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:

• Adelaide University
• Australian National University
• Monash University
• Queensland University
• Sydney University
• University of Melbourne
• University of New South Wales
• 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.

However, they also experience significant pressure to remain competitive and to increase their ranking on the international league tables. The Jiao Tong rankings, for example, are widely monitored to see where each university is placed. The University of Western Australia experienced a major boost to its rankings following the recent awarding of a Nobel prize to Professor Barry Marshall. The positioning of Go8 research within a very active international community is an increasing concern for our universities – and for each of us as active researchers.

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

The Group of Eight Future Research Leaders Program 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.

The online induction/orientation module Settling In: The Researcher's Guide to Your University 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. Governance and Compliance: Protecting Yourself, Your Research and Your University
4. Intellectual Property and Commercialisation
5. Financial, Resource and Risk Management
6. Grant and Contract Administration
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.