Diane Chamberlain Research Seeding Grants

Through the Diane Chamberlain Research Seeding Grant, the ACCCN seeks to provide seed funding for research projects with direct relevance to critical care nursing practice and of a high scientific standard. Two seeding grants are provided annually; one for an Early (novice) Critical Care Nurse Researcher ($5000) and one application from an Experienced Critical Care Nurse Researcher ($10,000).

Key dates

• Application open 1 August – 12 September every year
• Applications must be submitted before 11:59pm (AEST) on 12 September of the relevant year
• Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted

Application Process

• All applications must be submitted using the Microsoft Word Application Form 
• A PDF version of the application form must be submitted via the Online Submission Form 
• The Microsoft Word Application Form and the Online Submission Form will be available via this page during the application period.
• You must be logged in as a member in order to access the Online Submission Form.

Guidelines

PRINCIPLES

ACCCN seeks to provide seed funding for one application from an early (novice) nurse researcher and one application from a experienced critical care nurse researcher.

An experienced critical care nurse researcher is a registered nurse who:

Works within or is associated with intensive care units of private or public hospitals within Australia. This includes those with university appointments or students actively engaged, or seeking to be engaged, in ICU-related research activities.

An early (novice) critical care nurse researcher is a registered nurse who:

• has not completed a PhD, or completed one less than 5 years ago**
• has not completed a postgraduate qualification in critical care, or is completing one, or completed one less than 5 years ago**

**applicants who completed their PhD or postgraduate qualification more than 5 years ago are novice researchers if these years include career breaks, or periods of combined clinical + PhD work. Applicants will not be disadvantaged for such reasons.
(Definition adapted with thanks from ANZICS’ Novice Investigator Group https://www.anzics.com.au/novice-investigator-group-novig).

All research funded by ACCCN should be in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) research policies and guidelines

1. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research-policy/ethics-and-integrity
2. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/attachments/grant%20documents/The-australian-code-for-the-responsible-conduct-of-research-2018.pdf

Peer review

• The research grant review process is managed by the ACCCN Research Advisory Panel.
• The ACCCN Research Advisory Panel will distribute all applications to a minimum of two suitably qualified external reviewers.

ELIGIBILITY

• The chief investigator must meet the critical care nurse researcher criteria above and be a current financial member of ACCCN (a minimum of 12 consecutive months at the time of application).
• Nurses undertaking higher degrees are encouraged to apply.

• Projects must be of direct relevance to critical care nursing practice and of a high scientific standard.
• A minimum of two critical care nurses (including the CIA) must be Investigators on the application.
• Multidisciplinary, innovative research is encouraged.
• A consumer representative is encouraged to be listed as an investigator.

FUNDING RULES

• Funding for salaries of project staff and consumables is acceptable.
• Equipment will not be funded.

• All research grants awarded are exclusive of institutional overhead costs.

• Recipients of funding must provide progress reports to ACCCN, and report against budget milestones, to be submitted in September each year until project completion, when a final report must be submitted to ACCCN. This 2-page report should include a signed statement confirming that the funds have been spent in accordance with the budget request.

• Recipients of funding must acknowledge ACCCN as the seed funding body on all material associated with the project including PowerPoint presentations, flyers, event material, publications and all other items.
• Only one application per Principal Investigator is permitted each round.

CONDITIONS

Ethical approval

• Current Ethics and Governance approvals specific to the project are required before commencement of the project and before funding is made available.
• It is the responsibility of the successful applicants to provide the ACCCN all relevant ethics and governance approvals within 12 months of the grant being awarded, otherwise funding may be withdrawn.

RESEARCH APPLICATION GUIDELINES

• Applications that do not conform to these guidelines will not be accepted.
• Download the PDF version of the Diane Chamberlain Research Seeding Grant Guidelines 2024

General

• The application MUST be typewritten on the relevant grant application form in Arial or Calibri font, 11 point, with minimum of single spacing and with borders less than 2cm.
• The format of the application and all sections need to be completed.

Title

• Should be succinct and include the study design (e.g. survey, observational study, randomized controlled trial).

Investigators

• The chief investigator is the person taking primary responsibility for the design and execution of the project. If the chief investigator is an early career investigator, a mentor must be nominated as a co-investigator.

• Co-investigator(s) to be listed (14 max.)

Lay description

• A lay description of the project (maximum 250 words) should be provided that can be used for ACCCN publications should the grant be successful.

DETAILED PROJECT PLAN (Max. 4 pages)

Background

The problem which is to be addressed should be defined, in terms of the evidence to practice gap, supported by current published peer reviewed research evidence. References to appropriate published papers should be included.

Project purpose (aims / objectives / hypotheses)

• The aim(s)/ objective(s) and/ or hypothesis(es) should be identified clearly, research questions should be set out, and the potential significance of the project in terms of critical care nursing practice should be stated.

Research plan

• The research methodology, methods, and procedures should be described in such a way that it is clear how the identified research questions will be addressed.
• Proposed methods of data analysis should be described.
• Ethical and local Governance (if required) considerations (including a clear statement of potential benefits and identification of any risks include any risk mitigation strategies to limit risk if applicable).
• The feasibility of successful completion of the study should be demonstrated.
• Outcomes and potential significance should be discussed.
• How the results will be disseminated should be addressed.
• Timeline for the project tabulated.

REFERENCES (1 PAGE MAX)

Whilst one specific referencing and citation format is not specified, the proposal should conform to a standardised format such as APA 7^th, Vancouver, Harvard and be consistent throughout.

BUDGET (1 PAGE MAX)

• A detailed budget should be provided, including justifications of all requested funds.
• The justification should describe why the support requested is essential to the project.
• Institutional overhead costs are exempt from seed funding.
• Funds for equipment will not be supported.
• Costs such as publication and conference travel will not be considered as costs
• All other forms of research support for the project should be listed, including in-kind support e.g. funds, essential equipment, and staff provided by the institution or department.

Signatures

• All requested signatures must be provided.
• The signature of the chief investigator certifies that written agreement with the application has been obtained from all co-investigators.
• The signature of the department head in which the research will be based certifies that the institution agrees with the project proceeding.