What is SPIN?

SPIN (Sponsored Programs Information Network) is a computer database with detailed and up-to-the-minute information about thousands of government and private funding opportunities from Australia and overseas.

The information on the database will serve researchers in universities and university staff in associated teaching hospitals, libraries, etc. Where does the information come from? Information on the database has been acquired from a number of sources. The international information that appears on SPIN Australia has been screened to include only programs for which Australian researchers are eligible to apply.

Information on Australian programs consists of:

• details provided by granting bodies;
• for state specific programs, details provided by Research Offices in each state;
• information from the newspaper, followed up by details from the granting body/contractor.

Existing records on the database are identified two months before the closing date and the granting bodies contacted for updated information. Once the records have been changed, the change will be reflected within 24 hours. New records are being added as the information becomes available, and will appear on the database within 48 hours of the information being received.

The database is growing daily - with information from Australia, the USA, Canada and now Europe being added.

What is included?

The SPIN database currently contains details for over 19,500 funding opportunities, covering a broad range of subject areas and award types, such as Fellowships, Travel, Research, Collaborative Projects Curriculum Development, Sabbatical Support, Publication Support, and Exchange programs.  Applicants in Australia are eligible for 4,400 of these programs, nearly 1,000 of which are offered by Australian organisations.

SPIN Australia provides the information you need to make a decision about whether to apply, including:

• Granting Body and deadline information
• Detailed eligibility
• Funding amounts and duration
• On-costs, Infrastructure, etc
• Comprehensive text, which includes a brief SYNOPSIS, plus DETAILED descriptions of the program's OBJECTIVES and RESTRICTIONS

What are SMARTS & GENIUS?

SMARTS (SPIN Matching and Researcher Transmittal System) is a matching and retrieval system which provides personalised matching between researchers’ profiles and SPIN keywords, emailing researchers directly with information on funding opportunities as they become available.  GENIUS (Global Expertise Network for Industry, University and Scholars) is an expertise database

How do SMARTS and GENIUS work?

SMARTS is a facility which will allow individual researchers to enter their research interests, categorised by the keywords within SPIN, and thereby develop a profile of personal research interests. Whenever a funding scheme is updated on the SPIN system, the keywords associated with that scheme are cross checked against the researcher profiles in SMARTS. If there is a match, then the researcher is automatically sent a targeted Email notifying them of the opportunity.

GENIUS builds on the profile data which is entered for SMARTS matching, and allows researchers to enter a comprehensive set of information about their research expertise. This then forms the basis for an institutional expertise database.

Setting up a Researcher Profile

In order to set up your personal research interests profile, you will need to go to the InfoEd eRA Portal.

Existing users may select “Login” and enter their username and password when prompted. Your username and password are case sensitive. If you have forgotten or misplaced your username and password, follow the steps below to have the information e-mailed to you.

Step 1 - Select your state [Australian Capital Territory] and click "Continue",

Step 2 - Select your Institution [University of Canberra] and click "Continue",

Two different paths may be taken:

For existing Users:

Step 3 - Select your Profile and click ‘Set’. You can search for a possible existing profile by Lastname. If possible entry is found click on ‘Select’, if not found click on ‘Cancel’

Step 4 - Above this, a question is displayed: "Is this the profile?" Select "Yes, this is my profile" if you have located the correct entry. Select "No, this is not my profile" if you have made an incorrect selection.

If you select "No, this is not my profile," you will be returned to Step 3. Choose "Set" again if you would like to re-browse the list of investigator profiles to locate your profile. Otherwise, follow Step 3 instructions for new users (below) to register your profile. If you have selected "Yes, this is my profile," click "Continue".

Step 5 - A notice that your profile login has been emailed to you will appear. When you have received the login information, click "Login" on the left-hand Side Bar to log in to your profile.

For new Users:

Step 1 - Select your state {Australian Capital Territory] and click "Continue",

Step 2 - Select your Institution [University of Canberra] and click "Continue",

Step 3 - Select your Profile: tick the "Profile Not Found in List’ check box,

Step 4 - Once the ‘Profile’ Not Found in List’ is checked, data fields will automatically appear for you to enter your personal details:

Last Name: May be up to twenty-five (25) characters long.

First Name: May be up to twenty-five (25) characters long.

Middle Name: May be up to twenty-five (25) characters long.

Email Address: May be up to eighty (80) characters long, and must be in the following format: firstname.surname@canberra.edu.au

Username: May be up to twenty (20) alphanumeric characters long. The username must be at least eight (8) alphanumeric characters long. For security purposes, your username and password may not be the same. Your username is case sensitive.

Password: May be up to twenty (20) alphanumeric characters long. The password must be at least eight (8) alphanumeric characters long. For security purposes, your username and password may not be the same. Beneath the Password field, Re-Enter Password to confirm. Your password is case sensitive.

Setting your department: Next to the Primary Department field, click "Set" to select your Primary Department affiliation. The Departments pick list will appear. Locate your Primary Department, and click "Select". Once you have created your profile, you will be able to set multiple secondary department affiliations, if applicable.

When all fields have been completed, click "Continue".

Step 5 – Complete. A notice that your profile login has been emailed to you will appear. When you have received the login information, click "Login" on the left-hand Side Bar to log in to your profile.

Your Profile has links to the various sections which you can fill out to produce a detailed profile of your research interests and areas of expertise. Note that there are four types of information:

• General Data and Keywords (required for both SMARTS and GENIUS);
• Award Types and Geographical Restrictions (required for SMARTS only);
• Several categories to build a very detailed research profile (required for GENIUS);
• UC custom data fields, which allow you to give specific instructions about access to your information and your availability for consultancies and/or media contacts.

For assistance in using SMARTS and GENIUS contact Ms Maria Rodriguez (02) 6201 2955 or refer to the Quick Users Guide (PDF 38kb).