Australian Research Council Act 2001 Linkage International Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2008 (Cth)
This compilation was prepared on 20 March 2007
taking into account the Variation to the Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 (F2007L00644).Prepared by the Australian Research Council
Linkage International
Funding Rules for funding commencing in
2008
Australian Research Council
Linkage International
Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008
Table of Contents
Acronyms
Key Dates
Contacts
Definitions for Linkage International Funding Rules
1 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 NCGP Objectives
1.3 Linkage International
1.4 Fundamental principles and requirements
2 Changes from last year
3 Funding
3.1 Level of funding
3.2 Period of funding
3.3 Types of research supported
3.4 Areas of investigation/work not supported
3.5 Restrictions on budget items
3.6 Number of Proposals and funded projects
4 Organisational types, roles and eligibility
4.1 Eligible Organisations
5 Roles and eligibility for researchers
5.1 Researcher roles and general eligibility
5.2 Eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators
5.3 Eligibility criteria for Overseas Investigators
5.4 Eligibility criteria for Partner Investigators
5.5 Eligibility criteria for ARCIF Fellows
6 Cross-scheme issues
6.1 Cross-scheme funding
6.2 Cross-scheme eligibility
6.3 Funding of Medical and Dental Research
7 Application process
7.1 Eligibility Exemption and Eligibility Ruling Process
7.2 Proposals
7.3 Certification
7.4 Submission of Proposals
8 Selection and approval process
8.1 Selection criteria
8.2 Assessment and selection procedure
8.3 Offer of funding
9 Appeals process
10 Administration of funding
10.1 Funding Agreement
11 Other matters
11.1 Applicable law
11.2 Confidentiality
11.3 Project description
11.4 Intellectual property
11.5 Incomplete or misleading information
11.6 Insurance and liabilities
12 Linkage International Awards
13 ARC International Fellowships
13.1 General requirements for all ARCIF types
13.2 ARCIF Proposals for Australia-based researchers to work in overseas research organisations
13.3 ARCIF Proposals for overseas researchers to work in Australia
14 Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Organisational types, roles and eligibility
14.3 Investigator types, roles and eligibility
14.4 Types of research supported
14.5 Funding
14.6 Budget Items Supported
14.7 Budget Items Not Supported
14.8 Researchers from Commonwealth-funded Research Centres
14.9 Number of Proposals
14.10 Application, Selection and Approval Process
14.11 Closing time for Proposals
14.12 Other Requirements
Appendix 1: National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals
Appendix 2. Eligible Organisations
Appendix 3. Notional Fellowship salaries and relocation allowances
Appendix 4: Particular Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs) undertaken under these Funding Rules
Acronyms
The following acronyms are used in ARC Funding Rules.
AEST Australian Eastern Standard Time AEDT Australian Eastern Daylight Saving (Summer) Time AIF Australia-Israel Fellowship AIMS Australian Institute of Marine Science ANSTO Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation APA Australian Postgraduate Award APAI Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry) APD Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship APDC Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (CSIRO) APDI Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry) APF Australian Professorial Fellowship ARC Australian Research Council ARCIF Australian Research Council International Fellowship ARF Australian Research Fellowship AVCC Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee CE ARC Centres of Excellence and ARC Centres CoE ARC College of Experts CI Chief Investigator CRC Cooperative Research Centre CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DP ARC Discovery Projects DSTO Defence Science and Technology Organisation ECR Early Career Researcher FF ARC Federation Fellowships GA Geoscience Australia GAMS Grant Application Management System GST Goods and Services Tax HECS Higher Education Contribution Scheme ICI Internationally Coordinated Initiative IRF Indigenous Researcher Fellowship LASP ARC Learned Academies Special Projects LCI LASP Chief Investigator LIEF ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities LIF ARC Linkage Industry Fellowship LP ARC Linkage Projects LX ARC Linkage International NCGP National Competitive Grants Program NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council NP Network Participant OI Overseas Investigator PI Partner Investigator QEII Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship RN ARC Research Network SPIRT Strategic Partnerships with Industry – Research and Training SRC ARC Special Research Centre SRI ARC Special Research Initiatives URL Universal Resource Locator
Key Dates
Closing Times
Linkage International Awards
There will be one round of Linkage International Awards Proposals in 2007 for funding commencing in 2008. The closing time is 5:00pm (AEST) Friday 20 April 2007.
ARC International Fellowships (ARCIFs)
The closing time for ARC International Fellowship Proposals is 5:00pm (AEST) Friday 20 April 2007.
Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)
Key dates will be specified in Appendix 4 and in any call for Internationally Coordinated Initiative Proposals issued by the ARC under Linkage International. A call for Proposals for funding for an ICI may be made at any time.
The closing time for Linkage International Social Sciences Collaboration Proposals is 5:00pm (AEST) Friday 1 June 2007.
The closing time for Linkage International Materials World Networks Proposals is 5:00pm (AEDT) Friday 30 November 2007.
Eligibility Ruling Requests
Eligibility Ruling requests (Section 7.1) must be received by the ARC 6 weeks prior to the relevant closing time for the relevant Linkage International category.
Letters requesting non-use of a potential assessor (subsection 8.2.3.3) must be received by the applicable closing time for the relevant Linkage International category.
Contacts
The ARC deals with thousands of Proposals each year. Where possible, researchers should direct requests for information to the Research Office within their organisation.
Enquiries about the ARC Linkage International scheme may be addressed as follows:
By post to: OR
By courier to:
Linkage International Coordinator
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Linkage International Coordinator
Australian Research Council
1st Floor, 8 Brindabella Circuit
CANBERRA AIRPORT ACT 2609
Other contact details:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 6287 6600
Fax: 02 6287 6638
Web:
Definitions for Linkage International Funding Rules
Adjunct Appointment or equivalent means that an Eligible Organisation has a formal agreement in writing with a researcher which is publicly acknowledged and which establishes an ongoing association with the Eligible Organisation, of the nature of a conjoint, emeritus or honorary academic or visiting fellow. It would be expected that the person’s association would be listed in an official organisational publication and/or web site.
Administering Organisation means an Eligible Organisation which submits a Proposal for funding under Linkage International and which will receive and be responsible for the administration of the funding if the proposed project is approved for funding.
Applicant means the Administering Organisation. Funding under Linkage International is provided to Administering Organisations, not to individual researchers.
ARC means the Australian Research Council, as established under the ARC Act.
ARC Act means the Australian Research Council Act 2001.
ARC Centre means a research centre wholly or partly funded by the ARC and includes ARC Centres of Excellence, ARC Centres and ARC Special Research Centres.
ARC Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an ARC Fellowship.
ARC Fellowship means, subject to this paragraph, a position held by a researcher where the salary is funded wholly or partly by the ARC and where the researcher has been nominated in a Proposal to hold a Fellowship. An ARC Fellowship may be awarded at a number of levels and in various ARC schemes. ARC Fellowship includes Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (APD), Australian Research Fellowship (ARF), Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship (QEII) and Australian Professorial Fellowship (APF)). The term also includes Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry) (APDI) (under the ARC Linkage Projects scheme) and Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (CSIRO) (APDC) (under the former APD CSIRO scheme). For the purposes of these Funding Rules, it does not include an Australian Research Council International Fellowship (ARCIF), ARC Federation Fellowship, Indigenous Researcher Fellowship (IRF) or ARC Research Cadetship-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander award.
ARC’s Web Site is
Australian Postdoctoral Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (under the ARC Discovery Projects scheme).
Australian Postdoctoral Fellow (Industry) means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry) (under the ARC Linkage Projects scheme).
Australian Professorial Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an Australian Professorial Fellowship (under the ARC Discovery Projects scheme).
Australian Research Council International Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an Australian Research Council International Fellowship (under the ARC Linkage International scheme).
Australian Research Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an Australian Research Fellowship (under the ARC Discovery Projects scheme).
Centre Director means the person appointed to direct the programs of a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre.
Chief Investigator means a researcher who satisfies the eligibility criteria for a Chief Investigator as specified in Section 5.2.
Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of Australia.
Commonwealth-funded Research Centre means a research centre substantially funded from Commonwealth competitive research funding sources and includes ARC Centres, CRCs and NHMRC Program Grants. It does not include Research Networks funded by the ARC.
Earnings means the amount paid as remuneration for work a person undertakes or services he/she performs. It includes amounts paid under employment and/or consultancy arrangements.
Eligible Organisation means an organisation which is eligible to apply for and receive funding under the Linkage International Funding Rules as specified in Section 4.1.
Federation Fellow means a researcher whose salary is funded under the ARC Federation Fellowships scheme.
Funding Agreement means the agreement entered into between the ARC and the Administering Organisation if the Administering Organisation’s Proposal is approved for funding. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions under which the Commonwealth is to provide funding and the Administering Organisation is to be responsible for administration of the funding and the conduct of the project.
Funding Rules means this document.
GST has the meaning as given in section 195-1 of the A New Tax System(Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999.
Host Organisation means an organisation at which a Fellow undertakes her/his research while holding an ARC Fellowship or ARCIF.
Indigenous Researcher Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an ARC Indigenous Research Fellowship (under the ARC Indigenous Researcher Development scheme).
Medical and Dental Research means research and/or training which, in the opinion of the ARC, has a significant focus on clinical medical (including dental) outcomes.
National Research Priority means a national research priority referred to in subsection 1.2.3 and further detailed in Appendix 1.
Overseas Investigator means a researcher who satisfies the eligibility criteria for an Overseas Investigator as specified in Section 5.3.
Overseas Organisation means the employer of an Overseas Investigator. For the purpose of these Funding Rules, Overseas Organisation does not include an overseas organisation controlled by an Australian higher education organisation.
Partner Investigator means a researcher who satisfies the eligibility criteria for a Partner Investigator as specified in Section 5.4.
Proposal means a request to the ARC for the provision of financial assistance for a research project.
Queen Elizabeth II Fellow means a researcher whose salary is wholly or partly funded under an ARC Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship (under the ARC Discovery Projects scheme).
