GEMOC funding

background

When gemoc started in 1996, it had a research funding base (from ARC) exceeding that provided by the Key Centre funds.  The continuation of GEMOC relied on deriving funding for research projects from sources external to the Key Centre.  This budget strategy was integral to ensuring that GEMOC is viable beyond the Key Centre Commonwealth funding cycle by requiring that research projects were competitive on the open market and did not become dependent on the Key Centre funding.  This strategy was ratified at our mid-term review in 1998.  Hence no mature research projects were funded from GEMOC DETYA funds, as is documented in the original contract with DEETYA.

The Key Centre DETYA/ARC Centre funds were 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

strategy for continuation beyond 6 years

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 strategic opportunities only.  No mature research programs have been funded by the Key Centre (except some of those of the Director after the ARC policy change in 1998).

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

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

• Macquarie University is providing transition funding for a two-year period after DETYA direct Key Centre funding ceases.

 
• Macquarie University has provided funding for geophysical modelling staff for a two-year transition period.

postgraduate funding

• New Macquarie postgraduate scholarships were available to the Key Centre from 2001 and provide assured placement for outstanding national and international students.

• Other programs are funded by industry.

• Exchange agreements with Nanjing University and China University of Geosciences (and others being negotiated in Europe) allow for waiving of fees for postgraduate students

• Exchange ("Co-tutelle") agreements with the University of St Etienne and the University of Clermont-Ferrand enable 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

• 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

Sue O'Reilly with postgraduates, postdocs and international visitors after announcement of the DEST Systemic Infrastructure $5.125 million grant.

WAS THE FUNDING STRATEGY FOR GEMOC CONTINUATION SUCCESSFUL?

GEMOC's business plan has proved to be a successful blueprint, resulting in viable funding to continue GEMOC's activities beyond the Commonwealth funding period.  Therefore an application is underway to request that the title of ARC National Key Centre be retained.
 

Summary of continuation Funding
 

• Macquarie Centre funding of $100,000 for 2002, 2003

• Macquarie Vice-Chancellor's grant to support Numerical Modelling development ($100,000 for 2 years)

• ARC Program Grant 2002-2006 for basic research component

• DEST Systemic Infrastructure Initiative Grant ($5.125 million) for 2002-2004

• Industry funding is increasing through substantial collaborative ventures and value-added consulting

• Independent Research Fellowships to support Postdoctoral Fellows

Summary of strategy outcomes

• Staff: 2 new academic staff members continuing, one fixed term at Macquarie

• Postgraduate funding strategy exceeded goals

• Strategy for equipment and analytical funding exceeded goals

Macquarie University support has been exceptional in all areas including cash in-kind and space guarantees and in policy support.  Macquarie's Research Strategic Plan recognises GEMOC's research programs as Areas of Excellence (lithosphere and planetary evolution and metallogeny; isotopic and global geochemistry; and paleomagnetism, geodynamics and geophysical modelling) and GEMOC as a Centre of Excellence.
 

GEMOC INCOME 2001

This is a summary of 2001 Income.  A full audited statement of detailed expenditure and income is provided to DETYA every March. No in-kind support is included.
 

2001 EXPENDITURE OF DETYA ALLOCATION

This is a summary of 2001 expenditure.  A full audited statement of detailed expenditure and income is provided to DETYA every June.

 

EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES	$1000
Salaries	362.05
Equipment	71.77
Accommodation	9.90
(Includes some support for Honours and Postgraduate projects and GEMOC Advisory Board Meetings)
Travel	2.88
(Includes some support for Honours and Postgraduate projects and GEMOC Advisory Board Meetings)
Consumables	54.53
(Includes some support for Honours and Postgraduate projects)
Other expendature	22.78
TOTAL	523.73
Some Director's Research support is included in theses categories