7.2.4 The Future Fellow must legally reside predominantly in Australia for the duration of the Future Fellowship, except where ARC approval has been granted.
7.2.5 The Future Fellow must relinquish any Fellowships or the duties of any existing appointments prior to commencement. The Future Fellow may hold honorary or non-remunerated Fellowships. The Administering Organisation must ensure that honorary or non-remunerated Fellowships will not impair the capacity of the Future Fellow to complete the proposed Project.
7.2.6 Subject to subsection 7.2.5, at the closing time of submission of Proposals, a Future Fellowship Candidate who holds an ARC or NHMRC Fellowship may apply for a Future Fellowship only in the final year of her/his Fellowship. A Fellowship is considered to be funded for the years set out in the Funding Agreement.
7.2.7 The Future Fellow cannot commence another ARC Fellowship until the entire Future Fellowship salary component has been expended.
8.Salary Levels
8.1.1 A Future Fellowship salary may be requested and awarded at one of three salary levels (2011$) (plus salary-related (on-cost) funding), which is either equivalent to or higher than the academic salary level of the Future Fellowship Candidate as at the closing time for submission of Proposals.
Table 1: Future Fellowship Salary Levels
Future Fellowship Salary Levels | Salary | On-costs 28% | Total |
Future Fellowship Level 1 (1.0 FTE) | $100,493 | $28,139 | $128,632 |
Future Fellowship Level 2 (1.0 FTE) | $121,651 | $34,063 | $155,714 |
Future Fellowship Level 3 (1.0 FTE) | $142,806 | $39,986 | $182,792 |
8.1.2 Where the Future Fellowship Candidate is either unemployed, in part-time employment, or is an international researcher, the minimum salary level applicable should be determined by the Future Fellowship Candidate’s most recent full-time appointment (at level) and the nearest salary equivalent in Australian dollars ($A). Researchers with a current salary level greater than Future Fellowship Level 3 can only apply for a Future Fellowship Level 3.
8.1.3 The ARC has the absolute discretion to permit a variation of the requirements outlined in subsection 8.1.1, for circumstances including, but not limited to, Future Fellowship Candidates who are employed overseas, who are not employed, or who are not receiving a salary, at the time of submission of Proposals.
8.1.4 The salary level guide and classifications outlined are intended to provide the Future Fellowship Candidate with guidance as to the standard expected at each Future Fellowship Salary Level, in terms of classification relative to opportunities.
8.1.5 Future Fellowship Level 1 – Salary $100,493 (plus 28% on-costs)
A Future Fellowship Level 1 Candidate will:
- a.
be equivalent to Academic Level C (or at a salary level below) within an Australian University;
- b.
be recognised nationally as being influential in expanding the knowledge of their discipline area; and
- c.
have made independent and original contributions to research, which have a significant impact on their field of expertise.
8.1.6 Future Fellowship Level 2 – Salary $121,651 (plus 28% on-costs)
A Future Fellowship Level 2 Candidate will:
- a.
be equivalent to Academic Level D (or at a salary level below) within an Australian University;
- b.
be recognised internationally as being influential in expanding the knowledge of their discipline area;
- c.
have made independent and original contributions to research, which have a significant impact on their field of expertise; and
- d.
lead and foster excellence in research, including research training supervision.
8.1.7 Future Fellowship Level 3 – Salary $142,806 (plus 28% on-costs)
A Future Fellowship Level 3 Candidate will:
- a.
be equivalent to Academic Level E (or at a salary level below) within an Australian University;
- b.
be recognised internationally as being influential in expanding the knowledge of their discipline area;
- c.
have made outstanding contributions to research, which have a high level of impact on their field of expertise internationally;
- d.
lead and foster excellence in research, including research training supervision;
- e.
make or have made a contribution to high level research policy; and
- f.
be capable of initiation and management of large research projects.
9.Number of Proposals, Funded Projects and Cross-Scheme Eligibility
9.1Number of Proposals and Funded Projects
9.1.1 The Future Fellowship Candidate may be nominated on no more than one Future Fellowships Proposal in this funding round, evaluated as at the closing time of submission of Proposals, regardless of any subsequent change in, or withdrawal of, Proposals. Submitting Proposals that exceed this limit will result in all Proposals involving the relevant researcher not being recommended for funding.