Research Office means a business unit within an organisation that is responsible for administrative contact with the ARC regarding Proposals and research projects.
Special Condition means a special condition specified in a Funding Agreement which governs the use of the funding provided by the ARC.
Australian Research Council
Linkage International
Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008
1 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.1.1 This document sets out the funding rules for Linkage International, a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), which comply with the requirements of the ARC Act.
1.1.2 All parties involved in Proposals should read and understand the Funding Rules and the ARC’s draft Funding Agreement (which is available on the ARC’s Web Site) before submitting a Proposal to the ARC. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their Proposals are complete and accurate.
1.1.3 These Funding Rules are current as at February 2007 and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the ARC Act in force at that time. These Funding Rules are subject to change at any time, for reasons including any subsequent amendment to, replacement of or supplementation of the ARC Act.
1.1.4 Funding under Linkage International is provided to Administering Organisations, not to researchers. That is, the ARC will accept a Proposal only from an Eligible Organisation and not from any individual researcher or researchers.
1.1.5 However, if, in the opinion of the ARC, any researcher nominated in a Proposal as a CI, OI, PI, ARCIF or ARC Fellow has caused or has significantly contributed to the failure of an organisation to meet its obligations under any current or previous funding agreement with the ARC, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend for approval any or all Proposals involving that researcher.
1.2 NCGP Objectives
1.2.1 The ARC is an Australian Government statutory authority established under the ARC Act. The primary functions of the ARC, as specified by the ARC Act, are to make recommendations regarding the funding of research programs, to administer funding to support research programs, and to provide policy advice related to research.
1.2.2 The ARC has established a range of competitive funding schemes for the support of research and research training under the framework of the NCGP. A list of current NCGP funding schemes is available on the ARC’s Web Site.
1.2.3 By the operation of a range of funding schemes under the NCGP, the ARC aims to:
a. maintain and build on existing research and research training;
b. build the scale and focus of research and research training;
c. encourage cross-disciplinary approaches to research and research training;
d. facilitate collaborative approaches to research and research training; and
e. support research and research training of national benefit, including in the following National Research Priorities:
i.An Environmentally Sustainable Australia;
ii.Promoting and Maintaining Good Health;
iii.Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries; and
iv.Safeguarding Australia.
1.2.4 Descriptions of these National Research Priorities and their associated Priority Goals can be found in Appendix 1, and on the ARC’s Web Site.
1.3 Linkage International
1.3.1 The ARC provides funding under Linkage International for movement of researchers between eligible Australian research organisations and centres of research excellence overseas, and to foster collaboration and networking between Australia-based and overseas researchers.
1.3.2 The objectives of Linkage International are to:
a. build collaborations among researchers, research teams and/or research centres of excellence in Australia and overseas;
b. generate opportunities for researchers to participate in leading-edge international research networks and strengthen their international research experience;
c. build Australian research capability by enhancing existing and developing new collaborations among researchers;
d.develop innovative modes of international collaboration; and
e.foster participation in global innovation networks.
1.3.3 Funding under Linkage International is available to support high-quality research collaboration in relevant disciplines or cross-disciplinary fields. Specifically, Linkage International provides three categories of support: Linkage International Awards; ARC International Fellowships (ARCIFs); and Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs).
1.3.4 Linkage International Awards
1.3.4.1 Linkage International Awards aim to fund collaborations that build links among researchers, research teams and/or research centres of excellence in Australia and overseas.
1.3.4.2 Section 12 provides further details regarding Linkage International Awards.
1.3.5 ARC International Fellowships (ARCIFs)
1.3.5.1 The following types of ARCIFs are offered under Linkage International:
a. Fellowships to fund Australia-based researchers to work in overseas research organisations (Section 13.2); and
b. Fellowships to fund overseas researchers to work in Australia (Section 13.3).
1.3.5.2 Section 13 provides further details regarding Linkage International ARCIFs.
1.3.6 Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)
1.3.6.1 From time to time, the ARC may collaborate with overseas funding agencies to fund ICIs. When an ICI is being conducted, the initiative will be included in Appendix 4 and the ARC will issue a specific call for Proposals for the relevant initiative.
1.3.6.2 Proposals for Linkage International ICI funding may be submitted only when invited by the ARC by means of a call for ICI Proposals for funding. The ARC may invite Proposals from one or more Eligible Organisations.
1.3.6.3 Section 14 provides further details regarding ARC Linkage International ICIs.
1.4 Fundamental principles and requirements
1.4.1 Ethics and Research Practices
1.4.1.1 The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) web site, provides a series of publications which outline principles of ethical conduct in research. All Proposals and ARC-funded research projects should conform to the principles outlined in the following and their successor documents:
a.the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997);
b.as applicable, the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans (1999); and
c.as applicable, the NHMRC’s other codes on animal research.
1.4.2 Non-duplication
1.4.2.1 The ARC will not provide financial assistance to meet the costs of a project to the extent that those costs have been, or are likely to be, met by Commonwealth funding obtained from another source (including other ARC funding). The ARC reserves the right to determine if a Proposal includes such costs and to deem a notional amount for such costs.
1.4.2.2 Where a significant portion of the costs for a proposed project has been, or is likely to be, funded by the Commonwealth from other sources (including other ARC sources), the ARC may decide to recommend that the Proposal not be funded at all. In other cases, the ARC may decide to recommend a reduced amount of funding for the proposed project.
1.4.3 Conflict of interest
1.4.3.1 All parties involved in or associated with Proposals and ARC-funded research projects are required to disclose to the ARC affiliations with, or financial involvement in, any organisation which has, or is likely to have, a direct interest in the subject matter or outputs of the project. Such parties are required to disclose to the ARC at the time of submission of Proposals, and in reporting on ARC-funded research projects, any conflict of interest which has the potential to influence, or appear to influence, the research and activities, publications and media reports, or requests for funding related to the Proposal/project.
1.4.3.2 If, in the opinion of the ARC, any party involved in or associated with a Proposal has failed to disclose any such conflict of interest, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend for approval any or all Proposals involving that party.
1.4.4 Acknowledging ARC support
1.4.4.1 The Funding Agreement requires that any ARC contribution to research and other activities funded by the ARC be appropriately acknowledged. When, at any time during or after completion of a project, the researcher or any other party publishes or produces material such as books, articles, newsletters or other literary or artistic works which relate to the research project, the Administering Organisation must ensure (wherever possible) that the ARC’s contribution and support of the project is acknowledged in a prominent place and in an appropriate form. This acknowledgement should include the mention of the ARC as a funding body. Similar efforts should be made to acknowledge ARC support when participating in television and radio programs, and when interviewed by the print media.
1.4.4.2 Advice on acceptable forms of acknowledgement and use of the ARC logo is provided on the ARC’s Web Site.
1.4.5 Dissemination of research outputs
1.4.5.1 The Australian Government makes a major investment in research to support its essential role in improving the wellbeing of our society. To maximise the benefits from research, findings need to be disseminated as broadly as possible to allow access by other researchers and the wider community.
1.4.5.2 The ARC acknowledges that researchers take into account a wide range of factors in deciding on the best outlets for publications arising from their research. Such considerations include the status and reputation of a journal or publisher, the peer review process of evaluating their research outputs, access by other stakeholders to their work, the likely impact of their work on users of research and the further dissemination and production of knowledge. Taking heed of these considerations, the ARC wants to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the research supported under its funding, in the most effective manner and at the earliest opportunity.
1.4.5.3 The ARC therefore encourages researchers to consider the benefits of depositing their data and any publications arising from a research project in an appropriate subject and/or institutional repository wherever such a repository is available to the researcher(s). If a researcher is not intending to deposit the data from a project in a repository within a six-month period, he/she should include the reasons in the project’s Final Report. Any research outputs that have been or will be deposited in appropriate repositories should be identified in the Final Report.
2 Changes from last year
2.1.1 A number of clarifications and revisions have been made in these Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 (the 2008 Linkage International Funding Rules). Significant changes from the ‘Linkage International Funding Rules for Proposals for submission in 2006’ include:
a. The Definitions section contains a definition of Medical and Dental Research. This replaces the use of the term “clinical medical and dental research and training” used in previous funding rules. In addition, the ARC’s processes for dealing with, and issuing eligibility rulings relating to, Proposals involving medical research have been modified and now explicitly permit the ARC to consult with the NHMRC regarding the likelihood of the NHMRC’s funding research in a proposed research area (Section 6.3). Clarification has been provided that Applicants may obtain an Eligibility Ruling from the ARC prior to the submission of a Proposal only following the submission of an Eligibility Ruling Request submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.1.
b. The Definitions section contains a definition of Earnings. This term is used in relation to the eligibility of CIs (see further explanation at f. below).
c. Subsection 1.4.3 stipulates the right of the ARC to not recommend Proposals for approval if, in the opinion of the ARC, any party involved in or associated with the Proposal has failed to disclose a conflict of interest.
d. A new section has been added which deals with the dissemination of research outputs (subsection 1.4.5).
e. For the purposes of interpreting a number of sections of these Funding Rules, subsection 3.2.3 provides clarification regarding the term of a person’s fellowship.
f. The employment-related eligibility criteria for a CI have been changed slightly, with the use of the term “Earnings” (being salary and/or consultancy/contract payments) replacing the term “salary” for the purposes of determining a person’s eligibility. The relevant organisations taken into account in determining the eligibility of a researcher who is the holder of an Adjunct Appointment to be a CI have also been more clearly articulated and changed slightly. That is, a person who, for the purposes of satisfying the CI eligibility requirements, is the holder of an Adjunct Appointment is not eligible to be a CI if he/she derives more than 50 per cent of her/his Earnings from organisations outside the higher education sector that are funded predominantly from State/Territory or Commonwealth Government sources if the Government funding for her/his organisation, or her/his part of the organisation, is provided mainly for research activities. Hence, provision has been made for consultancy and contract payments to be taken into account in addition to salary in determining eligibility, and researchers working within a research area or branch of a Government entity may not be a CI if they earn more than 50% of their Earnings from that entity (subsections 5.2.2 and 5.2.5).
