Introduction

In 1993 the Australian Army instituted a Research Grants Scheme to support and encourage research into the role and involvement of the Army in the development of the nation.

Three areas of research relevant to Army's requirements have been identified:

1. Military strategy and operations
2. Military social history (war and society issues)
3. Military heritage (aspects of militaria)

The scheme is open to academic and non-institutional researchers, and Grants are up to a maximum of $15,000.00 for one year. However, in order to support more research, grants of over $7,500.00 will usually only be granted in cases of special merit.

The scheme is administered by the Army, on the advice of the Army Military History Advisory Committee (AHAC), referred to in this document as the 'Committee'. The Committee is chaired by the Deputy Chief of Army and comprises ten recognised academic and Army military historians.

Preferred areas of research

Priority will be given to topics which improve the professional knowledge of the Australian Army, within the following areas of research:

Military Strategy and Operations

Including command and leadership, doctrine development, logistics, strategy, operations, tactics, civil-military relations, intelligence, joint service issues, combat/battle experience and military biography. Emphasis should be placed on analysis of events, rather than narrative or description.

Military Social History

Applied to the study of combat, identity and military ideology with the aim of yielding knowledge and an understanding of issues of continuing relevance to Army. Emphasis should be placed on the essentials of military history - command, battle, the complexities of military planning and doctrine development - rather than on society.

Military Heritage

Military Heritage studies may be supported if they address areas in which there are no extant records.

Applicants are advised to review their projects carefully to ensure the focus is on the history of the Australian Army. Projects in which the history of the Army is peripheral, or the focus is on another entity, are unlikely to be supported.

Use of grant money

Grants are meant to assist, rather than wholly fund, a research project. They are not intended to provide income support. Those who receive grants should be prepared to meet some of the expense of their project from resources other than those provided by the Army.

In preparing budgets, the following items are usually considered eligible expenses:

a. Travel and accommodation
b. Research expenses. These may include: photocopying; postage; telephone; facsimile; the purchase of tapes and disks, and the transcription of tapes. Funds are not generally available for the purchase of books, journal subscriptions, or the purchase of equipment.

Grants must be fully expended in the financial year commencing 1 July and finishing on 30 June.

Completing the application form

All applications should be typed or neatly printed.

Attachments should be submitted on A4 paper.

Each application should relate to one project only. Applicants requesting support for two or more projects should submit a separate application for each one.

Three copies of the application are required. Each copy should be single sided and on A4 paper. Applications should be clipped or stapled. They should not be submitted spiral bound or in folders. Applications transmitted by facsimile will not be accepted.

Confidentiality

In accordance with the Privacy Act 1989, personal details will remain confidential and will only be used by the Committee and external assessors. However, with the aim of promoting research into the history of the Army, the Committee may at its discretion advise others of the research interests only of applicants.

The form consists of a Cover Sheet and five sections:

a. Principal Researcher (Applicant)
b. Associate Researcher (If applicable)
c. Project
d. Budget
e. Referees

Section A: Principal Researcher (Applicant)

Any special circumstances which may assist in the project (e.g. you may have served in the unit about which you are writing, or have had some personal involvement in the subject of your research) should be included under the heading 'Other Relevant Experience'.

Section B: Associate Researcher (If applicable)

This section is only applicable where an associate researcher/s is/are involved and follows the same criteria as Section A.

Section C: Project

This section is intended to enable applicants to explain the aims, significance, and methodology of their projects, and to describe the form in which the finished product will be presented.

Section D: Budget

This section is designed to enable applicants to indicate the funds which they consider are necessary for the completion of the project. It is most important that this section is completed as realistically as possible and is fully justified.

The Committee will exercise discretion in determining the amount of funding to be allocated to each project. For this reason, priority items (i.e. items without which it would be impossible to complete the project) should be identified in the space provided.

All budget items should be clearly listed under the headings:

a. Travel and accommodation

Enter travel destinations and mode of transport. Try to rationalise trips wherever possible. If this is not possible (because of work commitments, public holidays etc.), specify reasons in the justification of budget section.

Airfares should be calculated on the most economical rates available and applicants are encouraged to consider the advantages of Apex and other advance purchase schemes. In the case of car travel, an estimate of the expected distance to be travelled, together with the details of the car to be used, should be provided.

b. Research

Enter a full estimate of expenses for services such as typing, photocopying, the provision of photographs etc. It is not necessary to be specific in listing small items. Use round figures wherever possible.

c. Other Expenses

Section E: Referees' Reports

Applicants should request a person familiar with their research capacity to act as referee for the project. The report should not merely be character reference. Applicants are responsible for contacting their referee and ensuring that reports are sent directly to the Research Grants Officer, to be received by the closing date for applications.

Assessment of applications

Research grants are assessed against the following criteria:

a. Applicant

• Has the applicant the appropriate training, experience and/or qualifications for the project?
• Has the applicant demonstrated an ability to research, write and complete a project?

b. Project

• Are the aims and methods of the project feasible?
• Are there problems with the methodology, sources or timetable?
• To what extent does the project add to the history of the Australian Army?

Notification of assessments

All applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of their applications and all will receive copies of the written assessments of their applications.

Completed forms

Three copies of the completed application form should be sent to:

The Research Grants Officer
Army History Unit
CP2-5-169
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Queries

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