MonashRISE SEED FUNDING

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All Intellectual Property (IP) arising from projects funded under the ECAN Colloquia Seed Fund shall be owned by Monash University Malaysia and managed in accordance with Monash University Malaysia’s IP policies and applicable institutional regulations.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss and agree on IP arrangements at the proposal stage, including ownership, protection, and potential commercialisation pathways. Where projects involve collaboration with Sunway University and/or Taylor’s University, an appropriate collaboration agreement should be established to define roles and benefit-sharing in relation to project outputs, while ensuring that IP ownership remains with Monash University Malaysia.

Any commercialisation of research outputs (e.g., patents, licensing, spin-offs) must be coordinated through Monash University Malaysia’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise Office in accordance with institutional procedures. All publications and dissemination outputs arising from the funded project must appropriately acknowledge the ECAN Colloquia Seed Fund. Monash University Malaysia reserves the right to use non-confidential project outputs for reporting, promotional, and impact-related purposes.

PROPOSAL FORMAT GUIDELINE

Provide the general background to the study, including information about recent literature in the field and the relationship of this proposal to work in the field. The section should demonstrate how the proposed project relates to, extends, or addresses gaps in existing work within the field.

Applicants are encouraged to engage with recent and relevant literature, including:

• Peer-reviewed journals
• Books and book chapters
• Conference proceedings
• Policy reports
• Institutional or industry publications
• Opinion or commentary pieces
• Media articles or public disclosure materials
• Professional posts or blogs

The background section should clearly articulate:

• The current knowledge landscape
• Existing gaps, challenges, and debates
• The significance of the proposed research
• How the project contributes to advancing research, practice, policy, or collaboration in the field

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Describe the research gaps and your proposed solution(s) to address the gaps.

AIM(S) OF PROJECT

Clearly describe the aim(s) of the project.

APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

Detail the conceptual framework, design, and methods, ensuring they are well-developed, integrated, and aligned with the project's objectives. Demonstrate to reviewers that the project is not only promising but that there is a practical plan for its completion within the specified project period.

Include:

• Project milestones
• Gantt Chart outlining the project timeline

BUDGET

Applicants must provide:

• A clear summary budget table with appropriate headings
• Detailed justification for each cost item
• Project costing details are incorporated within the proposal submission under the budget section

The budget should demonstrate value for money and clearly show how each item contributes to the successful completion of the proposed research.

The budget should demonstrate value for money and clearly show how each item contributes to the successful completion of the proposed research.

Budget Structure

The budget must be presented under the following headings:

• Personnel (e.g. Research Assistants)
• Local Travel and Fieldwork (excluding conferences)
• Consumables and Research Materials
• Knowledge Dissemination Activities (if applicable)
• Other Direct Research Costs (clearly specified and justified)

Each item must include justification explaining:

• Necessity
• Relevance to the project
• How it supports the research objectives

Research Assistant Salaries

Salaries for Research Assistants must:

• Be based on current RA rates (refer to Monash Malaysia HR intranet)
• State:
  • Number of hours per week
  • Number of weeks
  • RA salary rates with on-costs

Travel and Fieldwork

Travel must directly relate to the proposed project. Applicants should explain why the travel is necessary and provide estimated travel costs. Please refer to Monash University Malaysia’s policy on official business travel for research activities.

Funds may be provided for:

• Fieldwork
• Visits to use the holdings of libraries
• Use of laboratory facilities

Travel must directly relate to the proposed project. Applicants should explain why the travel is necessary and provide estimated travel costs. Please refer to Monash University Malaysia’s policy on official business travel for research activities.

This scheme will not fund:

• Travel costs or expenses of non-Monash investigators
• Overseas visitors to Monash University Malaysia

Domestic travel costs must not exceed 20% of the total requested budget unless strong justification is provided and explicitly approved by the review panel.

Knowledge Dissemination Activities (KDA)

If applicable, funds may be allocated for KDA related to the project, including:

• Knowledge transfer seminars
• Stakeholder meetings

KDA activities may be held:

• On campus
• At stakeholder venues

Supported Items

• Personnel (e.g. Research Assistants)
• Local Travel and Fieldwork (excluding conferences)
• Consumables and Research Materials
• Knowledge Dissemination Activities (if applicable)
• Other Direct Research Costs (clearly specified and justified)
• Internal service charges
  (all recipients will receive a 25% virtual fund allocation for internal research platforms)

Unsupported Items

• Salaries of PI and Co-PI
• Teaching relief
• Activities related to the Outside Study Program (OSP) or Graduate Research
• GRS stipend or tuition fee waiver
• Proof-reading
• Publication fees
• General computer facilities
• CAPEX items
• Conference travel

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Projects funded under this scheme are expected to contribute to:

• Development of a competitive national or international external grant application
• Strengthened research collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement between Monash University Malaysia, Sunway University, and Taylor’s University
• Establishment of new research partnerships, networks, or stakeholder relationships
• Generation of preliminary data, pilot findings, or proof-of-concept evidence to support future research funding applications
• Enhanced research capacity and professional development for Early Career Academics
• Increased engagement with industry, community, government, or policy stakeholders where relevant
• Advancement of innovative, impactful, and socially relevant research initiatives