Australia's leading research universities are represented as the Group of Eight (Go8) for many different purposes, but most particularly, for the research they undertake. These universities comprise:

• The University of Adelaide
• The Australian National University
• Monash University
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Sydney
• The University of Melbourne
• The University of New South Wales
• The University of Western Australia

Each of these universities has developed their own research profile and identity. However, they also have some common emphases: first, their reputation and primacy in research is a top strategic priority. Second, they are internationally recognised for their research quality and outputs. Third, they have the capacity and desire to support strong areas of research. Fourth, they are keen to recruit and retain the best researchers within their communities.

The Group of Eight Future Research Leaders Program (FRLP) provides best practice training in financial management, grant administration, business planning, commercialisation and technology transfer, corporate governance, financial reporting, acquittal and audit requirements to current and emerging researchers in Go8 universities who are identified as future research leaders.

The project aims to:

• provide development opportunities to 1,000 current and future research leaders to create a critical mass for improved researcher productivity and performance;
• develop consistent and published sector-wide performance standards and learning materials for researchers in financial and business management of research;
• increase awareness among researchers and the research community as to what is expected of them in relation to the efficient management of research projects;
• involve the major funding agencies in the measurement and evaluation of the project outcomes, to drive reform at the institutional level as well as across the Go8; and
• publicise the outcomes and findings of the program.

Program participants commence with an online induction/orientation module designed for researchers who are new to Go8 universities. The subsequent eight modules seek to prepare participants for future roles as managers of research grants and leaders of research teams. These modules explore the roles and responsibilities that researchers assume as project managers, as research supervisors, as team leaders and as centre leaders.

Each module will comprise independent-study online learning material that is completed prior to an end-of-module workshop. The total time commitment for participants will be in the order of 8 to 16 hours per module.

You are expected to devote time to reading the online materials for each module and carrying out compulsory activities before attending the workshop. Most modules take less than two hours to read although you may need to devote up to four hours reading and completing the activities for some modules.

The workshops are based on the assumption that you have completed the required reading and carried out the compulsory activities.

The online induction/orientation module Settling In: The Researcher's Guide to the ANU exploring financial and resource management will comprise two elements:

• a checklist of local practices and expectations which should be discussed with researchers during the induction process; and
• documentation of principles and processes which should be reflected in effective research management practices.

The subsequent eight modules target the development of specific capabilities in the following areas:

1. Research Strategy and Planning
2. Commencement and Collaboration: Putting Ideas into Practice
3. Building a Responsible Research Culture at ANU
4. Intellectual Property and Commercialisation
5. Financial, Resource and Risk Management
6. Effective Research Grant Execution
7. Managing and Leading People in a Research Context
8. Project Closeout

You can commence the program by clicking on the Modules link at the top of the page.

The Group of Eight received $A1 million under the Australian Government's Workplace Productivity Program to develop and implement Phase 1 of a Future Research Leaders Program.