SERTA Project Grant
The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), with the generous support of the Study, Education and Research Trust Account (SERTA) Advisory Committee and the RBWH Foundation, aim to provide financial support to RBWH researchers to undertake original and highly innovative research projects that have the potential to:
- directly affect the care provided to RBWH patients, including translational research and new models of care.
- foster collaborations across RBWH departments, and or between RBWH and other facilities and external partners; and
- support development of research skills by RBWH staff.
SERTA Project Grants are intended to seed research projects undertaken by RBWH staff at the RBWH. Priority will be given to proposals with the potential of being developed into work that can compete for larger scale external support, and to supporting proposals that will enable RBWH early career researchers to develop their research careers.
SERTA Project Grants provide up to $75 000 per annum and are awarded for a term one calendar year. Applications must be made through SmartyGrants.
There is a limited amount of funding available each year. Applicants must clearly articulate the value of their project, and cost must be realistic with clear justification. SERTA Project Grants have a two-stage application process. In the first stage applicants are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), evaluated by the Executive team.
In the second stage, a selection of EOIs are invited to submit full applications.
Applicant categories
- Early career researcher: Proposals intended to allow an RBWH CI-A, at an early stage in their research career, to provide leverage for future applications to other research funding bodies. An early career researcher is generally an individual within five years of completing their research higher degree (MPhil, PhD or equivalent) or within 5 years of commencing active research (as indicated by grants and publications). Early career researchers need to demonstrate how they will lead their projects, including naming more experienced research mentors and describing their role in supporting the lead applicant.
- Experienced researcher: Proposals intended to allow an RBWH CI-A, whose investigations are expected to result in a subsequent application to outside research funding bodies
to develop and expand the research for which research project grant funding is sought.
Consideration of career disruptions and “relative to opportunity” will be given.
Key dates
| Expressions of Interest open | 17-May-24 |
| Expressions of Interest close | 14-June-24 |
| Full Applications open (invited applicants) | 12-Jul-24 |
| Full Applications close | 23-Aug-24 |
| Review period | September/October |
| RGAC decisions | Late October |
| Outcomes communicated | November |
| Funding start date | 1-Jan-25 |
Requirements
- The CI-A must hold a substantive appointment at RBWH for the duration of the project grant.
- In the case of honorary or less than 0.2FTE appointments, the research must be conducted at RBWH and the application must include a letter from an RBWH Head of Department or equivalent, explaining the role of the honorary appointee at RBWH and how the work is of benefit to RBWH clinicians and patients.
- The CI-A has successfully met research reporting requirements and demonstration of successful execution of projects supported by previous RBWH grants, fellowships, or scholarships. Failure to successfully acquit previous RBWH grants, fellowships or scholarships will impact eligibility for future RBWH grant rounds.
- The project does not receive funds from other RBWH sources
- Where research involves other facilities and/or external partners, the impact and outcomes for RBWH patients must be clear with distinct articulation of RBHW specific outcomes.
- Evidence of Ethics and Governance approval specific to the applicant’s project must be provided by 30 June 2024. Please note a total of two (grants) can be accepted per HREC approval.
- Support to conduct the research is provided by the relevant RBWH Head of Department. A signed Letter of Support and endorsement of the application must be provided.
- Service Line Business Managers must approve the research budget by the application due date. Approved budgets provided past the deadline will result in an ineligible application.
- An investigator can only submit one grant as CI-A per year. An investigator can be an applicant on a maximum of two grant applications per year.
Key Documents
Contact us
Email: RBWH_Grants@health.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3647 1079
Apply for funding
Applications are now closed.