ARC LINKAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES (LIEF)
For funding in 2017
Internal Information Sheet
20-Oct-2015
RESEARCH BRANCH
Please direct any enquiries to arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au
1. INTRODUCTION
The ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment & Facilities (LIEF) scheme encourages institutions (universities) to develop
collaborative arrangements across the higher education sector and with organisations outside the sector in order to develop and
support research infrastructure. Please note however that the LIEF scheme does not support Medical Research.
The LIEF scheme funds items which directly support provision of research infrastructure for use in research projects, including:
a. purchase, upgrade, construction, transportation of, installation of, maintenance of and/or management of access to the
research infrastructure, including costs such as import taxes (and other similar expenses) for purchasing equipment,
and salaries, including 30 per cent on-costs, directly associated with these activities;
b. construction of research infrastructure, for up to five years. This includes salaries, including 30 per cent on-costs,
directly associated with this activity;
c. integrated research facilities consisting of multiple components which can be used either simultaneously or serially for
research projects (where each of these research projects is integrated by having a single research aim or theme).
However multiple components that are not genuinely integrated, cannot be requested solely to reach the minimum
level of funding specified at E6.1.1 of the Funding Rules;
d. subscription or coordinated access to international facilities and major national facilities (enabled under a written
agreement between the Administering Organisation and the relevant international or national facility), for up to five
years;
e. library and research information infrastructure (non-capital aspects only) to support specific research
projects/programs which may also include salaries and minor pieces of equipment to build an integrated facility; and
f. compilations, catalogues, clearing houses or bibliographies that build on and develop other current or recent
competitively funded projects/programs.
NEW: In the LE17 proposal form, applicants will need to indicate if they have checked the LIEF Register (available on the ARC
website: http://www.arc.gov.au/australian-government-investment-research-infrastructure). If the Register already contains the
research infrastructure that the applicant is seeking funding for in LE17, the applicant will need to justify why collaborative use
of the existing research infrastructure is not practicable.
For further information, refer to the ARC’s Funding Rules (http://www.arc.gov.au/funding-rules), Instructions to Applicants
and Frequently Asked Questions (http://www.arc.gov.au/instructions-and-faqs).
2. FUNDING DETAILS
The minimum grant under LIEF is $150k per year. Funding is normally for one year only, or, up to five years for subscription
and/or membership costs for coordinated access to major national and/or international facilities or consortia. The LIEF Scheme
will fund up to a maximum of 75% of the direct cost of purchasing the eligible items (we suggest a target of 65-70%). At least
25% of the direct cash cost of the infrastructure must therefore be contributed by the collaborating organisation(s). The ARC will
not consider any direct project costs that can be covered from other sources of funding.
3. KEY ITEMS
Collaboration
Projects demonstrating genuine collaboration between two or more eligible institutions (i.e. universities) are strongly preferred.
They must relate to high-quality research activity and must be broadly in line with the research directions of the institution(s)
involved. Applications involving other organisations, such as government research organisations and businesses, are also
encouraged but at least one higher education institution must be involved and the funds allocated must be used to build up
infrastructure within the higher education sector. If only one higher education institution is involved, the application must be
justified as a single-institution application, with particular reference as to why collaboration is not possible/feasible.
All Eligible Organisations (universities) on a Proposal must make a cash contribution.
Chief Investigators and Partner Investigators
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A Chief Investigator (CI) should be an established researcher who will be primarily involved in the use of the equipment
or facility.
The first-named Chief Investigator will be the ‘Project Leader’, employed at the Administering Organisation and will
have responsibility for establishing and managing the facility.
Each Eligible Organisation must identify one CI who has a demonstrated record relative to opportunity in managing the
proposed research infrastructure to be CI Manager for the Eligible Organisation.
Individual researchers must not be named as Chief Investigators or Partner Investigators (PIs) on more than two (2)
LIEF applications in one funding round.
A CI or PI receiving funding under the LIEF scheme may only be named on a maximum of two concurrent Projects
under this scheme. Contravention of this limit may result in the exclusion of all applications involving that researcher.
A maximum of five (5) CIs/PIs per organisation are allowed. A Proposal may nominate no more than a total of fifteen
(15) CIs and PIs.
Every CI and PI (and/or their research group) must be a significant and regular user of the research infrastructure, on
average, for a minimum of 10% of the available time of the research infrastructure (or pro rated if more than 10
CIs/PIs).
Selection Criteria - Proposals will be assessed and ranked using the following selection criteria:
Significance of research to be supported with the proposed research infrastructure Need and use of the proposed research infrastructure Nature of the alliance and commitment between the organisations named on the Proposal Investigator(s) -
20%
30%
30%
20%
4. ARC FUNDING RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
 Intending Applicants MUST READ the ARC’s Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants Before Preparing their
Expression of Interest or Full Application Form http://www.arc.gov.au/funding-rules
 Online Application System - LIEF 2017 full proposals are prepared on the ARC’s research management system (RMS)
http://www.arc.gov.au/rms-information
5. APPLICATION PROCESS
LIEF 2016 Process Timetable
 In order for the University to manage the level and prioritisation of its investment in LIEF applications (and to allow
capacity to meet ARC funding shortfalls) the following University-wide internal selection process has been agreed by
all Faculty Executive Deans.
 ARC applications for 2017 funding are expected to open in February 2016 and close in April 2016. In preparation for
this timeline, both University of Adelaide led and externally led LIEF proposals will be subject to the following process
and timeline.
PROCESS ITEM
PROVISIONAL TIMEFRAME
STAGE 1 – University of Adelaide led LIEF bids
Expressions of Interest
Researcher submits EOI to Research Branch (Survey Monkey)
Schools/Faculties consider LIEF EOIs and returns rankings and
recommendations on UofA funding to Research Branch
Internal University Approvals Process – DVCR reviews School/Faculty rankings
and makes final recommendation on University contribution.
Meeting of three SA DVCs (R) (or delegates) to confirm
financial contributions – only relevant to bids that include one or more SA
Universities as collaborators
Advice of agreed University contributions provided to applicants and external
organisations (for bids involving 2 or more SA Universities)
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Due Date: Friday, 29 January 2016
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED
Due Date: Wednesday, 10 February 2016
By Friday, 19 February 2016
15 March, 2016
As soon as possible after DVCs (R) meet
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STAGE 2 - University of Adelaide led LIEF Bids
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Stage 1
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Complete and final LIEF applications
Due in the Research Branch by
with:
University Internal Deadline: TBC
completed UA Internal Signature page (Appendix 2),
other organisations’ signed certifications confirming cash
and in-kind contributions
(anticipated date Thursday, 24 March 2016)
Electronic submission of all documents is required to:
arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au
Expression of Interest for University of Adelaide led AND externally led LIEF bids –
due Friday 29 January, 2016 (through SurveyMonkey)
University of Adelaide researchers who are intending to submit a LIEF 2017 application (in April 2016) must submit an
Expression of Interest (EOI) using the SurveyMonkey form (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LE17) and submit it
to Research Branch by no later than Friday, January 29 2016.
The SurveyMonkey form cannot be saved, and must be submitted in a single session. To assist applicants in the
completion of the SurveyMonkey form, a WORD form is provided to assist you to collect/collate your LIEF EOI
information prior to entering it into SurveyMonkey. Please contact arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au for queries/assistance
with your SurveyMonkey submission.
Research Branch will distribute EOIs to Schools/Faculties for consideration by Monday, 1 February 2016.
Faculties and Schools:
o
Give due consideration to the strength of the strategic case for the infrastructure.
o
Faculties can determine their own funding splits with schools/departments as long as it totals 50% of the
University co-contribution (most frequently its 25% Faculty and 25% School/s). Co-contribution guidelines are
included at Appendix 1.
o
Schools set their budget envelope for UA-led bids, and put to relevant Faculty their ranked bids which can be
slightly oversubscribed given a 100% success rate is not likely, e.g. up to 150% of School $ envelope. Schools
advise those not proceeding.
o
Faculties set their budget envelope for UA-led bids, and put forward ranked bids to DVCR which total up to e.g.
150% of Faculty envelope. Faculties advise those not proceeding.
o
Faculties advise Research Branch of final School/Faculty rankings and recommended allocations by
Wednesday, 10 February 2016.
Research Branch sends School/Faculty recommendations to DVCR’s Office for consideration by Friday, 12 February
2016.
DVCR assesses the strategic case for all remaining UA-led bids across the University in consultation with the relevant
Faculties and provides preliminary advice on stop/go to applicants, together with confirmation of indicative 50% DVCR
funding cap - all subject to satisfactory confirmation of the required contributions of partner organisations.
o
DVCR may not support all bids, and retains final, absolute discretion whether and how much financial support
will be available for each application;
o
No late UA-led bids will be supported in this round.
DVCR reviews School/Faculty contributions/rankings and makes final recommendation on University contribution.
Applicants will be advised by Friday, 19 February 2016.
Note: In addition to the above internal ranking process, EOIs involving other SA universities will be placed before a
meeting of the three SA DVCs (R) to confirm final financial contributions on Tuesday, 15 March 2016.
Stage 2
Full Proposal for University of Adelaide led LIEF bids – anticipated internal deadline Thursday, 24 March
2016 (to be confirmed)
Full Proposal
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Please email the following documents to Research Branch – arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au by Thursday, 24 March 2016:
1.
an electronic copy of your complete proposal – the pdf report generated out of RMS
(naming convention LE1701XXXXX_CI SURNAME_PROPOSAL.pdf)
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Before the Research Branch can submit the Proposal to the ARC, we also require:
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2.
3.
4.
fully-signed Internal Signature Page – Appendix 2 - (naming convention LE1701XXXXX_CI
SURNAME_INTERNAL SIGNATURES.pdf)
fully-signed Grant Application Coversheet –- (naming convention LE1701XXXXX_CI
SURNAME_COVERSHEET.pdf)
Set of Participant and Organisation Written Evidence (Certifications) - Appendix 3 - (naming convention
LE1701XXXXX_CI SURNAME_WRITTEN EVIDENCE.pdf)
Internal Signature Page (Appendix 2)
University of Adelaide researchers who are named as Chief Investigators on any LIEF 2017 proposal (regardless of the
administering institution) are required to provide a fully-signed Internal Signature page confirming cash and in-kind
contributions from all University of Adelaide sources with the full proposal.
Written Evidence (Certifications) for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) 2017 (evidence of
agreement from proposal participants) (Appendix 3)
The Administering Organisation is required to obtain written evidence of all the relevant persons and organisations necessary to
allow the proposed Project to proceed as specified in the LIEF Funding Rules. The written evidence must be retained by the
Administering Organisation. It is the lead Chief Investigator’s (CI) responsibility to collect Written Evidence on behalf of all other
named Participants and Organisations on the LIEF proposal. The Written Evidence (Certifications) must be submitted to the
Research Branch (arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au) by the internal Research Branch deadline.
6. RESEARCH BRANCH CONTACTS
General queries: arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au
Tim Anson
Senior Research Grants Officer
Emilie Corrick
Research Grants Officer
Cameron van den Heuvel &
Karen Burke (after 29 Jan, 2016)
Manager, Research Grants
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Tim.anson@adelaide.edu.au
08 8313 5175
Emilie.corrick@adelaide.edu.au
08 8313 2931
cameron.vandenheuvel@adelaide.edu.au
karen.burke@adelaide.edu.au
08 8313 3534
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Appendix 1
ARC LINKAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES (LIEF)
LIEF 2017 CO-INVESTMENT GUIDELINES
RESEARCH BRANCH
The following co-investment guidelines will apply to the LIEF 2017 round (unless exceptional circumstances for variance exist and are accepted by the Faculty Executive Dean and DVCR.
 There is a limited budget for UA led and externally led ARC LIEF applications.
 UA led applications will be expected to request ~70% of the total funding from ARC funds.
 DVCR/Faculty/School splits for co-investment will be in line with the University Guidelines on Cash Contributions for Competitive Grant Proposals. DVCR contributions will not normally exceed 50% of the
total UA-internal contribution.
 There will be an equitable proportionality between the respective institutional cash contributions and budgeted returns of other Organisations.
 Final decisions on cash contributions will be at the discretion of the DVCR.
Guideline
For all Bids
The target ratio for non-ARC to ARC cash contributions is 30% non-ARC to 70% ARC.
If an application is successful, the actual amount of cash contributions may be reduced based on:
 Whether a project is funded by the ARC for less than the amount requested; and
 Whether or not any equipment to be located at the University of Adelaide was funded.
For bids where all equipment/facilities will be located at UA, but will be accessed by other institutions
For non-ARC cash contributions:
 The University will contribute a maximum of 20% and non-UA/ARC sources will contribute a minimum of 10% of the
total cost of the equipment/facilities.
 The University cash investment will be proportioned 2/3 by the combined DVCR and Faculty/s contributions and 1/3
from the combined School/s, plus any other University sources up to the required total, to a maximum of 20%
 Other University funding may include Research Institute contributions but noting that Institute funds are sourced from
the Research budget, so are outside the DVCR/Faculty/School ratios above.
