EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010
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 Projects is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The scheme recognises the importance of fundamental research to the national innovation system through supporting research undertaken by individual researchers or research teams.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010contain:
(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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010 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.
Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Kim Carr MP, on 1 December 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); the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC (see Appendix A1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2010 (see subsection 11.3.2), 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 Appendix B1), available from (www.arc.gov.au).
Commencement
Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010 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 Discovery Projects scheme, and conflict of interest requirements.
Section 5 provides details of 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, the number of proposals and funded projects, and duplication.
Section 7 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility.
Section 8 deals with roles and eligibility for researchers including International Collaboration Awards, Early Career Researchers, Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships, Australian Research Fellowships, Queen Elizabeth II Fellowships, and Australian Professorial Fellowships.
Section 9 outlines cross-scheme issues relating to eligibility and funding, Commonwealth-funded Centres and medical and dental research.
Section 10 deals with the application process, including eligibility exemption and advice, proposals and certification.
Section 11 deals with the preparation and submission of proposals including format, how to complete and submit a proposal and closing time for proposals.
Section 12 outlines the selection and approval process, including assessment and selection process, rejoinder process, recommendations and offer of funding and exclusion of proposals.
Section 13 deals with the appeals process.
There are five appendices:
Appendix A. Other Matters
Appendix B. Administration of Funding
Appendix C. