As this is a new scheme, we may update these FAQs at regular intervals in response to common applicant queries. 

Any updates after the initial publication date will be indicated with a ‘NEW’ prefix as well as date of addition. These will be added at the top of the FAQ page for ease. Please check this page regularly to ensure you are familiar with all of the relevant information. 

 

Can I save the online application form and return to it later?

Yes, you can ‘Save & return later” to your application until the close date. You can select this option at the bottom of each page – please make a note of the code provided to you to allow you to return to your application. To return to your application click on ‘Returning?’ (top right-hand corner of the webpage) -you will then be prompted to enter your return code to resume your application.

 

Who are Health Translation SA’s (HTSA) Partners?

HTSA’s partners are: SA Health Department for Health and Wellbeing and the 10 Local Health Networks (LHNs), Adelaide and Country SA Primary Health Networks, Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health; Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, SAHMRI, Flinders University, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Torrens University, and CSIRO.

 

How do I reimburse consumers?

Information on reimbursement for consumers is available here. Refer to page 8.

 

What is the definition of a consumer?

For the purposes of this Scheme, consumer is defined broadly by the following definitions from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Consumer Health Forum of Australia’s publication Statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research

 

Do I need to include a consumer on the Project Team?

Yes, the Core Project Team must include one consumer. Applicants are strongly encouraged to refer to this document which outlines the principles for consumer involvement in MRFF funded research and guidance on their implementation.

 

What is the Core Project Team?

The Core Project Team must include

• team members from TWO health service organisations, of which at least 1 must be SA-based
• team members from TWO academic research organisations/health and medical research institutes, of which at least 1 must be SA-based
• ONE consumer

One of these Core Project Team members must be designated as the Principal Lead who will be responsible for the submitted application.

 

How many team members can be in a Project Team?

The Project Team can include up to 10 members, of which 5 make up the Core Project Team. There is no requirement as to the roles for the remainder of the Project Team. Inclusion of Early and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR’s) (as post-doctoral researchers or those with equivalent experience) as members of the Project Team are encouraged.

 

Can a team member be on more than one application?

Yes, as long as they are not the Principal Lead. The Principal Lead can only be listed as a Principal Lead for ONE application to the HTSA MRFF Catalyst Grant Scheme.

 

Can team members on fixed-term contracts apply?

Yes, as long as the person is salaried for the duration of the project.

 

What salary should I use for the purpose of the budget?

Please use the relevant salary scale of the organisation through which the person is to be employed when calculating salary requests. Do not use NHMRC Personnel and Support Packages (PSPs). Salary requests must factor in direct on-costs.

 

Do I need to provide a letter of support from the administering institution?

A letter of support is not required for the purpose of the EOI but will be required at the full application stage for those who progress to this stage.

 

What is the role of the HTSA MRFF Catalyst Grant Scheme Advisory Group?

The MRFF Catalyst Grant Scheme Advisory Group includes members representing health services, the community, funders, and research administrators. The Advisory Group guides the development and governance of the Catalyst by advising on:

• health service needs and the connection to the scheme,
• how this process can best link to MRFF funding objectives and
• the establishment of the grant administration processes.

 

What oversight does the HTSA MRFF Catalyst Advisory Group provide?

The HTSA Independent Board Chair, Dr Leanna Read, is Chair of the Advisory Group and will Chair the Review Panel. Some members from the Advisory Group will be members of the Review Panel.

 

What Intellectual Property (IP) will be requested in this Scheme?

There are no specific IP requirements. Requirements of the Funders – THRF Group and the WCH Foundation – and HTSA in relation to appropriate acknowledgements and publicity will be outlined in the funding agreement for successful applicants.

 

What are direct research costs?

Direct research costs are those directly related to conducting the project and may include research reagents, consumables, services, software, minor equipment (<$10,000 unit cost), and travel for the purposes of conducting the research program. For clarity, conference attendance, publication, open access fees, patenting and/or IP protection costs are not considered direct research costs and should not be included in proposal budget requests.

 

What are the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation requirements?

• Funds provided by the WCH Foundation will be for projects that address maternal and/or paediatric health and wellbeing. Maternal health and wellbeing includes issues relating to fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
• To be eligible for funding from the WCH Foundation stream a Core Project Team member must hold a salaried position at a service within Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN)
• Services under the WCHN include the Women’s and Children’s Hospital (WCH), the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), the Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS), Metropolitan Youth Health, the Cedar Health Service and the Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service.

 

Do two medical research institutes within the same University count as different academic research organisations for the purpose of eligibility?

No, the Core Project Team must include team members from two different academic research organisations/health and medical research institutes.

For example, the Robinson Research Institute and the Australian Institute for Machine Learning both sit within the University of Adelaide, and do not count as separate research organisations. Only one could form part of the Core Project Team, and that project must also have included a Core Project Team member from a different academic research organisation/health and medical research institute, such as the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre at The University of South Australia.

Refer to the guidelines for more information on the requirements of the Core Project Team.

 

What is the definition of EMCR’s?

Inclusion of EMCRs (as post-doctoral researchers or those with equivalent experience) as members of the Project Team are encouraged. The definition for each is:

• ECR (within five years post PhD (i.e., within five years of their PhD award date), excluding career disruptions)
• MCR (between five and ten years post PhD (i.e. between five and ten years of their PhD award date), excluding career disruptions)

If the team member does not have a PhD, there is the option to provide information on equivalent experience.

 

Do international academic research organisations or health services qualify as suitable collaborative partners?

National and international collaborations are encouraged. As long as they meet the criteria of the Core Project Team (i.e., at least one SA based health service organisation and at least one SA based academic research organisations/health and medical research institute) national and international collaborators can be on the Project Team. The health service organisation will need to meet the definition provided below.

 

Definitions

Consumer:

For the purposes of this Scheme, consumer is defined broadly by encompassing the following definitions from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Consumer Health Forum of Australia’s publication Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research:

• Consumer: patients and potential patients, carers, and people who use health care services
• Consumer Representative: someone who voices consumer perspective and takes part in the decision-making process on behalf of consumers. This person may be nominated by, and may be accountable to, an organisation of consumers.

Health service organisation/healthcare service:

For the purposes of this Scheme, the terms health service organisation and healthcare service are defined as per the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care as “a separately constituted organisation that is responsible for implementing clinical governance, administration and financial management of a service unit or service units providing health care to patients. It can be in any location or setting, including pharmacies, clinics, outpatient facilities, hospitals, patients’ homes, community and primary healthcare settings, practices and clinicians’ rooms.”

In the context of SA Health, a health service organisation refers to an LHN, not a site. For example, two SA Health organisations would be SALHN and CALHN, NOT the RAH and TQEH.