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In December 2007, the Government announced that it would not be proceeding with the former Government’s Research Quality Framework (RQF) project.
In light of this decision, material regarding the RQF has been removed from the website.
However, the Government remains committed to enhancing access to research through the use of digital repositories, particularly through funding allocated under the Australian Scheme for Higher Education Repositories (ASHER) and the Implementation Assistance Program (IAP).
Funding for ASHER and IAP will allow institutions to develop their data systems to prepare for the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative. It will also enable institutions to make their research outputs more widely available to other researchers, business and the community.
Australian Scheme For Higher Education Repositories (ASHER)
Through ASHER, the Government has provided $25.5 million over three calendar years (2007-09) to assist institutions to establish and maintain digital repositories. This funding will allow institutions to place their research outputs, including journal articles and less traditional outputs such as digitised artworks or x-ray crystallography images, in an accessible digital store for a variety of purposes, including assessment of research.
This scheme builds on previous government investment in research and development of data repository technology, the management of user authentication and access, and related copyright issues to improve the discoverability and accessibility of publicly funded research.
ASHER is another way that the Australian Government continues to show its commitment to making publicly funded research more readily available.
ASHER Progress Report Templates
As part of the Conditions of Grant for an Approved Initiative under ASHER, institutions are required to submit both a Progress Report and an Income and Expenditure Report every six months.
Reports for the period ending 30 June 2010 are due to be submitted to the Department by 28 July 2010.
Please download both of the following templates, complete the information and then return them as email attachments to asheriap@innovation.gov.au
Implementation Assistance Program (IAP)
The government is providing $16.4 million over four calendar years (2007-10) for the Implementation Assistance Program to assist institutions to develop and implement data gathering and reporting systems for bibliometric and other data as part of the ERA initiative.
IAP Progress Report Templates
As part of the Conditions of Grant for an Approved Initiative under IAP institutions are required to submit both a Progress Report and an Income and Expenditure Report every twelve months.
Reports for the period ending 31 December 2010 are due to be submitted to the Department by 28 January 2011.
Please download both of the following templates, complete the information and then return them as email attachments to asheriap@innovation.gov.au:
Funding allocations for ASHER and IAP
Grant allocations for ASHER (2007-2009) and IAP (2007-2010) can be downloaded below:
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