Introduction
In 1993 the Australian Army instituted a Research Grants Scheme to support and
encourage research into the role and involvement of the Army in the development of
the nation. The most important criteria used when assessing applications is the utility
the project will add to the current Army.
Three areas of research relevant to Army's requirements have been identified:
1. Military strategy and operations;
2. Military social history (war and society issues)
3. Military heritage (aspects of militaria)
The scheme is open to academic and non-institutional researchers, and Grants are up
to a maximum of $15,000.00 for one year. However, in order to support more
research, grants of over $7,500.00 will usually only be granted in cases of special
merit.
The scheme is administered by the Army, on the advice of an Independent
Assessment Panel, specially convened for the purpose, and referred to in this
document as the 'Panel'. The Panel comprises of a diverse range of subject matter
experts, including academics, military historians and current serving army personnel.
Preferred areas of research
Priority will be given to topics which improve the professional knowledge of the
Australian Army, within the following areas of research:
Military Strategy and Operations
Including command and leadership, doctrine development, logistics, strategy,
operations, tactics, civil-military relations, intelligence, joint service issues,
combat/battle experience and military biography. Emphasis should be placed on
analysis of events, rather than narrative or description.
Military Social History
Applied to the study of combat, identity and military ideology with the aim of
yielding knowledge and an understanding of issues of continuing relevance to Army.
Emphasis should be placed on the essentials of military history - command, battle, the
complexities of military planning and doctrine development - rather than on society.
Military Heritage
Military Heritage studies may be supported if they address areas in which there are no
extant records.
Applicants are advised to review their projects carefully to ensure the focus is on the
history of the Australian Army. Projects in which the history of the Army is
peripheral, or the focus is on another entity, are unlikely to be supported.
Use of grant money
Grants are meant to assist, rather than wholly fund, a research project. They are not
intended to provide income support. Those who receive grants should be prepared to
meet some of the expense of their project from resources other than those provided by
the Army.
In preparing budgets, the following items are usually considered eligible expenses:
a. Travel and accommodation
b. Research expenses. These may include: photocopying; postage; telephone;
facsimile; the purchase of tapes and disks, and the transcription of tapes. Funds are
not generally available for the purchase of books, journal subscriptions, or the
purchase of equipment.
Grants must be fully expended in the financial year commencing 1 July and finishing
on 30 June.
Completing the application form
All applications should be filled out electronically on the application form available
on the Australian Army History Unit’s website.
Each application should relate to one project only. Applicants requesting support for
two or more projects should submit a separate application for each one.
Confidentiality
In accordance with the Privacy Act 1989, personal details will remain confidential and
will only be used by the Panel. However, with the aim of promoting research into the
history of the Army, the Panel may at its discretion advise others of the research
interests only of applicants.
The form consists of a Cover Sheet and five sections:
a. Principal Researcher (Applicant)
b. Associate Researcher (If applicable)
c. Project
d. Budget
e. Referees
Section A: Principal Researcher (Applicant)
Any special circumstances which may assist in the project (e.g. you may have served
in the unit about which you are writing, or have had some personal involvement in the
subject of your research) should be included under the heading 'Other Relevant
Experience'.
Section B: Associate Researcher (If applicable)
This section is only applicable where an associate researcher/s is/are involved and
follows the same criteria as Section A.
Section C: Project
This section is intended to enable applicants to explain the aims, significance, and
methodology of their projects, and to describe the form in which the finished product
will be presented.
Section D: Budget
This section is designed to enable applicants to indicate the funds which they consider
are necessary for the completion of the project. It is most important that this section is
completed as realistically as possible and is fully justified.
The Panel will exercise discretion in determining the amount of funding to be
allocated to each project. For this reason, priority items (i.e. items without which it
would be impossible to complete the project) should be identified in the space
provided.
All budget items should be clearly listed under the headings:
a. Travel and accommodation
Enter travel destinations and mode of transport. Try to rationalise trips wherever
possible. If this is not possible (because of work commitments, public holidays etc.),
specify reasons in the justification of budget section.
Airfares should be calculated on the most economical rates available and applicants
are encouraged to consider the advantages of Apex and other advance purchase
schemes. In the case of car travel, an estimate of the expected distance to be travelled,
together with the details of the car to be used, should be provided.
b. Research
Enter a full estimate of expenses for services such as typing, photocopying, the
provision of photographs etc. It is not necessary to be specific in listing small items.
Use round figures wherever possible.
c. Other Expenses
Section E: Referees' Reports
Applicants should request a person familiar with their research capacity to act as
referee for the project. The report should not merely be character reference.
Applicants are responsible for contacting their referee and ensuring that reports are
sent directly to the Research Grants Officer, to be received by the closing date for
applications.
Assessment of applications
Research grants are assessed against the following criteria:
TOPIC:
How will the project extend understanding of the history of the Australian
army?
Will the finished product be useful to the operation of the current Army? If so,
in what ways?
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Does the applicant possess experience in the field?
Does the applicant possess the necessary skills to complete their project?
RESEARCH PLAN
Is the aim realistic (including consideration of time, existence and location of
source material, etc.)
Is the research plan appropriate? (If not, briefly outline weaknesses)
Is the timetable workable? (If not, briefly outline weaknesses)
BUDGET:
Will the outcome of the research project and proposed budget represent value
for money?
Is there any opportunity for trimming the budget? If so, where?
REFEREES:
How do the referee reports support the application?
Notification of assessments
All applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of their applications and all
will receive copies of the written assessments of their applications.
Completed forms
Completed application forms should be emailed to The Research Grants Officer at:
ahu.enquiries@defence.gov.au
Queries
Contact the;
Research Grants Officer