Monash Partners Academic Health
Science Centre (MPAHSC)
Clinical Research Fellowship
Guidelines for Applicants 2013
Due Date:
19 September 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acronyms and Definitions ........................................................................................................................... 3
1. OVERVIEW – MONASH PARTNERS ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCE CENTRE .......................................... 4
2. SCHEME DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Who can apply?................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2. Level of Funding ............................................................................................................................... 5
2.3. Duration ........................................................................................................................................... 6
3. ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING ....................................................................................................................... 6
3.1. Applicant requirements ................................................................................................................... 6
3.2. Project requirements ....................................................................................................................... 6
3.3. Administering Organisation requirements ...................................................................................... 6
3.4. Research Organisation requirements .............................................................................................. 7
4. ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1. Discretion to Fund ................................................................................................................................ 7
4.2. Privacy and confidentiality ................................................................................................................... 7
4.3. Conflict of interest – Evaluation Panel members ................................................................................ 7
4.4. Selection Criteria .............................................................................................................................. 8
5. OUTCOME OF EVALUATION .................................................................................................................... 8
6. HOW TO SUBMIT..................................................................................................................................... 9
7. FUNDING ROUND TIMETABLE ................................................................................................................ 9
APPENDIX 1 – ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................... 10
1. Applicant ............................................................................................................................................... 10
2. Administering Organisation .................................................................................................................. 10
3. Goods and Services Tax......................................................................................................................... 10
4. Reporting............................................................................................................................................... 10
5. Intellectual Property and Commercialisation ....................................................................................... 10
6. Acknowledgement of Support .............................................................................................................. 11
Acronyms and Definitions
Administering Organisation*
Organisation that will be responsible for administration of the
project, and the receipt and distribution of grant funds.
There can be only one Administering Organisation per grant.
Administering Officer/Grants
Officer
Applicant
Person responsible for receiving and administering funds from
Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre
Researcher who is leading the research. Responsible for the overall
direction of the project, and leading and supporting Associate/CoInvestigators. Responsible for completion and lodgement of the
application, and gaining appropriate certification signatures.
Responsible for progress and reporting on the project.
This person must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Associate/Co-Investigator/s
Collaborator/Collaborative Partner/s
Responsible for carrying out some aspect of the research under the
guidance and leadership of the Lead/Chief Investigator/s.
Includes all people named as Investigators and their associated
organisations. Also includes organisations or individuals that provide
specific resources that contribute to the research, such as
biobanking or biostatistics work.
Collaboration may be between a combination of disciplines,
departments and/or organisations.
Goods & Services Tax
Goods and Services Tax imposed in accordance with the A New Tax
System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, and related Acts and
Regulations.
ICS
Integrated Cancer Services located in Victoria
Monash Partners
Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre
Research Organisation*
Organisation where the majority of the research will be based
*Administering Organisation and Research Organisation may be the same.
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1. OVERVIEW – MONASH PARTNERS ACADEMIC HEALTH SCIENCE CENTRE
Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre (MPAHSC) was established in 2011. MPAHSC is a
Government endorsed Academic Health Science Centre operating across its 8 member organisations in the
south and east of Melbourne. https://www.monashpartners.org.au/. MPAHSC is unique in its breadth – with
Health Service members from the private as well as public sectors, Medical Research Centres and one of
Australia’s largest Universities. The member organisations of MPAHSC are Alfred Health; Baker IDI Heart and
Diabetes Institute; Burnet Institute; Cabrini Health; Epworth HealthCare; Monash Health (previously
Southern Health); Monash University and Prince Henry’s Institute.
In 2013, the Victorian Cancer Agency (VCA), through the Victorian Government, provided funding to
MPAHSC to recruit Clinician Researchers in Cancer.
Cancer and Blood Diseases is one of 7 Clinical Themes in MPAHSC. In addition to the Cancer and Blood
Diseases Theme, MPAHSC develops its cancer research and clinical activities in partnership with Monash
Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MCCC) http://www.mccc.edu.au/ and the Southern Melbourne
Integrated Cancer Services (SMICS) http://www.smics.org.au/ and links closely to the program of Cancer
Registries convened through the School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine of Monash University. In
recent years, key Statewide cancer research projects have been won by cancer collaborations supported by
MCCC. The large Victorian Cancer Agency funded program grants are in prostate cancer and lung cancer
research. However, there are many other areas of research specialisation within the scope of MPAHSC.
