Application assessment
Access to grants of sea time on the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet is a valuable but limited resource. Researcher demand for grants of sea time exceeds availability.
All research delivered by fully funded grants of sea time onboard the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet is expected to be of the highest research quality and offer the greatest national benefit. Applicants will be asked to complete two questions for both Research Quality and Research Benefit to demonstrate alignment with the merit criteria listed below.
Research quality
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Research concept:
- research objective
- rationale
- methodology
- expected outcomes.
- Research execution:
- voyage plan including pre- and post-voyage activities
- suitability of the project team to execute the plan.
To be supported, research should have a robust disciplinary rationale, clear and appropriate objectives, sound methods, demonstrated feasibility, and the prospect of information results and be delivered by researchers with appropriate expertise.
Research benefit
Applications must address the following criteria:
- Benefit need:
- project’s alignment with end-user needs
- benefits for the nation.
- Benefit delivery:
- pathway to impact for the project outcomes.
To be supported, research should align with national interests, be likely to delivery upon national needs, have a path to impact and the right team to deliver benefit.
Assessment process
Research Advisory Committee
Members of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) assess your application and advise the Marine National Facility Steering Committee (MNFSC) on matters relating to your proposal's alignment with research quality.
RAC membership is comprised of marine research experts from diverse backgrounds.
National Benefit Advisory Committee
Members of the National Benefit Advisory Committee (NBAC) will assess your application and advise the MNFSC on matters relating to your proposal’s alignment with research benefit.
NBAC membership is comprised of user groups including government, industry and research institutes from diverse backgrounds. Committee members may seek external opinion and review as part of their assessment process.
Operating and scheduling feasibility
The Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet Working Group assess each proposal for both logistic and scheduling feasibility.
Taking into account seasonal, regional, equipment and/or personnel, the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet Working Group will advise the MNFSC of the overall feasibility of each proposal.
This information does not impact the proposal’s score, rather informs the MNFSC's final decision as to whether a meritorious proposal is feasible within a voyage schedule.
Marine National Facility Steering Committee
The MNF Steering Committee assist the Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet Working Group by providing high level advice on the delivery of ocean research capability for the nation.
Recommendations and scores from RAC and NBAC are complied and provided to the MNFSC for consideration in parallel with Southern Coastal Research Vessel Fleet Working Group operational and scheduling feasibility reports.
A proposed voyage schedule will be compiled into a recommendation to the MNF Director.
MNF Director
The MNF Director will consider the MNFSC recommendation, including feasibility and scheduling constraints, and make the final decision on the application’s outcome:
- Sea time granted – If the application is successful, the applicant will be notified and provided with an offer of sea time and formal agreement.
- Sea time not granted – If the application is unsuccessful, the applicant will be notified and provided with the option to request feedback.