ACEP Open Call Application Guide 2012 - Stellenbosch...

ACEP Open Call Application Guide 2012

OPEN RESEARCH CALL 2012

ACEP Please direct all call queries to:

Mmamokete MabuelaGrant Officer

Tel 012 481 4088Email [email protected]

Or

Lynn Erasmus Grant Officer

Tel 012 481 4042Email: [email protected]

Technical queries regarding platforms should be directed to :

Mr Ryan PalmerACEP technical co-ordinator

Tel 046 603 5800Email. [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

1) STRATEGIC CONTEXT 4

2) SCOPE OF THE OPEN RESEARCH CALL 5

3) MODUS OPERANDI 5

4) WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY 11

5) REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 11

6) ASSESSMENT AND DECISION MAKING PROCESS 12

7) FINANCIAL CONTROL AND REPORTING 15

8) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 15


EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) is a research platform which aims to provide access to research infrastructure (e.g. ship’s time, remote operated vehicles, dive teams etc.) and associated funding to the research community to undertake research along the east coast of South Africa. ACEP is a flagship programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) and its key partners are the Agulhas and Somali Large Marine Ecosystem Project (ASCLME), Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA – Oceans and Coasts); Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). ACEP is managed by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) which is a National Facility of the NRF. The ACEP programme forms the key in-kind contribution to the International large marine ecosystem programme - ASCLME.

The call for 2012-2014 funding in the ACEP Programme primarily seeks research applications which fall within the research framework of the ACEP Programme and which maximise the use of equipment which is not normally available at universities, NRF recognised research institutions or NGOs.

A two-tiered assessment process will be followed that includes:1. Postal peer-review1 of research proposals 2. Panel review

Applications submitted to this programme will be assessed according to a range of criteria. These criteria include: the track record of the applicant, scientific merit of the application, issues of equity and redress, collaborative efforts, potential impact of the research and, importantly, maximising the use of research platforms. Funding will be allocated competitively based on the comments and scores derived from the review process and strategic prioritisation. The duration of funding for the research is up to three years – starting in 2012. The allocated research budget for this programme is R 6.6 million spread over three years. The research budget does NOT cover the significant cost of platform provision (e.g. ship’s time) which is borne directly by ACEP.

The application system for research project submissions will open on 29 February 2012. All applications must be submitted via the NRF Online Submission System at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za. Please select the ACEP Call under Create New Application. The NRF closing date for validated applications is 2 April 2012. All 1 While termed ‘postal’ the NRF peer review system is electronic

https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za/


applications must be endorsed by the research office of the principal applicant. Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted by the NRF. It is anticipated that the process will be finalised in May 2012.

The NRF closing date for validated applications is 2 April 2012. Institutions must set their own internal closing date for DAs to validate applications before the closing date.


1. STRATEGIC CONTEXT

The African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) was initiated after the discovery of coelacanths off Sodwana Bay, South Africa, and was one of the first multi-disciplinary, multi-national research programmes to conduct extensive ecosystem based research in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO). ACEP forms the South African component of the Agulhas & Somali Current Large Marine Ecosystems (ASCLME) Project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). ACEP is a joint project between the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Department of Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries (DAFF), Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), a National Facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), acts as the implementing agency for DST.

The ACEP programme aims to:

1. Partner ASCLME: Contribute directly to the UNDP implemented GEF funded ASCLME project. ACEP forms the key South African contribution to this international project. ACEP contributes research input, logistical support and SAIAB hosts the ASCLME Project co-ordination Unit.

2. Provide Research Infrastructure: Provide competitive access to marine research infrastructure such as ship time on the RV Algoa; ROV; telemetry network; smaller research vessels and dive units.

3. Undertake Cutting Edge Research: Undertake interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, cutting edge research that contributes to the research objectives of ASCLME, DEA, DAFF, SAEON and the DST.

4. Train Students: Train the next generation of marine scientists through supporting Honours, Masters, Doctoral and Post-doctoral research.

5. Ensure Transformation: Make a significant contribution to transforming marine research so that the future research structure more accurately depicts the population demographics of South Africa.

In order to ensure transformation ACEP has two funding streams:

1. Open research call: This call is an open research call to all South African marine scientists. This call is open to all, but also includes demographic targets relating to student compliment.

2. Transformation research call: This call will come out in the 2nd quarter 2012 and is specifically targeted at black2 students. The transformation call is independent from the open research call.