g. Clarification has been provided that, to be eligible to be nominated as a CI, OI or PI on a Proposal, the nominated researcher must meet the eligibility criteria for that role as at 1 January 2008 (Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4).
h. Clarification has been provided about the ability for replacement Chief Investigators, Overseas Investigators and Partner Investigators to be approved after a Proposal has been approved (Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4).
i. Clarification has been provided about the Eligibility Exemption process for obtaining eligibility exemptions for ARCIF candidates who do not meet the PhD qualification and/or timing requirements (Section 7.1 and subsections 13.1.5.1 and 13.1.5.2). The ARC may grant an exemption from the eligibility requirements only if an Eligibility Exemption Request has been submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.1.
j. Clarification has been provided that, if a funding request for any proposed research project, salary or equipment has been, or is being, submitted under this or any other ARC scheme or to any other Commonwealth funding body, each Proposal must be cross-referenced and summary details of all other funding requests must be included in the Proposal and that, if these processes are not observed or the ARC determines that incomplete, misleading or inaccurate details were included in the Proposal, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Linkage International Proposal for approval (Sections 6.1 and 6.2).
k. Clarification has been provided that, if an ICI Proposal identifies a CI who is associated (not “substantially associated” as used in previous funding rules) with a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre and the person will continue to be associated with the Centre after 31 December 2007, the Proposal must include a letter from the Centre Director. The requirements of the letter are also modified (subsection 14.8.1).
l. The operation of the Eligibility Exemption Request and Eligibility Ruling Request processes have been clarified (Section 7.1).
m. Clarification has been provided about the agreements, signatures and certifications Administering Organisations must obtain and be able to provide to the ARC (Section 7.3).
n. Provision has been made for the ARC, in deciding whether or not to recommend a late Proposal for approval, to take into account whether the documents were despatched by the Administering Organisation sufficiently in advance of the closing time to enable the documents to have been delivered to the ARC by the closing time in the normal course of events (providing the Administering Organisation is able to provide such evidence to the satisfaction of the ARC) (subsection 7.4.6.3).
o. The provision for the ARC to not recommend Proposals if there has been incomplete, inaccurate or misleading material provided in relation to the reporting of progress of a funded project has been broadened to encompass situations where such deficiencies occur in the provision of advice to the ARC in relation to the project in general (i.e. not just in the reporting of progress) (subsections 8.2.2.2.g and 11.5.3).
p. There is now a requirement for Administering Organisations who wish to provide written notification to the ARC naming any person or persons whom they do not wish to assess a Proposal to submit this request on the ARC’s “Request not to Assess” form (subsection 8.2.3.3).
q. In order to more fully explain the situation, provision is explicitly made for the Minister to vary a funding approval if the desirable period of funding for the project is not consistent with the period in the funding approval as previously approved or as otherwise varied (subsection 10.1.5.3).
r. There is no longer a limit prohibiting CIs, OIs and PIs from participating in Linkage International Awards Proposals if they have been nominated on an Awards Proposal in the previous 12 months (subsection 12.1.4).
s. There will be only one round of Linkage International Awards in 2007 (ie Proposals are to be submitted by 5:00pm 20 April 2007).
t. The arrangements for ARCIFs have been modified (Section 13). The various types of ARCIF have been refined to two broad types of support: (i) ARCIF candidates from any overseas countries to work in Australia; and (ii) ARCIF candidates from Australia to work in other countries. Minimum durations for each ARCIF type have been introduced. The maximum value of consumables available to support an ARCIF has increased to $10,000. The selection criteria and assessment process for ARCIF Proposals have been amended somewhat; and the requirement for the first-named CI or ARCIF candidate to hold a current ARC grant has been removed.
2.1.2 The list of changes above is not comprehensive. Applicants and other parties involved in Proposals should read and understand the entire Funding Rules and draft Funding Agreement before a Proposal is submitted to the ARC.
3 Funding
3.1 Level of funding
3.1.1 All amounts referred to in these Funding Rules are to be read as exclusive of GST (if any), unless expressly stated otherwise.
3.1.2 The minimum level of funding which will be provided by the ARC for a project is described at subsections 12.1.6 and 14.5.1 respectively for Awards and ICIs. There is no specific minimum for ARCIFs.
3.1.3 If an ARCIF is requested, the Proposal should include a request for the Fellowship salary and on-costs in the budget. ARCIFs are awarded at levels outlined in Appendix 3, Item 1.
3.1.4 The ARC reserves the right to recommend the levels of funding allocated to a project at levels which may differ from those requested in the Proposal.
3.1.5 If a Proposal seeks funding for a project that involves items that the ARC does not permit, including those specified in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, then to that extent part or all of the Proposal will not be recommended or approved for funding. If exclusion of non-permitted items results in a Proposal falling beneath the specified minimum the ARC reserves the right to not recommend a Proposal for support.
3.2 Period of funding
3.2.1 Financial assistance may be payable under these Funding Rules for Linkage International projects in respect of the financial year 2007-08 and any subsequent years to which the ARC Act applies. Funding for approved projects will commence with effect from 1 January 2008, unless other arrangements are approved by the ARC.
3.2.2 Projects may be funded for the durations specified for the particular category, subject to sufficient funding being available for Linkage International, the provisions of the ARC Act, and continued satisfactory progress of the project.
3.2.3 For the purposes of these Funding Rules, the term of a researcher’s fellowship is determined based on the date on which the researcher commenced the fellowship. In the case of fellowships awarded under these Funding Rules, the commencement date will be 1 January 2008, unless the commencement has been deferred to a later date approved by the ARC.
3.2.4 The ARC may recommend funding for a project for a period different from that requested in the Proposal.
3.3 Types of research supported
3.3.1 Subject to Sections 3.4 and 3.5, Linkage International supports a range of activities in support of research which involve the movement of eligible researchers between eligible Australian research organisations and centres of research excellence overseas, and the fostering of collaboration and networking between Australia-based and overseas researchers.
3.4 Areas of investigation/work not supported
3.4.1 Linkage International does not support:
a. Medical and Dental Research;
b. activities leading solely to the creation or performance of a work of art, including visual art, musical compositions, drama, dance, film, broadcasts, designs and literary works. These areas are generally covered by other Commonwealth Government funding agencies, such as the Australia Council for the Arts;
c. scholarly investigations that, while important in themselves, do not lead to conceptual advances or discoveries, or to novel practical outcomes or applications. Projects such as uncritical compilations and purely descriptive catalogues or editions that do not involve original research are not funded;
d. production of teaching materials, even though some research may be involved in their production;
e. compilation of data, unless this is an integral part of a project, in which case the Proposal must include a statement indicating the research objectives to which the data would contribute; and/or
f. development of research aids and tools (including computer programs), unless they form an integral part of the Proposal, in which case the Proposal must include a statement indicating the research objectives to which these activities would contribute.
3.4.2 If the ARC considers that a Proposal seeks funding for a project that involves any of the items not permitted under Sections 3.4 or 3.5, then to that extent part or all of the Proposal will not be recommended or approved for funding. However, if the ARC considers other parts of the proposed project remain worthy of support, the ARC may recommend that a reduced amount of funding be approved for the Proposal.
3.5 Restrictions on budget items
3.5.1 Linkage International supports only costs which directly support a research project. The ARC may in its absolute discretion determine whether any project costs meet this requirement.
3.5.2 Linkage International has restrictions on the following budget items:
a.Capital works and general infrastructure
Capital works and general infrastructure costs are not funded, in whole or in part, under Linkage International.
b.Salaries of Chief Investigators (CIs), Overseas Investigators (OIs) and Partner Investigators (PIs)
The Commonwealth will not provide support, in whole or in part, to meet the salaries of CIs, OIs or PIs under Linkage International.
c.Teaching and Teaching Relief
Linkage International funding is not provided to fund teaching and/or teaching relief.
d.Special Studies Programs
Funds are not provided for travel or related expenses for researchers when on a Special Studies Program. However, some specified expenses may be funded for CIs provided that the Proposal clearly demonstrates that such expenses are not covered by funding provided for a Special Studies Program, and that the research to be undertaken directly relates to the project.
e.Research support for Overseas Investigators and Partner Investigators
Funds are not provided for OIs and/or PIs, apart from short-term project support for investigators visiting from overseas. Short-term project support may include support for travel within Australia for investigators visiting from overseas but excludes the cost of their travel to and from Australia. (Note: ARCIF travel costs are detailed in Section 13).
f.International students’ fees, Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) liabilities.
Funds are not provided to pay the fees of international students or the HECS or the HELP liabilities for students.
g.g. Computer facilities for molecular analysis
Applicants for projects involving molecular biology should be aware that a number of organisations provide access to a range of databases and a large suite of analysis programs. As a result, Proposals seeking funding for computer facilities to undertake molecular analysis must justify such needs thoroughly and to the satisfaction of the ARC.
h.Basic facilities
The Administering Organisation must agree to provide the following basic facilities (where relevant to the Proposal), which will not be funded under Linkage International:
i. accommodation (e.g. laboratory and office, suitably equipped and furnished in standard ways);
ii.access to workshop services (e.g. machine tools and qualified technicians available to each member of staff, according to need, for research);
iii.access to film or music editing facilities;
iv.access to a basic library collection;
v.standard reference materials or funds for abstracting services;
vi.provision of computers, including laptops (excluding access to high-performance computers or other specialised applications) and basic computing facilities such as printers, word processing and other standard software; and
vii.use of photocopiers, telephones, mail, fax, email and internet services.
i.Publication costs
Publication costs, including printing and page costs, will not be funded under Linkage International.
j. Costs not directly related to a project
Costs not directly related to a project will not be funded, for example costs of a personal nature such as childcare.
3.6 Number of Proposals and funded projects
3.6.1 General requirements
3.6.1.1 Unless otherwise specified, a Proposal must identify at least one researcher who will be a CI or ARCIF Fellow on the proposed project.
