The importance of 'seed' research funds in science and technology: an Australian case study

The 1980s have witnessed a growing concern by governments in many Western countries that the research funding agencies which they support are accountable for what is funded and can demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. However, despite the reports regarding the operations of, for example, the National Science Foundation in the United States and the Research Councils in the United Kingdom there is very little readily available information on the operations of those agencies or programs responsible for the allocation of 'seed funds'. This article reports the results of a survey which investigated how one such program in Australia has been meeting both its own aims as well as the needs of its grant recipients in relation to collaborative international science and technology projects. The findings show an overwhelming support for the program and identify many tangible examples of how little money can go a long way. Furthermore, one of the main points made by grant recipients is that the program is complementary to, rather than a supplement for the other Australian research funding schemes.