Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Australian Laureate Fellowships - Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2009

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Legislation au F2008L04272 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001

 

Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

 

 

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001

  Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

 

Authority

Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research must approve ARC funding rules. 

 

Purpose and effect

Australian Laureate Fellowships is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The scheme aims to: attract and retain outstanding mid-career researchers; build collaboration across industry and/or research institutions and/or disciplines; support research in national priorities across all disciplines that will result in economic, environmental, social, health or cultural benefits for Australia; and strengthen Australia’s research capacity by supporting innovative, internationally competitive research.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 contain:

 

(a) the eligibility criteria to be met in order for a proposal to be approved for financial assistance (including criteria relating to the kinds of organisation that may receive assistance and the kinds of research program in respect of which assistance may be provided);

(b) how to apply for financial assistance;

(c) the assessment process for deciding which proposals will be recommended for approval;

(d) the ways in which, and circumstances in which, a funding approval may be varied; and

(e) any additional accountability requirements that the ARC thinks desirable.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 take account of, and are consistent with:

(a) the funding cap for the year, or each of the years, to which the rules apply; and

(b) the funding split determination for the year, or each of the years, to which the rules apply.

 

The Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Kim Carr MP, on 3 October 2008. No amendments have been made.

 

Documents incorporated by reference

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) (see subsection 4.3.3 and Appendix A1.1 of the rules); the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) (see Appendix A1.1 of the rules); and codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC (see Appendix A1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Australian Laureate Fellowships Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2009 (see subsection 8.42.1), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see Appendix A1.7.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
  • The draft Funding Agreement (see Appendices B1.1, B1.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

Commencement

The Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

 

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

 

Section 1 provides the name of the Funding Rules.

 

Section 2 provides the commencement details.

 

Section 3 provides interpretations of the definitions.

 

Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme, and conflict of interest requirements.

 

Section 5 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility.

 

Section 6 deals with roles and eligibility for Australian Laureate Fellows.

 

Section 7 outlines the level and period of funding, types of research supported, restrictions on budget items, areas of investigation/work not supported, and the number of proposals and funded projects.

 

Section 8 deals with the application process, including eligibility exemption and advice, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.

 

Section 9 outlines the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure. 

 

Section 10 outlines cross-scheme issues relating to non-duplication and funding, cross-scheme eligibility, ARC Centres and medical and dental research.

 

Section 11 deals with funding outcomes including offer of funding and appeals process.

 

There are five appendices:

Appendix A. Fundamental principles and requirements

Appendix B. Administration of Funding

Appendix C. Eligible Organisations

Appendix D. Salary Support and Relocation Costs

Appendix E. National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 establishes the Australian Research Council (ARC) and provides for the funding of research. The Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, made under section 60 of the Act, were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to address the need for attracting and retaining outstanding mid-career researchers in Australia. These rules outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment, funding variations, and accountability requirements for the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme, which aims to support innovative and internationally competitive research across all disciplines with national benefits. The rules were issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Kim Carr MP, and were approved on 3 October 2008. They incorporate various codes and statements by reference and detail the administrative and operational aspects of the fellowship scheme. The purpose is to facilitate a competitive process that aligns with national research priorities, ensures responsible conduct of research, and promotes collaboration and capacity building in research.

Scope and Application

The Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, issued under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, govern the administration of the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme, which is part of the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program. These rules are applicable to mid-career researchers and organisations seeking funding for innovative, internationally competitive research that contributes to national priorities. The rules delineate eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, and accountability requirements. They apply to all entities within Australia, including public and private research institutions, universities, and other eligible organisations as defined in the rules. The rules also incorporate external codes and agreements related to research conduct and intellectual property management. While the rules set out the parameters for the Laureate Fellowships, specific funding caps and splits for the scheme are determined separately and incorporated into these rules. The rules came into effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, and no amendments have been made since their approval by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on 3 October 2008.

Key Provisions

The Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, governed by section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, primarily establish the criteria and processes for funding outstanding mid-career researchers under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. Section 5 addresses the eligibility criteria for organisations, stipulating that eligible organisations must be registered entities capable of undertaking research. This includes public research institutions, universities, and eligible not-for-profit research organisations. Section 6 outlines the eligibility for Australian Laureate Fellows, requiring applicants to demonstrate exceptional research capabilities and potential to contribute significantly to national research priorities. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Section 7 details the funding levels and periods, specifying the maximum funding amount and duration of fellowships. It also mandates that funded research must align with national priorities and ethical standards. Section 8 provides detailed instructions on the application process, including the submission of research proposals, certification requirements, and deadlines. Furthermore, Section 10 emphasises the need for non-duplication of funding across different schemes and eligibility criteria for cross-scheme research. The applicants must ensure that their proposals do not overlap with other funded projects and comply with the eligibility criteria outlined in the Act. Breaches of the provisions in the Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules may result in civil or criminal consequences. Section 11 outlines the consequences for non-compliance, including the possibility of funding revocation and legal action. Although specific penalties are not explicitly stated in the explanatory statement, penalties for breaches of similar funding schemes can include fines and other sanctions as determined by the relevant authorities. It is crucial for applicants and institutions to adhere strictly to the rules to avoid these consequences.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.