Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2007L00259 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

 

Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education, Science and Training

 

 

Subject:  Australian Research Council Act 2001

Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008

 

Authority

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

 

Purpose and effect

Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program.  The scheme provides support for Indigenous Researchers to undertake research projects which may lead to an advance in the understanding of a subject or contribute to the solution of an important practical problem.  The award of Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development projects are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2008 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 Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008, the rules 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 Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 23 January 2007.  No amendments have been made.

 

Documents incorporated by reference

The following documents have been incorporated by reference:

  • The draft Funding Agreement (see subsections 1.1.2 and 10.1), available from (www.arc.gov.au);
  • The Joint NHMRC/AVCC (1997)/the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans; and/as applicable, the NHMRC’s other codes on animal research (see subsection 1.4.1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Instructions to Applicants for Funding commencing in 2008 (see subsection 7.4.3.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 11.4.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

Consultation

On 28 April 2006, the ARC invited comments and feedback from all organisations eligible for ARC funding on funding rules for ARC schemes.  Submissions were received by the ARC in late May/early June 2006 from a number of organisations.  The ARC considered these submissions and, where appropriate, the funding rules approved by the Minister reflected this feedback.

 

Commencement

The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 commence the day after they are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

 

Likely impact and effect

These Funding Rules provide the key criteria and requirements for proposals for, and the allocation and administration of, funding under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2008.

 

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

Section 1 provides an overview and outlines the National Competitive Grants Program objectives, describes Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development, outlines the fundamental principles and requirements including ethics and research practices, non-duplication, conflict of interest, acknowledging ARC support and dissemination of research outputs.

 

Section 2 outlines changes from last year.

 

Section 3 deals with funding matters including the level of funding, period of funding, the types of research supported, the areas of investigation/work not supported, restrictions on budget items and the number of proposals and funded projects.

 

Section 4 describes organisational types, roles and eligibility including eligible organisations and partner organisations.

 

Section 5 outlines roles and eligibility for researchers, including researcher roles, general eligibility, eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators, Eligibility criteria for Indigenous Researcher Fellows, and Mentors and Supervisors.

 

Section 6 deals with cross-scheme issues, including cross-scheme funding, cross-scheme eligibility, and funding of medical and dental research.

 

Section 7 outlines the application process, including eligibility exemption and eligibility ruling process, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.

 

Section 8 describes the selection and approval process, including the selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure and offer of funding.

 

Section 9 details the Appeals process.

 

Section 10 describes the Administration of Funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Approval and Reports.

 

Section 11 deals with other matters, such as applicable law, confidentiality, project description, intellectual property, incomplete or misleading information and insurance and liabilities.

 

There are three appendices:

Appendix 1:  Descriptions of National Research Priorities and associated Priority

 Goals

Appendix 2.   Eligible Organisations

Appendix 3.  Notional Fellowship salaries, relocation allowances and teaching  relief contributions

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 established the legislative framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC), which is responsible for managing research funding in Australia. One of the key initiatives under this Act is the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme, which was introduced to support Indigenous researchers in undertaking research projects that contribute to advancements in knowledge and solve practical problems. The scheme's funding rules for projects commencing in 2008 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, on 23 January 2007. These rules outline eligibility criteria for applicants, the application process, assessment and selection procedures, funding variations, and additional accountability requirements. They were designed to ensure that the scheme aligns with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years. The rules were developed after consultation with eligible organisations and incorporate several referenced documents, including the Funding Agreement and ethical conduct guidelines. The rules are intended to provide a clear framework for the administration and allocation of funding under the scheme, ensuring that research projects meet specific criteria and adhere to the required research practices and intellectual property management principles.

Scope and Application

The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008 apply to Indigenous researchers seeking financial assistance through the Australian Research Council's (ARC) National Competitive Grants Program. These rules outline the eligibility criteria for applicants, including the types of organisations that can receive assistance and the kind of research projects that are supported. The rules are designed to provide funding for research projects that may lead to an advance in the understanding of a subject or contribute to solving an important practical problem. The application and assessment processes, including how proposals are evaluated and selected, are also detailed in the rules. Furthermore, the rules incorporate accountability requirements and consider the funding cap and split for the applicable years. These rules are applicable nationally and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Education, Science and Training. No amendments have been made to these rules since their approval on 23 January 2007. The rules extend and restrict application through subordinate instruments, such as the Funding Agreement and the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, which are incorporated by reference.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2008 (sections 1-11) provide a comprehensive framework for the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment, and administration of funding for Indigenous researchers undertaking research projects. Section 1 sets out the fundamental principles and requirements, including ethical considerations and non-duplication of research efforts. Section 3 details the funding matters, such as the level of funding, period of funding, types of research supported, and restrictions on budget items. Section 5 outlines the eligibility criteria for researchers, including the roles of Chief Investigators, Indigenous Researcher Fellows, and Mentors and Supervisors. Section 7 describes the application process, including the submission of proposals and certification. Section 8 explains the selection and approval process, with criteria for assessment and selection procedure. Section 10 details the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement, and reporting requirements. The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules impose various obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Eligible organisations must ensure that their proposals meet the specified eligibility criteria, including the types of research programs and organisations that may receive assistance (section 4). Researchers must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as being an Indigenous Australian and having relevant qualifications and experience (section 5). The application process requires researchers to submit a certified proposal, adhering to the specified guidelines and deadlines (section 7). Once approved, recipients must adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the Funding Agreement, including reporting requirements and intellectual property management (section 10). Breach of the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules may result in civil or criminal consequences. For instance, providing incomplete or misleading information in the application process may lead to the rejection of the proposal or withdrawal of funding (section 11). Additionally, failure to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Funding Agreement may result in the termination of funding and potential legal action. While the specific penalties for breach are not explicitly stated in the Explanatory Statement, it is reasonable to assume that the consequences would be in line with the provisions of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 and any applicable legislation.

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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.