Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE)

The SRE initiative was announced by the Australian Government in the 2009-2010 Budget to enhance university research. It is designed to support the performance of Australian Competitive Grant research (ACG) by increasing funding to support the indirect costs of ACG research over and above that provided by the Research Infrastructure Block Grant.

Over the four years 2009-10 to 2012-13, $510 million will be provided under the SRE program to support universities in meeting the indirect costs of their ACG research activities. All Australian universities have been asked to participate.

This funding will provide vital resources to support your research activities.

The SRE Activities Survey

In 2011 research staff at the University of Canberra are being asked to participate in one survey (as opposed to two in 2010) as part of the SRE program.

We are calling this the SRE Activities Survey.

The survey will be used to fulfil information requirements for the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) for the calculation of the indirect costs of ACG research. Completing the survey will ensure the university has access to funds within the SRE program. Indirect costs such as non-academic salaries, building and equipment maintenance are not covered by ACG grants.

The results of the survey will remain confidential. Data will be collected and maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act. Only de-identified results will be provided to DIISR. The University has consulted the NTEU about this survey and sought union support to encourage staff to participate.

How will staff complete the survey?

The survey will be available via HR Online only to those staff identified as undertaking research. These staff will receive a system generated email notifying them that the survey is open and inviting them to record the time they spend on particular activities. Time needs to be recorded in decimal format (eg 15 minutes is recorded as 0.25 hours).

Staff will be able to log onto HR Online and access the survey to record their information on a daily basis if they wish to do so; however it will be possible for participants to complete the survey in one session. The survey can be completed in about 15 minutes.

The questions in the survey have been determined by DIISR. They cover some demographic data, fields of research and the log of activities. DIISR require the University to meet or exceed a response rate of 67% of staff surveyed. Faculties and research centres that meet this 67% target in both surveys will be eligible for access to the 2010 SRE funds and other strategic initiative funds for research.

Survey Timeframe

The survey will be undertaken overone two week period. This differs from 2010 where the survey was undertaken twice.

Survey Period

Wednesday 1 June - Tuesday 14 June 2011 inclusive.

The deadline for completed surveys is close of business on 20 June 2011.

More information

More information about the Sustainable Research Excellence fund can be found on the DIISR website.

Contact

Please email John Frezza, Project Officer HRMIS  for questions regarding the survey questionnaire and DVC-Research for questions on the SRE program.

SRE Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Teaching?

All time spent on activities related to Teaching, whether face to face, online or mixed mode delivery. Do not include activities related to HDR supervision and training under the category of Teaching.

• What is Research Training?

All time spent on supervising and training HDR students and Honours by Research students. Do not include activities related to Postgraduate Coursework in this category.

• What is Research Other?

All time spent on existing research projects NOT funded by ACG sources. Include time spent on administrative tasks relating to that research here. Do not include grant application preparation here.

• What is Research ACG?

All time spent on activities related to existing research projects which have been funded by schemes listed on the Australian Competitive Grants Register. Include time spent on administrative tasks relating to ACG research. Do not include grant application preparation in this category.

• What is Other?

All time spent on work activities not covered by the other listed categories. Include grant application preparation and travel to conferences here. Do not include the time taken to complete this survey.

• What is Leave?

Hours spent on formal leave - e.g. sick leave, annual leave etc. Note time spent on work-related activities may instead be recorded in the categories above if undertaken while on leave.

• Which category records administration work?

Any administration work is recorded under the category of research activity for which the work is undertaken.  For example, application administration work for an ARC discovery project would go into the NCGP research category.

• Is my specific research project Category One research?

Category One research includes only those funds provided under specific programs listed on the DEEWR website.  For further information please click on the link http://www.innovation.gov.au/Section/Research/Pages/AustralianCompetitiveGrantsRegister(ACGR).aspx

• Do weekends and after-hours count?

Yes.

• Where does Honours research get placed? Research or Education?

All Honours research should be placed under research.  (We have to check this item with the Project Leader before we can upload the final answer).

• How do I submit the survey?

When you have finalised the survey, please click 'save' and check the box indicating as such at the bottom of the survey template. All entered data will be downloaded and analysed after the completion of the survey.

For more detailed information please click here FAQ - SRE Survey (PDF 119.6k).