The vision of MPAHSC is “to measurably enhance the health of the communities we serve”.
In launching its inaugural Clinician Researcher Fellowships, MPAHSC seeks to further build and develop the
translational cancer research and clinical partnerships that mark cancer services within MPAHSC. The
current, four Health Services of MPAHSC deliver a significant proportion of Victoria’s cancer services. With
the research programs operating within MPAHSC and its partner organisations, the MPAHSC Clinician
Researcher Fellowships offer applicants access to a high quality research environment and a significant
patient population.
2. SCHEME DESCRIPTION
A priority area for Cancer services within MPAHSC is to continue to build cancer research capacity and
capability through encouraging clinicians and academic researchers to undertake research projects in
cancer. MPAHSC Clinical Research Fellowships are designed to allow clinicians dedicated time in which to
undertake translational cancer research.
By offering Clinician Researcher Fellowships, MPAHSC expects to increase the pool of clinician researchers
and academic researchers working directly on clinical problems:
 To develop future leaders of cancer research
 To attract and/or retain the best cancer researchers
 To foster clinically relevant cancer research.
MPAHSC permits Applicants to propose a range of Fellowship structures – within the maximum funding of
$200,000 per annum and the maximum duration of 4 years. MPAHSC is able to offer multiple Fellowships to
meet Applicant requirements for different funding and duration options. See below4 year duration
3 year duration
2 year duration
$200,000 pa
1 available
1 available
2 available
$150,000 pa
1 + available
2 + available
2 + available
$100,000 pa
2 available
2 + available
4 available
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When considering applying for a Fellowship, applicants should appreciate:
1. Clinician applicants must have a defined research project that addresses an area of clinical need and
provide evidence of organisational support for the project.
2. Non–clinician applicants must clearly demonstrate the clinical aspects of the research and include at
least one clinician as an associate investigator.
For individuals undertaking clinical practice in a medical, nursing or allied health role:
1. Applications may be made for dedicated research time up to 75% full time equivalent (slight
variations will be considered, particularly for regional applicants).
2. Applicants must provide evidence of release from clinical commitments to undertake the research.
3. It is expected that clinical practice would still be undertaken as part of normal duties.
For Cancer researchers not employed in a clinical role:
1. Applicants must identify a clinical problem. Their research must be carried out in a clinical setting.
2. Applications may be made for dedicated research time up to 75% full time equivalent (slight
variations will be considered, particularly for regional applicants).
3. Applicants must provide evidence of release from other duties to undertake the research, while
details must be provided of how remaining time will be spent.
2.1. Who can apply?
a) Medical graduates interested in pursuing translational cancer research. Medical graduates should have a
specialist qualification, a doctoral qualification (PhD, MD or equivalent) and research experience.
Applicants should have a demonstrated capacity to undertake translational research.
b) Non-medical graduates interested in pursuing cancer research with a strong clinical focus. Applicants
should have a doctoral qualification (PhD or equivalent) in a nursing, allied health or biomedical field,
and research experience. Applicants should have a demonstrated capacity to undertake translational
research.
c) Previous applicants for Victorian Cancer Agency Clinical Research Fellowships (or any other VCA funding
initiative) are eligible to apply. However any previous holders of a Victorian Cancer Agency Clinical
Research Fellowship will only be considered for support to take the total years of support – when
combined with previous VCA support – to 4 years of Fellowship support.
2.2. Level of Funding
Funding is available for the funding components up to a maximum amount of $200,000 per annum. As
indicated in the table above, MPAHSC welcomes applications with any mix of Funding and duration.
Funding components are:
1. Salary support (Fellow and clinician associate investigator) and
2. Research costs.
Salary Support:
Salary support for the Fellow: Support is available to cover up to 75% of current wages and on-costs,
within the overall limit of $200,000 per annum.
The current wage is that commensurate with the award negotiated with the individual applicant’s
institution. Each applicant is required to provide details of their wage award and level. If the Fellowship
is successful, written evidence must be provided by the employing institution.
The salary will cover the research component of the fellowship, or both the research component and
the public clinical practice component. The time spent in public clinical practice must be specified.
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Salary support for a clinician associate investigator: For non-clinician applicants, additional salary
support for the required clinician associate investigator will be considered up to 0.1 EFT. Details of the
clinician associate investigator’s salary award and level must be provided.