9.1.2 The Future Fellowship Candidate may not submit more than two Future Fellowship Proposals in the funding rounds between 2009 and 2013. This includes Proposals that have been withdrawn after the closing time of submission of Proposals and Proposals which were deemed ineligible by the ARC.
9.1.3 A Future Fellow cannot apply for a subsequent Future Fellowship.
9.1.4 A Future Fellow may only receive funding concurrently for a maximum of two Discovery Projects. If two Projects are funded concurrently under the Discovery Projects scheme only one can be as sole CI.
9.1.5 A Future Fellow will not be permitted to relinquish a CI, Fellow or Centre Personnel role or existing ARC grants held on 1 July 2012, to circumvent these limits.
9.1.6 Proposals may be submitted only to the extent that, if successful, the Future Fellowship Candidate nominated on the Proposal would not be involved in more than the maximum number of Projects permitted after 1 July 2012 evaluated as at the closing time of submission of Proposals. A Project is considered to be funded for the years set out in the Funding Agreement.
9.2ProposalEligibility
9.2.1 The ARC will not duplicate funding for research, including infrastructure, funded as at 1 July 2012 by the Commonwealth.
9.2.2 The Proposal must list all current funding and requested funding for the Future Fellowship Candidate under any ARC scheme or any other Commonwealth funding scheme.
9.2.3 The ARC will assess whether a Proposal meets the eligibility requirements in these Funding Rules and may recommend that a Proposal that does not meet the requirements be deemed ineligible.
9.3Cross-Scheme Eligibility9.3.1 Researchers cannot submit a Future Fellowships Proposal for funding commencing in 2012 and:
a. a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award for funding commencing in 2013;
b. a Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award (DORA) within a Discovery Projects Proposal for funding commencing in 2013;
c. an Australian Laureate Fellowships Proposal for funding commencing in 2012; or
d. a Fellowship or other career award on a NHMRC Proposal for funding commencing in 2012 or 2013.
10.Eligibility Exemption
10.1.1 An Eligibility Exemption Request, including all supporting documentation, must be submitted on the ARC Eligibility Exemption Request Form. This form must be submitted through the RMS and received by the ARC by 5.00 pm (AEDT) Wednesday 19 October 2011, unless otherwise advised.
10.1.2 Eligibility Exemption Requests received after 5.00 pm (AEDT) Wednesday 19 October 2011 will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
10.1.3 The Research Office will be advised of the outcome of any such request as soon as possible. If an Eligibility Exemption is given, the ARC will provide an identifying number for the exemption which is to be quoted on the relevant Proposal.
10.1.4 The ARC may grant an Eligibility Exemption for the Future Fellowship Candidate commensurate with a significant interruption or limitation of their research outputs owing to:
a. periods of approved maternity/parental/carers leave;
b. greater than three months of unemployment;
c. part-time academic employment, where the part-time position is the Future Fellowship Candidate’s sole source of employment; and/or
d. any other exceptional circumstances.
10.1.5 The ARC may grant an Eligibility Exemption for the Future Fellowship Candidate where evidence can be provided to indicate that the Future Fellowship Candidate’s research qualification/experience is equivalent to a PhD obtained within the time limits (see subsection 7.2.2b).
10.1.6 The ARC Eligibility Exemption Request Form is available on the ARC website.
11.Submission of Proposals
11.1Proposals
11.1.1 The Proposal must contain all the information necessary for assessment without the need for further written or oral explanation, or reference to additional documentation, unless requested by the ARC.
11.1.2 All details in the Proposal must be current at the time of submission.
11.2Submission of Proposals in the RMS
- 11.2.1
Administering Organisations must submit Proposals through the RMS unless otherwise advised by the ARC.
- 11.2.2
All Proposals must meet the format and content requirements, including certification, as set out in the RMS form and the Instructions to Applicants.
