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Appendix 1: Brain and Mind Centre Participation Process
The following information outlines the process and requirements for applying to participate in
the Brain and Mind Centre research and education activities, as a Network Participant and,
importantly, for establishment of Brain and Mind Centre Project Teams.
Key Contacts:
Brain and Mind Centre Administrative Services Unit, Project Management:
[email protected]
Brain and Mind Centre Network Participant
Researchers may apply to participate in the Brain and Mind Centre Network through an
Expression of Interest (Appendix 2: Brain and Mind Centre Network Expression of Interest).
Prospective Network Participants will be considered on the basis that their research interest
has current or potential alignment with the Brain and Mind Centre.
The Brain and Mind Centre Network is open to employees and research higher degree
students of the University of Sydney, people employed by teaching hospitals and Institutes of
the University of Sydney, or people holding an academic title award from the University of
Sydney, who have a current interest in brain and mind research.
Through the Brain and Mind Centre Network, researchers will be supported to develop
collaborative, multidisciplinary research teams under the Brain and Mind Centre Project Team
Process outlined below.
Brain and Mind Centre Network Participants are appointed for a three-year term, renewable
upon application through the same Expression of Interest process.
Figure 1. Network Application Process
Network EOI
Draft an expression of interest
EOI reviewed by Executive
Committee
No
Feedback
provided
Yes
Network
Participation
Accepted
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Project Teams (Brain and Mind Centre Fellows)
Researchers that engage in collaborative activity across more than one domain, as well as
active partnership with other organisations, may apply to establish a Brain and Mind Centre
Project Team. Members of an approved Brain and Mind Centre Project Team will be
acknowledged as Brain and Mind Centre Fellows. The following information outlines the
process and requirements for researchers who wish to establish a Brain and Mind Centre
Project Team.
Criteria for Brain and Mind Centre Project Teams
Proposals will be considered on the basis of five key selection criteria that are described in
more detail below.
Team Quality and Capability
For example, but not limited to;
 A team with a combined record of achievement in areas relevant to the proposal
 A team engaging all of the required expertise and capabilities to fulfill its objectives
 A team that has a sustainable team structure including a minimum of two research
leaders as well as early and mid career researchers
 A team that is supported by all of the necessary infrastructure, professional staff and
other relevant team members to deliver on its objectives
Collaborative Gain
For example, but not limited to;
 A team that is multidisciplinary, including researchers from more than one Domain
 A team that demonstrates the potential for sharing research data and outputs
 A team may consider integration of traditionally independent research areas e.g.
basic with applied research and, where relevant, a pipeline approach to basic,
preclinical, clinical and translational research
 A team that considers appropriate government and/or industry partners
 A team that clearly identifies beneficiaries of the research and the team involves both
beneficiaries and/or the wider community in their research
Relevance and Impact
For example, but not limited to;
 A team that focuses on a major national or international research priority of significant
importance to human health and wellbeing
 A team whose research aligns with one of the Brain and Mind Centre Themes and that
is committed to delivering impact in brain and mind science
 A team that has clear research objectives
 A team that clearly outline the likely outputs from their research
Financial Sustainability
For example, but not limited to;
 A team that have a combined track record of success in attracting major grant funding
 A team that is supported by a variety of funding sources
 A team that have a clear funding strategy to support their research objectives
Education
A team must collectively demonstrate their contribution to the Brain and Mind Centre Education
Program. For example, but not limited to contribution to;
 Interdisciplinary units of study (Undergraduate, Postgraduate or MOOC programs)
 Professional education programs or courses
 Workshops and seminars for internal or external education programs
 Early career researcher mentoring
 Project team-specific PhD supervision
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Application Process
Team Initiation (EOI) Phase
1. Develop an Expression of Interest
Researchers should establish a working group to collaborate on the process for developing an
expression of interest
2. Expressions of interest must be approved by the relevant Dean/s and or Head of
School/Discipline
3. Submit expression of interest for consideration
 The expression of interest should be forwarded to the Brain and Mind Centre via
email to [email protected]
 The Brain and Mind Executive Committee will consider the application
 The Executive Committee will provide feedback to applicants and where the
application has not been successful, may ask the Project Team Leader to provide
further information and resubmit the expression of interest.
