National VET Research and Evaluation (NVETRE) program & funding

• Introduction
• Protocols for the management of the national VET research and evaluation program
• NVETRE funding rounds
• What type of research is undertaken?
• When are the funding rounds?
• Who gets the funding for NVETRE research projects?
• How are projects selected?
• Need more information?

Introduction

NCVER, on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, co-ordinates and manages the National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation (NVETRE) program.

Under the NVETRE program, NCVER commissions research based upon the research priorities agreed to by the Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/aboutncver/research/priorities2007.html

Protocols for the management of the national VET research and evaluation program

  Protocols (42 KB DOC file)

NVETRE funding rounds

The NVETRE program provides funding annually for VET research. Any researcher or research organisation with a background in educational research and an understanding of the VET sector can submit project proposals to NCVER for consideration. NCVER provides applicants with an information kit which includes briefing notes on the research priorities and a guide to submitting research proposals.

What type of research is undertaken?

In 2007, NCVER commissioned the services of research centres to provide a three year program of research aligned with one or more of the five national research priorities.

In addition, over the period 2007 – 2009, funding rounds will be available for:

• Single project grants against the specified research priorities, and
• Open category grants

The open category exists so that researchers can suggest innovative ideas for research that will contribute to the future development of VET and for undertaking work in newly emerging areas.

When are the funding rounds?

Funding rounds will be advertised in the national press, Campus Review and on this website. The following funding rounds are planned to occur during the 2008 - 2009 period:

Who gets the funding for NVETRE research projects?

Successful proposals have come from:

• Researchers based in universities
• Private consultants
• Researchers based in VET providers
• Researchers within government departments/industry

Partnerships between academics and practitioners are encouraged, as are partnerships between researchers from different disciplines.

Research funding is awarded to organisations via a competitive process, in which NCVER does not participate.

How are projects selected?

A selection panel established by NCVER evaluates all proposals against a set of broad criteria, which may include:

• demonstrated understanding of the key bodies of literature in the field and their findings and implications
• the relevance of the issues and the related research questions proposed to be addressed
• the quality and suitablity of the proposed research approaches and program
• the timeliness of proposed reports and their client focus
• the composition and quality of the proposal research team
• value for money

Specific criteria are included in the information kit for each funding round.

Need more information?

Email contact for more information.