2017 Call For EOI /

Apply for funding or endorsement - EOI Submission template

Click on the image below to view or download the Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission template

NOTE: this is a read-only document designed to provide a guide for how to complete the template. If you wish to apply for funding for a research project, and/or to seek endorsement, please send an email to the Program Manager of the Rugby League Research Commitee, Luke Gooden, at research@nrl.com.au, to request a version that you can complete The completed EOI Submission template should be sent by email to the Program Manager.

Critical dates

Submission is due by Wednesday 30 August 2017, by 5.00pm AEST.

All applications, including the successful applicant(s), will be advised of their status by early October 2017.

Overview

The Rugby League Research Committee invites Expressions of Interest for funding for research projects for the remainder of the 2017 Rugby League season. The Committee has identified several priority areas for which it seeks Expressions of Interest to fund research projects.

Scope

This Expression of Interest process relates primarily for applications for funding.

If a party wishes to apply for endorsement only (as opposed to funding as well) to conduct a research project in Rugby League, then the party can

• apply for a project that falls outside the indicated priority research area
• apply outside the timeframes stated for applications for funding

Please note: The application for endorsement (but not funding) will still be required to use the EOI Submission Template.

Funding available

The funding available for the 2017 call is $65,000.

Eligibility

For 2017, the Rugby League Research Committee invites applications from stakeholders including, but not limited to, the following:

• NRL departments
• Telstra Premiership clubs
• State Leagues (and ‘Community’ Leagues)
• Universities and research institutions

Any applications from Junior/Senior Rugby League Clubs, Leagues or Zones should be made through the relevant State League.

If an applicant wishes to seek funding to conducting research, then a research proposal should relate to one (1) of the listed priority research areas only.

Duration of the study

Duration of the study will be based upon timelines in any research application, and therefore considered and endorsed by the Research Committee.

Deliverables and responsibilities

As part of the terms and conditions for the granting of funding, a research agreement will first need to be agreed between the National Rugby League (on behalf of the Rugby League Research Committee) and any successful applicant(s), on terms acceptable to the NRL (on behalf of the Rugby League Research Committee). The research agreement would cover areas including, but limited to, the following:

• Intellectual Property
• use of findings
• requirements for submission of progress reports and final reports

Then, upon execution of the research agreement, a tax invoice will need to be submitted to the National Rugby League (on behalf of the Rugby League Research Committee). These conditions would need to be met before any funds could be disbursed. For any project that receives funding from the RL Research Committee, in order for funds to be provided, an invoice must be provided by 24th October of the calendar year, in order for funding to be provided.

The Rugby League Financial Year runs from 1st November in the previous calendar year, to 31st October in the current calendar year. Rugby League Financial Year 2017 (corresponding to season 2017) runs from 1st November 2016 to 31st October 2017.

EOI Evaluation

The RL Research Committee will objectively evaluate applications for funding against a series of criteria, in line with the defined priority research areas, the game's Strategic Plan. The criteria listed below are indicative only and not exhaustive:

1. relevance to the Priority Research Topic and the relevant Strategic Pillar(s);
2. alignment of the research plan with the RLRC’s priority topics and broad research aims;
3. level of innovation or provision of new insights to the game;
4. significance of the project’s outcomes to the game;
5. feasibility and appropriateness of objectives, methods/protocols, and proposed timelines;
6. adequacy of accounting for ethical considerations;
7. demonstrated capacity (in terms of requisite expertise, knowledge, and experience) of the project team to execute the project;
8. specificity and adequacy of project budget.

The RLRC has absolute and sole discretion in relation to the EOI process, the evaluation of Proposals and the selection of a proposals for funding, and:

1. may fund one or more Proposals;
2. may fund the whole or any part of a Proposal, and may accept a Proposal either conditionally or unconditionally;
3. may fund separable parts of the Priority Research Areas (or Priority Topics) to different applicants;
4. is not bound to accept any Proposal or to enter into a Research Agreement;
5. may withdraw this EOI at any time; and
6. reserves the right to accept non-conforming Proposals.

Research Project Update Template

Any successful applications for funding and/or endorsement will be asked to complete an Update before Quarterly meetings of the Research Committee. The EOI Evaluation template can be viewed as a read-only document at RLRC Research Project Status Update Template. OR, click on the image below to view or download the Research Project Update Template.

Contact information

For further information, please contact the Program Manager of the RL Research Committee, at research@nrl.com.au