Refer Appendix 3: Brain and Mind Centre Project Team Expression of Interest Form
Team Development Phase
4. Contact the Brain and Mind Administrative Services Unit (Project Management)
Researchers should contact the Brain and Mind Centre Administrative Services Unit, (Project
Management) who will provide assistance in the development stages, including;
 In consultation with researchers, provide assistance on the process for developing a
proposal
 Offer assistance in identifying potential additional collaborators
5. Workshop(s) to develop a Project Proposal
 The Brain and Mind Centre Administrative Services Unit, Project Management can
provide support to set up workshops and meetings and provide administrative support
for the development of a proposal.
 The working group will meet to provide input towards the development of a
proposal, which should address the areas considered by the Executive
Committee
 The working group may meet several times before submitting a formal
proposal.
 A full research proposal including annual work plan should include:
 A full research plan and roles of personnel
 Requirements for facilities, staffing and core infrastructure
 Funding strategy including ideas for grant and philanthropy applications
 Objectives, expected outcomes and milestones, against which progress can be
reviewed
 Opportunities for teaching and community engagement.
 The Project Team Leader is responsible for writing and finalising the proposal.
Refer Appendix 4: Brain and Mind Centre Project Team Proposal
6. Brain and Mind Executive Committee considers the proposal
 The proposal should be forwarded to the Brain and Mind Centre via email to
[email protected]
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


The relevant Project Team Leader may be invited to present the proposal to the Brain
and Mind Centre Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee will review the proposal
The Executive Committee will provide feedback to applicants and, where the
application has not been successful, may ask the Project Team Leader to provide
further information and resubmit the proposal.
Team Management Phase
7. Develop research plans and funding applications
 With input from workshops, Brain and Mind Centre Fellows should develop one or
more applications for competitive federal grants, or other funding or philanthropic
opportunities.
 Before submission to funding bodies, the Brain and Mind Centre may facilitate a
review, as agreed with the project team proposers.
 Feedback from reviewers will be provided to the Project Team Leader to assist them
to finalise their application.
8. Develop proposals for interdisciplinary education activities
 Teams are expected to contribute to the Brain and Mind Centre’s interdisciplinary
education strategy. This may include, but is not limited to, participation in development
of:
 Short courses
 Online learning opportunities
 PhD and EMCR opportunities
 Industry workshops.
Ongoing administrative support of these activities is available from the Brain and Mind Centre
Administrative Services Unit (Project Management) who will organise, attend and document
team meetings, disseminate information regarding funding opportunities, assist in identification
of appropriate collaborators and partners and other administrative support upon request.
Team Review Phase
9. Submission of reports upon request
 Brain and Mind Centre Administrative Services Unit (Project Management) will meet
with Brain and Mind Centre Project Team Leaders quarterly in order to gather
information for reporting on impact.
 The information gathered will assist Brain and Mind Centre to map its research and
education activity and to report to the relevant Brain and Mind Centre Governing
Committee.
 Teams will be expected to demonstrate their contribution towards the strategic
objectives of Brain and Mind Centre and, specifically, their outputs in relation to at
least one Theme.
 Teams are expected to demonstrate performance outcomes against agreed milestones
to the Brain and Mind Centre Executive Committee annually as a requirement of their
continuation as Brain and Mind Centre Project Teams.
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Figure 2. Project Team Application and Review Process
Project Team Development Phase
Contact ASU (Project
Management)
Explore viability in consultation
with relevant senior leaders
Project Team Review Phase
Develop a working group
Workshop to review proposal
and revise strategy
Workshop to develop a proposal
Obtain Faculty approval and submit
proposal to ASU (Project Management)
Revised proposal approved by
Exec Committee?
Proposal presented to the
Executive Committee for review
No
Yes
Feedback
working group
Team appointed Brain
and Mind Centre
Fellows
Annual review. Agreed
milestones met?
No
Project
completion
Collaborate to develop an
expression of interest
Faculty(s)
approval
EOI reviewed by Executive
Committee
No
Quarterly review to determine
progress against milestones
No
Project
completion
Project Team EOI Phase
Yes
Yes
Project Team Management Phase
Launch Brain and Mind Centre
Team
Develop plans, funding and
education activities
Feedback
working group
Quarterly report to ASU (Project
Management)
Annual review. Agreed
milestones met?
Yes
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No
Yes
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