If requested, this amount must be included in the overall limit of $200,000.
Research costs
A maximum of $50,000 per annum will be available for research costs. This amount may include costs
for labour other than the Fellow or clinician associate investigator.
The $50,000 upper limit applies even when the requested salary is less than $150,000.
2.3. Duration
MPAHSC Clinical Research Fellowships have a maximum duration of 4 years.
Applications for 4 year and less than 4 years are equally sought.
3. ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING
Any Australian citizens or permanent resident that is currently, or will be, involved in the conduct of cancer
research in Victoria is eligible to apply.
Applications must be made under the auspices of a member organisation of Monash Partners Academic
Health Science Centre.
3.1. Applicant requirements
Successful applicants will be asked for proof of citizenship or residency status as part of the funding
agreement.
3.2. Project requirements
MPAHSC must be satisfied that:
 The majority of the research funded is completed within Victoria (Co- investigators and/or
collaborators may work interstate or internationally). This is a requirement of projects funded
directly or indirectly by the Victorian Cancer Agency
 Proposed projects must have specific aims and outcomes that are achievable in the designated
timeframe.
3.3. Administering Organisation requirements
A single MPAHSC Member organisation should be designated as the Administering Organisation.
The designated Administering organisation must:
1) Certify in the application that they approve of and endorse the proposed project.
2) Certify in the application form that they meet the requirements for the receipt of government
funding through MPAHSC.
3) Have in place:
a) policies and procedures for the management of public funds
b) policies for the proper conduct of research in relation to ethics and good scientific conduct
c) policies for the appropriate management and exploitation of Intellectual Property
4) In the case of research being undertaken with collaborative partners, obtain the consent of all
Investigators named in the application, and their organisations
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3.4. Research Organisation requirements
The application must provide evidence that there is a suitable environment in which to undertake the
research.
 The MPAHSC organisation must ensure that there is effective supervision and mentoring of the
researcher and/or research group, and have a process for evaluating the effectiveness and suitability
of any supervisory and/or mentoring arrangements.

The MPAHSC organisation will provide the facilities and infrastructure required to undertake the
proposed research.

The relevant MPAHSC organisation delegate must certify in the application that they approve of and
endorse the proposed project.
4. ASSESSMENT
Applicants will be informed via email of receipt of their application within five working days after the closing
date for the funding round.
MPAHSC will initially screen applications to ensure that eligibility criteria have been met.
An Independent Evaluation Panel will assess all submissions against the selection criteria. The panels will,
consistent with these guidelines:
 rank applications based on the specific selection criteria weighting (refer section 4.4)
 make recommendations to the MPAHSC on the applications which meet appropriate standards for
funding
 provide advice on applications where further collaboration may be sought
MPAHSC may enter into direct negotiations with applicants to seek further information or detail in relation
to specific applications.
After MPAHSC has completed its evaluation process, feedback on applications will be available on request.
4.1. Discretion to Fund
The lodging of an application does not confer any entitlement upon the applicant. The determination to
fund is totally within the discretion of Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre and its partner
organisation, the Victorian Cancer Agency.
4.2. Privacy and confidentiality
All information contained in applications will be regarded as confidential. Documents containing personal
information will be handled and protected in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy and Personal
Information Protection Act 1998. Personal information will only be disclosed with the permission of the
individual to whom it relates, or where the Act allows.
Applicants consent to the information supplied as part of their application being disclosed for the purposes
of the evaluation and administration of the grant. Such disclosure includes but is not limited to members of
Evaluation Panels, independent readers/assessors requested by Evaluation Panels to provide advice on the
applications, relevant staff used by Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre to manage the
research grant process and the Department of Health and the Victorian Cancer Agency as partners.
Applicants acknowledge that announcement of the funded grants will involve the dissemination of
information to the public about the general nature of the funded grants.
4.3. Conflict of interest – Evaluation Panel members
Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre, the Victorian Cancer Agency and The Victorian
Government requires the MPAHSC Clinician Researcher Evaluation Panel members to act in an ethical
manner, declare conflicts of interest and withdraw from considering applications where such conflict does
or may exist.