2 Black is inclusive of all designated groups: black, coloured or Indian South Africans


2. SCOPE OF THE 2012 OPEN RESEARCH FUNDING CALL

This open call for funding in the ACEP Programme seeks research applications which fall within the broad framework of ACEP which has five themes:

1. Marine geoscience 2. Physical, chemical and biological oceanography 3. Ecology and Biodiversity 4. Marine Molecular studies 5. Marine education and outreach research.

More information on the themes is available in the ACEP Project Document 2012 - 2014. Applicants are advised to read this document.

Research funded through ACEP should focus predominantly on South Africa. However, research further afield in the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) may be included provided comparative approaches are adopted. Routine monitoring is excluded unless embedded within a research framework. ACEP aims to allow for competitive access to specialised equipment and research platforms.

3. MODUS OPERANDI: ACEP RESEARCH FUNDING3.1 WHO MAY APPLY FOR FUNDING (i.e. THE APPLICANT)?

Applicants must be either:


Full time employees at an NRF-recognised Research Institution3 in South AfricaOR

Part-time employees on contract at a NRF-recognised Research Institution in South Africa, but on condition that the appointment is for (at least) the duration of the project applied for in the submission. The length of the contract should be stated in the application form. Salaries must be paid by the research institution and the primary employment of the individual concerned must be at that institution. A contract researcher appointed at a university or university of technology on behalf of a third party to fulfil a very specific function for the latter does not qualify for support.OR

Retired researchers affiliated to an NRF-recognised Research Institution provided that:

o there must be demonstration of institutional support in the form of an employment contract, office space, administrative support, access to research equipment and space. The institution will have to ensure that a minimum of six months are spent at the facility for the purpose of research and research capacity development.

o the researcher must have a research publication track record and must be actively supervising postgraduate students at present.

3.2 RESEARCH TEAM STRUCTURE

3.2.1 The core research team

The principal investigator (PI) (i.e. the applicant) must be an active researcher who takes intellectual responsibility for the project, its conception, any strategic decisions called for in its pursuit and the communication of results. The principal investigator must have the capacity to make a serious commitment to the project and cannot assume the role of a supplier of resources for work that will largely be placed in the hands of others. He/she will also take responsibility for the management and administration of resources allocated to the application.

The core research team may include co-investigators. A co-investigator is an active researcher who provides significant commitment, intellectual input and the

3 An NRF-recognised Research Institution is one that meets all of the following minimum requirements: An institution that -o Conducts basic or applied research o Contributes to the Research and Development of the country (i.e. the results of this research should be freely available in the public

domain)o Undertakes research that is for the public good, is of a pre-competitive nature and is for the benefit of the long-term knowledge base of

the country o Is involved in the training of postgraduate studentso Is committed to human resource capacity developmento Is committed to equity and redress

Non NRF-recognised research institutions (e.g. NGOs) involved in research can contact the NRF at [email protected] to ascertain how to apply to become an NRF-recognised research institution, provided they meet the above criteria.



relevant expertise into the design and implementation of the research application and will be involved in all, or at least some, well-defined research activities within the scope of the application. South African-based co-investigators are eligible to receive NRF funds from the grant if the team's application is successful.

Post-doctoral fellows, students and technical and support staff should NOT be listed as co-investigators.

3.2.2 Collaborators or research associates

The project may also include collaborators or research associates, these are individuals or groups who are anticipated to make a relatively small but meaningful contribution to the research endeavours outlined in the application, but who will not actively participate in the design and implementation of the research application. These persons are not considered to be part of the core research team.

3.3 FUNDING DETAILS

3.3.1 Funding period

Awards will be made for a period of up to three years.

Academic year Financial year Nature2012 2012/13 Funded2013 2013/14 Funded2014 2014/15 Funded2015 2015/16 Last roll over year

Funding may be rolled over into the 2015 academic year but no further.

3.3.2 Programme funding amountsThe total budget for grant holder grants is in the order of R 6 600 000 spread over

three years. It is anticipated that between four and eight programmes will be funded.

3.3.3 Specific funding conditions

ACEP is funded through a rolling, three-year contract with the DST. As ACEP is a research contract it has a number of specific reporting and corporate governance requirements which must be adhered to by the ACEP management team and project PIs. PIs and their teams must take note that in comparison to some research funding streams, involvement in ACEP requires greater reporting and performance management by the PI.

Intellectual property (IP): All intellectual property resides with the contracting institution.


