ROY SOCIETY QLD
RESEARCH FUND
By
Geoff Edwards
President
13 June 2014
Working Draft
Feedback from members on these emerging policy
guidelines is invited. Volunteers to help administer
the new fund are sought.
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ROY SOC QLD RESEARCH FUND
Why bother?
 Australian Research Council model is broken. (Politicised,
only one call per year, success rate 20% for some
programs, huge preparation to find multiple partners).
 CSIRO and departments’ budgets are squeezed – struggle
to preserve their own core staff capacities – no
discretionary funds for curiosity-led projects.
 Sometimes small grants can make a big difference if
overheads are covered elsewhere.
 Few philanthropic trusts fund science (as distinct from
medical research or environmental management).
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Current status
 Bank account now open:
BSB 064-000, Account no. 1378 7183
 Royal Society of Qld is Trustee, 3 Councillors
signatories.
 Not yet a “deductible gift recipient” (DGR) – deed
will be sent after today to ATO for endorsement.
 Seeking bequests – 10% of just one average
professional’s estate would set it up for immediate
operation.
ATO conditions
Conditions of gaining tax-deductibility:
 New fund will be a not-for-profit “public
ancillary fund” (subset of DGR).
 Can operate only in Australia.
 Donors can express preferences but Trustee is
not bound to comply and cannot promise this.
 Donors are not eligible to receive grants.
 Roy Soc can deduct only admin expenses plus a
fee not more than 1.056% annually) (but the
Society has resolved not to deduct any fees).
ATO conditions 2
 Trustee may decide to pay out of capital or income.
 Trustee may appoint up to 3 distinguished Patrons.
 Funds may be paid only to “Eligible Entities”, which
are funds, authorities or institutions that are:

registered as charities and

are deductible gift recipients.
 Funds cannot be paid to individual independent
researchers.
 Society’s members cannot receive special benefit.
EMERGING POLICY GUIDELINES
Following have been endorsed by the Society and Central
Queensland Koala Volunteers but have no legal status
and are open to change upon feedback from members:
 Fund can receive non-deductible donations which
would be tracked and subject to fewer constraints.
 Fund can receive bequests and donations that will
preserve the donor’s name. Normally, offered only to
donors who contribute $50,000 or more.
 Donors are contributing to an investment strategy and
not supporting specific projects or individual
researchers. However, donors can express a
preference for a theme, say research into groundwater
or Myrtaceae.
Investment policy

All monies will be invested in interest-bearing
products with high security and conservative risk
profile.

No grants until credit balance exceeds $50,000.

Will endeavour to preserve the capital of the
Fund and disburse only the income.

Aiming for a credit balance of $1 million +.
Grant policy

Any person, community body, public authority or firm
may apply except current Councillors or contractors.

Fund is not a commercial consultant and will not
employ its own people to conduct original research.

Fund may be used to top up other grants, if the
additional research will yield identifiable results of its
own and will not primarily support an existing team.

Grants are not to include the sponsoring Eligible
Entity’s overheads - only for direct costs.

(But the researcher may use a proportion for direct
administrative costs e.g. transport or photocopying).
Subject fields of inquiry
“Natural sciences” and specifically env’tl matters.
 “Environmental matters” is interpreted broadly;
includes studies of capability, condition & trend,
opportunities & threats and policy foundations. Can
include socio-economic studies about env’t.
 Only for research conducted in Queensland, or
about Queensland’s natural resources, or
illuminates Queensland-specific phenomena.
 Trustee will perpetuate opportunities for koalarelated research in central Queensland. E.g. by
issuing two parallel calls for applications: one for
koala-related research and one for general projects.
Not for …

Grants will not be used primarily for policy analysis but
can support projects generating scientific insights that
might inform policy.

Grants will not be used for environmental activist
campaigns, opposition to development projects or other
forms of advocacy, although reports may include
recommendations for advocacy or policy.

Not for medical research or agricultural production
research.
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Selection criteria
 Applicant understands scientific method and the principles
of independent, evidence-based intellectual inquiry. Must
enjoy academic freedom – no pressure from donors.
 Project will shed light on an issue of material concern in the
management of natural resources/environment.
 Applicant has access to and/or will be overseen by
experienced scientist or mentor.
 Project will yield a result publishable in a peer-reviewed
journal, with the Proceedings being the benchmark.
 Researcher has the logistical capacity to complete the
project on time and within budget.
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Procedures
 Not fewer than two invitations to apply per year.
 Reviewed by an Assessment Panel of independent ,
qualified individuals. No assessor or their work group will be
eligible to receive a grant.*
* Volunteers sought!
 Recommendations approved by Society’s Council as
Trustee.
ends
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