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The Hospital Research Foundation Translational Project Grant Round

2020

Guidelines v1.0

Step 1 (EOIs) close: 12th October

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Table of Contents

1. About The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group ............................................................ 3

2. About the Translational Project Grant Round ............................................................................... 3

3. Terms and Conditions for funding ................................................................................................ 3

4. Grant application steps ................................................................................................................ 4

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) ..................................................................................... 4

Step 2: Full application ......................................................................................................... 4

Step 3: Final interview .......................................................................................................... 4

5. Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 4

Affiliation requirements ......................................................................................................... 4

Project requirements............................................................................................................. 4

Eligibility requirements .......................................................................................................... 5

Incomplete, false or misleading information .......................................................................... 6

6. Funding Available ........................................................................................................................ 6

Funding rules ........................................................................................................................ 6

Salary support ...................................................................................................................... 6

Direct research costs ............................................................................................................ 7

Administering Institutions (AIs) ............................................................................................. 7

7. Assessment process .................................................................................................................... 7

Step 1 7

Step 2 7

Step 3 8

8. How to apply ................................................................................................................................ 8

9. Round timetable .......................................................................................................................... 9

Appendix A - Guidelines for assessment of EOIs. ............................................................................. 10

Appendix B - NHMRC Relative to Opportunity and Career Disruption Policy .................................... 12

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1. About The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group

The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group supports people in hospitals across South

Australia through vital health and medical research and improved patient care. THRF Group has

provided more than $137 million in grants over the past 15 years for world-leading medical

research and patient care initiatives across all public hospitals, universities and medical research

centres in SA.This is only possible thanks to our generous donors, corporate partners and ticket

buyers in the Hospital Research Home Lottery.

THRF Group consists of 10 charities which work together to improve the health and wellbeing of the

community, while allowing donors to choose an area of healthcare which matters most to them.

2. About the Translational Project Grant Round

In this grant call, we are looking for translational projects in the following fields:

- Aged care

- Coronary heart disease - Dementia (at the exception of Parkinson’s Disease which is funded through our affiliate

Parkinson’s SA)

- Depression

- Endometriosis

- Ovarian cancer

- Paediatric solid cancer (< 18 yo)

Projects will be immediately translatable and will lead to tangible and clearly explained impacts for the

patients.

These specific areas of research are either of high interest to THRF donors and ticket buyers in The

Hospital Research Foundation Home Lottery or an area of unmet need.

These grants are open to health and medical researchers at all career stages.

Allied Health professionals are welcome to apply.

3. Terms and Conditions for funding

• The project must commence within six months of receiving the award letter. The project

cannot commence before all ethics approval and collaborative agreements are in place and

the funding agreement is fully executed.

• THRF standard Intellectual Property Agreement Clause will apply.

• THRF funding is not to be used to support Intellectual Property and Patent costs.

• Chief Investigators agree to:

o Provide regular reports on the progress of the research through SmartyGrants as

requested. Progress will be monitored against agreed milestones, and evidence of

outputs and outcomes will be required.

o Report any unexpected delays or changes to the research plan to THRF in a timely

manner.

o Acknowledge THRF funding support in all presentations of the work.

o Provide updates upon request to THRF Communications and Marketing teams.

o Participate in media opportunities coordinated by THRF where necessary, including

local radio and local and national media announcements. Relevant media advice

and preparation will be available via THRF’s Communications team; and

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o Ensure THRF is consulted regarding any media opportunities led by the recipient’s

university, SA Health or other organisation.

4. Grant application steps

Grants for basic science (lab-based, pre-clinical research) and clinical and medical science / public

health will be considered.

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

Applicants will submit a short EOI with a two-page biosketch through THRF SmartyGrants platform.

This information will be used to shortlist applications.

Each applicant can submit one (1) EOI as Chief Investigator A (CIA) in this round. Multiple EOIs from

a single CIA, even if addressing different disease targets, will not be accepted. An additional three

Co-Investigators may be included on each application. Co-Investigators can be involved in no more

than three (3) applications (including involvement as CIA).