11.3Closing Time for Proposals
11.3.1 The online form completed within the RMS must be submitted by 5.00pm (AEST) Wednesday 30 November 2011.
11.3.2 Additions, deletions and modifications will not be accepted after submission, unless invited by the ARC.
11.3.3 Proposals may be withdrawn up until 5.00pm (AEST) Friday 17 February 2012 by the Administering Organisation by notice in writing to the ARC.
11.4Certification in the RMS
11.4.1 The Administering Organisation must certify a Proposal online in the RMS. Research Offices should ensure that the Research Office delegate role is authorised in the RMS to certify and submit Proposals.
11.4.2 The ARC reserves the right at any point in the process to seek evidence from the Administering Organisation to support the certification of Proposals.
11.5Conflict of Interest11.5.1 Each party involved in a Proposal must declare at the date of submission any Conflict of Interest that exists or is likely to arise in relation to any aspect of the Proposal.
11.5.2 If a Conflict of Interest exists or arises, the Administering Organisation must have documented processes in place for managing the Conflict of Interest for the duration of the Project. Such processes must comply with the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and any relevant successor document.
12.Selection and Approval Process
12.1Assessment and Selection Process
- 12.1.1
Assessment of Proposals is undertaken by the ARC, which has the right to make recommendations for funding to the Minister, based on any number of assessments or solely on the basis of its expertise.
12.1.2 All Proposals may be:
a. considered against eligibility criteria and compliance with the Funding Rules;
b. assigned to independent assessors, from a range of organisations, who will assess and report, which may include written comments, on the Proposal against the selection criteria; and
c. ranked and allocated a budget, relative to other Proposals, by the Selection Advisory Committee, on the basis of the Proposal, any assessors’ reports and any rejoinder.
12.1.3 The ARC has procedures in place for managing organisational and personal Conflicts of Interest for assessors, members of the Selection Advisory Committee, members of other ARC Committees and ARC staff.
12.2RejoinderThe Administering Organisation may be given the opportunity for a rejoinder to assessors’ written comments, and to provide any additional information requested by the ARC. Names of assessors will not be provided to the Administering Organisation.
12.3Request Not to AssessAdministering Organisations may name any person or persons whom they do not wish to assess a Proposal on a ‘Request not to Assess’ form. The notification must be sent to the email address advised under Contacts at the beginning of these Funding Rules and received by the ARC by the closing time for Proposals, 5:00 pm (AEST), Wednesday 30 November 2011. 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.
12.4Recommendations and Offer of Funding12.4.1 In accordance with the Act, the CEO will submit funding recommendations to the Minister for consideration. The Minister will determine which Proposals will be approved and the amount and timing of funding to be paid to Administering Organisations for approved Proposals.
12.4.2 Under the Act, the Minister must not approve for funding any Proposal that fails to meet the eligibility criteria set out in these Funding Rules.
12.4.3 Administering Organisations whose Proposals are approved will be notified in a letter of offer that will indicate the funding to be offered and provided with a copy of a Funding Agreement for signing.
12.4.4 The Minister may vary the funding approval if the ARC recommends that the particular circumstances of the Project warrant variation. Any variation or change will accord with the Future Fellowships Funding Rules and Funding Agreement.
13.Appeals Process
13.1.1 Applicants for funding under the schemes of the NCGP are able to submit an appeal against administrative process issues. The appeals process is designed to ensure that applicant has been treated fairly and consistently in the context of the selection procedures.
13.1.2 Appeals will be considered only against administrative process issues and not against committee decisions, assessor ratings and comments or the assessment outcome.
13.1.3 Appeals must be submitted by the Administering Organisation on the ARC Appeals Form, authorised by a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Chief Executive Officer or equivalent. Appeals must be received within 28 days of the date of the notification to the Administering Organisation of the outcome of Proposals.
13.1.4 Appeals must be addressed and sent to the address advised under Contacts at the beginning of these Funding Rules.
13.1.5 Applicants for funding may at any time seek to appeal ARC decisions using available external appeal options.
14.Reporting Requirements
14.1Progress Reports14.1.1 Year 1: Report by Exception. Areport must only be submitted if significant issues are affecting the progress of the Project. The report must specify the actions being taken to address the issues. Years 2 and 3: A Progress Report must be submitted with the instructions to be provided by the ARC each year.
