The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) Research Program aims to solve challenging issues and barriers to create a greener, more sustainable Western Sydney.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: $1,800,000
- Application opened: 23 March 2021
- Application closed: 15 April 2021, 3:00 pm
Program objective
As part of the Planning Reforms, funded by NSW Government as part of the Covid Stimulus package, some early implementation actions for the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan (CPCP) have commenced. The CPCP research grant aims to support universities help fill in research gaps to ensure the Plan meets its intended social, economic and environmental objectives. The department has committed $1.8M in funding for universities to kick start research in collaboration with the department to:
- develop a Research Program Implementation Strategy that will help the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan achieve biodiversity conservation and restoration outcomes in Western Sydney
- commence implementation of the strategy by allocating available funds to approved research projects.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Planning and Environment.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Universities based in the Sydney region; Macquarie University, University of New South Wales, University of New England, The University of Sydney and Western Sydney University.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Prior to your application, you will need to collate the following essential support material:
Australian Business Number (ABN)
Outline any cash and in-kind contributions,
Insurances,
Sign off by appropriate authority
Address the eligibility criteria
The successful applicant will include:
A. Merit
- Demonstrated understanding of the most significant gaps in current knowledge related to achieving the Plan’s objectives.
- Demonstrated relevant collaborators including researches in relevant fields of study that have been involved in the scoping of the proposal.
B. Potential for success and engagement
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement a Research Program Implementation Strategy.
- Ability for effective knowledge exchange and communication to end users of research to the department and more broadly, at local/regional, state, national and international levels.
- Researchers who have strong track records relative to opportunity, and experience that is relevant to the conduct and delivery of the proposed research.
- A leadership team that is able to articulate a clear vision and has the demonstrated capacity to perform all the responsibilities of their leadership role, including strategic planning and management.
C. Value for money
- Commitments from the host university and proposed partners to supply the infrastructure and other support needed to provide a high quality research environment.
- Evidence to demonstrate anticipated leverage of at least 2:1 (that is at least $1.3M of cash and in-kind contribution and waived/reduced overheads).
- Appropriate use of public funds.
- Appropriate provision for contingencies.
Address the assessment criteria
Applicants will be evaluated on the degree that applicants are able to demonstrate capacity to deliver value-for-money on the research themes, to develop collaborative links and to work with a range of stakeholders and end users within the department and the Steering Committee.
The successful applicant will be required to:
- prepare research reports for, and deliver oral presentations to the Steering Committee, end users, the department and partners
- engage with the department and other end users of the research to determine priorities
- collaborate with the department and other organisations as required
- publish peer reviewed research papers
- present project findings at relevant national and international conferences
- host local workshops (where relevant)
- apply for leverage funding (where applicable)
- work with department staff to develop processes for incorporating research outputs into policy and management.
After the application is submitted
The successful applicant must agree and adhere to the following:
- Execution of the contract and taking receipt of funds prior to 30 May 2021.
- Nominate representatives for the Steering Committee within 1 months.
- Submit project plan for developing the Research Program Implementation Strategy to the Steering Committee within 2 months.
- Submit draft Research Program Implementation Strategy to the Steering Committee within 5 months.
- Submit final Research Program Implementation Strategy to the Steering Committee within 6 months.
- Submit recommendations for program/project funding to the Steering Committee within 6 months.
- Submit program/project progress reports and additional recommendations for further program/project funding (where funding is available) to the Steering Committee 6 monthly.
- Successful applicants must waive/reduce all overheads as a cash contribution to the grant program.
- Early Implementation Research Grant funds must be expended within four years from the agreement execution date.
- To receive funding, successful applicants must accept the terms and conditions in the department’s agreement for the program
Support and contact
For more information, please email CPCP@planning.nsw.gov.au