What is a grant?
This is a broad guide to help you determine whether your project is classified as a grant or a contract. A 'Yes' answer to any of the questions below would be broadly indicative of a grant, while 'no' would suggest a contract.
- Is it listed on the Australian Competitive Grants Register?
- Does the University wholly own the IP arising from the research project?
- Is the activity awarded through a general and/ or open funding call?
- Does the funder/ sponsor only support direct research project costs?
NO 
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 YES
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CONTRACT
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GRANT
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- Research contracts are generally the result of commissioned research, with specific deliverables, outputs and outcomes tied to funding and determined by the sponsor.
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- The researcher has greater control over the nature of the project, its deliverables and outcomes - although some sponsors may be more directive.
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- There will be specific obligations tied to the performance of the project. The sponsor will normally place requirements on the use or ownership of project intellectual property or publication of project results, and may have specific termination provisions.
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- The publication of project results will generally be encouraged, as the primary driver of research is the contribution to fundamental knowledge. IP is normally owned by the university.
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- Payment may be tied to the completion of a milestone, output or outcome.
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- Payment will not normally be tied to the achievement of particular milestones, although this may depend on the funder.
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<< Go to Contracts pages
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Go to Grants pages >>
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