The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia today announced a new Academic Research Grants Scheme to support leading edge research in accounting and related fields. 
 
The Grants Scheme, announced at the first of the Institute’s annual Academic Update conferences in Brisbane, will award up to a total of $150,000 for ten research projects per year Australia-wide.  
 
This initiative strengthens the Institute’s ties with Australian academics and provides essential funding for pioneering accounting research.  
 
“It is very timely for the Academic Research Grants Scheme to be introduced as the federal government is becoming increasingly selective in issuing funds - yet at the same time putting pressure on universities to produce more ‘outcomes’.  
 
“The Grants Scheme will especially assist projects from academics beginning a research career that are often overlooked by big budget traditional funding sources requesting experience,” said Peter Green, Professor of E-Commerce, UQ Business School, University of Queensland.  
 
“In addition, the Grants Scheme offers academics and post-graduate students the opportunity to make valuable corporate contacts with Institute members from founders of small practice to executives of Australia’s largest companies,” said Green. 
 
The Institute has supported a range of thought leadership projects in the past in areas such as: 
· Audit 
· Triple Bottom Line 
· Forensic Accounting 
· Superannuation and Taxation 
 
“The Institute has always supported academia and the Academic Research Grants Scheme formalises the funding process. The Grants Scheme also opens up opportunities to those academics that wouldn’t normally consider approaching the Institute,” said Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. 
 
“We encourage anyone working on or considering research that benefits the accounting community, to apply for an Institute Research Grant and help us raise the awareness of the quality of home-grown research,” Harrison continued. 
 
The announcement will continue to be made around the country this month at the annual state-based Academic Update conferences. The Institute’s Academic Update conferences are an opportunity for leading academics and lecturers to be updated on the latest accounting technical information.  
 
Applications for the Grants Scheme are open to teams or individuals at any stage of their academic career. To apply for a 2006 grant, applicants need to submit a research proposal as well as a written statement from their Head of Department before 10th February 2006. For further information visit: www.icaa.org.au/academic/grants or call 1300 137 322.