This project aims to produce a set of faunal species fire response models to support the implementation of the Species Post-Fire Habitat Suitability (SPFHS) metric in bushfire management planning by the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The project has the following specific objectives:
- Use the most representative set of DEECA survey datasets to produce a comprehensive set of statistical models of species response to time-since-fire.
- Develop a system (i.e. R package, app or software) that inputs survey data and outputs a set of statistical models and predictions compatible with the Fire Analysis Module for Ecological values (FAME), which enables DEECA to reproduce the models or update them with new data.
- Develop products that support the training of DEECA staff in the operation of the system
- Ensure the above are done with scientific rigour and are transparently documented.
Importantly, the project team will work closely with the DEECA project lead, the DEECA Forest and Fire Ecosystem Science Team and the Community Ecology team in Arthur Rylah Institute (ARI) in the co-design, co-delivery and co-authoring of the project, with the ARI team ensuring that statistical models are provided in a way that generates a comprehensive dataset that can be incorporated into FAME.
Frequently asked questions
Q) Is there a preference for a project team to be from a single research organisation, or from across multiple organisations?
A) The Centre has no preference for either a single organisation or a multi-organisation project team. EOIs will be accepted from either and will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria in the same way.
Q) Can the proposed project team include researchers from government agencies or research consultancies, as well as university-based researchers?
A) EOIs will be accepted from multi-organisation project teams, and project teams can include researchers at government agencies and research consultancies. The proposed project team's capacity to undertake the project will be evaluated in the same way whether researchers are university-, consultancy- or agency-based.
Q) Would academic salaries (excluding administrative overheads) be eligible to budget?
A) Yes, academic salaries can be included within the project budget, but only when they are direct project costs and their salary is not already covered elsewhere. E.g. the salary costs of a contract researcher who is actively working on the project can be included up to the FTE component they are contributing. However, the salary costs of a tenured academic who is already paid through the university/research organisation would be included as an in-kind contribution up to the amount of their FTE contribution to the project.
Q) What do you mean by "peer review"?
A) This is a quality control process. The final report must be reviewed by someone who is an expert in the field and independent of the project.
Q) At what rate can salary on-costs be charged?
A) Administrative overheads are limited to direct salary-related on-costs. Indirect cost recoveries are not to be included. Other administrative overheads and indirect costs can be included as in-kind contributions. Where the salary on-cost rate exceeds 28% this will need to be justified.
Q) Can equipment costs be included in the budget?
A) Ordinarily, project funds are not to be used to purchase equipment. Where funds for equipment are requested, they will need to be justified
Q) Can international research teams apply? Alternatively, can international research teams be part of a consortium bid?
A) International research teams can be part of research projects when they are part of a consortium submission that is led by an Australian research organisation. The international team would need to be subcontracted by the lead Australian based research organisation. Please note that all budget submissions must be in Australian dollars and the lead organisation must bear the cost of funds transfer and responsibility for due diligence as required under Australian Foreign Interference regulations.
Q) Is there an option of registering my interest as an independent researcher that could assist a larger team or are you only able to consider proposals that address the entire project?
A) Yes, you can submit an EOI as an independent researcher addressing part of the project requirements. In the EOI submission form, please outline which aspects of the project you can address. Once the EOI closes, we can consider linking researchers together, although whether or not we can do that will depend on a range of factors, so we can’t guarantee that outcome.
Of course, the other option is to reach out to potential collaborators now about putting in a joint EOI submission that addresses the entire project.
