Variation and extension requests

To submit a variation or extension request for existing SERAP applications, please fill in an Amendment Request Form.

Authorisation is required for any significant variation of a research project or if the period of authorisation needs to be extended. Generally, the department requires researchers to submit a variation request for any changes that also require HREC approval.

Confirming participating sites

Confirm participating sites within 2 months of receiving SERAP authorisation with the Research and Partnerships team.

If recruitment continues or extends beyond this timeframe, the Research and Partnerships team must be notified as new schools are recruited. This is critical information for the department in managing research fatigue and overburden associated with research projects.

Submitting annual progress reports

Provide annual progress reports to the Research and Partnerships team every 12 months following SERAP authorisation of research.

Sharing draft outputs with the department

Before any SERAP-authorised research is published, you are requested to share drafts of outputs with the Research and Partnerships team for feedback. You must submit drafts of proposed research outputs and publications for feedback and consideration at least 4 weeks before public release (including before submission for peer review).

We take a broad view of the term ‘publications’, which includes but is not limited to:

• journal articles submitted for publication
• conference abstracts or paper presentations
• reports (interim, final or summary) made publicly available in any format
• blog or social media posts, online commentary, debate, or analysis (for example, articles for The Conversation)
• Master or PhD theses made publicly available through TROVE or a university thesis repository.

Submitting a final report to the department

Researchers must provide a final report when the research is completed, abandoned or SERAP authorisation has expired without extension.

Researchers are required to provide the Research and Partnerships team with:

• a copy of the final publication relating to the research project (for example, report, journal article, thesis)
• a concise non-technical 2 to 3-page summary report written in plain English identifying key findings.

The Research and Partnerships team may invite researchers to present their findings to a department audience as a way of supporting the use of research evidence to inform policy, programs and practice.

Reporting back to participating sites

Reporting requirements may differ between schools/sites and are determined in consultation with staff and the principal. In your reporting, consideration should be given to:

• providing a summary report to the participating schools/sites and participants in a format agreed to by the principal(s) of each participating school/site
• providing an information or debriefing session with participants.

Contact us

Refer to the SERAP Application Guidelines (PDF 1050 KB)  for more information on the department’s requirements for maintaining communication across the research lifecycle.

Contact the Research and Partnerships team at Research.Partnerships@det.nsw.edu.au