate’s salary?
Subsection 5.1.2 of the DE14 Funding Rules states that the per annum salary contribution from
the ARC is fixed at $91,740, including 28 per cent on-costs. Additional salary contributions will
not be provided by the ARC, however, the Administering Organisation may ‘top up’ a successful
DECRA Candidate’s salary. Project costs cannot be used for a DECRA Candidate’s salary.
4.2
At what funding level can a DECRA be applied for?
Subsection 5.1.2 of the DE14 Funding Rules states the DECRA may be awarded ARC funding of
up to $131,740. In addition to the fixed annual salary contribution of $91,740 (including oncosts) project costs of up to $40,000 can be requested for each funding year.
4.3
Can you please clarify 5.3.1.a ‘bench fees or similar laboratory access fees’ under
‘Budget Items Not Supported’ in the DE14 Funding Rules?
Bench fees are an institutionally applied fee or levy for the provision of general laboratory
access. Access to specialised equipment (such as electron microscopes) does not fall into this
category and therefore, if this type of access is required for the project, a usage fee may be
requested from the ARC under the DE14 Funding Rules.
All budget requests must be fully justified.
4.4
My research requires me to conduct field research in remote areas of Australia and
overseas. Will the field research costs come out of the $50,000 limit on travel over the
life of the project as per 5.2.1.i of the DE14 Funding Rules?
No. The $50,000 travel limit referred to in subsection 5.1.2.i of the DE14 Funding Rules does not
apply to costs associated with fieldwork research. Field research costs should be requested in
the DE14 proposal form under the category ‘Other’.
Subsection 5.2.1.d of the DE14 Funding Rules notes that items associated with fieldwork may
include technical and logistical support as well as travel and accommodation costs. For the
purposes of clarification, accommodation and living costs for the DECRA Recipient in the field
would be considered field research costs.
Note that all funding requests must be fully justified.
4.5
Can you please clarify whether the Project Cost table must be included under Part F
(Budget Justification) of the DE14 proposal form?
The Project Cost table may be included, however this is not mandatory.
Part F of the DE14 proposal form must not exceed two A4 pages, therefore all budget
justifications must be concise in nature. The justification should indicate how the DECRA
candidate will use the project funding each year. This statement should include the need and
cost for each item requested from the ARC using the same headings as in the budget at Part E1
of the Proposal form. Although the budget justification should be broken down into separate
headings for each year, the DECRA Candidate may refer back to the description in the first year
of funding to avoid duplication.
4.6
Should any cash and/or in-kind contributions by the Administering Organisation be
included in the Part E (Project Cost) of the DE14 Proposal form?
No. The DECRA budget, Part E (Project Cost) of the DE14 Proposal form, should only include ARC
contributions. The functionality to include Administering Organisation contributions is available
in RMS but is not relevant for this scheme.
Contributions from the Administering Organisation can be detailed in Part D2 (Organisational
Statement in respect of the Research Environment) of the DE14 Proposal form. The
Administering Organisation’s contribution should not be included in Part E or Part F of the
Proposal form. As there is a two page limitation to Part F (Budget Justification), this space
should be fully utilised for the ARC budget justification.
4.7
Can the DECRA salary be used for teaching relief?
In accordance with subsection 6.2.8 of the DE14 Funding Rules, the DECRA salary component
may be used for other purposes, including teaching relief, to support the Project in exceptional
or changed personal circumstances with the approval of the Administering Organisation
without extension to the life of the Project.
Teaching relief is not for the DECRA Recipient and should only be used if a replacement is
required for short time periods to support the Project during exceptional or changed personal
circumstances.
4.8
Where in the budget table do I request travel costs that are related to fieldwork
research?
As per subsection 5.2.1(i) of the Funding Rules, travel costs related to carrying out fieldwork
research are not included in the $50,000 limit for travel over the life of the Project. Travel costs
associated with fieldwork should be requested under the section ‘Other’ within the budget
table and justified in terms of need and cost in Part F of the Proposal form in RMS. The main
purpose of any travel designated as fieldwork must be to carry out the research, not to attend a
conference or other related meetings.