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4.4. Selection Criteria
All applications will be assessed against the specific selection criteria and weightings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Criteria
Alignment with the vision of MPAHSC
The research meets the vision and the objectives of the MPAHSC Clinician
Researcher Fellowship. In particular:
 The project involves translational cancer research
 Evidence of cross-disciplinary approaches with researchers, clinicians,
consumers, clinician-managers, health care policy makers and/or industry
 Evidence of collaboration across MPAHSC as required.
 Understanding of how the results of the research will be communicated to
other researchers, clinicians, students, consumers and health care decisionmakers
 How the research will build capacity within MPAHSC.
Importance of project
The research is designed to address an important problem or clinical need in patient
care. Specifically:
 The significance of the clinical need being addressed in the research
 How the research will result in improved patient outcomes
Quality of Project
The quality of the research, including:
 Feasibility
 Rationale
 Methodology
 Timeframes
 Innovation

Quality of Investigator/s
Capacity to undertake the project, including:
 Track record of applicant.
 Support in conducting research
 Existing Infrastructure
 Mentoring
 Collaboration

TOTAL
Weighting (%)
10
20
20
50
100%
5. OUTCOME OF EVALUATION
Offers of funding will be made to the Applicant, as the initiator of the application. Acceptance of the grant
must be approved by the Administering Organisation.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with MPAHSC on behalf of the
Victorian Cancer Agency, through the nominated Administering Organisation. This will require regular
progress reports against the goals of the project.
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6. HOW TO SUBMIT
All applicants must complete a Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre Clinical Research
Fellowship Application Form.
Email: info@smics.org.au
Telephone: Michael Wright on 9076 2598
Submission of applications
MPAHSC will only accept electronic submission of applications.
MPAHSC will not accept hardcopy or faxed applications.
Signatures: Electronic signatures are accepted.
Applications will be accepted if they are emailed on or before the closing date.
Applications must be received by 2 pm, Thursday 19th September 2013
Please note incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.
Email address for Submission: info@smics.org.au
7. FUNDING ROUND TIMETABLE
Funding round announced
Applications open
Closing date for applications
Evaluation Panel meets to review applications
Advice to Applicants
14th August 2013
14th August 2013
19th September 2013
3rd October 2013
18th October 2013
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APPENDIX 1 – ADMINISTRATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Applicant
The Applicant will be responsible for guiding the research and managing the research program through to
completion. This will include liaising with collaborators and coordinating reporting requirements of the grant
with the administering organisation.
Where the project involves multi-site research, the Applicant must obtain written commitment from all
Heads of Departments of collaborative partners not within the Administering Organisation or Clinical Trial
Organisation, and must assume responsibility for undertaking and completing the activities outlined in the
application.
2. Administering Organisation
The Administering Organisation will be responsible for administration of the project and funding, in
accordance with the funding agreement.
Payment of funds will be made to the Administering Organisation as set out in the funding agreement
schedule. Funds must only be used for the purposes set out in the agreement.
3. Goods and Services Tax
GST will be paid on top of grant amounts where appropriate. This will be determined by the administering
organisation’s GST status. This status must be identified by the financial delegate of the Administering
Organisation.
4. Reporting
In accordance with the funding agreements, funding recipients will be required to submit reports on a regular
basis. The reporting schedule is outlined in the following table.
Report
Reporting
frequency
Due
Progress against milestones
and/or targets
6-monthly
Every 6 months from receipt of funds
Financial reports (to be included
in progress report)
Annually
Every 12 months from receipt of funds
Final report
Once only
Within 6 months post completion of funding
As requested by
On request with a negotiable time frame not
greater than six weeks
Ad hoc reports
MPAHSC
These reports will enable MPAHSC to assess whether the project is proceeding satisfactorily, and that funds
are being acquitted in accordance with the original application goals.
MPAHSC reserves the right to consider suspending funding if progress is considered unsatisfactory, or funds
have not been utilised in accordance with the funding agreement.
5. Intellectual Property and Commercialisation
MPAHSC funding agreement will reflect the Victorian Government standard approach to the management of
any intellectual property (IP) generated from research funded through the Victorian Cancer Agency.
Successful applicants will be required to comply with the Agency’s approach to IP when signing the funding
agreement.
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6. Acknowledgement of Support
Successful applicants are required to acknowledge MPAHSC and the Victorian Cancer Agency in any
publications, public announcements, scientific meeting presentations or discussion forums pertaining to
research conducted with the assistance of funding from MPAHSC and the Victorian Cancer Agency.
END OF DOCUMENT
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