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 2009
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.
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. expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability;
d. foster the international competitiveness of Australian research; and
e. encourage research and 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 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 CEO thinks desirable.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Projects 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 Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were approved by the then Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 10 October 2007. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated into the Funding Rules by reference:
- The draft Funding Agreement (see subsection 4.1.2 of the rules), available from <www.arc.gov.au>;
- The 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; 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 Projects Instructions to Applicants for Funding Commencing in 2009 (see subsection 10.4.2.1), available from <www.arc.gov.au>; and
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 14.4.4 of the rules), available from <www.arc.gov.au>.
Consultation
On 13 April 2007 the ARC invited comments and feedback from organisations which are eligible for ARC funding on funding rules for ARC schemes. Submissions were received by the ARC in late May 2007 from a number of organisations. The ARC considered these submissions and, where appropriate, the funding rules approved by the Minister reflected consideration of this feedback.
Commencement
The Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 shall take effect upon the day after 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 Projects scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2009.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1-3 covers the name, commencement and interpretation of the funding rules.
Section 4 covers overview, objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program, the Discovery Projects scheme, and fundamental principles and requirements, including ethics and research practices, non-duplication, conflict of interest, acknowledging ARC support and dissemination of research outputs.
Section 5 describes changes from last year.
Section 6 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 that researchers can be involved with.
Section 7 describes organisational types, roles and eligibility including eligible organisations.
Section 8 outlines roles and eligibility for researchers including researcher roles and general eligibility, early-career researchers, and eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators and Fellowships.
Section 9 deals with cross-scheme issues, including cross-scheme funding, cross-scheme eligibility, researchers from Commonwealth-funded Research Centres, and funding of Medical and Dental Research.
Section 10 outlines the application process, including the eligibility exemption and eligibility ruling process, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.
Section 11 describes the selection and approval process, including the selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure, and offer of funding.
Section 12 details the Appeals process.
Section 13 describes the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Approval and Reports.
Section 14 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.