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This addendum to the Pacific Research Program - Call for Proposals was issued 5 May 2017.
Q1: Does DFAT expect the funding for this program grant to be safe for the proposed life of the program?
A1: DFAT does not envisage any changes at this stage but ongoing funding is dependent on future Australian Government policies.
Q2: Which bucket does the funding sit in?
A2: The funding falls under the new Branch in Pacific Division (Pacific Integration, Labour Mobility & Security Cooperation) and is part of broader Pacific regional program funding.
Q3: There are six priority areas listed in the grant. Are these to be negotiated or are they fixed?
A3: The priority areas are to be negotiated. Those currently listed in the grant are only suggested priority areas.
Q4: Should applicants address all of the priority areas listed in the grant in their proposal?
A4: The six research areas listed are only possible priority areas. Applicants may therefore address the listed research areas and/or propose new areas. The sectoral focus of the program is on the intersection of politics, economy and power with the Pacific's most pressing development challenges. Within this focus, DFAT will refine priority research areas during the grant negotiation stage.
Q5: What does DFAT expect regarding New Zealand involvement in this program?
A5: New Zealand is a valued partner in the Pacific and DFAT envisages that this program would strengthen links with research programs and universities in New Zealand. Consortia could also include partners from New Zealand, providing the lead applicant was an Australian research institution.
Q6: Does the project involve PNG?
A6: Yes.
Q7: Does the project involve Timor-Leste?
A7: The geographic scope of the program will be the Pacific region as a whole, though Melanesia will be an area of particular interest in line with Australia's geographic location and national interests. Timor-Leste does not fall within the geographic scope of this program, though it may from time to time be pertinent to a particular research project funded through the program.
Q8: Which academic disciplines are required for this grant?
A8: This is up to the applicant to determine.
Q9: Will there be weekly interaction with the DFAT program manager?
A9: There will be regular interaction between the program manager and the successful applicant. The exact nature of this will be agreed during the grant negotiation stage.
Q10: Does DFAT envisage engagement with universities in the Pacific?
A10: Yes. DFAT envisages that networks will be developed and reinforced through the program.
Q11: Will the successful applicant be required to contact other Australian Government agencies through DFAT when implementing this program?
A11: No, the successful applicant will not be required to go through DFAT to contact other agencies.
Q12: Does DFAT envisage the same applies in terms of direct relationships with partner governments in the region?
A12: The successful applicant will not be required to go through DFAT to contact foreign governments. However, without prejudicing the independence of the research, DFAT would appreciate subsequent advice of such contact through the program manager.
Q13: Are academic publications important to this program?
A13: Academic independence is fundamental to the program. DFAT expects to see a range of products but will not influence what they should be. Applicants should include proposed outputs of the program in their proposal. DFAT would like research to be available and accessible. If academic publications are included, proposals should explain their importance to the program.
Q14: How prescriptive should we be in our proposal as to program outputs?
A14: This is up to the applicant. DFAT would like the research program to be recognisable as a global centre of excellence for research on the Pacific. You should describe how you will do that in your proposal.
Q15: Do you expect other academic institutions to review material produced as part of the program for academic rigour?
A15: The applicant should describe how they will manage peer review in their proposal.
Q16: How should applicants reconcile academic rigour with the accessibility of program material?
A16: It is up to applicants to determine where the balance should be struck with respect to outputs to best deliver program outcomes. In terms of accessibility of program material, it is not DFAT's expectation that the program would focus on engaging communications specialists for public distribution of materials but rather that program outputs would be made easily accessible to those best placed to apply them in policy, programming and further research.
Q17: How do you expect material produced under the program to be branded? How should branding be managed across different consortium partners?
A17: DFAT expects program material will carry a brand specific to the Pacific Research Program, which can be determined by the successful applicant in consultation with DFAT. Attribution to the author (institution or consortium partner/s) may also be included. DFAT should be acknowledged as the program sponsor. It is up to consortia to determine how they will manage branding across different partners.
Q18: Do researcher biographies and CVs have to be included in the page limit for the grant proposal or can they be additional attachments?
A18: Researcher biographies and CVs of key personnel can be included as additional attachments.
Q19: Will DFAT acknowledge receipt of proposals?
A19: DFAT will enable an auto response on 30 May 2017 that will confirm our server has received your email. DFAT will not confirm whether a complete proposal with all attachments has been received. Please check your email carefully, submit well before the closing time and split your proposal into several emails if you are submitting large attachments.
Q20: Can the grant be split to fulfil different elements of the program?
A20: No, the program will be one grant for funding over four years to one institution or consortium, it will not be split into multiple grants.
Q21: Given the deadline for proposals is 30 May 2017 and the evaluation and contract negotiation processes may take longer than a month, when does DFAT expect the program to commence?
A21: DFAT expects to finalise the grant contract during the first quarter of the 2017/2018 financial year, with the program expected to commence on or before 1 September 2017. The grant will conclude on 30 June 2021.
Q22: What is meant by the statement that personnel cannot have conflicting commitments?
A22: DFAT expects nominated personnel to prioritise work on this program and not have other conflicting work obligations that may interfere with program delivery. Where nominated personnel are already engaged on another DFAT funded program, applicants should consider whether they will have sufficient capacity to also deliver this program. In such circumstances, the applicant's explanation of proposed contingencies to avoid disruption to the other DFAT programs would assist.
Q23: Can DFAT advise a percentage figure for management fees that is acceptable?
A23: No, DFAT cannot determine this. It is up to applicants to nominate this figure. DFAT reminds applicants that all costings must be clearly itemised and explained. Applicants can use as many pages as required (no limit) to explain proposed costings. DFAT also reminds applicants to clearly state any "in kind" contributions proposed and their estimated value.
Attachments
- Technical Requirements - PowerPoint Presentation [PPTX 405 KB]
- Tender Process - PowerPoint Presentation [PPTX 422 KB]