Managing research at Curtin
The Office of Research and Development and Financial Services have developed procedures for the management and administration of applications for research funding, research contracts and for the submission of tenders to undertake research on behalf of an external agency. The procedures have been developed in accordance with the Policy on Research Management.
Please note that the procedures are designed to provide more effective management of research activities undertaken with external funding and will facilitate the recovery of university overheads as required under the Policy on Research Management.
The following features should be noted:
- Submission of research applications: All research project applications (including contracted research) are to be submitted to the Office of Research and Development for approval and transmission to the funding agency. They should be accompanied by a completed Research Project Application Tool (RPAT). Internal deadlines are set generally a week prior to the actual deadline to allow Research Grants Contracts and Consultancy Unit staff to check that the application complies with the guidelines and offer advice or improvements to the application. For the larger funding schemes the internal deadline can be up to four weeks prior to the external deadline. For current deadlines of the major funding schemes, please visit the Deadlines calendar page.
- Research Project Application Tool (RPAT): One University requirement is that anyone applying for external research funding complete a Research Project Application Tool (RPAT). This tool is designed to assist the University's research community in calculating the cost to the University of undertaking a research project. It provides an estimate of total cost of the proposed research project and the total price. It also captures key data on the project required for reporting to the Federal Government and other parties. Please note that in 2009 the excel version of this tool will be phased out and researchers should be completing the online RPAT available via the Research Projects module of the SCRIPT database - a web-based multi-module information management system used to manage a variety of research activities at Curtin. Further information on using SCRIPT, including details of training sessions, are available on the main SCRIPT web page. Please note that it is necessary to attend training before access to the Research Projects module is provided.
- The completed RPAT is to be printed off and signed by the principal investigator, the Head of School (or equivalent) and the Divisonal Administrator prior to submission to the Office of Research and Development (ORD).
- Note: The RPAT is for internal use only and will not be submitted to the funding agency.
- For help on completing the RPAT please contact your Research and Development Officer or the SCRIPT Research Projects Helpdesk.
- SCRIPT project number: All applications submitted in accordance with the Policy on Research Management will be allocated a unique project number when entered into the SCRIPT database. Please note, the data in the SCRIPT database is also used to inform the Promotions process.
- Monitoring of research cost centres: The system includes stringent monitoring of research cost centres both to open a research cost centre and to extend the period of operation of the cost centre. Dedicated research cost centres must be opened for each specific research project fund source and should remain active over the agreed time period in accordance with the research contract or agreement. Please also note that research cost centres will not be opened without a SCRIPT project number.
Please note that ALL applications for research funding, R&D contracts and tender submissions related to research activities must be processed using the relevant documentation through the Office of Research and Development. Incomplete documentation will not be accepted and will have to be returned to researchers for completion.
Please refer to the Forms and Policies pages for more information on key policies and other research related documents.Further Information:
For further information please visit Frequently Asked Questions and Contact Us.
