Seed Funding Rules

1. Purpose

1. The Centre for AI and Digital Ethics (CAIDE) is a cross-disciplinary research centre at the University of Melbourne on the ethical, regulatory and legal issues relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.

2. CAIDE receives funding from Chancellery and member faculties: Arts, Science, Engineering and Law

3. Seed funding is designed to develop new research projects and collaborations that address key research issues and have the potential to scale to obtain future funding.

2. Project Selection

1. Projects are selected by the CAIDE Steering Committee on the following criteria:

1. Alignment with the Centre themes and priorities

2. Project novelty and innovation

3. Feasibility, scope and budget
4. Potential to generate high impact, scale and obtain future funding

5. Build collaboration across CAIDE’s member faculties

2. Applicants may be invited to pitch their proposal

3. In submitting an application CAIDE assumes that all personnel have authorisation and capacity to undertake the project.

3. Funding

1. Project funding will be offered up-to a maximum of $20,000

2. Funding is for a period of 12-months

3. Funding can only be spent in accordance with the authorised budget

4. Any alterations to the budget require approval from the Centre.
5. Funding cannot be spent on the following:

1. Salaries for existing continuing and fixed-term positions at the University of Melbourne (including teaching relief);

2. Travel, conference and accommodation expenses;

3. Internal overheads and other faculty charges;

4. External collaborators, organisations, consultants or any other supplier outside the University of Melbourne without explicit authorisation from CAIDE.

6. A financial acquittal is required at the completion of the project

7. Unused funds remaining at completion will be returned to the Centre.

4. Project Management

1. Project plans required the following information

1. Deliverables

2. Timeline (including milestones)

3. Budget

2. Project variations require approval from CAIDE

3. Governance of intellectual property is in accordance with University of Melbourne’s policies and procedures.
4. CAIDE is to be acknowledged on all publications and communications relating to the project.

5. Personnel 

1. Project personnel comprises researchers and external collaborators.

2. Researchers are University of Melbourne staff working on a project.
3. Researchers on a seed funded project are associated with the Centre’s research community and

1. Have the opportunity to participate in Centre research activities; and

2. Are entitled to refer to themselves as a CAIDE researcher while they remain active on the project.

4. Each project has a Lead Researcher who is responsible for:

1. Project management and deliverables
2. Budget management and expenditure

3. Compliance with Centre directions, guidance, policy and procedures

4. Reporting

5. The Lead Researcher is required to hold a salaried academic appointment in one of CAIDE’s member faculties (Engineering, Law, Arts and Science) for the duration of the project. Should the Lead Researcher leave the University of Melbourne their duties will be transferred to another researcher.

6. Personnel must disclose any real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
7. Researchers not affiliated with the University of Melbourne are external collaborators.

F. Reporting

1. Publish findings in an open and accessible manner in a format agreed to with the Centre.

2. Present research findings at least one public event throughout the duration of the project.
3. Provide the Centre with details of any publications, conference papers and seminars, media coverage or additional grants arising from the project and for three years following the completion of the project.

G.  Revocation

1. Seed Funding can be revoked due to:

1. Unsatisfactory project performance
2. Failure to commence within 6-months of receipt of funding

3. Provision of false or misleading information

4. Failure to adhere to these rules