For bids where equipment/facilities will be located at UA and one or more other institutions
 The total combined UA-sourced cash contribution will be a maximum of 30% of the total cash cost of the
equipment/facilities to be located at UA. Internal University investment splits are based on those applying above.
 It is expected that other institutions will contribute either:
o For institutions seeking LIEF equipment to be located at their institution: 30% of the total cash cost of the
equipment/facilities to be located at their institutions; or
o For institutions wanting access only: 10% of the value of the equipment/facilities where access is sought
 The 30% guideline is a maximum that can be reduced by the contribution of other organisations seeking access
Examples
Description
Total Cost of Equipment:
$ example
$500,000
% of Cost
100%
ARC Request Target:
$350,000
70%
Non-ARC Cash Target:
$150,000
30%
Total Cost of Equipment:
-ARC Request Target:
-Non-ARC Cash Target:
UA Cash Max Target:
-Schools Target
-Maximum DVCR/Fac
Other-org/s cash target (min) “access fee”:
$500,000
$350,000
$150,000
$100,000
$33,333
$66,667
$50,000
100%
70%
30%
20% of $500k
1/3rd of UA Target
2 x Schools $
10% of $500k
Total Cost of Equipment:
-ARC Request Target:
-Non-ARC Cash Target:
Cost of Equipment @ UA
UA Cash Max Target:
-Schools Target
-Maximum DVCR/Fac
Cost of Equipment @ other org/s
Other-org/s Cash Target:
$500,000
$350,000
$150,000
$300,000
$90,000
$30,000
$60,000
$200,000
$60,000
100%
70%
30%
30% of $300k
1/3rd of UA Target
2 x Schools $
30% of $200k
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Appendix 2
ARC LINKAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES (LIEF)
LIEF 2017 – INTERNAL SIGNATURE PAGE
RESEARCH BRANCH
This form must be fully-signed and submitted with the complete LIEF proposal to Research Branch by
Thursday, 24 March 2016 (TBC)
LE17___________________
ARC Project ID
Project Title
Lead/Administering Institution
University of Adelaide
Lead Chief Investigator
Name:
Phone:
School:
e-mail:
Certification by all UA Chief Investigators (CIs cannot be named on more than two LIEF 2016 applications)
I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that:
a) All the details on this application form are true and complete;
b) I have complied with the ARC LIEF Funding Rules and if I am successful I will accept the Funding Agreement relating to ARC LIEF 2017;
c) I am not named as Chief Investigator on more than two LIEF applications for 2017 funding;
d) all Conflicts of Interest relating to parties involved in or associated with this Proposal have been disclosed to the Administering Organisation, and,
if the Proposal is successful, Conflicts of Interest relating to the Proposal in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of
Research (2007);
e) I have obtained the agreement, attested to by written evidence, of all the relevant Participants and organisations necessary to allow the Project to
proceed. This written evidence has been retained and will be provided to the ARC if requested.
f)
This Proposal is not substantially aimed at understanding or treating a human disease or health condition.
g) I understand and agree that all statutory requirements must be met before the proposed research can commence; and
h) In submitting this application, I consent to its referral to assessors for consideration.
i)
I consent on behalf of all the parties, to the ARC copying, modifying and otherwise dealing with information contained in the Proposal
Certification by Heads of School
a)
b)
c)
I agree to the contribution(s) in cash and in-kind by this School as indicated below;
If applicable, I agree that the equipment/facility can be accommodated within the general facilities in my School and that sufficient working and
office space is available for any proposed additional staff; and
If applicable, I am prepared to have the equipment/facility located in my School under the circumstances set out in the application.
