The impact of the Pitching Research Framework on AFAANZ grant applications: A pre-registered study

Despite the popularity of grant schemes, there is a noticeable absence of research into the impacts of streamlined grant processes on both assessors and applicants. This study conducted 46 interviews with finance and accounting academics in Australia and New Zealand to explore their experiences with the Pitching Research Framework (PRF) within the streamlined AFAANZ grant process. Utilising an inputs-process-outputs perspective, the findings reveal significant efficiencies due to the concise, comprehensive, and structured nature of the framework. Further, the PRF provides valuable learning and skill-building opportunities and varied outputs regardless of academic career stage for both assessors and applicants. Recommendations are proposed to enhance transparency, reduce perceived bias, and improve effectiveness of the grant awarding process. These findings provide practical implications for prospective assessors, applicants, the AFAANZ grant-awarding committee, and other grant-awarding bodies across Australia, New Zealand, and the globe.