14.1.2 If the ARC is not satisfied with the progress of any Project, further payment of funds will not be made until satisfactory progress has been made on the Project. If satisfactory progress is still not achieved within a reasonable period of time, the funding may be terminated and all outstanding monies will be recovered by the ARC.
14.1.3 When required, Progress Reports must be submitted by 31 January in the year following each full calendar year for which the funding was awarded as directed by the ARC.
14.2End of Year ReportsThe Administering Organisation must submit an End of Year Report by 31 March in the year following each full calendar year for which the funding was awarded in accordance with the instructions to be provided by the ARC each year.
14.3Final Report14.3.1 A Final Report must be submitted for the Project within 12 months of the final payment or within 12 months of the final approved carryover of funds as directed by the ARC.
14.3.2 The Final Report must justify why any publications from the Project have not been deposited in appropriate repositories within 12 months of publication. The Final Report must outline how data arising from the Project has been made publicly accessible where appropriate.
14.3.3 If any reports are not submitted or are not satisfactory to the ARC this will be noted against future Proposals submitted by the Future Fellow.
14.3.4 The ARC may also seek additional information about subsequent publications after submission of the Final Report.
14.4Audited Financial Statement14.4.1 In accordance with section 58 of the Act, the Administering Organisation must submit an Audited Financial Statement by 30 June for each year following each calendar year for which the funding was awarded.
14.4.2 In completing the Audited Financial Statement, the Administering Organisation must ensure that the amount shown in that statement as ‘approved carry forward funds’ is the same as the amount (if any) for which approval was given by the ARC to carry over in the End of Year Report.
15.Fundamental Principles of Conducting Research15.1Ethics and Research Practices
15.1.1 All Proposals and ARC-funded research Projects must conform to the principles outlined in the following and their successor documents:
NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
as applicable, the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and
as applicable, codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC.
15.1.2 If there is any conflict between a successor document and its predecessor, then the successor document prevails to the extent of any inconsistency.
15.2Applicable Law
The ARC is required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
15.3Confidentiality
15.3.1 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 is:
a. 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;
b. disclosed to the ARC’s personnel to enable effective management or auditing of the ARC Future Fellowships scheme or any Funding Agreement;
c. disclosed by the ARC to the Minister;
d. shared by the ARC within the ARC’s organisation, or with another Commonwealth Department or agency, where this serves the Commonwealth’s legitimate interests;
e. authorised or required by law to be disclosed;
f. disclosed in accordance with any other provision of these Funding Rules or the Funding Agreement; or
g. in the public domain
15.3.2 Where information contained in a Proposal is made available to third parties for evaluation or assessment purposes the ARC will require the third parties to maintain the confidentiality of the material.
15.3.3 Notwithstanding the above, and in addition to the exemptions listed at 15.3.1, the ARC may publicise and report offers or awards of funding, including information about the proposed research; the name of the Future Fellows and their organisations; the name of the Administering Organisation and any other parties involved in or associated with the Project; the title and summary descriptions of the Project and its intended outcomes; and the level and nature of financial assistance from the ARC. Administering Organisations should ensure that information contained in the Project title and summaries would not, if released, compromise their own requirements for confidentiality (such as future protection of intellectual property).
15.3.4 In making public information about a Proposal which has been approved for funding, the ARC may use a Project description, including title and summary, which may differ from that provided in the Proposal.
15.4Intellectual Property
15.4.1 The ARC does not claim ownership of any intellectual property in a Proposal.
15.4.2 The Administering Organisation must adhere to an Intellectual Property policy, approved by the Administering Organisation’s governing body, which has as one of its aims the maximisation of benefits arising from research. Unless otherwise approved by the Commonwealth, the Administering Organisation’s Intellectual Property policy must comply with the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research as amended from time to time.
15.5Incomplete or Misleading Information15.5.1 It is a serious offence to provide false or misleading information to the Commonwealth.
15.5.2 If the ARC considers that a Proposal is incomplete, inaccurate or contains false or misleading information, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to recommend that the Proposal not be approved for funding.