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Sustainable Research Excellence

What is Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE):

Sustainable Research Excellence is a Government (DiiSRTE) initiative to better understand the real costs incurred by Universities undertaking Australian Government funded research. The initiative will put in place a framework to provide best practice financial management, performance and reporting.

SRE Objectives:

  • $510 million over 4 years (2009 – 2012)
  • To support the indirect costs associated with undertaking research funded by an Australian Competitive Grant (ACG)
  • Increase transparency and accountability to ensure that resources are allocated rationally and used efficiently

How is Southern Cross University implementing the SRE Framework:To identify the indirect costs associated with conducting research – in particular, ACG research. This will consist of a survey to all researchers designed to identify the fields of research and the amount of time spent undertaking research and financial data detailing the indirect costs incurred whilst undertaking research.

Critical Dates for the Survey and Financial data:

Survey period Monday May 23 - Sunday June 5

What is a Researcher and who will be getting the survey in 2011?

Definition of Researchers: :"Research and experimental development comprises creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge."

The survey will be distributed to approximately 300 employees of SCU; the 300 have been selected based on HR data and job codes matched against the data we have collected for ERA and feedback from the heads of schools.

For further information please refer to http://www.scu.edu.au/research/index.php/dds/?cat_id=1373#cat1373

Background

During the 2009-10 Budget the Australian Government announced the Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE) initiative. Over the four years 2009-10 to 2012-13, $510 million will be provided under the SRE program to support universities in meeting the indirect costs of their Australian Competitive Grant (ACG) research activities.

The SRE program responds to key recommendations made in Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century, the Government's policy for the reform of the Australian Innovation System. www.innovation.gov.au/Research/ResearchBlockGrants

Updated: 10 December 2012