Human resources

The online questionnaire contained a number of questions that focused on the human resources that institutions utilised to assist staff to develop OLT grant applications:

1. Nature of the human resource available 
2. Assistance to develop concepts and ideas
3. Assistance to write applications
4. Ongoing support for successful applicants

1. Nature of the human resource available 

Questionnaire respondents were initially asked to indicate the nature of the human resource at their institutions who supported the development of OLT grant applications:

* Sometimes referred to as ‘general’ or ‘administrative’ staff

In addition to the information in the table above, one respondent from an A-size institution said that the enthusiasm of the Vice Chancellor was helpful. A respondent from a B-size institution commented that Associate Deans were also key people who assisted OLT grant applicants to develop their applications.

2. Assistance to develop concepts and ideas

Respondents were also asked if academic and/or professional staff work with prospective authors to help develop project concepts and ideas before the substantive task of application development occurs.

3. Assistance to write applications

Respondents were then asked if the academic and/or professional staff play a significant role in writing applications for people who have the ideas for grants. This is more involved than reading, commenting on, and offering editorial support for applications. 

Some respondents who indicated 'Yes' in the table immediately above elaborated on the nature of the writing role: 

A-size institution (FTE academic staff <500)

1. 'In the two most recent grant applications I have been helping the project writing process and included myself as a member of the prospective project team, adding credibility for the project by adding a team member with a track record of involvement in previous successful OLT grant applications.'

B-size institution (FTE academic staff 500 to 1,000)

1. 'Review of concepts and ideas, editing, organisation and prioritisation review. Sometimes, the support comes from providing content expertise support in terms of identifying additional information or providing suggestions on how to resolve some conceptual framework issues that could adversely impact the proposal.'

C-size institution (FTE academic staff >1,000 but <1,500)

1. 'Helping to articulate project ideas more coherently against OLT guidelines and clarify project ideas in the final stages of writing. This is a quality enhancement process to give applicants the best chance of funding success. This is always a collaborative process.'

4. Ongoing support for successful applicants

Respondents were asked to indicate if the following types of ongoing support are offered to successful OLT grant applicants by their institution, faculty and/or school. They could check all that applied.