Data archiving: It should be noted that the conditions of award will include a clause that indicates that all data collected will be lodged with SAEON according to SAEON’s prescribed format. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their institution is aware that all data will be archived at SAEON and after an embargoed period to allow for publication will make its way into the public domain.

Ethics: All activities undertaken by the research team will need to meet the required ethics standards of the contracting institution. ACEP management reserves the right to request ethics clearance certification from the PI.

Genetic material: All genetic studies will be required to lodge voucher samples in the SAIAB bio-bank.

Research permits: Obtaining research permits is the responsibility of the PI. ACEP management reserves the right to request copies of the permits from the PI.

Research outside of SA: Permitting, sample repatriation and IP issues may be challenging to resolve timeously from foreign countries. ACEP management will assist (not undertake) with these tasks but it is the PI’s responsibility to ensure these permits are obtained timeously.

ACEP reporting: ACEP is an integrated, actively managed flagship programme of the DST. As such ACEP has specific monthly and quarterly reporting requirements. These are over and above the annual reports required by the NRF. In addition, certain research platforms, such as the ships and ROV, required detailed sailing orders to be developed to ensure maximum benefit is obtained from these expensive platforms. The ACEP Management Team tries, where possible, to streamline this process, but participation in reporting by PIs is obligatory. These reporting requirements include:

o Monthly telephonic updates with the ACEP co-ordinator. The ACEP co-ordinator then puts together a monthly progress report which is distributed to all participants.

o Detailed input into sailing orders. o Cruise reports by the Chief Scientist.o Standard Annual Reports to the NRF.

DST Key performance indicators (KPIs): ACEP is contractually bound to the DST to produce certain deliverables such as:

o Student numbers according to demographic targetso Peer reviewed papers o Conference proceedingso Cruise numberso Field trip numbers

Following the award of the grant, KPIs will be agreed to between the PIs and the ACEP Management Team. Once agreed, these indicators will be tracked. The development of a KPI agreement between ACEP and the PI is obligatory.

3.3.4 Grant-holder linked Student Support

The distribution for these bursaries is targeted at the following ratios:


Honours / Final year BTech student assistantships: 100% SA citizens with a minimum ratio4 of 1:1 for Black5 and White participants.

Masters bursaries: 90% to South Africans and 10% to candidates from other African countries. 60% target for Black and female students.

Doctoral bursaries: 90% to South Africans and 10% to candidates from other African countries. 60% target for Black and female students.

Postdoctoral bursaries: Open to all who undertake research in South Africa. Postdoctoral candidates will only be supported if the programme includes MSc or PhD students as well. If more than one postdoctoral candidate per project is applied for, this will need to be strongly motivated.

ZAR Values of Student Assistantships Honours / BTech (Full-time; 1 Year) R 20 000 pa

Values of Bursaries & Fellowships Masters degree (Full-time; 2 years) R 50 000

pa Masters degree (Part-time; 3 years) R 12 000 pa Doctoral degree (Full-time; 3 years) R 80 000 pa Doctoral degree (Part-time; 5 years) R 12 000

pa Postdoctoral (pro rata per month; 3 years) R 100 000

pa

3.3.5 Grant-holder Research related operating costs The PI’s research grant is expected to pay for all running expenses associated with programme (See Table 3.3.3) excluding certain platform costs which are covered directly by the programme management team (See Section 3.3.6 below). The PI’s research should be justified and commensurate with the planned outputs and number of students trained. The amount awarded can be used at the discretion of the applicant.

TABLE 3.3.3. ACEP FUNDING OF GRANT HOLDER LINKED RESEARCHFUNDED BY THE PI’s RESEARCH GRANTStudent bursariesAll travel (inclusive of travel associated with cruises).

4 With the emphasis on Black students5 Inclusive of Africans, Indians and Coloureds


All internal research and co-ordination meetingsAll subsistence costsAll research consumablesAll research equipmentAll conferences (National or International).All medical certificatesAll additional certification required by students e.g. Class IV diving certificates.All permitsAll sample analysisFUNDED BY THE PI’s RESEARCH GRANT (REQUIRES STRONG MOTIVATION)Requests for research/technical/ad hoc assistance should be treated with caution. Generally the NRF would encourage applicants to engage students to undertake the research rather than employing research consultants. This guideline however does not apply when specific and/or highly specialised research/technical expertise is required. This should be clearly motivated for in the application.ACEP does not provide funding for the salaries of team members.NOT FUNDED THROUGH ACEPEquipment greater than R 200 000. Requisitions for large equipment items > R 200 000 should be submitted through the NRF’s Equipment Programme.SabbaticalsRoutine monitoring other than that which is framed in a research context.

