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Research Awards on Ageing
Frequently Asked Questions, June 2015
(Last updated 19 June 2015)
This awards programme is co-funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the
Health Service Executive (Health and Wellbeing Division).
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CONTENTS
CONTENT
PAGE NUMBERS
CLOSING DATES
3
SCOPE OF THE CALL
3
RESEARCH PROJECT
4
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
4-5
SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
5
EVALUATION / ASSESSMENT
5-6
CRITERIA
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
7-8
RESEARCH TEAM / ENVIRONMENT
8-9
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
10
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
11 -12
KEY DATES
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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This document will be regularly updated to reflect the questions most frequently
asked during the Research Awards process. Potential applicants, and their
institutions, should read this document before seeking advice.
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CLOSING DATES
What is the closing date for submission of the Expression of Interest?
All Expression of Interest forms must be submitted by Wednesday, 8 July 2015 by
5pm.
What is the closing date for submission of applications?
All applications must be submitted by Friday, 11 September 2015 by 5pm.
SCOPE OF THE CALL
Is there any thematic steer for proposals in the current research awards?
Submissions are invited for research under the following research themes as defined
in the guidance notes:
1. Participation
2. Health and Wellbeing
3. Security.
Further information is available from the guidance notes and the National Positive
Ageing Strategy (NPAS) on these themes. The NPAS document is available from:
http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/national-positive-ageing-strategy/.
How many awards per theme will be granted?
It is anticipated there will be one award per theme depending on the quality of
proposals.
What is the value of the funding?
There is a total of €300,000 available in this first call.
How many awards will be funded?
It is anticipated that up to three awards will be made with the exact number
depending on the quality of applications. Once the amount of the award has been
agreed, no further requests for funding will be accepted during the first awards
round.
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RESEARCH PROJECT
Am I eligible to apply if I have another application under review with a different
funding organisation?
Yes. This is permitted providing the applications are different in scope and content. It
is not permitted for the same proposal to be funded elsewhere.
Will matched funding be considered?
Yes. Proposals with additional funding from other sources will be considered. A
letter of evidence will be required for shortlisted proposals.
Will all applicants submitting an Expression of Interest form be permitted to
proceed to full application?
Yes, this is an automatic process. Once the Expression of Interest form has been
submitted, applicants can automatically proceed to submit a completed application
by the closing date indicated.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
What documents should be uploaded with my application form?
The following documentation is required to successfully submit a research proposal:
1. The completed Expression of Interest Form
2. The completed Application Form
3. The Budget / Breakdown of Proposed Expenses (Appendix 1)
4. The Collaborator Agreement Form (Appendix 2)
5. The Infrastructure Agreement Form (Appendix 3)
6. The Project Management GANTT Chart (Appendix 4)
7. Host Institution / Organisation letter of support and stamp of approval
8. Ethical approval (if required)
9. Brief CV for the Principal Investigator and all Co-Investigators (Max. one
page).
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Signatures
Applications must be endorsed by the authorised signatory (Dean of Research or
equivalent person) authorised to endorse research grant applications for the host
institution / organisation. Signatures will be required from the Principal Investigator,
EACH Co - Investigator and EACH collaborator. Electronic signatures are permitted
and forms must be dated and stamped (as required).
SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
How should I submit my proposal?
Proposals and supporting documentation must be submitted as a single PDF file
using the filename format: Surname of the Principal Investigator_Organisation _Date
of submission e.g. by email to: hapai@hse.ie. For example, Smith_Health Service
Executive_ 11 September 2015.
Can I amend any documents or submit further documents once I have emailed
the application and support documentation?
No. Once your application has been submitted, the application can not be amended
or other supporting documents submitted.
EVALUATION / ASSESSEMENT CRITERIA
How will my proposal be assessed?
The selection of proposals for funding will be made in an open and transparent
manner managed by an external panel of experts who have been furnished with the
following set of criteria:
Quality of the application (60%)
This includes the scientific quality, original and innovative ideas, relevance and
impact on national priorities in healthy and positive ageing and financial plan of the
proposal.
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Expertise and research environment (20%)
This includes the infrastructure, expertise, experience and appropriateness of the
team to conduct the piece of research.
Knowledge management (10%)
This includes knowledge translation, transfer and dissemination.
Stakeholder, inter / multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaborations (10%)
This includes the involvement of higher education institutions, service providers,
public,
non-profit
voluntary,
charity
and
community
sectors.
The
inter
/
multidisciplinary participation and the degree to which these engagements will bring
new perspectives.
Will I have to attend an interview?
No, there will not be an interview stage.
What feedback can I expect on my application?
Feedback will be sent with decision emails to successful and unsuccessful
applicants. The anonymous comments should help to develop further funding
applications.
Who are the reviewers?
Reviewers will be identified from a panel of external experts with an outstanding
record of achievement and relevant research experience in a specific subject area.
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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Who can apply?
Applications may be submitted by individuals or groups from higher education
institutions, service providers, public, non-profit voluntary, charity and community
sectors.
Funding WILL cover:
 Staff: Salary costs for a researcher / support staff employed specifically for
the project (including salary, employer’s PRSI and employer’s pension
contribution).
 Training: Relevant training courses / workshops for funded research
personnel.
 Consumables: The maximum amount permitted for equipment during the
lifetime of the award is €2000. Materials (stationery etc.), transcribing and
dissemination costs are also considered consumables.
 Travel: Travel for participants to undertake field work, attend conferences /
workshops to disseminate research findings. It is recommended that at least
one national and one international event be attended for dissemination
purposes.
