The AAUN Partnership & Research Development Fund (PRDF) offers catalytic grants of an average of AU$10,000 to foster partnership in the network, including new members, and support planning workshops and research collaborations, that address distinct mutual challenges.

The PRDF provides one year of catalytic seed funding with the firm expectation that funded projects will be excellent, build specialist teas, achieve impact and be sustainable through the early identification of additional external funding.

Guidelines 2018

AAUN has continued support from environmental and food research agencies and will consequently focus the 2018 call for applications on proposals in environment, food and nutrition security, or in related aspects higher education at a maximum of AU$10,000 per project.

See AAUN annual reports for information on previously funded projects.

At the AGM 2016 AAUN agreed that PRDF proposals should be framed and provide evidence towards policy options.

The most relevant current policy frameworks are:

• The UN Climate Change Agreements
• The UN Sustainability Goals with the AU Agenda 2063
• The Australian Foreign Policy White Paper (November 2017)
• The ACIAR Ten-Year-Strategy (February 2018)
  * Note that AAUN and ACIAR have formed a 3-year alliance 2018-20

AAUN can also consider research on trade and investment related to the above.

Collaborative projects with African Networks such as the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and RUFORUM are welcome.

Applications are invited from:

• Existing programs where the progress reports show major advance and limited additional funds would strengthen bids for funds to international agencies and governments. Only projects that have submitted reports are eligible to apply.
• New projects, including those arising from the AAUN workshops in Cape Town in December 2017, Perth in September 2017, and the research workshops in Mauritius in January and Nairobi in March 2018.

Deadlines
Potential applicants are encouraged to write first with a brief outline case (1 page max) to aaun.events@sydney.edu.au  by 10 April 2018.

The deadline for subsequently invited proposals is 30 April 2018. We expect to announce allocations by 30 June 2018.

Am I eligible to apply?

The PRDF is open only to academic staff (faculty members) at AAUN member universities. Applications must first be approved for submission through an internal review at the principal investigator’s university to ensure strategic alignment and support. Applications are submitted to AAUN through the AAUN Secretariat Australia via email.

What can PRDF funds be used for?

PRDF funds may cover the costs of exploratory research initiatives, targeted workshops, faculty exchanges and the formation of collaborative networks, among other activities.  Applications that incorporate a research mobility component for early career researchers and postgraduate students are encouraged.

The PRDF will not cover salaries or salary supplementation, equipment depreciation, scholarships, course fees and bench fees.

How do I apply?

Applications will need to be accompanied by:

• Letter of Support (see template below) from the AAUN lead university confirming official institutional support and specifying any cash or in-kind contributions
• Proposal budget outlining key areas of expenditure (1 page maximum)
• CVs of principal investigators (1 page maximum each)

Optional: letters of support from partners, also identifying cash and in-kind contributions.

Supporting Documents:

• 2018 PRDF Guidelines
• Letter of Support Template (download Word version here)
• Application Form  (download Word version here)

Applications along with all accompanying documents must be submitted through the AAUN Secretariat Australia via email aaun.events@sydney.edu.au no later than 5pm AEST on Monday 30 April 2018. Applications that are incomplete or received after the closing date will not be considered.