Funding arrangements for research models Consultation provided limited insight into the various funding models applied across the industry for research. The general theme was that most research was reliant on government funding in one form or another. Insights from the community services industry Insights from research organisations organisations for the purpose of undertaking research. While this funding can Large NGOs typically have their own research team within their help to support research activities, philanthropic agencies typically set the organisation. These entities may therefore conduct research in-house or research question themselves and the ultimate research outputs may not commission research externally (through universities or other independent always achieve real impact for the industry. Therefore caution should be researchers). Subject to the nature of the entity, research activities may be exercised to ensure this research generates outputs that will directly support self funded or they will apply for grants. the industry. Some NGOs indicated that while funding sources such as ARC linkage grants have been used in the past, they did not always derive the best A significant number of research organisations consulted through this outcomes. Although these grants often require researchers to partner with process were funded by government. Funding agreements will typically industry, NGOs generally have a limited ongoing role. As such, they have specify the activities to be performed by the research entity. limited influence over outputs, which means these outputs may not be research centres may be funded through ARC linkage grants, and are relevant in practice. Long timeframes for research were also seen as a required to report against key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs for particular issue, as the industry is grappling with current issues and waiting research projects are typically activity orientated, rather than outcomes- a number of years for research outcomes may not be seen as practical. orientated and can include the number of students trained, papers Current government funding for NGOs rarely includes funding for published, workshops, program briefs, and programs developed and research, as these contracts are specifically linked to service provision. This piloted. means that smaller NGOs or community services providers typically will Researchers indicated that they may receive funding from philanthropic only undertake research where they receive grants or have access to private organisations. While these organisations tend to set their own research funding (such as donations). priorities, researchers indicated that they are generally progressive in their NGOs indicated that sometimes they will partner with philanthropic thinking and can be guided by researchers.
Funding arrangements for research models Consultation provided limited insight into the various funding models applied across the industry for research. The general theme was that most research was reliant on government funding in one form or another. Insights from the community services industry Insights from research organisations Large NGOs typically have their own research team within their organisation. These entities may therefore conduct research in-house or commission research externally (through universities or other independent researchers). Subject to the nature of the entity, research activities may be self funded or they will apply for grants. Some NGOs indicated that while funding sources such as ARC linkage grants have been used in the past, they did not always derive the best outcomes. Although these grants often require researchers to partner with industry, NGOs generally have a limited ongoing role. As such, they have limited influence over outputs, which means these outputs may not be relevant in practice. Long timeframes for research were also seen as a particular issue, as the industry is grappling with current issues and waiting a number of years for research outcomes may not be seen as practical. Current government funding for NGOs rarely includes funding for research, as these contracts are specifically linked to service provision. This means that smaller NGOs or community services providers typically will only undertake research where they receive grants or have access to private funding (such as donations). NGOs indicated that sometimes they will partner with philanthropic organisations for the purpose of undertaking research. While this funding can help to support research activities, philanthropic agencies typically set the research question themselves and the ultimate research outputs may not always achieve real impact for the industry. Therefore caution should be exercised to ensure this research generates outputs that will directly support the industry. A significant number of research organisations consulted through this process were funded by government. Funding agreements will typically specify the activities to be performed by the research entity. research centres may be funded through ARC linkage grants, and are required to report against key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs for research projects are typically activity orientated, rather than outcomes- orientated and can include the number of students trained, papers published, workshops, program briefs, and programs developed and piloted. Researchers indicated that they may receive funding from philanthropic organisations. While these organisations tend to set their own research priorities, researchers indicated that they are generally progressive in their thinking and can be guided by researchers.
model-translational-research.docx