Skip to content | Change text size
 

Research Contracts - FAQs

Question No. 1 Where can I find a copy of the Standard Monash Agreement “C”?
Answer: Download it from:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/sss/forms/contractor-agreement-c.doc
 
Question No. 2: Is GST applicable?
Answer: The answer to this question can be found here:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/finance/taxation/gst/
 
Question No. 3:  If the amount is too small to justify the expense and time of an Agreement what would be the next best option?
Answer: You might wish to consider suggesting the sponsor makes a donation for the purpose of research.  However, under Australian tax legislation a donor cannot compel the University to use the donation for a specific project or purpose, although a donor may suggest a use for that donation – for instance, research into the impact of iodine deficiency in children. 
 
Question No. 4:  What information would be required to be submitted to Research Office if the sponsor decided to donate towards a project?
Answer:  Download a sample letter

here:
 
Question No. 5:  Would the donation be processed in the same manner as the contract agreement?
Answer:  Yes, in terms of the Research Office requirement to record essential information and authorising the opening of the appropriate fund.  However, donations are also of interest to the Advancement Division. 
 
Question No. 6:  How long would the process take, from initiating to finalization (signing) of the Agreement?
Answer:  This depends on the complexity of the arrangement and the speed with which correspondence between Monash and the external party can be achieved.  It can be as little as two weeks but can also occasionally take longer. 
 
Question No. 7:  I’m not sure if this is a contract; it seems to be a “goods service agreement.”  What should I do with it?
Answer:  Forward a copy of this agreement to Research Office for advice.  The University Solicitor may be required to review the contents. 
 
Question No. 8:  Who has the authority to sign the agreement?
Answer:  Click here to check who has “Delegations, sub-delegations and other authorities to sign contracts, agreements and other documents on behalf of the University“:

http://www.adm.monash.edu/legal/agreements/delegations.html
 
Question No. 9:  The funding amount must be split between two departments. What do I need to do?
Answer:  Complete the Arrangement to Split Grant Funds Form and forward to Research Office
 
Question No. 10:  Where is my research Agreement?
Answer:  Contact the Research Office to track down the progress of your agreement.
 
Question No. 11:  Where can I look for tenders?
Answer:  Try the Victorian Government Tenders System Web Site, here:

http://www.tenders.vic.gov.au/
 
Question No. 12:  I want to submit an application for a tender. Is there anything that I need to inform Research Office or others?
Answer:  Often, tenders are submitted on the basis that submission implies acceptance of the tender terms and conditions, leaving little scope for variation of standard sponsor terms and conditions after award. Therefore, we ask that researchers:
  • Email a copy of the Terms and Conditions of the tender and tender application to Research Office (RO), who will forward them to the University Solicitor’s Office for legal review and comment

  • Follow this up with a draft copy of your application as soon as possible together with a completed and signed copy of the RO coversheet/contract checklist
 
Question No. 13:  Where can I find the RO online coversheet/checklist?
Answer:  Access it here:

http://www.monash.edu.au/research/academics/funding/applications/ro-contracts-c hecklist-form.html
 
Question No. 14:  Where can I locate a copy of the Project Costing Model?
Answer:  It is posted on the FiRM website:

http://www.firm.monash.edu.au/finance/costingpricingfees/CPF-ProjectCostingModel/
 
Question No. 15:  What sort of salary oncosts should I include for costing of Research Contracts?
Answer:  Consult your Resources Manager and/or BDM. Alternatively, use the Project Costing Model , which has functions to calculate the oncosts for you.
 
Question No. 16:  My faculty (or dept or school) is providing support funding for a Research Contract. Do I need to inform the RO and how do I do this?
Answer:  The RO Certification of Funding form contains the information we need. Please forward the completed form to the RO, together with a hardcopy of the RO coversheet/contract checklist and agreement
 
Question No. 17:  Can I use the same fund (account) for a different project, if the funding body is the same?
Answer:  Each activity should have a separate fund number, even though the funding body may remain the same. Having separate funds means that accounting, audit and reporting can be more easily achieved.
 
Question No. 18:  What are IGS and RIBG?
Answer:  These are two forms of research block funding that are earned by universities through the generation of research outputs (such as research income, publications, HDR student completions). IGS stands for Institutional Grants Scheme, and RIBG means Research Infrastructure Block Grant | DEEWR Block Funding Guideline
 
Question No. 19:  I’ve done a lot of work with a particular solicitor in the University Solicitor’s Office; how can I arrange for all my future Research Contracts to be sent to this solicitor?
Answer:  The Solicitor’s Office allocates matters to its solicitors on a weekly basis, and it is not possible to specify that you want a particular solicitor to deal with your matter.
 
Question No. 20:  Do I need to talk to the Research Office if we receive school/departmental or faculty contribution?
Answer:  Yes, please complete and forward to the Research office the Certification of Funding form. Download it from here:

http://www.monash.edu.au/research/academics/funding/applications/certoffund.rtf
 
Question No. 21:  Can Clinical Trials be considered as research?
Answer:  Yes, provided the purpose of the trial meets the definition of research.
 
Question No. 22:  If a student is involved in the project, what information does the Research Office require?
Answer:  Please complete the Student Involvement Form (doc 64kb, pdf 40kb) and submit this together with the agreement, Deed of Assignment and Research Office Coversheet/Contract checklist.
 
 

About Contracts