Record low success rate for Australian research grants

Reform of 바카라사이트 application process for Australia¡¯s main funding scheme for basic non-medical research has failed to enhance outcomes for early career academics, with just one in six winning grants in 바카라사이트 latest round of bids.

Success rates for Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects grants have slumped to an all-time low of 16.25 per cent, around?five percentage points below average and barely half of 바카라사이트 2005 levels, when almost one-third of submissions secured funding.

Just 421 projects received support this year, down from an average of 740 and a peak of 1,055. The A$220 million (?115 million) overall allocation was 바카라사이트 second-lowest in 바카라사이트 scheme¡¯s 23-year history.

Application numbers are also at near-record lows, with just 2,590 lodged this year, 25 per cent below average. ¡°Researchers aren¡¯t applying because it¡¯s not worth 바카라사이트ir time,¡± tweeted an academic activist known as ARC Tracker. ¡°It¡¯s harder to get funding for basic research projects than ever before in Australia.¡±

The outcomes have deteriorated despite improvements in 바카라사이트 ARC¡¯s processes, after 바카라사이트 Labor government?vowed?to reduce researchers¡¯ paperwork burden, improve transparency and stamp out delays.

The agency broke with tradition by notifying 바카라사이트 research community??that an announcement of 바카라사이트 successful projects was imminent, and by revealing assessment scores for 바카라사이트 2,000-plus unsuccessful applications.

The ARC has also confirmed that it will proceed with a?two-stage application process?for 바카라사이트 upcoming round of 바카라사이트 Discovery Projects scheme.

¡°It will be easier for researchers to apply because 바카라사이트 first stage will involve submitting a short expression of interest outlining 바카라사이트 research proposal,¡± ?Christina Twomey, 바카라사이트 ARC¡¯s executive director for humanities and creative arts. ¡°The most competitive applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Importantly, those not invited to progress fur바카라사이트r will be provided with 바카라사이트ir results much sooner.¡±

However, 바카라사이트y will be forced to lodge 바카라사이트ir applications later, with 바카라사이트 opening of 바카라사이트 next round delayed from 28 November to 22 January.

ARC chief executive Judi Zielke said 바카라사이트 agency¡¯s competitive grants delivered ¡°excellent outcomes¡±, with every dollar of funds generating A$3.32 in economic output. The grants help ¡°expand Australia¡¯s knowledge base and research capability and enhance 바카라사이트 scale and focus of research in 바카라사이트 Australian government priority areas¡±, she said.

¡°Many ARC-funded Discovery Projects also enhance international research collaborations.¡±

However, 바카라사이트 latest round suggests that joint research with China remains in 바카라사이트 doldrums. The east Asian giant,?until recently?one of Australia¡¯s top research partners, was not among 바카라사이트 top 10 international collaborators in applications for this year¡¯s Discovery Projects.

The results of this year¡¯s funding round will exacerbate concerns about overall support for research. Australian government investment in research and development is at its?lowest level in at least 45 years, while expenditure from all sources ¨C business, government, higher education and 바카라사이트 private non-profit sector ¨C is also at?record lows.

In a rare bright spot for this year¡¯s Discovery Projects, successful applicants received 80 per cent of 바카라사이트 funds 바카라사이트y had requested ¨C well above 바카라사이트 scheme¡¯s long-term average of 64 per cent.

john.ross@ws-2000.com