Industrial Transformation Research Training Centres

The Industrial Transformation Research Training Centres scheme aims to fosters close partnerships between university-based researchers and other research end-users to provide innovative Higher Degree by Research (HDR) and postdoctoral training for the end-user focused research industries vital to Australias future. Over a five-year period, the ARC will award funding for up to 50 Training Centres with funding for at least ten (10) Higher Degree by Research candidates and three (3) postdoctoral fellows in each Training Centre.

The Industrial Transformation Training Priorities are priority research areas identified by the ARC which will be updated from round to round.

The Industrial Transformation Training Centres for funding commencing in 2014 will have a dual focus: food and manufacturing.

The Program will continue to address research areas that are vital for, and assist with:

• Australia's future food storage,
• food processing,
• food manufacturing capabilities and
• product opportunities.

In addition, the Program will target:

• product design and development,
• manufacturing techniques,
• defence manufacturing and
• firm organisation and management.

The objectives of the Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme are to:

1. foster opportunities for Higher Degree by Research candidates and postdoctoral fellows to pursue industrial training and to enhance competitive research in collaboration between universities and organisations outside the Australian higher education sector; and
2. strengthen Australia's Industrial Transformation Priorities to supplement the needs of industries and other research end-users.

The ARC will provide between $0.6-1 million per annum funding for each Research Hub for 3 years. RHD candidates and postdoctoral fellows funded under the Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme are required to conduct research for a minimum of 1 year full-time placement within a Partner Organisation over the life of the Project.

There is no requirement for the Partner Organisation(s) to match the funding requested from the ARC and no minimum requirement of Cash Contribution, see the ARC FAQ document question 3.7 for further information.  The ARC may provide funding for Project costs to match eligible Cash Contributions from Partner Organisation(s) such that the total funds (including Higher Degree by Research stipends and postdoctoral fellow salaries) awarded by the ARC will not exceed $1 million per year. The PO cash contributions may not include top-ups for Higher Degree by Research Stipends or salaries for CIs, PIs or postdoctoral fellows.

The ARC may provide funding for Project costs to match eligible In-kind contributions where the Partner Organisation(s) are a registered charity, not-for-profit community organisation, Start-Up Company or a museum/herbaria.

Key Dates

Key dates for funding commencing in 2014 are yet to be confirmed.

Please contact Elianne Renaud via email or on (02) 492 17308 if you are interested in applying for this scheme.

Documents

• Funding Rules
• Instructions to Applicants 
• Frequently asked questions 
• Sample application form
• Certification Form (DOC)
• Partner Organisation Support Letter Template(DOC)
• Written evidence form (not yet available)
• Funding Agreement (not yet available)
• UoN document summarising differences between Linkage Projects, ITR Hubs and ITR Training Centre Schemes (PDF 107 KB)

RMS Access

• Access to RMS is via the ARC website

Please note: From 2013, ARC's GAMS system will no longer be available. All new applications as well as final reports will need to be submitted in RMS. 

To access RMS follow the instructions on the ARC web site.

Should you require further assistance using RMS please contact Neroli Finlay via email or on extension 15353.

• Download the document 'How to set up an RMS Account and Create a Partner Organisation'

Minimum System Requirements for using RMS

To access RMS your computer will need to meet minimum systems requirements. These are listed below:

• Internet Explorer 7.0 + or Firefox 3.0 + (Please note: You must have javascript enabled in your browser for RMS to function)
• 1024 x 768 Minimum Screen Resolution
• Adobe Flash Player 10 + (To install Flash Player, go to  http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/downloads.html)

Tools for Completing Your Application

Confidentiality and IP

Please note: The ARC used to warrant confidentiality.  Now the Funding Rules state "the ARC gives no undertaking to keep confidential any information provided in the Proposal except where required by law".

Due to this change it is now recommended that the researcher submitting a research project with potential IP which could be patented/exploited or involves an Industry Partner which requires confidentiality should insert the following sentence at the start of the Project Description within their application:

"The following project is disclosed to the ARC in confidence for the purpose only of applying for ARC Funding."

Useful Information for preparing your applications

• Salary Costs for general staff
• Salary Costs for academic staff
• Further ARC information 

Australian Taxation Office Allowances

• Travel Allowances by Kilometre
• Other Travel Allowance Configurations

Important Notes regarding Lodgement of ARC applications:

1. Validate and Local Submit the application in RMS.
2. In RMS generate a PDF copy of the application.
3. Email research-grants@newcastle.edu.au advising application submitted in RMS.
4. Deliver to the Research Office the ARC Certification and Clearances form. This form must be signed by the applicants and their respective Heads of Schools.  Your application will not be submitted until the signed copy has been received.

ARC Reporting

If you have a current ARC grant, please see the ARC reporting requirements page.