3.6.1.2 Proposals may be submitted only to the extent that, if all were successful, the researchers nominated on those Proposals would not be involved in more than the maximum numbers of projects permitted in 2008 (see subsection 12.1.4 for Awards Proposals, subsection 13.1.9 for ARCIF Proposals and Section 14.9 for ICI Proposals). For the purposes of applying these limits, the number of Proposals and the number of ongoing research projects which are to be funded for 2008 on which the researcher is nominated are evaluated as at the closing time for the submission of Proposals for the relevant category, regardless of any subsequent change in, or withdrawal of, Proposals. Submitting Proposals that exceed this limit may result in all Proposals involving the relevant researcher(s) not being recommended or approved for funding.
3.6.1.3 For the purposes of the limits applying in these Funding Rules, a project for which funding was/is to be carried over, or deferred, into the next year is considered to be funded for the years notified in the letter of offer of funding provided by the ARC. For example, if a project was originally funded for four years and funding is subsequently carried over to a fifth year, the project will still be considered for these purposes as funded for the original four years.
3.6.2 Duplication
3.6.2.1 Only one Proposal may be submitted to Linkage International in respect of a particular project in the same funding round, regardless of any variation in the listed researchers and/or Administering Organisation. If the ARC considers that a project described in a Proposal is the same as or similar (in whole or in part) to a project described in another Proposal that is submitted in the same funding round, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend for approval any or all of those Proposals, or recommend that a reduced amount of funding be provided for that or any similar Proposal. The ARC reserves the right to determine whether Proposals are duplicates or sufficiently similar to warrant one or more Proposals’ being not recommended for approval.
4 Organisational types, roles and eligibility
4.1 Eligible Organisations
4.1.1 A Proposal may be submitted only by an Eligible Organisation. Appendix 2 specifies Eligible Organisations for each of the Linkage International categories.
4.1.2 Eligible Organisations for Linkage International Proposals are listed in Appendix 2 for the various categories as follows:
Linkage International Category Eligible Organisations a. Linkage International Awards Proposals for Linkage International Awards may be submitted only by the organisations specified in Appendix 2, Item 1a and Item 1b. b. Linkage International ARCIFs Proposals for Linkage International ARCIFs may be submitted only by the organisations specified in Appendix 2, Item 1a. c. Linkage International ICIs Proposals for Linkage International ICIs may be submitted only by the organisations specified in Appendix 2, Item 2.
5 Roles and eligibility for researchers
5.1 Researcher roles and general eligibility
5.1.1 Unless otherwise specified for a particular category, the following roles may be undertaken by researchers under Linkage International:
a.Chief Investigator;
b.Overseas Investigator;
c.Partner Investigator; or
d.ARC International Fellow.
5.1.2 Unless otherwise specified, a Proposal must nominate at least one CI or ARCIF candidate.
5.1.3 All CIs, OIs, PIs and ARCIF candidates nominated on a Proposal must satisfy the eligibility criteria for their nominated role as specified in Section 5 of these Funding Rules.
5.1.4 The first-named CI or ARCIF candidate on a Proposal will be considered the ‘Project Leader’ of the project.
5.1.5 A researcher nominated as a CI, OI, PI or ARCIF candidate must take significant intellectual responsibility for the proposed project, its conception, and any strategic decisions called for in its pursuit and the communication of results. The researcher must have the capacity to make a serious commitment to the project and cannot assume the role of a supplier of resources for work that will largely be placed in the hands of others. The ARC reserves the right to determine whether a person has the requisite capacity to perform the role.
5.1.6 At the time of the submission of a Proposal all obligations regarding previously funded projects involving the nominated CIs and ARCIF candidates on the Proposal must have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the ARC. Such obligations include the provision of satisfactory progress and final reports.
5.1.7 If the ARC considers that a researcher nominated in a Proposal as a CI, OI, PI or ARCIF candidate does not meet the eligibility criteria in this Section or Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 or 5.5 for the role which that researcher is to perform, the Proposal will not be recommended or approved for funding.
5.2 Eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators
5.2.1 To be eligible to be a CI, a person must meet the criteria stipulated in Section 5.2 and subsections 5.1.5 and 5.1.6.
5.2.2 A researcher nominated on a Proposal as a CI must meet at least one of the following criteria as at 1 January 2008, and for the full term of her/his participation in the project:
a. be an employee of, and derive at least 50 per cent of her/his Earnings from, an Eligible Organisation listed in Appendix 2 for the relevant category under which funding is being sought; or
b. be a holder of an Adjunct Appointment, or equivalent, at an Eligible Organisation listed in Appendix 2 for the relevant category under which funding is being sought and not derive more than 50 per cent of her/his Earnings from organisations outside the higher education sector that are funded predominantly from State/Territory or Commonwealth Government sources if the Government funding for her/his organisation, or her/his part of the organisation, is provided mainly for research activities. Such organisations include, but are not limited to, Commonwealth-funded Research Centres which are outside the higher education sector, AIMS, ANSTO, CSIRO, DSTO, GA, and State/Territory Research and Development organisations and research areas within a Government entity; or
c. be a Federation Fellow.
5.2.3 He/she must reside predominantly in Australia for the full term of her/his participation in the project. If the person does not have permanent resident status he/she must obtain temporary or permanent resident status from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs before he/she may commence on the project.
5.2.4 Notwithstanding a researcher’s eligibility under the criteria above or below in this Section, a researcher undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate studies is not eligible to be a CI, unless the researcher’s studies lie outside the scope and area of the research proposed in the Proposal.
5.2.5 If a Proposal has been approved for funding and any or all of the CIs are at any time during the project no longer able to work on the project, the project may be continued under replacement CIs provided that:
a. approval is obtained from the Minister for the change in CI; and
b. a replacement CI meets the following criteria at the time he/she is nominated as a replacement and for the full term of her/his participation in the project:
i he/she must take significant intellectual responsibility for the proposed project and any strategic decisions called for in its pursuit and the communication of results. The researcher must have the capacity to make a serious commitment and contribution to the project and cannot assume the role of a supplier of resources for work that will largely be placed in the hands of others; and
ii. he/she must reside predominantly in Australia for the full term of her/his participation in the project; and
iii. all obligations regarding previously funded projects involving the nominated replacement CI must have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of the ARC; and
iv. he/she must be:
(a) an employee of, and derive at least 50 per cent of her/his Earnings from, an Eligible Organisation listed in Appendix 2 for the relevant category under which funding is being sought; or
(b) a holder of an Adjunct Appointment or equivalent, at an Eligible Organisation listed in Appendix 2 for the relevant category under which funding is being sought and not derive more than 50 per cent of her/his Earnings from organisations outside the higher education sector that are funded predominantly from State/Territory or Commonwealth Government sources if the Government funding for her/his organisation, or her/his part of the organisation, is provided mainly for research activities. Such organisations include, but are not limited to, Commonwealth-funded Research Centres which are outside the higher education sector, AIMS, ANSTO, CSIRO, DSTO, GA, and State/Territory Research and Development organisations and research areas within a Government entity; or
(c) a Federation Fellow.
5.3 Eligibility criteria for Overseas Investigators
5.3.1 A researcher who is employed by an overseas research organisation and who is providing significant commitment, intellectual input and relevant expertise to the project may be able to participate as an OI.
5.3.2 A researcher nominated on a Proposal as an OI must meet the following criteria as at 1 January 2008, and for the full term of her/his participation in the project. He/she must:
a. not meet the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 5.2.1 for a CI;
b. be employed by an overseas research organisation substantially funded to undertake research;
c. secure a significant contribution of cash, in-kind or other material resources from the researcher’s organisation for the proposed project (having regard to the total cost of the project and the relative contribution of each CI); and
d. take significant intellectual responsibility as outlined in subsection 5.1.5.
5.3.3 If a Proposal has been approved for funding and any or all OIs are at any time during the project no longer able to work on the project, the project may be continued under replacement OIs provided that:
a. approval is obtained from the Minister for the change in OI; and
b. a replacement OI must:
i. meet the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 5.3.2b, 5.3.2c and 5.3.2d at the time of her/his nomination and for the full term of her/his participation in the project; and
ii. not meet the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 5.2.5.b.iv. for a CI.
5.4 Eligibility criteria for Partner Investigators
5.4.1 A researcher nominated on a Proposal as a PI must meet the following criteria as at 1 January 2008, and for the full term of her/his participation in the project:
a. he/she must not meet the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 5.2.1 for a CI or subsection 5.3.2.b for an OI;
b.secure a significant contribution of cash, in-kind or other material resources from the researcher’s organisation for the proposed project (having regard to the total cost of the project and the relative contribution of each CI and OI); and
c.take significant intellectual responsibility as outlined in subsection 5.1.5.
5.4.2 If a Proposal has been approved for funding and any or all PIs are at any time during the project no longer able to work on the project, the project may be continued under replacement PIs provided that:
a. approval is obtained from the Minister for the change in PI; and
b. a replacement PI must:
i. meet the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 5.4.1.b and 5.4.1.c at the time of her/his nomination and for the full term of her/his participation in the project; and
ii. not meet the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 5.2.5.b.iv for a CI or subsection 5.3.3.b for an OI.
5.5 Eligibility criteria for ARCIF Fellows
5.5.1 To be eligible to be an ARCIF Fellow, a researcher must satisfy the eligibility criteria specified in subsection 13.1.5 and any further eligibility criteria specified for the relevant ARCIF type at Sections 13.2-13.3.
6 Cross-scheme issues
6.1 Cross-scheme funding
6.1.1 The ARC will not duplicate financial assistance for research already funded by the Commonwealth or which is likely to be funded from other Commonwealth funding sources (including under this or any other ARC funding scheme). The ARC reserves the right to determine if a Proposal duplicates or is likely to duplicate research already being funded by another Commonwealth source. In such circumstances the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval. However, if the ARC considers parts of the proposed project remain worthy of support, the ARC may assess the Proposal in the usual way and the ARC may instead recommend that a reduced amount of funding be approved for the Proposal.
