Research Committee Report - April 2006

This is a short report, partly because there is not a lot of pressing news and partly because you are all navel gazing and contemplating the contents of your next grant application [see Grants & Awards].

In terms of how those (NMMRC) grants will be assessed this year, we collectively hold our breaths. The move to a grant reviewing system that is in many respects like the NIH system arguably represents an improvement, in that it offers the opportunity for iterative improvements in applications, which are overall appreciated as containing good ideas. However, the impact of the removal of external assessors from the process remains to be seen. All the best with the grant writing process and remember to pay particular attention to the ‘Significance’ category! The criteria below, lifted from the NIH Criteria For Evaluating Research Grant Applications, are well worth referring to as you go:

Significance:
Does this study address an important problem? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge or clinical practice be advanced? What will be the effect of these studies on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field?

Innovation:
Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does the project challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice; address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or employ novel concepts, approaches, methodologies, tools, or technologies for this area?

Investigators:
Are the investigators appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers? Does the investigative team bring complementary and integrated expertise to the project?

To those of you who will be involved in the Grant Review Panel (GRP) process, and I hope as many ANZBMS members as possible have indicated willingness to so serve, all the best.

Finally, let me introduce to you the members who have agreed to join the ANZBMS Research Committee. Your input to the Society and to Council through those people, on any and all matters relating to research, is welcome. The committee is:

• myself as chairman (SA)
• Prof Ming Hao Zheng (WA)
• Dr Natalie Sims (VIC)
• A/Prof Rebecca Mason (NSW)
• Prof Graeme Jones (TAS)
• A/Prof Edith Gardiner (QLD)
• Dr Arthur Conigrave (NSW)
• Dr Timothy Cundy (NZ)

David Findlay
Chairman, ANZBMS Research Committee