Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development - Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

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Legislation au F2008L00581 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 2009

 

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

 

 

Subject:  Australian Research Council Act 2001

Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development 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

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 Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development 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 Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, 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 2009 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, on 4 February 2008. No amendments have been made.

 

Documents incorporated by reference

The following documents have been incorporated by reference:

  • The Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (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 4.4.1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2009 (see subsection 10.4.3.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 14.4.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
  • The draft Funding Agreement (see subsections 13.1), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

Commencement

The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 shall take effect upon registration 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 2009.

 

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 Funding Rules.

 

Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme, and the fundamental principles and requirements, including ethics and research practice, non-duplication, conflict of interest, acknowledging ARC support and dissemination of research outputs.

 

Section 5 outlines changes from last year.

 

Section 6 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 7 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility, including eligible organisations and partner organisations.

 

Section 8 outlines roles and general eligibility for researchers, including eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators and Indigenous Researcher Fellowships, and information about mentors and supervisors.

 

Section 9 outlines cross-scheme issues relating to funding, eligibility, and funding of clinical medical and dental research.

 

Section 10 deals with the application process, including eligibility exemption and eligibility ruling process, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.

 

Section 11 outlines the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure and offer of funding. 

 

Section 12 deals with the appeals process.

 

Section 13 deals with the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement or Funding Approval, and reporting,

 

Section 14 refers to other relevant matters, including 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 Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were enacted under the Australian Research Council Act 2001, providing a framework for the allocation of funding to Indigenous researchers through the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The purpose of these rules is to support Indigenous researchers in undertaking projects that advance understanding or contribute to solving practical problems. These rules establish the eligibility criteria for proposals, the application process, the assessment procedure for determining which proposals to fund, the conditions under which funding may be modified, and additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC. The rules also consider the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years. Approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, these funding rules ensure that the allocation and administration of grants align with the policy objectives of promoting Indigenous research and addressing specific gaps in research funding for Indigenous Australians. The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were designed to address the need for targeted funding support for Indigenous researchers, ensuring that these researchers have the opportunity to contribute significantly to research outcomes that benefit broader society. The rules outline detailed eligibility criteria, application processes, and assessment procedures to facilitate the approval and administration of grants. Furthermore, they incorporate ethical guidelines, conflict of interest provisions, and intellectual property management principles to maintain the integrity and accountability of the funded research. These rules serve to formalise the framework under which Indigenous researchers can access necessary funding, thus supporting their professional development and the advancement of research in areas relevant to Indigenous communities.

Scope and Application

The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, govern the allocation and administration of funding for research projects undertaken by Indigenous Researchers through the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program. These rules apply to eligible Indigenous Researchers who wish to undertake research projects that may advance understanding or contribute to solving practical problems. The eligibility criteria include specific requirements for the types of organisations that can receive assistance and the research programs eligible for support. The rules outline the application process, the assessment process for determining which proposals will be recommended for approval, the ways in which funding approvals may be varied, and additional accountability requirements set by the ARC. The rules also take into account funding caps and splits for the applicable years and are consistent with relevant ethical guidelines and intellectual property management principles. The rules were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and have been incorporated by reference with other applicable documents, including ethical conduct guidelines, research practice statements, and intellectual property management principles.

Key Provisions

The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, as outlined in sections 1 to 14, establish the criteria and processes for awarding and managing grants under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme. These rules provide the eligibility criteria for proposals (section 4), the types of research that can be funded (section 6), the organisational and individual eligibility (sections 7 and 8), the application and approval process (sections 10 and 11), the administration of the grants (section 13), and other relevant matters such as confidentiality, intellectual property, and insurance (section 14). The rules ensure that proposals meet specific criteria, including ethical standards and research practices, and that funding is allocated appropriately. The obligations imposed by these rules require applicants to adhere to the eligibility criteria set out in the rules, ensuring that the research proposals are of high quality and align with the scheme's objectives. Researchers and organisations must provide accurate and complete information in their proposals, ensuring that all requirements are met. Additionally, approved recipients must comply with the terms of the Funding Agreement, which includes the dissemination of research outputs and the acknowledgment of ARC support. Recipients must also ensure that their research adheres to ethical standards and complies with any relevant legislation, such as the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research. Failure to comply with these rules may result in civil or criminal consequences. For instance, if a recipient fails to adhere to the terms of the Funding Agreement, the ARC may seek to recover any funds disbursed under the agreement. Additionally, if a recipient submits incomplete or misleading information in their proposal, the ARC may reject the proposal or withdraw funding if the project is already underway. In cases of serious non-compliance, the ARC may refer the matter to law enforcement agencies, which could result in criminal charges. The maximum penalties for breaches of these rules are not specified in the explanatory statement, but they may include fines and other civil or criminal sanctions as determined by the relevant 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.