THRF guarantees that the IP and background knowledge contained in the EOIs will remain

confidential and will not be used for any purpose within THRF.

Step 2: Full application

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application through the THRF Smartygrants

platform. Full applications will be expected within three weeks of the notification of shortlisting.

Step 3: Final interview

Interviews with applicants will be conducted before the final decision. The interviews will include a

review of milestones, budget and terms of conditions of funding.

Final submissions cannot be amended. THRF expects applicants to provide all necessary information

to make the evaluation possible on the SmartyGrants application form but reserves the right to

request additional information if deemed necessary for evaluation.

5. Requirements

Affiliation requirements

The CIA must have a formal affiliation with one of the following:

• Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN): Royal Adelaide Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (The Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research), or SA Pathology

• Flinders University

• Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)

• SA Regional Health Local Health Networks (RHLHNs) or Rural Support Services (RSS)

• South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

• Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN)

• The University of Adelaide

• The University of South Australia

• Torrens University

• Womens and Childrens Health Network

CIAs with more than one affiliation will nominate one affiliation to be the Administrating Institution (AI)

for the purposes of this round. Researchers from other Australian states can be included as Co-

investigators only.

Project requirements

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The project should be translational in one of of the following fields:

➢ Aged care

o Projects that focus on coronary heart disease, dementia, depression, endometriosis or

ovarian cancer in older patients are not eligible for the aged care call and should be

submitted under the disease area.

➢ Coronary heart disease ➢ Dementia

o A project that focusses primarily on Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is ineligible – these

projects are through our Group charity Parkinson’s SA. If the project will benefit a

diverse cohort of patients with multiple types of dementia that includes PD, and the

majority of patients who will benefit do not have PD, then the project is eligible. The

applicants should specify the patient population in the EOI.

➢ Depression

➢ Endometriosis

➢ Ovarian cancer

➢ Paediatric solid cancer (< 18 yo)

Projects must target specifically the diseases listed above.

Projects will be immediately translatable after completion and will lead to a tangible and

clearly explained impact. Impact is defined for the purpose of this round as:

• improving patients’ journeys in their healthcare setting (primary/secondary/tertiary

care); and/or

• changing health policy and/or healthcare system processes and outcomes as they

pertain to the disease; and/or

• optimising clinical and/or social aspects of care for the patients for the disease

targeted; and/or

• improving the model and/or creating a new model of care of the disease; and/or

• improving the quality of life for the patients affected by the disease.

A sign-off from the Local Health Network/GP practice/implementation institution might be required at

the time of full application. Applicants must demonstrate support from the implementation institution

and ability to translate immediately after completion.

Projects outside of the scope of the definition above will not be considered. If you are unsure if your

project will be eligible, please contact THRF Research Office at savelives@hospitalresearch.com.au.

THRF is looking for new and innovative approaches and has a preference for grants that bring

together different disciplines and funding teams.

The round is open but not limited to medical/biomedical scientists, clinical researchers, medical,

nursing and allied health practitioners, bioinformaticians and epidemiologists.

Eligibility requirements

The CIA must:

• Have employment rights via:

o Australian citizenship, or

o permanent residency in Australia, or a valid visa for the entirety of the project period so

that they can commence their project at the date indicated in paragraph 3

• Hold a PhD or equivalent – for PhDs an English Language copy of the letter saying the

applicant qualifies academically for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (“award letter”) with a

date is required when submitting the full application. Applicants who do not have the award

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letter yet are not eligible. For PhD equivalent please contact THRF Research Office prior to

submission for eligibility confirmation

o Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are welcome to apply. ECRs are encouraged to put

together a team and submit the project as a team.

o Experienced Researchers (ERs) who submit as a team are encouraged to have ECRs

as part of the team.

