Track Record Statement


All research submissions require a track record statement which differs from a CV. There are usually strict guidelines about what can and cannot be included. If you have any queries, contact your Research Development Officer (RDO) for assistance.

What is a track record statement?

A track record statement is an argument demonstrating your capacity to carry out research and aims to convince assessors that you have the research skills, experience and ability to manage the project. It's important that you tell the assessor about yourself in prose, as opposed to a list of achievements as in a CV.

Keep your track record statement up to date and to hand. It can be used for a variety of funding proposals, promotion applications and will even make submitting publications for HERDC easier. Once written up your track record statement should only need minimum revision for submission for a specific funding opportunity.

A track record statement should include the following:

Significant contributions to this research field

This is not everything you have ever done. Keep to a maximum of half a page and choose two or three significant things you have contributed to the research field in which the application/proposal fits.

  • Describe the contribution
  • Describe why it is significant
  • Explain how other people have recognised its significance
  • What has been the impact of the research?

Other evidence of impact and contributions to the field

Avoid using dot point lists which do not identify differences of impact and/or significance. Keep to a maximum of half a page and include the following:

  • Editorships
  • Research training supervision
  • In-press or non-refereed publications
  • Patents
  • Honours, awards and/or prizes
  • Commercial reports
  • Any relevant industry experience
  • Other professional activities

Other opportunities for research

Many funding agencies now allow/request a short statement outlining any circumstances that may have slowed down or restricted your research and publications. If this applies to you consider the following:

  • If you are an Early Career Researcher (ECR) and you've not yet had time to develop a track record include, for instance, any planned publications etc.
  • Any lengthy work in industry
  • Any interruptions to your career, such as illness, parenthood, carer responsibilities, or any other circumstances and/or responsibilities
  • Avoid gloomy and disheartening tones

Publication/dissemination/output lists

  • Generally, list the last five years only
  • Show that you have an understanding of what constitutes your key research disseminations
  • Sort and categorise: books, edited books, book chapters, journal articles, conference proceedings, creative works and so on
  • Differentiate between refereed and non-refereed outputs
  • Do not include in-press publications if they are still under review
  • Put forthcoming publications last
  • Use asterisks to identify publications relevant to the application/proposal.