Advice for researchers

On this page

Research process

AFMA does not undertake research in house. Rather, it outsources research through the following process:

Resource Assessment Groups (RAGs) and Management Advisory Committees (MACs) identify the research needs for the financial year in an annual research plan after reviewing the five-year strategic fishery research plans.
The AFMA Research Committee evaluates proposals submitted against AFMA’s five-year strategic research plan for their need, feasibility, and likelihood of contributing to improved management for the relevant fishery.
research.secretary@afma.gov.au using the AFMA research application template
Download the AFMA Research Milestone Report template (DOCX)
Download the AFMA Visual Style Guide (PDF)

Research timeline

AFMA Research Committee’s (ARC) annual funding cycle
August	RAGs and MACs to submit their individual fishery research priorities to the ARC. This includes the fishery’s five-year strategic research plan, annual research statement and accompanying scopes for priority projects. The ARC meets to: consider RAG/MAC identified research priorities and agree on priorities for AFMA’s call for applications in September provide advice on research priorities for ComRAC consideration for potential FRDC funding assess the outcomes of the ARC, RAG Chairs and AFMA Management meeting regarding strategic direction and priority needs for potential funding, including through external funding sources such as FRDC and NESP. RAGs and MACs to commence review of their research needs for AFMA/FRDC funding in the following financial year.
September	AFMA’s annual research call is released.
October	Research providers to submit full research proposals in response to annual research call. Full research proposals are provided to AFMA Management, RAGs and MACs for comment, with comments due by mid-December.
February	ARC meets to assess and recommend full research proposals for funding. AFMA CEO approves the AFMA research budget for the new financial year. Applicants advised of the outcome of AFMA’s evaluation of their project proposals.
April-June	Research contracts prepared and finalised.
July	ARC to meet with RAG Chairs and AFMA Management to discuss strategic direction, priority needs and AFMA’s Strategic Research Plan.

Page last updated: 20/08/2024

Did you find what you were looking for?