MQ Strategic Research Initiative

  1. Macquarie University
  2. Research
  3. Our research
  4. Funding and grants
  5. Internal funding
  6. MQ Strategic Research Initiative
Research Services Frequently asked questions about applying for grants Macquarie research management system Pivot Research Professional (Pivot-RP)

Status: Closed

Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the Macquarie University Strategic Research Initiative (MQSRI) Scheme 2025

Aim


The Macquarie University Strategic Research Initiative Scheme (MQSRI) provides seed funding to advance and accelerate research within the University’s Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) and provide a sustainable pipeline of proof-of-concept research that will lead to high quality publications and externally funded research income.
The MQSRI scheme is designed to seed outstanding projects from investigative teams from, or involved with, Macquarie University SRIs. The proposed research must directly relate to the scope of research within the nominated SRI and provide a strong justification as to how this research will advance and accelerate research within the relevant SRI.  
The MQSRI Scheme enables researchers to develop a research project into a viable proposal for submission to an external funder. The submission of an application for external research funding within 24 months of completing the MQSRI project is a condition of the award.

Maximum $100,000 to cover research project costs for a maximum period of 24 months.

The MQSRI scheme supports multi or transdisciplinary projects from investigative teams who are members of, or involved with, MQ Strategic Research Initiatives as defined above. Priority will be given to cross-disciplinary applications that exhibit consilience.

  • Applicants from all Academic Levels may apply as the Lead Chief Investigator
  • The Lead Chief Investigator must be employed at Macquarie University until at least 31 December 2027.

  • Honorary staff can be named on the research team as a Chief Investigator, but not as the Lead Chief Investigator.
  • Macquarie Graduate Research Candidates may be named on the research team as Associate Investigators where the proposed research project is aligned with their research area/s and their involvement will genuinely aid in the career development of the candidate.
    • MQSRI funding cannot provide tuition, stipend, or MRes/PhD project cost support for Graduate Research candidates – see eligible costs in Appendix A
  • Non-Macquarie researchers (external collaborators) may be named as Associate Investigators on the research team as an indication of current or potential collaboration.
    • MQSRI funding cannot be used to support ANY employment costs associated with external collaborators.
  • A researcher who is employed to undertake a specific research project(s) that is/are funded by one or more externally funded grants may lead a MQSRI application and they must clearly define in the application that the project is distinctly different from the project(s) already funded and from which the researcher is employed.
  • Applicants who have been awarded MQRAS funding (as the lead chief investigator) are not eligible to apply. If an applicant has been named on a previous MQRAS project as a chief or associate investigator they can apply in the current round.

Completed application forms must be submitted and approved in Pure by the closing date and time. A Pure Quick Reference Guide is also available which explains how to create and submit a grant application record.

Applicants must obtain Head of Department/School and Deputy Dean Research and Innovation approvals via PURE prior to the submission deadline. We recommend allowing 3 days for your application to progress through PURE to ensure all approvals are received before the due date. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure approvals are finalised prior to the deadline.

Late applications will not be considered under any circumstance. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the Pure application record has Faculty approvals (Head of Department/School and Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation) in place prior to the deadline. Applications that do not have approvals in place will not be considered for funding by the assessment panel.

Release of Funding Guidelines: Monday 17 March 2025

Opening date: Monday 14 April 2025

Closing date: Wednesday 28 May 2025 (11:59pm)

Outcomes Expected (pending DVCR approval): Monday 23 June 2025

Expected start date: Friday 1 August 2025 (or 30 days from Awards notification email)

An information webinar for applicants with an opportunity for Q&A

Date: Wednesday 9 April 2025

Time: 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm

Speaker: Dr Erin Semon (Research Services)

Location: Zoom

Register: https://macquarie.zoom.us/meeting/register/aRRGZAJ9TGS2voclCDH9RA

Guidelines

Application form (available 14 April)

Webinar Recording

Webinar Slides

Contacts

Contact us for more information about research services, grants and awards.

Fiona Collison
Grant Development Manager
Research Services
T: +61(2) 9850-6848
E: grant.development@mq.edu.au