Signatures of Chief Investigator(s) and Head(s) of School
Person
Name of Chief Investigator
Signature of
Chief Investigator
Confirmation by Head of
School/s -Contribution of
Cash & In-kind funding
Name and Signature of
Head of School
1
Cash
$
In-kind
$
Cash
$
In-kind
$
Cash
$
In-kind
$
2
3
Certification by Executive Dean or Delegate
Name of Executive Dean or Delegate
Signature & Date
The cash contribution indicated below will be
provided by the Faculty towards this Project
Cash
$
Certification by Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice President (Research) or Delegate (Research Branch will arrange this signature)
Name of DVC&VPR or Delegate
Signature & Date
TOTAL CASH & IN-KIND FUNDING
I agree to the contribution of cash as listed
below, from the DVC&VPR Budget for 2012
Cash
$
CASH
$
IN-KIND
$
 Make further copies if necessary (and keep a copy for your records)
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Appendix 3
ARC LINKAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES (LIEF)
LIEF 2017 – WRITTEN EVIDENCE FORM (CERTIFICATION)
RESEARCH BRANCH
University of Adelaide Research Branch guide for gathering Written Evidence for Linkage Infrastructure Equipment
and Facilities (LIEF) commencing funding in 2017
In accordance with Section A12.4 of the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years 2014–2016
(i.e. the “Funding Rules”), the University of Adelaide must certify each application before submission to the ARC.
The current process requires that we have obtained the written evidence of all parties (CIs, PIs and organisations) necessary to
allow the proposed Project to proceed:

Certification of the application by the Administering Organisation (i.e. the University of Adelaide) is provided by the
Director, Research Branch, once we have received (a) a final application, (b) the fully signed Internal Signature Page
and (c) the Research Branch Grant Application Cover Sheet signed by both the lead CI and their Head of School

The lead CI certifies on behalf of all investigators when they sign the Research Branch Grant Application Cover Sheet.
Therefore, the lead CI should only sign off the Cover Sheet once they have received written evidence for all other
investigators and all organisations on the application (other than the University of Adelaide), using the UA certification
proforma (Appendix 3), available at the Research branch web page:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/rb/funding-opportunities/arc/lief/

The lead CI should ensure that all signed certifications (i.e. Written Evidence) of agreement are sent to Research Branch
as evidence that the participants will provide the resources that they have agreed to provide in the Proposal.
If you have any further queries about this process, please send a query to: arcgrants@adelaide.edu.au
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Appendix 3
ARC LINKAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES (LIEF)
LIEF 2017 – WRITTEN EVIDENCE FORM (CERTIFICATION)
RESEARCH BRANCH
PROJECT ID: LE17 ____________
WRITTEN EVIDENCE FOR LINKAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
(For evidence of agreement from Proposal Participants and Organisations)
The Administering Organisation is required to obtain written evidence of the agreement of all the relevant persons and
organisations named as participants on the proposed Project. The written evidence must be retained by the Administering
Organisation.
Certification by Chief/Partner Investigators
I certify that:
i)
all the details on this Proposal are true and complete;
ii)
proper inquiries have been made and I am satisfied that I meet the eligibility criteria as specified in the Funding Rules;
iii)
as a Participant listed on the Proposal I have responsibility for the authorship and intellectual content of this Proposal,
and have appropriately cited sources and acknowledged significant contributions where relevant;
iv)
I have complied with the Funding Rules, and if the Proposal is successful I agree to abide by the terms of the Linkage
Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Funding Agreement for funding commencing in 2017;
v)
I understand and agree that all statutory requirements must be met before the proposed research can commence;
vi)
I have notified the Administering Organisation of any actual or potential conflicts of interest I may have in relation to the
Proposal and I undertake that, if the Proposal is successful, I will notify the Administering Organisation of any conflicts of
interest which arise subsequent to the submission of the Proposal; and
vii)
I will notify the Administering Organisation if there are any changes in my circumstances which may impact on my
eligibility to participate in, or ability to perform, the project subsequent to the submission of this Proposal.
In participating in this Proposal, I consent to:
i)
this Proposal being referred under confidentiality conditions to third parties, who will remain anonymous, for evaluation or
assessment purposes; and
ii)
the ARC copying, modifying and otherwise dealing with information contained in the Proposal, for the purpose of
conducting the funding round.
Certification by Organisations (other than the Administering Organisation) contributing to the project (DVCR, CEO or
delegate)
I certify that:
i) my organisation supports the Proposal and will contribute the resources outlined in the Proposal; and
ii) I have complied with the Funding Rules, and if the Proposal is successful I agree to abide by the terms of Linkage
Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Funding Agreement for funding commencing in 2017.
In the section below, for each Participant and Organisation please obtain the Signature(s) of Chief/Partner
Investigators/Organisation DVCR/CEO or delegate OR attach written evidence of agreement. This written evidence
needs to be firsthand confirmation in written form (for example, handwritten or electronic letters or emails).
Please tick one box:
Chief Investigator
Partner Investigator
Organisation
Full name:
Position:
Signature:
Date:
$ Cash
$ In-kind
$ Total
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