 Overhead contributions: A contribution to overheads of 30% of total direct
costs is allowed for each research project funded under the HSE awards
programme or 25% for desk based research.
 Other: Additional categories may be added as ‘other’, providing a clear
description of what the funding will be used for, for instance data collection or
other similar costs.
Funding will NOT cover:
 Stipends and fees for Masters or PhD degrees; and
 Salary costs of applicants on full time university contracts.
Payment of the award will be made to the host institution / organisation.
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Small equipment items - what can I purchase?
The maximum amount requested must not exceed €2000 over the lifetime of the
award. This can include any items that will assist staff to effectively carry out their
roles and may include a dictaphone, laptop, printer, mobile phone, materials and so
on. Please note all receipts must be retained and copies submitted with progress
reports.
What courses / workshops can a researcher / support staff attend?
A priority will be to identify the professional development requirements for staff to
enable them to fulfil their project duties effectively, and to provide the appropriate
opportunities to meet those. There are no specific restrictions on this, however,
please take into account best use of funding and a common sense approach,
selecting the most appropriate way the course / workshop will assist professional
development. Please note all invoices must be retained and copies submitted with
progress reports.
Is the Research Awards Fund open to researchers / organisations outside of
Ireland?
No. The Research Awards Fund is open to researchers from a recognised
organisation or higher education institutions in Ireland (North or South). However,
collaborators may be based outside of Ireland.
RESEARCH TEAM / ENVIRONMENT
Do applicants need to have a permanent position to apply?
No. You do not need to have a permanent post to be eligible to apply for the award
as long as you hold a contract that will cover the duration of the research award in a
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recognised organisation or higher education institution in Ireland (North or South).
See guidance notes for specific criteria on the Principal Investigator and CoInvestigators.
How many Principal Investigators can be nominated?
One. Specifically the Principal Investigator must demonstrate how they meet a
number of criteria as identified in the guidance notes (see section on Research
Team / Environment).
How many Co-Investigators can be nominated?
Up to three Co-Investigators may be nominated and must demonstrate how they
meet the criteria as identified in the guidance notes (see section Research Team /
Environment).
How many collaborators can be nominated?
Up to five collaborators may be involved in the proposal. Collaborators may provide
a number of roles and may be from a number of organisations. Please provide
details of their involvement in the project (see section on Research Team /
Environment).
It has been explicitly stated that proposals must be supported by a Collaborator
Agreement Form (Appendix 2) to demonstrate their commitment to the project. This
form is available in the guidance notes.
Can I use existing research networks in the development of the proposal?
Yes. Please provide details of the nature of the engagement and of the
organisations you are likely to engage with, particularly those outside of Ireland.
Please provide details in the Infrastructure Agreement Form (Appendix 3).
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COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
How do I complete the application form?
Please refer to the guidance notes where a summary is provided on how to complete
each section of the application. All sections of the application form must be
completed.
I’m finding it difficult to stick within the word/page limits. Can I add additional
information as an ‘other attachment’ type?
No. Applications must adhere to the page / word limits indicated throughout the
application form and in the guidance notes. The page size is A4 and the maximum
font size allowed is Arial 11. Where applications are submitted with attachments
(other than as permitted), that either exceed the page / word limits, or are not
permitted under the call guidance, these will not be forwarded to the External
Experts for review. If the word / page limits are exceeded, the additional information
will NOT be read by the reviewers.
Can I develop my own templates for submission with the application?
No. Please complete the required templates as instructed. However, where
additional information is required, please provide as instructed.
Can I submit more than one application?
Applicants are permitted to act as Principal Investigators on one project only, but can
act as Co-Investigators on multiple applications.
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WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
If I was successful in obtaining an award, and obtain a post at another
institution, can the award be transferred?
Requests for the transfer of awards will only be considered on a case-by-case basis
and in very exceptional circumstances.
Is there a minimum time commitment required for the Principal Investigator /
Co-Investigators?
No. However, the External Experts will be looking for assurance that the time
allocated to the application is realistic in order to achieve the aim and objectives of
the project. Please note one day equals eight hours.
Will the HSE be able to advise on costings?
All applicants should contact their finance / research office who will be able to advise
on this. Please follow the guidance notes in this regard. Clearly highlight your costs
in the relevant sections of the application form / guidance notes. (Appendix 1 -The
Budget/Breakdown of Proposed Expenses).
Am I required to report on progress during the duration of the Research
Award?
Yes. In order to monitor award spend and in order to understand what impact the
research is having, progress updates will be required. See guidance notes for
information on requirements.
What happens if I need a project extension?
If a project extension is needed, the Principal Investigator should request an
extension from the HSE as soon as possible. No additional budget will be provided
for extended periods.
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What happens at the end of my award period?
You will be required to produce a final report and a presentation to the HaPAI
Steering Group. For further information on exact requirements see the guidance
notes.
KEY DATES
What is the closing date for submission of the Expression of Interest?
All Expression of Interest forms must be submitted by Wednesday, 8 July 2015 at
5pm.
When is the closing date for the Research Award?
The application form / supporting documents must be submitted by Friday, 11
September at 5pm. Late proposals submitted after the closing time and date will not
be accepted. It is the responsibility of the host institution to ensure that completed
and signed applications arrive prior to the deadline.
When should I expect to receive a decision?
Results will be announced at the end of November 2015.
Will there be another competition next year?
Yes. Funding will be continued in 2016. This is intended to be in the region of
€300,000. Details will be available from the HSE website.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Who should I contact if I have any further questions?
Please email hapai@hse.ie with any queries about applying to this funding scheme.
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