MQ Jumpstart Scheme

Maximum $25,000 to cover research project costs for a maximum period of 12 months.

• Applicants must be at least one of the following:
  • Early Career Researchers (Levels A – B),
  • Newly Appointed researchers to Macquarie (Levels A – C)

  We are defining a “newly appointed researcher to Macquarie (Levels A-C)” as being appointed in the 12 months immediately prior to the application close date (e.g. appointed at Macquarie University on or after 11 May 2024).

  • Researchers returning from a period of parental/carers leave (Levels A – C)
• Applicants must be employed at Macquarie University until at least 30 June 2027, or provide approval from their Head of Department/School/Institute using this contract certification form.
• A researcher who is employed to undertake a specific research project(s) funded by one or more externally funded grants may lead a Jumpstart application. They must ensure 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 for Jumpstart funding.
• Projects that are substantially the same as those that have previously received funding under any MQ internal research funding scheme are not eligible for Jumpstart funding.
• Funding from the Jumpstart Scheme CANNOT be transferred to an external institution, partner, or organisation.
• Applicants must adhere to word count limits and formatting requirements listed in the application form.

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: Sunday 11 May 2025 (11:59 pm)

Outcomes Expected (pending DVCR approval): Friday 30 May 2025

Expected start date: Tuesday 1 July 2025 (or 30 days from Awards notification email)

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

Date: Monday 31 March

Time: 11:00am -12:00pm

Speaker: Fiona Collison (Research Services)

Location: Zoom

Register: https://macquarie.zoom.us/meeting/register/iKaFQ7C9T_e17VYqYU0u8Q

• Guidelines
• Application form (available 14 April)
• Webinar Recording
• Webinar Slides