6.2 Cross-scheme eligibility
6.2.1 If a funding request for any proposed research project, salary or equipment has been or is being submitted under this or any other ARC scheme or to any other Commonwealth funding body, each Proposal must be cross-referenced and summary details of all other funding and requests must be included in the Proposal. Proposals must indicate the level of funding obtained, or being sought, from all Commonwealth funding sources and must list all existing research funding from all Commonwealth sources. If these processes are not observed, or the ARC determines that incomplete, misleading or inaccurate details were included in the Proposal, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Linkage International Proposal for approval.
6.2.2 If a researcher holds a current Fellowship or is concurrently the subject of multiple Fellowship requests, whether these are in one or more ARC schemes, the Proposals must be cross-referenced. If more than one of these Fellowships is approved for funding, only one Fellowship can be undertaken at any point in time. That is, any existing Fellowship must be relinquished or suspended for the period of the ARCIF.
6.2.3 The ARC may liaise with other funding agencies to discuss any overlap between proposed or existing research projects in order to avoid duplication of funding. The ARC may for this purpose disclose to that agency any information in a Proposal.
6.3 Funding of Medical and Dental Research
6.3.1 Pursuant to subsections 3.4.1 and 3.4.2, the ARC does not fund Medical and Dental Research under Linkage International. The ARC reserves the right to determine conclusively whether proposed research involves Medical and Dental Research.
6.3.2 The NHMRC funds a range of Medical and Dental Research. In some instances, it may not be clear to the intended Administering Organisation whether or not a Proposal would fall within this area of research such that it would not be funded by the ARC. In these cases, an Eligibility Ruling Request may be submitted to the ARC, by forwarding a summary of not more than two pages outlining the proposed research, according to the process described in Section 7.1. The ARC may use the Eligibility Ruling Request to decide whether it would be willing to accept a Proposal involving the proposed research. For the purpose of determining a ruling in relation to proposed research the ARC may, but is under no obligation to, refer Eligibility Ruling Requests to the NHMRC in order to consult with the NHMRC about the likelihood of the NHMRC’s funding research in the proposed research area. The intended Administering Organisation will be advised of the ARC’s decision approximately two weeks after the due date for such requests.
6.3.3 If the Administering Organisation submits, or is intending on submitting, applications to the ARC and the NHMRC for similar research it must cross-reference the Proposals and must declare the dual submission on the ARC application form.
6.3.4 In all cases, whether or not the above process is observed, the ARC reserves the right to decide whether a proposed project falls, or elements of a project fall, within the area of Medical and Dental Research.
7 Application process
7.1 Eligibility Exemption and Eligibility Ruling Process
7.1.1 These Funding Rules describe a number of situations where it is possible to submit an Eligibility Exemption Request or an Eligibility Ruling Request for the purposes of obtaining an exemption or ruling from the ARC regarding the eligibility of a proposed Proposal. All such Requests must be submitted on the ARC Eligibility Exemption/Ruling Request Form via the Research Office of the intended Administering Organisation, and, subject to subsection 7.1.2, be received by the ARC by 6 weeks prior to the relevant closing time for the Linkage International category.
7.1.2 Subject to this subsection, Eligibility Exemption Requests and Eligibility Ruling Requests received after the applicable deadline (6 weeks prior to the relevant closing time) will not be considered. The ARC may, in its absolute discretion, and only in exceptional circumstances, accept late Eligibility Exemption/Ruling Requests.
7.1.3 The ARC may grant an exemption from the eligibility requirements only if an Eligibility Exemption Request has been submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.1. Similarly, an Eligibility Ruling may be provided by the ARC only upon receipt of an Eligibility Ruling Request which has been submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.1. An Eligibility Ruling, however, does not constitute an exemption from the eligibility requirements - rather it provides an indication to potential Applicants about the likelihood of a Proposal’s satisfying certain eligibility requirements if the Proposal is submitted in accordance with the circumstances outlined in the Eligibility Ruling Request.
7.1.4 Eligibility Exemption and Eligibility Ruling Requests must include the supporting information required in each of the situations where exemptions/rulings are being sought, as described elsewhere in this document. The Research Office will be advised of the outcome of any such request as soon as possible to allow time for a detailed Proposal to be completed if appropriate. If an Eligibility Exemption or Eligibility Ruling is given, the ARC will provide an identifying number for the exemption/ruling which is to be quoted on any associated Proposal which is submitted to the ARC.
7.1.5 The ARC Eligibility Exemption/Ruling Request Form is available on the ARC’s Web Site.
7.2 Proposals
7.2.1 A Proposal should be submitted as a mature research plan ready for implementation. The Proposal must contain all the information necessary for its assessment without the need for further written or oral explanation, or reference to additional documentation, unless requested by the ARC or its College of Experts.
7.2.2 All details in the Proposal must be current at the time of submission.
7.2.3 In submitting a Proposal, the Administering Organisation and the CIs, OIs, PIs and ARCIF candidates nominated in the Proposal are consenting to the Proposal’s being assessed under the ARC’s peer assessment procedures and agree to the release of the Proposal to third parties for assessment purposes.
7.3 Certification
7.3.1 The Administering Organisation must obtain the agreement of all parties necessary to allow the proposed project to proceed. These agreements must be attested to by hand-written signatures and certifications from all relevant persons and organisations involved in the Proposal. These agreements, certifications and signatures are to be retained by the Administering Organisation which must provide them if requested by the ARC. A form is available for this purpose on the ARC’s Web Site. If the Administering Organisation fails to provide this material upon request, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval.
7.3.2 A Proposal must be submitted through the appropriate Research Office. If a Proposal has not been submitted through the appropriate Research Office/Chief Executive Officer for certification, the Proposal will not be recommended or approved for funding.
7.4 Submission of Proposals
7.4.1 Proposals under Linkage International consist of two parts:
a. an on-line form which must be completed and submitted in the ARC on-line grants application management system accessible via the ARC’s Web Site; and
b. additional text which must be submitted as part of the paper version of the Proposal, including relevant supporting documentation and investigator curricula vitae.
7.4.2 Proposals for an ICI may be submitted only when invited by the ARC, at the times and in the manner outlined within Section 14 of these Funding Rules. The ARC may seek Proposals relating to a particular ICI described in Appendix 4.
7.4.3 Format
7.4.3.1 All documents must be written in English and must comply strictly with the format and submission requirements. If a Proposal fails to meet any format and content requirements, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval.
7.4.3.2 All pages of additional text should be in black type, use a single column and 12-point font size on white A4 paper, be printed on one side only and unbound, with all margins being at least 2 cm margins. As Proposals are scanned electronically, a highly legible font type must be used, such as Arial, Courier, Palatino, Times New Roman and Helvetica. Variants such as mathematical typesetting languages may also be used. References may be reproduced in 10-point font size. Colour graphs or colour photographs may be included but they will be reproduced in black and white and the reproduction quality may not be optimal. Finely detailed graphics and grey scale may also not be precisely reproduced.
7.4.3.3 The pages of the Proposal should be numbered consecutively starting from page 1.
7.4.4 How to complete and submit a Proposal
7.4.4.1 Administering Organisations must use the form within the ARC’s on-line grants application management system accessible via the ARC’s Web Site.
7.4.4.2 A separate ‘Linkage International Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2008’ document for each category of support will be available from the ARC’s Web Site to assist in preparing Proposals.
7.4.4.3 Administering Organisations may have internal closing dates for Proposal preparation which precede ARC closing times.
7.4.4.4 Research Offices have access to the ARC on-line grants application management system and will allocate User IDs and passwords to enable researchers at their organisations to access the system and prepare Proposals. If a researcher has previously been allocated access, her/his User ID and password should still be current. If researchers do not have a Research Office or equivalent unit, they should email [email protected] at the ARC for assistance.
7.4.4.5 Research Offices should submit forms in the ARC’s on-line grants application management system and forward the Proposal and a copy which must, as far as possible, identically match the contents of the submitted on-line application form. Proposals should be sent:
by mail to:
Linkage International Coordinator
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
or, by courier to:
Linkage International Coordinator
Australian Research Council
1st Floor, 8 Brindabella Circuit
CANBERRA AIRPORT ACT 2609
7.4.5 Number of copies
7.4.5.1 In addition to the on-line form, a paper version of the Proposal must be submitted in duplicate (one original and one identical copy). The paper version must be clipped, not stapled. The paper version of the Proposal must be submitted with the additional text, including supporting documentation, interleaved appropriately (see the relevant ‘Linkage International Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2008’).
7.4.6 Closing time for Proposals
7.4.6.1 Subject to subsection 7.4.6.3, the paper versions of a Proposal must be received by the ARC, and the on-line form completed using the ARC’s on-line grants application management system must be submitted, by the following closing time for the relevant category under which funding is being sought:
Awards and ARCIFs
5:00pm (AEST) Friday 20 April 2007
ICIs
Closing times are specified in Appendix 4, Column 2 against the relevant initiative, including:
Social Sciences Collaboration
5:00pm (AEST) Friday 1 June 2007
Materials World Networks
5:00pm (AEDT) Friday 30 November 2007
7.4.6.2 Proposals may be withdrawn but additions, deletions and modifications will not be accepted after submission, unless invited by the ARC.
7.4.6.3 If a Proposal is received by the ARC after the applicable closing time for the relevant category the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval. In deciding whether to recommend or not recommend such a Proposal the ARC may take into account whether:
a. in the opinion of the ARC, exceptional circumstances apply; or
b. the Administering Organisation is able to provide evidence to the satisfaction of the ARC that all the documents were despatched by the Administering Organisation sufficiently in advance of the closing time for the documents to have been delivered by the closing time in the normal course of events.
8 Selection and approval process
8.1 Selection criteria
8.1.1 All Linkage International Proposals which meet the eligibility criteria will be assessed and merit ranked using the criteria specified for the particular Linkage International category specified in:
a. subsection 12.1.10 for Awards;
b. subsection 13.1.10 for ARCIFs; or
c. Section 14.10 for ICIs.
