Development Grants

These grants are designed to support proof-of-concept, or product-development projects, from staff and students with a strong preference in the case of proof-of-concept for "pilot" products that are of some use in their own right. Funding and resources will be allocated based on specific requirements.



There is a strong preference for products that will be used widely in the AUC or relevant to several Universities, and an emphasis placed on "real" programming in preference to content-development. Software projects for Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, and the iPhone/iPod Touch, are encouraged.



Applications are encouraged for projects designed to enhance the value of Apple products for the academic community, whether the product is software or an innovative "how-to" guide.

Resourcing

Funding and resources will be allocated based on specific requirements but in general the maximum amount of funding offered is $8,000.

Terms & Conditions

1. Application

1. Eligibility
   1. Applications are accepted from staff and students of AUC Universities working on official university projects.
   2. Student applications must be sponsored by a member of staff.
   3. All applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from the relevant Head of Department, stating a belief that the time commitment required to complete the project will be available.

1. Lodgement
   1. Applications must be lodged on the form on the AUC web site.
   2. A letter supporting your application, including the signature of the head of faculty or department and countersigned by your local AUC Development Fund co-ordinator must be lodged with the AUC Programs Manager within one week of the closing date.
      

2. Assessment Criteria


Applications are assessed to determine the extent to which they meet the following criteria.

1. Feasibility - The AUC Development Fund Committee will not support proposals that it feels are not feasible or are not likely to succeed.
2. Institutional Support - The commitment of the nominating institution to support a project is important. Individuals often have great ideas, but without adequate departmental or institutional support, progress may be slow or sporadic. Applications that are not accompanied by a letter of support from the appropriate department or faculty head detailing the extent to which the university is prepared to support the project are unlikely to be considered.
3. Broad Relevance - Preference is given to projects that have broad relevance outside the applicant's immediate department. For example, computer laboratory administration software could find application at many universities and other educational institutions. The AUC Development Fund has been established to produce real products - it is not designed to support pure research.
4. Novelty & Innovation - Preference will be given to projects that are innovative or novel, and do not merely replicate existing solutions.
5. Use of Apple Technology - Preference will be given to projects that take advantage of, and enhance the value of uniquely Apple technologies.
6. Shared Outcomes - Preference will be given to proposals that commit to producing an outcome that will be shared with other AUC members. For example:
   1. in the case of a software product, the project might be made available on or linked from the AUC web site, and provided on a shareware or freeware basis to other AUC members;
   2. in the case of a report or a process, the information might be hosted on or linked from the AUC web site;
   3.  in the case of a hardware product, the developers might make the product available to other AUC members at a preferred price, or license other AUC members to make it themselves.
7. Provision of Requested Information - Applications that do not provide all requested information are unlikely to succeed. The selection panel will not request additional information from the proponent(s) during the selection process.
   

3. Level of Funding


Successful applicants can expect to receive equipment, software and support up to the value of $8,000. Larger requests are unlikely to be successful.



4. Purpose of Funding


Projects typically receive grants of Apple and third party products, services and software. Services include developer training courses. Requests for programmer salaries are generally not supported. Grants are not made for the development of university infrastructure or for outsourcing the development itself.

In the case of projects related to the iPhone, the AUC will only consider the provision of handsets as part of the project.  All call, data, SMS and contract costs must be borne by the grant recipient.



5. Copyright and Intellectual Property


Neither Apple nor the AUC solicit any claim on copyright or intellectual property of projects funded through the AUC Development Fund. These matters are left in the hands of the university and the individuals concerned. Specifically, applicants should identify who owns the results of the project, and the proposed licensing and distribution arrangements.

It is important to note, however, that the AUC sees the preferential distribution of successful grants as a key outcome. For example, this preferred availability may take the form of a shareware model of distribution to AUC members.

The AUC's expectation is that the products of AUC Development Fund-assisted projects will be licensed for not-for-profit use by AUC universities, and their staff and students, at zero or low cost, whether through open-source and similar arrangements, Creative Commons licensing, or as inexpensive shareware.



6. Reporting & Review


Recipients are periodically required to submit a progress report at the request of the AUC Program Manager for consideration by the AUC Development Fund Committee until the project is completed. Reports are typically required every 6 months, but the reporting period may be varied at the discretion of the AUC Development Fund Committee. Reports will be published within regular AUC reports that are circulated to interested parties.

Please Note: The AUC reserves the right to recall the grant equipment from those recipients who do not report on project status as required (see below).

All grant recipients in this grant round may be called on to deliver a presentation on their report at an AUC event in the future.



7. Ownership & Use of Equipment

1. The AUC retains ownership of all hardware provided as part of the grant for the duration of the project.
2. The recipient University is to ensure that the equipment
   1. is recorded on a “loans” register and that the AUC is recognised as the legal owner of the equipment at all times unless and until the AUC agrees to transfer ownership of the equipment to the recipient University;
   2. is available for exclusive use on the project for which the grant was issued.
3. Where a grant has satisfactorily achieved its objectives, the AUC Development Fund Committee in consultation with the local AUC Development Fund Co-ordinator and, if appropriate the grantee, will decide if the equipment is to be returned to the AUC or left in situ. If the latter, the AUC will arrange transfer of ownership to the grantee’s University (but not the grantee).
4. Where the AUC Development Fund Committee feels that there is a possibility of a satisfactory outcome given more time, the Committee may at its discretion extend the grant period, after which the other options listed herein will apply.
5. Where a grant has not achieved its objectives, but reports and other information indicate a reasonable effort has been made, then the options listed in 7.3 will apply.
6. Where the AUC Development Fund Committee determines that progress and/or reporting are unsatisfactory, then the AUC’s assets will be retrieved from the grantee and re-allocated or disposed of as appropriate.

Important Dates

• Applications Open - 3 August 2009
  
• Applications Close - EXTENDED - 10 September 2009 (5.00pm Sydney time)
• Announced - 9 October 2009
  

Application Form

Click here to apply for an AUC Innovation Development Grant.