3.3.6 Platform provision

ACEP aims to ensure competitive access to specialised equipment (not usually available to smaller research institutions) to undertake research along the east coast of South Africa. The following platforms are available and the applicants must ensure they specifically indicate which platforms they wish to apply for in their application. The costs associated with these platforms are borne by the ACEP Management Team and DO NOT form part of the PI’s grant award.

PLATFORM

DESCRIPTION SPECIFIC DETAILS

RV Algoa Cruise 2013 – 30 days max

The following should be noted: The applicant may request certain time slots in

2013 and 2014 however these will need to be confirmed with DAFF and DEA.

The following equipment is available Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), Conductivity, Temperature, Depth meters (CTD), bongo nets, plankton pump, vertical ring nets. ACEP can assist in trying to source other specialized equipment providing sufficient lead time is given.

Cruise 2014 – 30 days max

(Both allocations include steaming time)


Applications for cruise time will need to demonstrate that all 16 scientific berths will be productively filled. A short description of the role and intended outputs of each researcher is required.

The cruise Chief Scientist needs to be specified upfront in the application and must be an individual with experience.

In the event that more than one suitable application is received it is highly unlikely that both cruises will be awarded to the same team. Research programmes should therefore be designed around a single cruise.

The management of the RV Algoa is changing hands in 2012, thus cruises will only be available from 2013 onwards.

A single port stop per cruise has been allowed for in the ACEP budget.

Smaller research vessels

30 days over project period.

Coastal research can be undertaken off smaller vessels. ACEP has allowed budget for such activities. Please note the following:

All scientific equipment will need to be supplied by the PI.

The PI needs to establish which vessel they intend to use and establish its daily rate. This needs to be specified in the application. The budget has allowed for 30 days at a maximum of R20 000 per day. Please contact the ACEP Manager when planning this activity.

Please note that this does not cover the rental of smaller research craft which are owned by the research institutions applying for funding.

ROV with smaller research vessels

8 days in 20138 days in 2014(Forms part of the 40 day allocation outlined above)

ACEP has an ROV with a depth range of 250m that can be deployed off smaller vessels (9m minimum with enclosed cabin). ACEP will provide the ROV and a pilot. The following should be noted:

ROV work is technically very advanced. The ACEP technical team is perfecting scientific techniques which can be applied in South African conditions, but the work remains challenging. At this stage ACEP does not advise that the ROV form part of a post graduate research programme.

It is strongly advised that any team that wishes to start using the ROV train at least one pilot; 50% of the cost thereof will be covered by ACEP. This individual needs to be a full time employee.

Any team is strongly advised to discuss their proposed operations with Mr Ryan Palmer (ACEP Technical Officer [email protected]) prior to submitting their application.

Ukwabelana & ROV

1 day per month in the Algoa Bay region.

Ukwabelana (13m Lee cat) & ROV is available 1 day per month. Work to be undertaken in Algoa Bay or immediate surrounds. ROV work is technically very advanced. The ACEP technical team is perfecting scientific techniques which can be applied in South African conditions but the work remains challenging. At this stage ACEP does not advise that the ROV form part of a postgraduate research programme.


Dive team Dive trip 2013 – 15 daysDive trip 2014 – 15 days

Due to cost and the technical skills required only a few institutions have active research diving units. ACEP will make a dive unit available (3 divers and dive supervisor) for two 15 day field trips in 2013 and 2014. The following should be noted:

Applicants will need to provide a minimum of one Class IV diver.

The applicants will need to organise all boat logistics.

ACEP has a maximum three dive per day policy with a 30m limit.

Any team is strongly advised to discuss their proposed operations with Mr Ryan Palmer (ACEP Technical Officer [email protected]) prior to submitting their application.

Coastal 8m inflatable and skipper

2013 – Four 5-day trips2014 – Four 5-day trips

ACEP will make an 8m (large) inflatable available for four 5-day trips in 2013 and four 5-day trips in 2014. The duck is highly versatile and can be used as a platform for a plankton pump, grabs, water sampling, diving and bongo nets. The boat will come with a skipper and a tow vehicle. The research team will need to supply crew and arrange all logistics.