8.2 Assessment and selection procedure
8.2.1 Assessment and selection process
8.2.1.1 Assessment of Proposals is undertaken by the ARC, which has the right to make recommendations solely on the basis of its expertise, and which may:
a.consider if a Proposal satisfies the eligibility criteria set out in these Funding Rules;
b.identify and consider any other matters that these Funding Rules state may result in the ARC’s not recommending a Proposal for approval;
c.assign assessors to review Proposals;
d.seek comments on assessors’ reports from the parties involved in the Proposal;
e.rank each Proposal relative to the others on the basis of the Proposal, any assessors’ reports, and any response to those assessment reports;
f.assess and recommend the amount of funding to be made available for a Proposal; and/or
g.prepare funding recommendations for the Minister as required by the ARC Act.
8.2.1.2 The ARC College of Experts assists with the assessment of Proposals. The ARC has procedures for managing organisational and personal conflicts of interest experienced by members of the College of Experts, members of other ARC Committees, ARC members, and other assessors, and for enabling individuals to withdraw from the assessment process for particular Proposals where any actual or perceived conflict may exist.
8.2.2 Exclusion of Proposals
8.2.2.1 The ARC will not recommend for approval, and the Minister will not approve for funding, any Proposal that fails to satisfy the “eligibility criteria” set out in these Funding Rules, including:
a.if the ARC considers that the Proposal seeks funding for any of the items not permitted under Sections 3.4 or 3.5 and the ARC considers no other part of the proposed project remains worthy of support (subsection 3.4.2) or the total of the remaining part of the Proposal is less than the specified minimum level of funding for Proposals for the relevant category under which funding is being sought (subsection 3.1.5);
b.if the Proposal was not submitted by an Eligible Organisation (Section 4.1);
c.if the Proposal did not nominate at least one CI or ARCIF candidate (subsection 5.1.2);
d.if the ARC considers that a researcher nominated in the Proposal as CI, OI, PI or ARCIF candidate does not meet the eligibility criteria as specified in Section 5.1 or Sections 5.3, 5.4 or 5.5 for the role which that researcher is to perform (subsection 5.1.7);
e.if the ARC determines that a proposed project would fall within the area of Medical and Dental Research (subsections 3.4.1.a and 6.3.3);
f.if a Proposal has not been submitted through the appropriate Research Office/Chief Executive Officer for certification (subsection 7.3.2);
g.if the Proposal is not for a program of research, or a program that supports the conduct of a program of research; and
h.if the ARCIF Proposal includes more than the maximum number of researchers of a specified role(s) (subsection 13.1.9.1a).
8.2.2.2 The ARC may in its absolute discretion decide not to recommend for approval a Proposal if:
a. in the opinion of the ARC, any researcher nominated in the Proposal as a CI, OI, PI or ARCIF candidate has caused or has significantly contributed to the failure of an organisation to meet its obligations under any current or previous funding agreement with the ARC (subsection 1.1.5);
b. in the opinion of the ARC, any party involved in or associated with the Proposal has failed to disclose any conflict of interest which has the potential to influence, or appear to influence, the research and activities, publications and media reports, or requests for funding related to the Proposal (subsection 1.4.3.2);
c. the limits on the number of Proposals and projects permissible are exceeded (subsection 3.6.1.2);
d. the ARC considers that the project described in the Proposal is the same as or similar (in whole or in part) to a project described in another Proposal that is submitted in the same funding round (subsection 3.6.2.1);
e. where required to do so the Proposal does not include a required letter from a Centre Director (subsection 14.8.1.2);
f. in the opinion of the ARC, a Proposal duplicates or is likely to duplicate research already being funded, or which is likely to be funded, by the Commonwealth (subsections 1.4.2.2, 6.1.1 and 14.8.1.1);
g. where required the Proposal does not include details of other funding or funding requests (subsection 6.2.1);
h. the ARC considers incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading material has been provided in relation to the Proposal or if the Administering Organisation and/or researchers nominated in the Proposal as a CI, OI, PI or ARCIF candidate have provided the ARC with incomplete, unsatisfactory, inaccurate or misleading information in relation to the provision of advice relating to, or in the reporting of progress of, a funded project (subsections 6.2.1, 11.5.2 and 14.8.1.4);
i. the on-line Proposal is submitted, or the paper version of the Proposal is received by the ARC, after the closing time (subsection 7.4.6.3);
j. the circumstances of a Proposal are such that an eligibility exemption or ruling is required but the required process has not been followed (including that the deadlines are not met) (Section 7.1);
k. the Proposal fails to meet any format and other submission requirements (Section 7.4);
l. it is an ICI Proposal and the collaborating overseas agency or agencies have decided not to fund the counterpart Proposal(s) (subsection 14.10.4); and/or
m. it is an ICI Proposal and it fails to meet one or more requirement specified against the relevant initiative in Appendix 4.
8.2.3 Assessment
8.2.3.1 In addition to assessment by the ARC, a Proposal may at the ARC’s absolute discretion be assessed by external assessors. Assessors may be drawn from a range of organisations to reduce the potential for conflicts of interest. Proposals will be assessed against the criteria set out in these Funding Rules and the reports by the assessors may include written comment.
8.2.3.2 The ARC reserves the right to make recommendations for funding to the Minister based on any number of assessments or solely on the assessment of the ARC.
8.2.3.3 Administering Organisations may provide written notification to the ARC naming any person or persons whom they do not wish to assess a Proposal. A “Request not to Assess” form is available from the ARC’s Web Site for this purpose. Such notifications must contain detailed justification and be submitted using the “Request not to Assess” form through the Administering Organisation’s Research Office. This notification must not accompany the Proposal. The notification must be received by the ARC by the applicable closing time for Proposals and be sent:
by mail to:
Linkage International Coordinator
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
or, by courier to:
Linkage International Coordinator
Australian Research Council
1st Floor, 8 Brindabella Circuit
CANBERRA AIRPORT ACT 2609
8.2.3.4 The ARC will consider the justification put forward to exclude any person as an assessor, but may choose not to give effect to such a request.
8.2.4 Rejoinder
8.2.4.1 Assessors’ written comments, if obtained, may be provided to allow the opportunity for a rejoinder to the comments. Names of assessors are not provided. At the same time, the ARC may add questions to the material sent for rejoinder. A period of 2 weeks is given to submit a rejoinder to the ARC. Subject to subsection 8.2.4.2, rejoinders will not be accepted after the nominated closing time for rejoinder submissions. The ARC may limit the length of rejoinders which can be submitted. Rejoinders must be submitted through the ARC’s on-line grants application management system.
8.2.4.2 The ARC may, in its absolute discretion, and only in exceptional circumstances, accept late rejoinders.
8.2.5 Recommendations
8.2.5.1 The ARC’s recommendations will be submitted in accordance with the ARC Act to the Minister for Education, Science and Training (the Minister) for consideration. The Minister determines which Proposals will be approved and the amount and timing of financial assistance to be paid to Administering Organisations for approved Proposals.
8.2.5.2 Under the ARC Act, the Minister may not approve for funding any Proposal that fails to meet the eligibility criteria set out in these Funding Rules.
8.3 Offer of funding
8.3.1 Administering Organisations whose Proposals are approved will be:
a. notified in a letter of offer that will indicate the financial assistance to be offered; and
b. provided with a copy of a Funding Agreement for signing.
9 Appeals process
9.1.1 Appeals will be considered only against administrative process issues and not, for example, against committee recommendations or assessor ratings and comments.
9.1.2 Appeals must be made on the appeals form available from the ARC’s Web Site. The form must be lodged by the Administering Organisation and must be authorised by a Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Chief Executive Officer or equivalent. Appeals must be received within 28 days of the date on the letter notifying the outcome of Proposals.
9.1.3 Appeals must be addressed and sent:
by mail to:
The Appeals Officer
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
or by courier to:
The Appeals Officer
Australian Research Council
1st Floor, 8 Brindabella Circuit
CANBERRA AIRPORT ACT 2609
10 Administration of funding
10.1 Funding Agreement
10.1.1 All parties involved in a Proposal should familiarise themselves with the draft Funding Agreement, but only the Administering Organisation and the ARC will be parties to the Funding Agreement. Parties involved in a funded project must accept the terms of the Funding Agreement and the Administering Organisation must sign the Funding Agreement before the ARC will commence payments.
10.1.2 Projects must commence as required by the Funding Agreement. Failure to do so may result in termination of the Funding Agreement.
10.1.3 Administering Organisations should note that the Funding Agreement covers the post-award management, including reporting requirements and financial management. The draft Funding Agreement can be viewed on the ARC’s Web Site.
10.1.4 Varying the Funding Agreement
10.1.4.1 Requests to vary the Funding Agreement must be forwarded in writing by the Administering Organisation’s Research Office to the ARC. Forms are available on the ARC’s Web Site. Amendment of any clauses of the draft Funding Agreement will be at the ARC’s absolute discretion.
10.1.5 Varying the Funding Approval
10.1.5.1 Requests to vary the Funding Approval must be forwarded in writing by the Administering Organisation’s Research Office to the ARC.
10.1.5.2 The funding approval may be varied by varying the amount of financial assistance, the period of financial assistance, the name of the person leading the research project and/or the name of the organisation receiving financial assistance.
10.1.5.3 The Minister may vary the funding approval if:
a. any of the organisations involved in the project end, or substantially change, their involvement with the project;
b. the research project changes so that it is no longer consistent with the description in the funding approval as previously approved or as otherwise varied;
c. the desirable period of funding for a project is not consistent with the period in the funding approval as previously approved or as otherwise varied;
d. the person nominated in the funding approval as the person leading the research project, or any such replacement person approved by the Minister, ceases to lead the project; and/or
e. the ARC considers and recommends that the particular circumstances of the project warrant variation of the funding approval, providing such variation is reasonably justified upon the facts of the case and any variation or change to the project accords with the Linkage International objectives.
10.1.6 Reports
10.1.6.1 Administering Organisations are required to submit reports to the ARC concerning funded projects, in the format and by the due dates detailed in the Funding Agreement.
