The Research Office, November 2004

Marsden Fund Applications 200 5

Dear Colleagues

I’m writing to let you know that Marsden Fund application forms (preliminary applications) and guidelines for the 2005 Marsden Round are now available from the Royal Society www.rsnz.org/funding/marsden_fund/. I wish you every success in your application to the fund.

Documents and proposal deadlines

Several documents are relevant to the application process in 2005. They are:

· Timetable for 2005 ( in RTF | Word) · Preliminary Proposal Guidelines (in RTF | Word) · 2005 Preliminary Proposal Form - Standard (in RTF | Word) · 2005 Preliminary Proposal Form - Fast-Start (in RTF | Word) · Fields of Research Classification Codes (in RTF | Word) · Hints for Preparing Applications (in RTF | Word)

Preliminary proposal forms are also available in LaTeX format (available from [email protected]).

Before making your application, please obtain a University of Auckland application number by sending an E- Mail to: [email protected], or contacting us on Extn 87956.

Please be sure to have your Preliminary Research Proposals at the Research Office by 10am on Thursday 3 February.

A University of Auckland Coversheet is not required for the Marsden Preliminary Proposals!

Fast Start applications

Researchers who are establishing their careers and have no more than seven years research experience after receiving their doctorates are encouraged to apply for a Fast Start grant. Up to $70,000 per annum is available for two years. Please use the appropriate application form, name only one Principal Investigator (who will be the contact person), and include the title of your doctoral thesis in the bibliography. N.B Researchers who qualify under Fast Start criteria are also eligible to make application for a Standard Proposal but may not apply under both schemes in the same funding round.

Assistance with applications

The Research Office is here to help you maximize your chances of success, and assist with the preparation of preliminary proposals. Please contact your Faculty Research Advisor to find out more. The Advisors are:

Dr Nathan Hore Science Ext 84223/84245 [email protected] Dr. Jim McMillan Engineering Ext 88301/88548 [email protected] Sean Mosby Business & Economics, Ext 89772 [email protected] Law & Arts Sara Metcalf Medical & Health Ext 89892 [email protected] Sciences Dr. Ellen Forch NICAI Ext 83718 [email protected] Dr. Richard Hamilton Education Ext 85619 [email protected] The Research Office, November 2004

Expert, independent grammarians are also available. Access to this service is free of charge, through the Research Office. If you wish to make use of this service (highly recommended) please Email your one page summary to [email protected] before Monday 24th January.

Samples of successful preliminary applications (those who went on to receive funding) are available for viewing at the Research Office, 2nd Floor,76 Symonds St. Please contact us on ext 87956 if you wish to make use of this service.

Maori Responsiveness

The Marsden Fund Council has no strict formal procedures for consultation with Maori. Consultation should be done as appropriate and on a case by case basis. If the research involves or affects Maori you should explain how this has affected the development and design of the proposal, and you are required to document your consultation processes. For further information see the 2005 Guidelines for Applicants, and contact your Faculty Research Advisor.

Tips for preparing a good preliminary proposal.

 Be focused. What is the research question and how is it to be answered?  Be realistic. What can be accomplished in 3 years? Provide a brief research plan – what, why, where, when & how.  Clearly state the aim of the project and relate it to its importance in the research area. (Cite all references – not just your own publications).  Relate the proposal to Marsden Council’s criteria.  Emphasise the innovative aspect of the proposal.  Describe the suitability/track record of the team and any student involvement or research skill development  Write for a research literate – but general – assessment panel. Avoid jargon and acronyms.  Write with clarity of expression and thought (as well as enthusiasm!)  Comply with Marsden’s formatting requirements (font, margins, page limits etc). Failure to follow these Guidelines may result in the application being rendered ineligible.

Summary information at a glance.

Information/Deadline Source Timeline

Information about the 2005 www.rsnz.govt.nz November Marsden/ Call for Preliminary Proposals Application number [email protected] December - January UA Review Panels Faculty Research Advisors Email application before 3 Dec Feedback from Faculty Panels 20 December Grammar review [email protected] Email before 28 January Research Office due date for Paper copy (signed) to Research office 10am Thursday 3 Feb preliminary proposal Marsden Fund Preliminary Thursday 10 Feb Proposal deadline Invitation to Full Proposal 21 April

Research Office due date for full Tuesday 17 May Proposals Marsden Fund deadline for Full 24 May Proposal The Research Office, November 2004

Finally, please check the following before submitting your Preliminary Proposal to the Research Office

 Has the Principal Investigator signed the application? (The Research Office will obtain the signature from a duly authorised Institutional Official).  Is the Principal Investigator named on only one Preliminary Proposal? A person may be named as an Associate Investigator on more than one proposal.  Is the application printed on single sided paper and paper- clipped? No staples please.  Are there any colour inserts in the application? If so, please flag them to the Research Office when the application is submitted.  Are the CVs and publication lists from all researchers involved included in the application, with their permission?  Is the application number, PI’s name, and panel reference listed in the header on every page of the application?  Are the contact details for 5 referees - at least 3 from overseas – included, with their prior permission? Written referees reports are not required until a full proposal of the application is invited.  Are you prepared to develop a Full Proposal (under relatively tight timeframes) if you are invited to do so? It will help to start planning soon for the budgetary information that will be required. A budget template is available from the Research Office. Invitations to submit full proposals will be issued on 21 April. The Research Office deadline for Full Proposals is Tuesday 17 May 2005, to meet the RSNZ’s deadline of 24 May 2005.

I wish you every success in developing your proposal. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time if you have any queries or need help.

Lyn Clark Manager, Research Office