Telemetry Access to SAIAB's Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP).

ACEP supports the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP). This SAIAB research platform includes the Canadian-based Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) project and consists of a network of acoustic receivers strategically placed around our coastline. By the end of 2012 the permanently monitored sites will include Algoa Bay (>20 receivers), Mossel Bay (n = 20), False Bay (n = 20), Port Alfred (n = 5), Port St Johns (n = 5), Umkomaas (n = 5), Sodwana Bay (n = 5) and a number of estuaries. The receivers (Vemco VR2Ws with code map 112) will remain in place for a minimum of five years.The following should be noted:

ACEP and ATAP can provide technical advice, expertise and training for new dedicated acoustic telemetry studies.

Data will be retrieved (uploaded), stored and managed centrally by ATAP. All participants will be required to register their projects, submit their tag identification codes and comply with ATAP guidelines.

ACEP and ATAP can provide limited hardware support in the form of additional receivers and acoustic releases. A motivation will be required.

Applicants need to provide their own transmitters and should budget for these in their research applications.

Applicants should contact Dr Paul Cowley (ATAP Manager and Chair of SANCOR's Biotelemetry Research Group) to ensure all project plans conform to the expansion of the ATAP and OTN infrastructure, and to avoid potential acoustic overloading of the network. His contact details are:[email protected] (Cell : 0828243474),



4 WHERE AND WHEN TO APPLY?All applications must be submitted via the NRF’s Submission System https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za

Please select the ‘ACEP’ under ‘Create New Application’. The NRF closing date for validated applications is 2 April 2012. All applications must be endorsed by the research office of the principal applicant. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted by the NRF.

NB! The applicants must make sure that their CVs are fully updated on the NRF Submission system at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za. These will be used in the assessment process. It is anticipated that the process will be finalised in May 2012.

5 REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION – all to be uploaded online

Completed application form online at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za Updated CV online at https://nrfsubmission.nrf.ac.za Letters from co-investigators confirming their participation in the proposed

research (please upload at the Additional Attachment section of the proposal) Any additional supporting documents must be uploaded to at the Additional

Attachment section of the proposal)

6 ASSESSMENT AND DECISION-MAKING PROCEDURES

6.1 ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS

All applications will be assessed in a two-tiered process: postal peer-review process and a panel review process.

6.1.1.Postal peer-review process






The NRF is aware that the selection of appropriate peer reviewers is the cornerstone of the success of the assessment procedure. For this purpose, applicants are requested to provide the names of between six to ten appropriate peers who would be in a position to provide an objective assessment of the application. Applicants must also indicate and motivate why specific reviewers should preferably not review their applications. Based on this information, as well as extensive consultations and the extraction of experts from the NRF’s databases, the NRF will strive to obtain at least two to three quality review reports for each application.

Peer reviewers are requested to determine the scientific merit of the application, focusing on the following criteria:

Scientific novelty

o How well does the application address/engage novel concepts, approaches and methods that challenge existing paradigms and/or develop innovative methodologies and/or processes?

o How clear are the justifications for the choice of theoretical position(s) motivated for in the application?

Approach & Feasibility

o Are the design, methods and analysis properly developed, well integrated and appropriate to the aims of the application?

o How achievable is the work plan within the timeframe and available resources?

o How likely is it that the proposed work will be accomplished by the researcher(s) within the stipulated time frames as indicated by:

The documented experience and expertise of the participant(s) Past progress by the investigators with regard to the work in the

application Preliminary data collected that informed the application?

Student training and integration o Have the activities of the students been embedded in the work plan?o Does the proposed research maximize student training?6

6.1.2.Panel Review ProcessA panel comprising members of the partner organisations with a broad knowledge of the fields of specialisation covered will assess the applications and make recommendations to the NRF and ACEP Management Team using the multiple

6 Not mandatory in ROV based research.


criteria scorecard (see Table 6.1.2 below). The panel’s grading of scientific feasibility and scientific novelty will be informed by the postal peer-review process.

6.2 APPLICATION GRADING

Each criterion (where applicable) is graded on a scale as follows:

Scoring scale to be usedScore Meaning of

scoreNotes

4 Excellent It is clear that the proposed research and application could not be improved within the specific context.

3 Above average The proposed research and application is above average but could still be improved within the specific context.

2 Average Both the research application and proposed research is average within the appropriate context.

1 Below average The application and proposed research is below average. This could be improved with amendments/revisions.