11 Other matters
11.1 Applicable law
11.1.1 The ARC is required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
11.2 Confidentiality
11.2.1 The ARC will treat information contained in a Proposal as confidential. However, the ARC may disclose information contained in a Proposal, or otherwise provided to the ARC, to the extent that the information:
a.is disclosed by the ARC to its advisers (including external assessors), officers, employees or other third parties in order to assess, evaluate or verify the accuracy or completeness of a Proposal;
·Developing deep earth resources
Smart high-technology exploration methodologies, including imaging and mapping the deep earth and ocean floors, and novel efficient ways of commodity extraction and processing (examples include minerals, oil and gas) while minimising negative ecological and social impacts.
Many of Australia’s known mineral assets may be nearly exhausted within the next decade. New land-based deposits are believed to be buried deeper in the crust and the deep marine areas surrounding Australia are also largely unexplored. New technologies, such as remote sensing, indicate scientists are on the brink of being able to ‘see’ inside the earth and identify deeply buried deposits.
·Responding to climate change and variability
Increasing our understanding of the impact of climate change and variability at the regional level across Australia, and addressing the consequences of these factors on the environment and on communities.
Australia already has a highly variable climate, and climate change can be expected to have further significant impacts. It is important to enhance our understanding of the consequences of climate change and variability at the regional level across Australia, and the implications for the environment and for communities. It is also important to explore beneficial adaptation strategies to climate change and variability to ensure ongoing social, economic and environmental well being.
Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health
Promoting good health and well being for all Australians
Average life expectancies have increased markedly in recent decades. Australians also expect to lead longer and healthier lives in the future, and to remain productive and independent over an extended period.
Enabling individuals and families to make choices that lead to healthy, productive and fulfilling lives will yield economic and social benefits and add materially to national well being.
Australians expect that their children and grandchildren should have a healthy start to life.
Developing strategies to promote the healthy development of young Australians, and addressing the causes and reducing the impact of the genetic, social and environmental factors which diminish their life potential will be critical.
A revolution is also underway at the other end of the life cycle. Australia, like many other developed nations, is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population.
To meet this challenge, it will be important to promote healthy ageing by developing better social and medical strategies to ensure that older Australians enjoy healthy and productive lives.
Informed insights into the causes of disease and of mental and physical degeneration will contribute to the achievement of this goal.
All Australians stand to benefit from preventive healthcare through the adoption of healthier attitudes, habits and lifestyles.
Evidence-based preventive interventions may help reduce the incidence and severity of many diseases, including major health problems such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, mental ill-health, obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic inflammatory conditions. These could include interventions that reduce exposure to contamination of the physical environment (eg air pollution).
Improvements in the health and well being of the young, of older Australians and in preventive healthcare will be underpinned by research.
However, while Australia has an enviable record in health and medical research, the research effort is spread across the many universities, hospitals and health and medical research institutes, resulting in critical mass only in limited areas of research.
There is also a need to draw on multidisciplinary approaches that include research contributions from the social sciences and humanities.
This priority is designed to promote health and prevent disease through a more focused and collaborative effort.
Priority goals for research fall in the four areas of a healthy start to life, ageing well, ageing productively, preventive healthcare and strengthening Australia’s social and economic fabric.
Priority Goals
· A healthy start to life
Counteracting the impact of genetic, social and environmental factors which predispose infants and children to ill health and reduce their well being and life potential.
Human health in the developing foetus and in early childhood is critical to the future well being of the adult. Research shows that health and well being in early childhood is predictive of later positive outcomes, and that health in middle and late childhood is also crucial. This goal supports the Government’s National Agenda for Early Childhood initiative.
· Ageing well, ageing productively
Developing better social, medical and population health strategies to improve the mental and physical capacities of ageing people.
Australia’s population is ageing, with a significant projected increase in the number of people aged over 65 and over 85. While Australia is relatively well placed compared with many OECD nations, major shifts in cultural expectations and attitudes about ageing are necessary to respond constructively, at both an individual and population level. A healthy aged population will contribute actively to the life of the nation through participation in the labour market or through voluntary work. This goal supports the Government’s National Strategy for an Ageing Australia.
· Preventive healthcare
New ethical, evidence-based strategies to promote health and prevent disease through the adoption of healthier lifestyles and diet, and the development of health-promoting products.
Preventive healthcare research will improve the prediction and prevention of disease and injury for all Australians through the adoption of healthier behaviours, lifestyles and environments. Research will generate an improvement in the design, delivery and uptake of programmes such as exercise-based rehabilitation. There are several major disease targets amenable to immediate study, such as cardiovascular health, neurodegenerative diseases, mental ill-health, obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic inflammatory conditions. Research on prevention will emphasise interdisciplinary approaches, including research on ethics, drawing on contributions from the social sciences and humanities, as well as from the health and medical sciences. It will also focus on developing new health promoting foods and nutraceuticals. This goal supports the Government’s Focus on Prevention initiative.
· Strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric
Understanding and strengthening key elements of Australia's social and economic fabric to help families and individuals live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.
Living in today's society involves a complex web of choices, yet many of the traditional support structures are weaker than they have been in the past. Enabling people to make choices that lead to positive pathways to self reliance and supportive family structures is more important than ever. The interactions between the social safety net, social and economic participation, financial incentives and community and private sources of support are critical in helping people maximise their potential and achieve good, healthy, lifetime outcomes. In the decade ahead, it will be vital to understand and support the drivers for workforce participation and the broader social and economic trends influencing Australian families and communities. This goal supports the Government's welfare reform and participation agendas. Research in this area will emphasise interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on contributions from the economic, behavioural and social sciences.
Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
Stimulating the growth of world-class Australian industries using innovative
technologies developed from cutting-edge researchProgress and wealth often derive from the unforeseen application of new discoveries. Australia must be at the leading edge if it is to stay abreast of international developments and take advantage of opportunities.
Our national capabilities in emerging sciences and their underpinning disciplines determine our capacity to develop and implement new technologies. Australia has a strong base of expertise, skills and technological capacities in the fundamental sciences and key technologies.
Our strengths are in a wide range of areas such as biotechnology, material sciences, information and communications technology (ICT), photonics, nanotechnology and sensor technology.
ICT is currently the critical enabling technology and is a major contributor to national productivity and growth.
But breakthrough science underpins technological advancements in many areas and Australia needs to foster an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation.
Applications for frontier technologies are potentially very large. Australia has the capacity to exploit niche markets for new products and services.
Australia also has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials and must grasp the opportunity to stay ahead.
Smart information use involving improved data management, intelligent transport systems and digital media to develop creative applications for digital technologies provides huge opportunities to improve the performance of key Australian industries.
Australia needs to invest in this research area as it is fundamental to our future competitiveness and well being.
This priority will help to strengthen the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in new areas of research, enhance Australia’s international scientific reputation, stimulate local expertise, and help create vibrant new industries.
A better understanding of the conditions that are conducive to innovation will ensure that Australia’s investment in research will maximise the benefits for Australia.
Enhanced research effort will also be achieved through initiatives that develop a critical mass of researchers in key areas.
Priority goals for research fall in the five areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies, advanced materials, smart information use, and promoting an innovation culture and economy.
Priority Goals
·Breakthrough science
Better understanding of the fundamental processes that will advance knowledge and facilitate the development of technological innovations.
Breakthrough science underpins technological innovation across a range of industries critical to maintaining Australia’s position as a developed country. Some examples include bio-, cultural- and geo-informatics, nano-assembly and quantum computing. Technological advances are often unexpected and a strong foundation in mathematics and the fundamental sciences will provide an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Early participation in leading edge areas of research will enable Australian researchers to benefit more fully from international developments.
·Frontier technologies
Enhanced capacity in frontier technologies to power world-class industries of the future and build on Australia’s strengths in research and innovation (examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics/phenomics, and complex systems).
The potential applications of frontier technologies across a range of industries in Australia are vast. Australia has significant capacity to exploit niche markets for new products and services emerging from frontier technologies. Australia has world-class research expertise in many such areas. Some examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics and phenomics. Also important are advanced frameworks such as complex systems in which these technologies are applied. Future directions in this priority area need to target the cutting-edge science critical for each emerging technology.
·Advanced materials
Advanced materials for applications in construction, communications, transport, agriculture and medicine (examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart material and fabrics, composites, polymers and light metals).
The development of advanced materials will underpin growth in many areas of industrial and economic activity in Australia. Australia has substantial infrastructure in this area and an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. The era of advanced materials is just beginning, in spite of the tremendous progress in recent years. Substantial scientific and technological challenges remain ahead, including the development of more sophisticated and specialised materials. Some examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart materials and fabrics, composites, polymers, and light metals.
·Smart information use
Improved data management for existing and new business applications and creative applications for digital technologies (examples include e-finance, interactive systems, multi-platform media, creative industries, digital media creative design, content generation and imaging).
ICT applications are providing huge opportunities to deliver new systems, products, business solutions, and to make more efficient use of infrastructure. Examples include e-finance, multi-media, content generation and imaging. Improved data management is central to the future competitiveness of key industries such as agriculture, biotechnology, finance, banking, education, transport, government, and health and ‘info-tainment’. The ability of organisations to operate virtually and collaborate across huge distances in Australia and internationally hinges on our capabilities in this area. The media and creative industries are among the fastest growing sectors of the new economy. Research is needed to exploit the huge potential in the digital media industry.
·Promoting an innovation culture and economy
Maximising Australia’s creative and technological capability by understanding the factors conducive to innovation and its acceptance.
Understanding the factors that lead to highly creative and innovative ideas and concepts, and the conditions that lead to their introduction, transfer and uptake is critical for any nation that aspires to lead the world in breakthrough science, frontier technologies, and in other forms of innovation. Promoting an innovation culture and economy requires research with a focus on developing and fostering human talent, societal and cultural values favourable to creativity and innovation, and structures and processes for encouraging and managing innovation.
Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, strengthening our understanding of Australia’s place in the region and the world, and securing our infrastructure, particularly with respect to our digital systems.
The importance of security and safety to Australia has been underscored by recent events.
