EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education, Science and Training
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Discovery Projects 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 Projects is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program.
Discovery Projects, which recognises the importance of fundamental research to the national innovation system, supports research undertaken by individual researchers or research teams.
The objectives of Discovery Projects are to:
a. support excellent fundamental research by individuals and teams;
b. enhance the scale and focus of research in the National Research Priorities;
c. assist researchers to undertake their research in conditions most conducive to achieving best results;
d. expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability;
e. foster the international competitiveness of Australian research; and
f. encourage research training in high-quality research environments.
Discovery Projects provides opportunities for a continuum of activities in order to meet the varied needs of researchers in different disciplines and at different stages of their careers.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Projects 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 CEO thinks desirable.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP on 14 November 2006. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference:
- The draft Funding Agreement (see subsection 1.1.2 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au);
- 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 1.4.1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Discovery Projects 2008 Funding Round Fellowships Summary (see subsection 2.1.1 (t) of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au);
- Discovery Projects 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 Projects 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 Projects scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2008.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1 outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Discovery Projects scheme, and 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 the level and period of funding, types of research supported, areas of investigation/work not supported, restrictions on budget items, and the number of proposals and funded projects allowed, and duplication.
Section 4 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility, including eligible organisations and partner organisations.
Section 5 deals with roles and eligibility for researchers, including Early Career Researchers, Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators and Fellowships.
Section 6 deals with cross-scheme issues relating to funding, eligibility, researchers from Commonwealth-funded Research Centres, and funding of medical and dental research.
Section 7 deals with the application process including eligibility exemption and eligibility ruling process, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.
Section 8 deals with the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure and offer of funding.
Section 9 deals with the appeals process.
Section 10 deals with the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement or Funding Approval, and reporting.
Section 11 deals with other relevant matters, including applicable law, confidentiality, project description, intellectual property, incomplete or misleading information, and insurance and liabilities.
Appendix 1 is the National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals.
Appendix 2 deals with Eligible Organisations.
Appendix 3 is the Notional Fellowship salaries, relocation allowances and teaching relief.