University encourages new staff through $1 million in grants

The University of Queensland will encourage research by new staff through the allocation of $1 million for research projects in 1998.

Sixty-nine projects selected from 83 applications (83 percent success rate) will share the funds.

Last year, the University allocated $1.1 million to 78 projects from a total of 106 applications (74 percent success rate).

The allocation is a part of the University's New Staff Research Grants Scheme for 1998, itself a part of the University's Research Management Plan.

The grants aim to encourage well-designed research projects requiring limited support by new staff members, according to the University's Director of Research Services Jan Massey.

'These funds help researchers get started with worthwhile research and to accumulate data which they can later use to support applications for larger grants from external bodies,' Ms Massey said.

'The grants also support projects which complement the University's research strengths and priority areas.'

Eighteen projects will receive funding from the Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture faculty; 13 from Health Sciences; 12 from Biological and Chemical Sciences; 10 from Social and Behavioural Sciences; nine from Business, Economics and Law; five from Arts; and two from Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science.

The value of the grants for each faculty are: Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture ($287,887); Health Sciences ($208,392); Biological and Chemical Sciences ($174,186); Social and Behavioural Sciences ($146,376); Business, Economics and Law ($89,183); Arts ($61,628); and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science ($32,348).

Grants are in the range of $2000-$20,000 for one year. Emphasis is placed on short duration, well-designed projects.

For more information, contact Ms Massey (telephone (07) 3365 3640).