• Have a track record in the target disease of the application. The track record will be assessed

relative to the CIA’s opportunity. The review panel will follow the NHMRC Relative to

Opportunity and Career Disruption Policy (available in Appendix I at

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/find-funding/investigator-grants and in Appendix B of this

document).

Incomplete, false or misleading information

All information submitted to THRF (including EOIs, grant applications and reports) must be complete,

current and accurate at the time of submission, and free of false or misleading information.

Examples of false or misleading information include, but are not limited to:

• Providing a dishonest statement regarding time commitments to the research for

which support is being sought;

• Providing incomplete or inaccurate facts regarding other sources of funding;

• Falsifying claims in publication records; and

• Providing incomplete or misleading information of ethics and governance requirements or

other factors that may impact the researcher’s ability to commence the research program in a

timely manner.

If THRF believes that omissions or inclusion of misleading information were intentional, it may

choose to withdraw funding and/or refer the matter to the Administering Institution.

6. Funding Available

Funding rules

The maximum amount that can be requested is $70,000 for no longer than two years.

Funding can be used to support salaries and direct research costs.

The funding cannot be used to support indirect costs, infrastructure levies or travel for conferences

and study tours.

A detailed budget will only be required if the applicant is invited to submit a full submission.

The duration of the project can be extended for a further six months in exceptional circumstances.

Extensions are for time only, to facilitate project completion. No additional funding will be provided.

Salary support

Applicants may include salary support for themselves and/or additional staff. The requirement for

salaried staff must be well-justified within the full application.

Salary support will include the salary and on-costs, such as accruals for annual leave, carers leave

and the superannuation guarantee contribution. On-costs are limited to 25% of the salary request.

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Research staff will be appointed at standard award conditions, commensurate with experience, as

determined by the AI.

Direct research costs

Direct Research Costs may include research reagents and services, therapeutic agents, computer

programs and travel for the purposes of the research program. Equipment is not a direct research

cost for the purposes of this grant.

Administering Institutions (AIs)

THRF will enter into a funding agreement with the nominated AI.

If a sucessful applicant wishes to change their nominated AI they should consult with THRF

Research Office by emailing savelives@hospitalresearch.com.au.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the nominated AI can administer the grant and is

willing to accept THRF grant Terms and Conditions of funding, which includes execution of the THRF

Grant Funding Agreement.

7. Assessment process

A review panel constituted of independent research professionals will assess the EOIs and invited full

applications.

Panel members will not be conflicted. The review panel will follow the NHMRC Disclosure of Interests

and Management of Conflicts of Interest Guide (available at:

https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/file/14503/download?token=lixhoic2).

Each panel member will contract to preserve the confidentiality of any information supplied and will

not make copies of or disclose information unless explicitly authorised by THRF or required to do so

by law.

Step 1

EOIs submitted by the due date will be reviewed for eligibility. Eligible EOIs will be assessed by the

review panel and ranked based on:

- the unmet need

- the innovation of the concept sketch

- the potential for the research to lead to impacts that will contribute to the field and make a

difference in the lives of patients

- the demonstrated track record in research of the CIA in the disease targeted (relative to

opportunity) and the appropriateness of the skills found in the team.

Average scores will be calculated and the EOIs ranked. Top ranked EOIs will be invited to submit full

applications.

For more details about the scoring system for Step 1, please refer to Appendix A.

Step 2

Full submissions will be peer-reviewed for eligibility. Full applications will not be provided the

opportunity to discuss the unmet need, innovative quality and potential impact of the project again.

The full application will focus primarily on scientific merit, feasibility and budget considerations.

Projects for which the review panel has strong reservations about the scientific merit will be

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downgraded.

Projects for which the review panel determines the scientific merit too low for the project to be worthy

of funding will be declined.

In the case that none of the invited submissions are deemed worthy of funding, the panel will return

to the EOIs and further invitations will be issued.

Lay language components of the invited submissions may be used to engage consumers in aspects

of the decision-making process.