Australia has to be capable of anticipating and tackling critical threats to society, strategic areas of the national economy and the environment.
The threats can potentially come from within and outside Australia.
The world is now characterised by the widespread and rapid movements of people, digitally coded data, goods and services, and exotic biological agents.
Critical infrastructure in Australia is increasingly dependent on digital technology for its management and integration.
Information protection and the integrity of security systems are now more important than ever before.
It is also necessary to protect the status of Australia as a nation free of many of the diseases affecting primary production around the world.
Terrorism has emerged as a very real global threat and crime is taking a significant toll on Australian society and economy.
Maintaining the operational advantage of Australia’s defence forces through superior capabilities is also fundamental to our national security.
Enhancing our nation’s understanding of social, political and cultural issues will help Australia to engage with our neighbours and the wider global community and to respond to emerging issues.
Leading edge research in Australia is already yielding high dividends and as a national research priority will improve the effectiveness of that contribution.
Stronger research capabilities will ensure that solutions are tailored to Australia’s unique circumstances, reflecting its geographic features and small population.
Greater collaboration within the research community and with other stakeholders will allow us to better understand and manage potential threats to Australia.
Harnessing the knowledge and capabilities across Australia offers us the best chance of developing innovative and rapid solutions to serious threats.
Australia’s international relations and its regional influence will be strengthened through new collaborative approaches and new science and technologies that enhance security and safety.
The heightened interest in personal and electronic security across the world also provides opportunities for Australian solutions.
Priority goals for research fall in the five areas of critical infrastructure, understanding our region and the world, protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests, protecting Australia from terrorism and crime, and transformational defence technologies.
Priority goals
· Critical infrastructure
Protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure including our financial, energy, communications, and transport systems.
Protecting our critical infrastructure is important to national security and to the social and economic well being of Australia. An important aspect of this priority goal is e-security which is an enabler of e-commerce. Maintaining a critical mass of research in e-security will be essential in providing Australia with the tools to protect our way of life.
· Understanding our region and the world
Enhancing Australia’s capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment through a greater understanding of languages, societies, politics and cultures.
Social, cultural and religious issues are of growing significance due to the insecurities of globalisation and the increasing role of non-state players in the security environment. Australia’s capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment will be substantially improved by enhancing its research base in apposite languages, societies and cultures. An approach that enhances Australia’s capacity to interpret itself to the rest of the world is also needed.
· Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests
Counteract the impact of invasive species through the application of new technologies and by integrating approaches across agencies and jurisdictions.
Australia is free of many of the pests and diseases affecting primary production around the world. This status needs to be protected as the introduction of exotic species has the potential to adversely affect our exports and the environment. Australia already has strong skills and expertise in this area of research and further work will offer immediate benefits to the community. A greater level of coordination of our research effort will mean that Australia can more effectively develop innovative and rapid solutions to serious threats.
· Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime
By promoting a healthy and diverse research and development system that anticipates threats and supports core competencies in modern and rapid identification techniques.
Protecting Australia from terrorism is now more important than ever before in light of recent events and our involvement in the ‘war on terror’. The new threat requires a more sophisticated response which should harness Australia’s research capabilities, and which will focus on all phases of counter-terrorism; prevention, preparedness, detection, response and recovery. Crime takes a significant toll on Australian society and economy. The June 2000 report from the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council estimated that crime costs Australia at least $18 billion per annum. Personal identification, information protection and the integrity of security systems are fundamental towards ensuring the national security of Australia. An effective solution will include building on Australia’s existing strengths in rapid detection using new analytical technologies and managing significant data collections.
· Transformational defence technologies
Transform military operations for the defence of Australia by providing superior technologies, better information and improved ways of operation.
Australia has a small defence force to protect a large continent and a substantial maritime region of responsibility. Its operational advantage has been maintained through a superior capability which is dependent on leveraging innovative technologies. Although some benefits can be gained from overseas research, Australia has to conduct its own research to address uniquely Australian demands. A systems approach which harnesses the research capabilities of all stakeholders is essential to the successful development and introduction of innovative technologies.
Appendix 2. Eligible Organisations
Item 1a. Organisations eligible to submit Proposals for Linkage International Awards and ARCIFs.
New South Wales
Charles Sturt University
Macquarie University
Southern Cross University
The University of New England
The University of New South Wales
The University of Newcastle
The University of Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
University of Western Sydney
University of Wollongong
Victoria
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Melbourne College of Divinity
Monash University
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University)
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of Melbourne
University of Ballarat
Victoria University
Queensland
Bond University
Central Queensland University
Griffith University
James Cook University
Queensland University of Technology
The University of Queensland
The University of the Sunshine Coast
University of Southern Queensland
Western Australia
Curtin University of Technology
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
The University of Western Australia
South Australia
Flinders University
The University of Adelaide
University of South Australia
Tasmania
Australian Maritime College
University of Tasmania
Northern Territory
Charles Darwin University
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian National University
University of Canberra
Multi-State
Australian Catholic University
Item 1b. Other organisations eligible to submit Proposals for Linkage International Awards
Museums and herbaria which are Australian publicly funded organisations not directly funded to carry out research, but with research-related purposes and objectives.
Item 2. Organisations eligible to submit Proposals for Linkage International ICIs.
Those Organisations listed in Appendix 4, Column 3 for the relevant initiative.
Appendix 3. Notional Fellowship salaries and relocation allowances
Item 1. ARC Notional* Fellowship Salaries for funding commencing in 2008
* Salaries are indexed annually. These figures are based on an expected level of indexation for 2008 and may be subject to variation.
| Fellowship | Salary (per annum) | 28% on-costs | TOTAL |
| Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship; | $61,444 | $17,204 | $78,648 |
| Australian Research Fellowship | $77,065 | $21,578 | $98,643 |
| Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship | $91,645 | $25,661 | $117,306 |
| Australian Professorial Fellowship | $106,225 | $29,743 | $135,968 |
| Australian Professorial Fellowship | $122,888 | $34,409 | $157,296 |
Item 2. Maximum ARC Fellows and ARCIF Relocation Allowances
North America $17,000
Europe/Asia (Northern Hemisphere)/Africa/South America $14,000
Asia (Southern Hemisphere)/Oceania $11,000
Unless otherwise specified in these Funding Rules, travel associated with relocations will be funded only up to a maximum of one return economy class airfare for each person approved for relocation.
Appendix 4: Particular Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs) undertaken under these Funding Rules
Initiative being funded
(Column1)Closing Time for Proposals
(Column 2)Eligible Organisations
(Column 3)Applicable Investigator roles[1] and requirements
(Column 4)Specific objectives
(Column 5)Indicative duration and funding thresholds
(Column 6)Other Items specific to the initiative
(Column 7)Title: Materials World Networks (MWN)
· Joint initiative between the ARC and the US National Science Foundation in Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between Australian and US Investigators.
· 5:00pm AEDT 30 November 2007.
· Those organisations listed in Appendix 2, Item 1a and 1b.
· Chief Investigator
· Overseas Investigator
· Partner Investigator
· Each Proposal must have at least one CI and OI.
· The first-named CI will be considered the ‘Project Leader’ and must be an employee, or holder of an adjunct appointment or equivalent, at the proponent Eligible Organisation.
· To fund collaborative Australian/US Proposals in the field of materials science.
· To stimulate enhanced collaborations among materials science researchers and create networks linking individuals and centres in Australia and the USA.
· Proposals must have clear relevance to fundamental materials phenomena, synthesis, characterization and/or properties.
· Funding may be awarded for 1 to 3 years, subject to sufficient funding being available for Linkage International, and the provisions of the ARC Act.
· The duration of the proposed ICI project should match the duration of the counterpart project proposed to the NSF.
· Total funds of up to $100,000 per year will be provided for any one project.
· A person may not be nominated as a CI on more than one MWN ICI Proposal submitted in 2007.
Title: Social Sciences Collaboration (SSC)
· Joint initiative between the ARC and the Economic and Social Research Council of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (ESRC) in the field of Social Sciences: Cooperative Activity in Social Sciences Research between Australian and British Investigators.
· 5:00pm AEST 1 June 2007.
· Those organisations listed in Appendix 2, Item 1a and 1b.
· Chief Investigator
· Overseas Investigator
· Partner Investigator
· Each Proposal must have at least one CI and OI.
· The first-named CI will be considered the ‘Project Leader’ and must be an employee, or holder of an adjunct appointment or equivalent, at the proponent Eligible Organisation.
· To fund collaborative Australian/British Proposals in the fields of economics, economic and social history, political science, socio-legal studies, education, psychology, cognitive studies, linguistics, management and business studies, human geography, environmental planning, international studies, area and development studies, social statistics, demography, social science computing, sociology, social anthropology, social policy and social work.
· To stimulate enhanced collaborations among social science researchers and create networks linking individuals and centres in Australia and the UK.
· Funds may be awarded for 1 to 5 years, subject to sufficient funding being available for Linkage International, and the provisions of the ARC Act.
· The duration of the proposed ICI project should match the duration of the counterpart project proposed to the UK ESRC.
· The maximum level of funding which will be provided per project is $250,000.
· A person may not be nominated as a CI on more than one SSC ICI Proposal submitted in 2007.
[1] Refer Section 5 for a description of investigator types and their associated eligibility criteria.
1Refer Section 5 for a description of investigator types and their associated eligibility criteria.
Notes to the Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008
Note 1
The Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 [(in force under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001)] as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.
Table of Instruments
Title
Date of FRLI registration
Date of
commencementApplication, saving or
transitional provisionsLinkage International
Funding Rules for
funding commencing in
2008
6 March 2007
(F2007L00221)7 March 2007 Variation to the
Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 200820 March 2007 (F2007L00644) 21 March 2007
Table of Amendments
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted Provision affected
How affected
Subsection 1.1.3 rs. Text ‘December 2006’ deleted and replaced with ‘February 2007’ Subsection 13.1.10 rs. Current weighting of 20% against selection criterion c. deleted and replaced with a weighting of 30%
0
0
0