Please click on a topic below for information.

How we can help with your application:

• Workshops and information sessions

We run regular workshops and can arrange meetings with members of your work unit to provide information on external research grant applications at SCU.

• Eligibility and compliance checks

The following self-checklist may be useful to researchers preparing grant applications. It is recommended that all SCU grant applicants undertake these checks before submitting to the Grants Team.

Print the Compliance Checklist

I have informed the Grants Team of my intention to apply before commencing the application.
I have carefully read and followed the Guidelines, Instructions to Applicants, and any other information provided by the Funding Agency in relation to this funding opportunity.
I have carefully checked the eligibility criteria to ensure that I meet all of the criteria to apply for this grant.
I have checked the internal and external closing dates, and carefully followed the instructions in regard to the format of my application.
I have allowed sufficient time to write my application and taken advantage of opportunities to gain peer review and feedback from my colleagues in developing this application.
My application has been proof-read for errors and typos. It is a fully-polished final version.
I have noted the University and funding agency requirements with regards to any special approvals needed to undertake my research project (for example, applying for ethics clearance).
I have completed a New Project Pre-Approval form and gained approval from the relevant host schools and centres for all SCU contributions to the grant (both cash and in-kind).
I have emailed a copy of the signed, completed New Project Pre-Approval form to the grants team before submitting the application to the Grants Team.

• Budget advice and review

It is recommended that applicants consult the funding provider's scheme guidelines for allowable budget items and expenses.

For specific questions on budgeting, please read the FAQs.

• Co-ordination of expert review

Expert review is compulsory for some grant applications (e.g. ARC schemes) and may be available for some other grant types. The expert reviewer will provide strategic feedback on your application – e.g. suitability of your approach for the particular scheme, how well you have addressed selection criteria etc.

Please note, this is not a technical review, and it is highly recommended that you also obtain peer review from colleagues in your discipline.

As you will need time to incorporate suggestions made in your application, internal deadlines for expert review will apply. The Grants Team can advise on the availability of expert review and applicable internal deadlines, when you register your intention to apply for a research grant.

• Advice on what approvals are required

All research grant applications must be accompanied by the required approvals. Without these, your application cannot be submitted. The approvals required vary in accordance with the scheme, funding body and the researcher's individual circumstances. As a general guide, please see below:

New Project Pre-approval form, signed by your Head of School or Special Research Centre Director. If more than one school is contributing resources (including your time), each relevant Head of School or Special Research Centre Director will need to sign for their contributions.

Most ARC schemes require a signed Written Evidence form for each participant, co-signed by their affiliated organisation.

Some grants require Letters of Support / Institutional signoff from the submitting organisation and/or the Partner Organisation/s. Please ensure these letters are prepared well in advance of any grant deadlines. For SCU letters, please consult the Grants Team for deadlines and provide a final editable draft for institutional signoff, well before the closing date.

• Submission by Grants Team (when required by funding provider)

Many funding bodies require all applications to be submitted by the university Research Office. At SCU, this service is provided by the Grants Team. Please note that internal closing dates will apply for all applications submitted by the Grants Team.

• Recording and tracking SCU grant application activity

The Grants Team will upload your application to the SCU Research Management System so it can be included in your research grant activity data for reporting. If your application is successful, Research Services will be advised of the outcome and will handle post-award contracting negotiations.




Instructions on how to get ARC Research Management System (RMS) logins

• How to get a login - SCU employee

Go to the RMS webpage

Click 'Request New Account'

Fill out the details as prompted. Please note the following:

Please keep a record of your RMS ID (this is will be your RMS Username)
Please ensure that SCU is entered as both:
Organisation that will administer this RMS account
Organisation that is this user's current principal affiliation

After you submit, the ARC will send you an auto-generated email. You will need to click on the link in the ARC email to validate your email address.

Once you validate your email address, the ARC will send a subsequent auto-generated email, asking you to click on a second link to setup your password and login details. Please note that this provided link will become inactive if you don't access it within one week.

When you have your login, please ensure that you update the sections under the 'My Details' area. Information from this section will be used to auto-populate parts of your ARC application/s.

• How to get a login - employee from an external partner

Go to the RMS webpage .Click 'Request New Account'

Fill out the details as prompted. Please note the following:

Please keep a record of your RMS ID (this is will be your RMS Username)
Please ensure that Southern Cross University is listed as the 'Organisation that will administer this RMS account'
Please include your own organisation as 'Organisation that is this users current principal affiliation'. (NB. If you can't locate your organisation in the search function under 'Select An Organisation, click on the next tab 'Enter the Name of Your Organisation' and add your company's name).

After you submit, the ARC will send you an auto-generated email. You will need to click on the link in the ARC email to validate your email address.

Once you validate your email address, the ARC will send a subsequent auto-generated email, asking you to click on a second link to setup your password and login details. Please note that this provided link will become inactive if you don't access it within one week.

When you have your login, please ensure that you update the sections under the 'My Details' area. Information from this section will be used to auto-populate parts of your ARC application/s.

• I have a user name, but I've forgotten my password

You will need to reset your password.

Go to the RMS homepage and click the "Reset Password" link.

In the next screen enter your user id and click the 'Request' button.

You should receive an email within a few minutes with a link. Click the link to set your password.

n.b. The link in the email is only valid for 2 hours so you should do this when you are monitoring your in-box.

• Transferring my existing RMS account to SCU

Login to the RMS homepage .

From the My Details menu, select Personal Details.

Select the Organisation Details tab.

Select Request Transfer, enter Southern Cross University in the Transfer To popup box, and confirm by clicking Request Transfer.

Please email the Grants Team and SCU Grants Team administrators can then accept the transfer.

• I need to add a partner organisation that is not on the list

If an organisation is not listed for selection and is required to be added to the RMS database, please contact the Grants Team with the details below.

Note: The RMS Help Desk will advise by return email when the record is created.

Please allow sufficient time for your request to be processed prior to any deadlines.

Organisation full legal or trading name (Legal/trading name and ABN can be confirmed via the ABN website ).
Note: If an overseas organisation name is provided to you in a foreign language, please provide an English translation as well.

Organisation short/abbreviated name.

Generic organisation email address (this cannot be the email address of any individual with an RMS account, it must be unique).

Organisation postal address.

Organisation type (Australian Company Industry Body; Australian Non-profit; Australian private company; Commonwealth Government; State or Local Government; Higher Education International; International Company Industry; International Non-Profit; International Government; International Private Company; Other).

For Australian Organisations, please provide ABN and ANZSIC classification details. Information on ANZSIC codes is available from the ARC website.