0 Poor There are major shortcomings or flaws in the submission.ContextNote: The scoring process must be made with sensitivity to the context in which the proposal is made. The context will include the research field or discipline. It will also include other relevant influences such as societal and institutional textures.

If the criterion is not applicable to an application, the weighting of the criterion will equal zero. The score of each criterion for each application will be contextualised to accommodate variability in knowledge fields, institutional capacity, etc.


TABLE 6.1.2: THE ACEP SCORECARD USED IN ASSESSING INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS DURING THE PANEL REVIEW PROCESS

Criteria Sub-Criteria Details Score / 4Weight (Total = 100%)

Weighted score (Total = 4)

Hurdle (Pass/Fail)

Applicant Past research The quality and quantity of the applicant’s research outputs will be assessed (as listed in the application) 5% Minimum score of 2 is

required

Application

Scientific novelty

How well does the application address/engage novel concepts, approaches and methods that challenge existing paradigms and/or develop innovative methodologies and/or processes? How clear are the justifications for the choice of theoretical position(s) motivated for in the application?

15% Minimum score of 2 is required

Scientific approach and feasibility

Are the design, methods and analysis properly developed, well integrated and appropriate to the aims of the application? Is the work plan achievable within the timeframe and available resources? Is the relevant expertise included?


Training Does the application aim to maximise the training of students? Are the activities of the students embedded in the work plan? 15% Minimum score of 2 is

required

Alignment with programme

Does the application fit within the overall description of the ACEP Programme? Does the proposed programme require the research platforms on offer through ACEP or could the research aims be achieved through other funding streams?


Equity & redress

Of applicant

Black, female and young (five years after the first academic appointment). The scores that will be used are as follows: Black female = 4 (including young as defined above or not); Black male, young = 3.5; Black male, not young = 3; White female, young = 2.5, White female, not young = 2; White male, young = 1.5; White male, not young = 1

10%

Of students supervised

This sub-criterion relates to the race (for South African Citizens only) and gender aspects of the students trained to date by the applicant. (This sub-criterion is not necessarily relevant for young researchers).

5%

Collaboration

Internal and External

The ACEP programme promotes multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary approaches across the entire programme. Inter-institutional research is strongly promoted. How well does this application support the above objective? How well does this application embed relevant and appropriate collaborators - at both an international and national level? Are the roles of these collaborators clearly indicated in the application?


ImpactsExpected research outputs

How appropriate are the expected research outputs listed in the application? This could include publications, technical reports, popular articles, communication of results/activities.


Totals 100% 0


6.3 FUNDING-DECISION PROCESS

In general, the NRF’s funding decisions are guided by the review panels’ cumulative grading of each assessed application. Funding will be allocated competitively based on these scores and the best fit of projects to maximise use of the ACEP platforms. The final funding decisions are therefore subject to the budget available and platform availability.

As ACEP aims to provide access to research infrastructure, ACEP reserves the right to request that similar proposals or mutually beneficial proposals are re-submitted jointly.

6.4 FEEDBACK

In principle, feedback on the assessment of the proposal is regarded as a crucial value-adding function of the NRF. In a limited number of cases, feedback will be sent from either the reviewers and/or panel members who evaluated the proposal. These selected comments will be provided to give insight into some of the peer thinking that informed the grant decision-making process, and to give constructive support to applicants. In general, no feedback will be sent where the assessment was positive, unless specific conditions are attached to the funding.

The funding decision made by the NRF and ACEP Management Team is final and no further correspondence will be entered into beyond the initial feedback.

7. FINANCIAL CONTROL & REPORTING These grants are to be used for research purposes under the auspices of the NRF standard grant and finance policies. The money is released on acceptance of the conditions of grant, both by the applicant and his/her employing institution. The funds will be awarded against a number of items such as equipment, running costs, travel costs, student bursaries, etc. Bursaries are awarded as per the NRF rules. These grants will fall under the NRF audit requirements of beneficiary institutions. As a prerequisite for the release of the subsequent year’s funding, Annual Progress Reports are to be submitted before the end of March of the following year. Failure to submit the Annual Progress Reports will result in the cancellation of the project. Furthermore, ACEP has specific monthly and quarterly reporting requirements, which are in addition to the annual reports required by the NRF.

8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The ACEP Management Team acknowledges previous work that has gone into developing this template by the Knowledge Fields Development (KFD) team at the NRF.

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