annual report/2006 - University of Melbourne

esearch and
research training/
Research Performance
Since 1996, the University has
consistently ranked first or second on
all major national research indicators,
namely, total income, publications,
research higher degree (RHD) load and
RHD completions. These indicators are
used by the Department of Education,
Science and Training (DEST) to allocate
government funding for research and
research training infrastructure. As
indicated in Table 3, for 2005 (the latest
data available), the University was
ranked first in all of these key research
performance parameters.
Based on this research performance,
the University was successful in gaining
the highest allocation nationally of
the research block grant ($120 million
representing an increase of 4.6 percent
from 2005) comprised of:
• Institutional Grants Scheme (IGS)
funding ($34 million),
• Research Training Scheme (RTS)
funding ($59.9 million) and
• Research Infrastructure Block
Grants Scheme (RIBGS) funding
($26.1 million).
Based on 2005 (the latest available
comparative data), the University’s
research income totalled $254.4 million
(an increase of 22 percent), with
$106.7 million of Australian Competitive
Grants, $53.5 million from other public
sector funding and $94.2 million
in industry (including CRCs) and
international support.
In 2006, for commencement in 2007,
the University was awarded the highest
amount of combined National Health
and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
and ARC five-year funding.
NHMRC performance was strong,
with the University maintaining its top
ranking for both NHMRC Project and
Program Grants combined margin of
$35.5 million. Success in the Project
Scheme (27 percent) was the highest
in the Go8 (average 22 percent) and
nationally (average 21 percent). New
multi-year NHMRC project grants (85)
and funding ($34.5 million) increased by
20 percent and 12 percent respectively.
Three NHMRC Program Grants were
awarded to the University for 2007 with
a total value of $32.4 million, compared
with two grants and $23 million
respectively for 2006.
Results in the ARC schemes were
mixed. New multi-year ARC project grant
funding of $28.6 million represented
an increase of 13 percent (the second
highest GO8 percentage increase)
and $3.4 million on the previous year
and resulted in an improved fourthplace
ranking. Although the number
of successful project grants increased
slightly to 92, the success rate of 20.9
percent was below the GO8 average
of 23.7 percent. With regard to ARC
infrastructure funding, the University
obtained the highest GO8 Linkage
Infrastructure funding as administering
institution of $4.6 million (more than
double the 2005 total) but performed
poorly in relation to ARC Linkage
Project Grants (Round One) receiving
$3.2 million resulting in a decrease of 29
percent and a sixth place ranking. Across
the schemes, there were considerable
differences between faculties.
To address this varied success in
relation to ARC funding, an Action Plan
providing for mentoring and target
setting strategies was developed and
implemented in late 2006.
The Veterinary Clinic and Hospital student teaching laboratory at the University’s Werribee campus is used for the demonstration of minor procedures. The high
quality of the Werribee facilities was an important factor in the Faculty of Veterinary Science being granted accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical
Association in 2006.
The University of Melbourne Annual Report 2006
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