GEMOC ARC National Key Centre

GEMOC funding

background

WHEN GEMOC STARTED in 1996, it had a research funding base (from ARC) exceeding that provided by DETYA for the Key Centre.  The continuation of GEMOC relies on maintaining a minimum of this existing funding level from non-Key Centre resources for research projects.  This  budget strategy is integral to ensuring that GEMOC is viable beyond the DETYA funding cycle by requiring that research projects are competitive on the open market and do not become dependent on the Key Centre funding. This strategy was ratified at our mid-term review in 1998.  Hence no mature research projects are funded from GEMOC DETYA funds as documented for the original contract with DEETYA.
The Key Centre funds are used as forecast in the original projected budget for:

• new expertise (part funding postdoctoral fellows, lecturer, professorial fellow)

• gaining leverage for other funding

• new initiatives (seeding and pilot projects)

• dedicated specialised infrastructure

• networking

• scholarships and support to encourage Honours and postgraduate participation

• international visitor program including continuation of China Links

• operating funds including publicity

• some support of the Director's research since the ARC rules for grant eligibility were changed after GEMOC's business plan had been implemented

background

The guidelines for this round of Key Centres required a strategy for funding continuity beyond the six years of Commonwealth Key Centre funding

budget continuation

Management of the DEETYA funding is designed to provide leverage as shown by the following examples:

• Research operating money is a small budget item and is allocated for pilot studies or urgent top-up only. No mature research programs are funded by the Key Centre.

• GEMOC aims to capitalise on the flexibility provided by assured core funding as a multiplier. For example, researchers can be attracted for limited times with GEMOC funding and then transferred to external support.

• Recruitment of quality staff brings more external funding.

• Industry involvement and interaction creates collaborative links of mutual benefit and a basis for long-term research funding.

• High-technology infrastructure is assisted by strategic alliances with manufacturing and development companies.

postgraduate funding

• Funding in GEMOC provides assured placement for outstanding students

• Students can then be transferred into other funding schemes

• Other programs are funded by industry

• Exchange agreements with Nanjing University and China University of Geosciences allow for waiving of fees for postgraduate students

• Exchange ("Co-tutelle") agreement with the University of St Etienne enables postgraduate links with international co-supervision

The geochemical facilities are a high-budget item in terms of maintenance, running costs, replacement and especially for new purchases to maintain frontline developments. These facilities are vital to all of the four GEMOC programs and to attracting research and industry income.  Funding strategies in place include:

• User-pays system for running, maintenance and development costs

• University annual contributions through competitive schemes and capital equipment allocations

• Annual contribution from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

• Macquarie University's guarantee of a strategic plan to ensure the integrity, maintenance and appropriate staffing of the Geochemical Analysis Unit

• R&D (Research and Development) ventures with manufacturers leading to equipment replacement

• Applications to funding schemes (eg ARC Research Infrastructure) for matching funds for new purchases

• Provision of services to external clients including industry

• Industry capital investment in return for access equity, negotiated intellectual property and collaborative rates for access time

 

This is a summary of 1999 Income.  A full audited statement of detailed expenditure and income is provided to DETYA every March.  No in-kind support is included.
   $1000 DETYA KEY CENTRE FUNDING 1999                        485.0

ARC
Large ARC grants (Macquarie and ANU)
         new for 1999                                                                 40.6
         ongoing                                                                       367.0
Small ARC                                                                          126.8
Fellowships                                                                         104.8
SPIRT                                                                                  132.0

OTHER COMMONWEALTH
Postgraduate awards                                                           161.4
ACILP, ASAC, DIST                                                            55.4

INDUSTRY
Macquarie (excluding SPIRT)                                          126.7
ANU (AMIRA)                                                                     93.7

INTERNAL UNIVERSITY
Macquarie
         Annual Key Centre contribution                             100.0
         Fellowship (MURF)                                                    55.6
         Internal competitive Grants                                      205.8
         Infrastructure (RIBG)                                                 53.2
         Equipment                                                                  184.0
         GAU maintenance                                                        35.0
         Postgraduate research fund                                           7.3
         Postgraduate awards                                                    30.0
ANU
         Annual Key Centre contribution                               50.0
         Competitive awards                                                     20.8

TOTAL                                                                                 2435.1
 

1999 EXPENDITURE OF DETYA ALLOCATION

This is a summary of 1999 expenditure  A full audited statement of detailed expenditure and income is provided to DETYA every March.
 

EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES                                        $000
Salaries:                                                                                 244.4

Honours and Postgraduate support:                                   36.3

Travel:                                                                                      6.9
(Includes some support for Honours and
Postgraduate projects, China Links project
and joint GEMOC Meetings)

Equipment:                                                                            21.6

Consumables:                                                                        26.4
(Includes some support for Honours and
Postgraduate projects, China Links project,
general operating, printing, seeding grants)

Director funds for research support*                                  29.1

Operating funds:
(including publicity)                                                                  26.4

Commitments:                                                                       67.4
(Salaries, Honours and Postgraduate support)

TOTAL                                                                                   458.5

1999 DETYA allocation                                                           485.0
Carryover from previous period (1998)                                    332.3
Carryover from 1999 to 2000                                                   358.8
NOTE:  Rolling carryover to be approximately
$330,000 due to 6 months delay in start
* due to change in ARC policy re eligibility of  Director for
Large ARC and SPIRT grants
 
 

BUDGET PROJECTIONS FOR 2000
 

PROJECTED EXPENDITURE                                             $000
Salaries                                                                                    260.0

Postgraduate support                                                              50.0

Honours Scholarships and support                                      20.0

Visiting Researchers                                                                 5.0

Seeding Grants                                                                        15.0

Director funds for research support*                                   40.0

China Links support                                                              20.0

Equipment and infrastructure contributions                        8.0

Travel, communication                                                             6.0

Operating funds                                                                       30.0

Printing and publicity                                                             40.0

TOTAL                                                                                    494.0

2000 DETYA allocation                                                             493.0
Carryover to 2000 from 1999                                                    358.8
Funds carryover to 2001 after 2000 commitments                     357.8
NOTE:  Rolling carryover to be approx
$330,000 due to 6 months delay in start
* due to change in ARC policy re eligibility of  Director for
Large ARC and SPIRT grants