This guide for researchers is intended to summarise the sections of the ISCRR Research Institute Collaboration Agreement that are relevant to research teams.
This guide for researchers is intended to summarise the sections of the ISCRR Research Institute Collaboration Agreement that are relevant to research teams.
The ISCRR partnership between Monash University and WorkSafe Victoria is governed by the Research Institute Collaboration Agreement (RICA). The contract specifies the requirements and obligations of the partners, ISCRR and the Lead Investigator of all funded ISCRR research projects. This page and the ISCRR Researcher Guidelines highlight the key points of the agreement that researchers must adhere to.
Further information and useful guides and templates to assist researchers to manage and deliver their research projects with implementable outputs can be accessed below.
Download: 'ISCRR Researcher Guidelines'ISCRR projects can be initiated in a number of ways and through either partner or researcher discussions with ISCRR in the first instance. Initially this will be in the form of a discussion or written proposal to the Director of ISCRR. Each proposal is required to go through a number of approval processes within the partner organisations prior to proceeding to the development of an ISCRR project plan. In many instances this will be undertaken prior to consultation with researchers or selection of a research expert to develop the project further. When the funding partner has agreed that the research proposal is strategically aligned, important, feasible and should be prioritised the project will proceed to the ISCRR project plan development stage.
During the development of an ISCRR project plan a number of requirements will be negotiated between researchers, funding partners and ISCRR. These relate to roles and responsibilities, aims, deliverables, methodologies to be used, timeframes, budgets, confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, publication, establishing steering or advisory groups, reporting findings to partners and providing updates on project progress. Development of this document is a collaborative process between ISCRR, the funding partner and the researcher. Once developed this document progresses through to the ISCRR and partner approval processes.
Once a research project is approved, the Lead Investigator will receive a letter of confirmation and a contract for execution from ISCRR. This contract should be signed and returned as soon as possible so the project can get underway and initial payments to the project team are not delayed.
Your project will have been funded through one of the RICA Agreements or the Neurotrauma Agreement and you are required to comply with the terms outlined in these agreements and also the Publications and Intellectual Property (IP) Policies (unless exceptions have been discussed prior to approval of your project). IP arising from all ISCRR projects will be owned by WorkSafe Victoria with a license provided to the researcher for non-commercial use in most cases (please read the Publication and IP Policies thoroughly and discuss with ISCRR prior to commencement of your project to ensure you understand this ownership agreement).
Project Stage
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
Ethics Approval – In most instances Ethics Approval is required prior to the commencement of your project. Application must be made with your University’s Ethics Department and both the application and approval docs forwarded to ISCRR.
Confidentiality Agreements – All research project staff are required to sign and return to ISCCRR.
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
CRD Data Access – WorkSafe now manages the Compensation Research Database (CRD). Any enquiries should be directed here.
Collecting and Managing Data – All research data captured must be done so ethically with consent and kept securely upholding high levels of confidentiality and protecting people’s privacy at all times.
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
Administration – All projects are to be managed well and in accordance with the Project Management Guidelines. Project Managers need to report to ISCRR regularly on project progress and budget spend.
Steering Committee Meetings – Most ISCRR projects are required to form and hold regular steering or advisory committee meetings. ISCRR and/or WorkSafe Victoria staff are to be included in these meetings.
Amending Projects – There may be circumstances that develop that impact on project timelines, scope or budget. Please discuss this early with ISCRR as the issues will need to be discussed with WorkSafe Victoria to see if changes are possible.
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
All reports, journal articles, posters and presentations must be provided to ISCRR for WorkSafe Victoria review prior to submission as per the Publication Policy. Both ISCRR and the partner organisation are to be given at least 20 business days to review documents.
Research Reports and Presentations – All reports and presentations of ISCRR research projects must be accessible and focused towards what was found and how WorkSafe Victoria can utilise this new knowledge
All outputs must acknowledge WorkSafe Victoria and ISCRR in a specific manner (see research report and research presentation guidelines)
All Intellectual Property generated from research projects is owned by WorkSafe Victoria (see Section 24 of the RICA 2013) unless otherwise agreed by the parties.
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
ISCRR Review – All ISCRR research reports are reviewed by an expert in the field. If ISCRR is not aware of an expert in your field you may be asked to provide names and contact details of potential reviewers on delivery of your report.
WorkSafe Victoria Review – All abstracts, reports, journal articles and presentation submissions must be reviewed by WorkSafe Victoria and comments provided to researchers prior to finalisation as per the Publication Policy
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
Findings into Practice – Throughout the course of your project ISCRR will work with you and WorkSafe Victoria to find ways to get the research findings utilised.
Topic
Templates / Guides / Links
Project Completion Report – This administrative report must be completed and will be requested by ISCRR on the delivery of your final research outputs