Step 3

Before the final decision is made by THRF, CIAs will be interviewed by a panel consisting of

representatives of THRF and one or more review panel member. Interviews will include a review of

milestones, budget and terms of conditions of funding, a question and answer session, and provide a

forum for the applicants and funding body to meet and develop a common understanding of the

proposed research and the aims and goals of THRF. At this stage THRF may enter into direct

negotiations with applicants to seek further information or detail.

The review panel will provide final average scores and ranking following the interview.

The final funding decision will be made by THRF, informed by the review panel and determined by

funding availability. This decision will be final and no further negotiations will be entered into.

In the event that THRF deems any research applications to be similar or complementary to other

applications received, THRF may request that the applicants consider some or greater cooperation

between the researchers (where appropriate). There is no obligation imposed on applicants under

this condition. Any cooperation that might arise from such a suggestion by THRF would be voluntary.

8. How to apply

Researchers should complete and submit the EOI through THRF’s online application portal SmartyGrants. Only electronic submission through the SmartyGrants system will be accepted. Applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt of the application by email following submission to the SmartyGrants platform. If the email is not received applicants should assume the submission hasn’t been recieved.

SmartyGrants link: https://hospitalresearch.smartygrants.com.au/2020-C-PJ-Translational-Project-

Round

EOI submissions (step 1) closes on 12th October 2020 at 4:00 PM (ACST)

All queries should be directed to savelives@hospitalresearch.com.au

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered

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9. Round timetable

Step 1 opens 21st September 2020 at 10:00 AM (ACST)

Step 1 closes 12th October 2020 4:00 PM (ACST)

Notification to applicants about step 1 outcomes:

About three weeks after EOI submission

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Appendix A - Guidelines for assessment of EOIs.

Unmet need (25%)

The research addresses an unmet need that is, relative to the field of research, an issue of

Tier 4

Top 5% Critical importance. Addressing this need has the potential to produce

outputs and outcomes of extreme significance as per definition for the round

Tier 3 Next 15% High importance. Addressing this need has the potential to produce highly

significant outputs and outcomes as per definition for the round

Tier 2 Next 30% Importance. Addressing this need has the potential to produce significant

outputs and outcomes as per definition for the round

Tier 1 Bottom

50%

Not competitive.

Innovation of the research (10%)

The approach to addressing the defined area of unmet need, relative to the field of research, is

Tier 4

Top 5% Extremely innovative. The research will bring together ideas and

technologies in new ways which will have the potential to achieve an

extremely substantial shift in the current paradigm or an extremely important

breakthrough.

Tier 3 Next 15% Highly innovative. The research aims are novel and have the potential to

achieve a very substantial shift in the current paradigm or a very important

breakthrough.

Tier 2 Next 30% Innovative. The research aims are novel and have the potential to achieve a

shift in the current paradigm or a breakthrough of merit.

Tier 1 Bottom

50%

Not competitive.

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Translation and Impact (55%)

The researchers have articulated a pathway to translation / implementation that will impact the

field of research and/or the lives of patients. They have clearly identified the potential for the

research to lead to impact, which can be

• improving patients’ journeys in their healthcare setting (primary/secondary/tertiary care);

• changing health policy and/or healthcare system processes and outcomes as they pertain to

the disease;

• optimising clinical and/or social aspects of care for the patients for the disease targeted;

• improving the model of care of the disease and/or creating a new model of care for the

disease;

• improving the quality of life for the patients affected by the disease.

Tier 4

Top 5% Extremely relevant. Success will result in a translatable outcome and has the

potential to lead to impacts that are highly significantly and will contribute to

the field and change the patient experience

Tier 3 Next 15% Highly relevant. Success will lead to a translatable outcome and has the

potential to lead to impacts that will significantly contribute to the field and

change the patient experience.

Tier 2 Next 30% Relevant. Success will potentially lead to a translatable outcome and has the

potential to lead to impacts that could significantly contribute to the field and

change the patient experience.

