Research Grants
Research is defined as "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications" .
Research necessarily involves a significant element of novelty (innovation), uncertainty with respect to outcomes, and potential for publication of outcomes in peer-reviewed scholarly media and/or a high level of technical complexity requiring innovative resolution.
Research is taken to include the activities of Higher Degree by Research Students.
Please see the Funding and Submission deadlines pages for information on funding opportunities. For information on writing grant applications please the Tips on writing application page. For a copy of the Research Project Application Tool (RPAT) go to the Tools and Download page.
Types of research:
- Pure basic research which is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge primarily for the advancement of knowledge;
- Strategic basic research which is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge directed into specified broad areas that are expected to lead to useful discoveries. It provides the broad base of knowledge necessary to solve recognised practical problems; and
- Applied research which is original work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge with a specific application in view. It is undertaken either to determine possible uses for the findings of basic research or to determine new ways of achieving some specific and predetermined objectives.
- Experimental Development which is systematic work, using existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience, for the purpose of creating new or improved materials, products, devices, processes or services.
Within the Types of Research Curtin recognises the following Research Activity:
Sponsored Research - this can be basic, applied or experimental research. The objective is not necessarily commercial outcomes. It is frequently initiated by a research proposal and funds are usually, although not always, provided on a competitive basis. The intellectual property arising from the research is usually owned by the University. The University would expect to have rights to use the results of any research undertaken for further research and teaching purposes and to publish the outcomes.
Contracted Research - This can result from either a request from an industry, government, or semi-government body for a specified research project to be undertaken with identified aims and objectives, or a jointly initiated project between the University and an industry, government, or semi-government body relating to a collaborative research project. In the former, the project may be a result of a competitive bid to undertake the project on behalf of an industry, government or semi-government body.
Typical contract research projects involve applied research and may include product or process development. The industry partner would more often than not have the right to exploit commercially the final intellectual property arising from the project in return for a royalty to be paid to the University. For additional information please refer to the Contracts page.
The information available from the left menu will guide you through the process of seeking funding and managing your research projects.
Please remember that all research grant applications are submitted through the Office of Research and Development for approval and transmission to the relevant funding body.