5 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
5.1
Can other researchers or organisations be nominated on the Proposal in addition to the
DECRA Candidate and Administering Organisation?
No. The DECRA Proposal form will only allow one DECRA Candidate and one Administering
Organisation to be listed. No other participant or organisational roles will be available.
5.2
Can an application make reference to additional team members or people who will
support them with the project within the application itself?
Yes. Any support from additional team members will be assessed under the selection criterion
'Research Environment’. Support from additional team members at the Administering
Organisation should be detailed at Part D2 (Organisational Statement in respect of the Research
Environment) of the DE14 Proposal form. For further information please see subsection 4.4 b of
the DE14 Funding Rules and Part D2 of the Instructions to Applicants.
In addition, the DECRA Candidate can name other collaborators and their contribution to the
Project in Part D1 (Project Description) of the DE14 Proposal Form.
5.3
Does the DECRA candidate need to submit an Eligibility Exemption Request to claim
career interruption?
There is no Eligibility Exemption Request process for DECRA. The justification for career
interruption must be submitted as part of the Proposal (Part G7.2 of the DE14 Proposal form).
The closing time for submission of Proposals is 5:00pm (AEDT) 27 March 2013.
5.4
If the DECRA Candidate’s residency status is pending can this be included in the DECRA
Proposal?
Yes. The DECRA Candidate must meet the eligibility requirements in section 6 and 7 of the DE14
Funding Rules. The pending status must be highlighted under the Citizenship/Residency Details
in Part G (Personnel) of the Proposal form.
Please note, as stated in subsection 6.2.4 of the DE14 Funding Rules, the DECRA Recipient must
legally reside predominantly in Australia for the duration of the Award.
5.5
Does the DECRA scheme have a certification proforma?
Yes. The certification proforma is available on the ARC website at the following web address:
www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/decra/de_certification.htm.
The use of this form is not mandatory, however the Administering Organisation must meet the
requirements for having evidence of certification as stated in subsection 8.4 of the DE14
Funding Rules.
5.6
If publication and disseminations costs should not be included in the budget, how will
the 2% for publication and dissemination costs from the total project costs be
allocated?
In accordance with subsection 12.6.1 of the DE14 Funding Rules, successful DECRA candidates
may choose to spend up to 2% of the total awarded project costs on publication and
dissemination costs during the life of the Project with no prior approval. Publication and
dissemination costs should not be included as itemised budget items.
Please note however that DECRA Candidates should include information in Part D (Project
Description) of the DE14 Proposal form regarding their strategies for dissemination, as required
under subsections 4.3.c and 12.6.2 of the DE14 Funding Rules.
5.7
If a DECRA applicant will be working in a country which isn’t listed in the drop-down
country menu. How do I record it on the application form?
If the proposed research involves international collaboration with a country not specified on the
drop-down menu in Part B5 of the DE14 Proposal form, please choose ‘Unspecified’. Details of
the international collaboration should be listed in Part D (Project Description) of the DECRA
Proposal form.
6 OTHER
6.1
If I am successful in receiving funding for a DE14 and I need to transfer to another
institution, how do I institute this transfer?
The ARC will only consider the transfer of a Project to another Eligible Organisation where the
circumstances are exceptional. Please refer to section 16 of the DE14 Funding Agreement at
www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/decra/fundingagreement.htm.
A transferral of funding between institutions can only be processed once the outcome of the
funding has been announced and the Funding Agreement executed. If an applicant is successful,
a Funding Agreement will be sent to the institution which applied for the funding at the time of
submission (the Administering Organisation).
If the applicant requests a transfer to another institution, then the Administering Organisation
must agree to the transfer of funding and submit a Variation of Funding Agreement form which
is available at www.arc.gov.au/applicants/variation.htm.