Tier 1 Bottom

50%

Not competitive.

Track record and team (10%)

CIA has a demonstrated record in research in the disease targeted, either as a basic scientist or

clinical / public health researcher and will lead an applicant team.

Tier 4

Top 5% CIA has a strong record in research in the disease targeted relative to

opportunity and will lead a team with outstanding

• capability to execute the project and deliver outcomes,

• access to know how and technologies

• balance of expertise and experience

Tier 3 Next 15% CIA has a strong record in research in the disease targeted relative to

opportunity and will lead a team with excellent

• capability to execute the project and deliver outcomes,

• access to know how and technologies

• balance of expertise and experience

Tier 2 Next 30% CIA has a strong record in research in the disease targeted relative to

opportunity and will lead a team with very good

• capability to execute the project and deliver outcomes,

• access to know how and technologies

• balance of expertise and experience.

Tier 1 Bottom

50%

Not competitive.

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Appendix B - NHMRC Relative to Opportunity and Career Disruption Policy

This text is extracted from the NHMRC Investigator Grants 2020 Peer Review Guidelines – Appendix

I available at https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/find-funding/investigator-grants.

“Purpose

The purpose of this document is to outline NHMRC’s Relative to Opportunity Policy with respect to

peer review and eligibility to apply for Emerging Leadership Investigator Grants.

NHMRC’s objective is to support the best Australian health and medical research and the best

researchers, at all career stages. NHMRC seeks to ensure that researchers with a variety of career

experiences and those who have experienced pregnancy or a major illness/injury or have caring

responsibilities, are not disadvantaged in applying for NHMRC grants.

Policy approach

NHMRC considers Relative to Opportunity to mean that assessment processes should accurately

assess an applicant’s track record and associated productivity relative to stage of career, including

considering whether productivity and contribution are commensurate with the opportunities available

to the applicant. It also means that applicants with career disruptions should not be disadvantaged (in

terms of years since they received their PhD) when determining their eligibility for Emerging

Leadership Investigator Grants and that their Career Disruptions should be considered when their

applications are being peer reviewed.

In alignment with NHMRC’s Principles of Peer Review, particularly the principles of fairness and

transparency, the following additional principles further support this objective:

• Research opportunity: Researchers’ outputs and outcomes should reflect their opportunities

to advance their career and the research they conduct.

• Fair access: Researchers should have access to funding support available through NHMRC

grant programs consistent with their experience and career stage.

• Career diversity: Researchers with career paths that include time spent outside of academia

should not be disadvantaged. NHMRC recognises that time spent in sectors such as industry,

may enhance research outcomes for both individuals and teams.

The above principles frame NHMRC’s approach to the assessment of a researcher’s track record

during expert review of grant applications and eligibility of applicants applying for Emerging

Leadership Investigator Grants. NHMRC expects that those who provide expert assessment during

peer review will give clear and explicit attention to these principles to identify the highest quality

research and researchers to be funded. NHMRC recognises that life circumstances can be very

varied and therefore it is not possible to implement a formulaic approach to applying Relative to

Opportunity and Career Disruption considerations during peer review.

Relative to Opportunity considerations during peer review of applications for funding

During peer review of applications, circumstances considered under the Relative to Opportunity

Policy are:

• amount of time spent as an active researcher

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• available resources, including situations where research is being conducted in remote or

isolated communities

• building relationships of trust with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over long

periods that can impact on track record and productivity

• clinical, administrative or teaching workload

• relocation of an applicant and his/her research laboratory or clinical practice setting or other

similar circumstances that impact on research productivity

• for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants, community obligations including ‘sorry

business’

• the typical performance of researchers in the research field in question

• research outputs and productivity noting time employed in other sectors. For example there

might be a reduction in publications when employed in sectors such as industry

• carer responsibilities (that do not come under the Career Disruption policy below).”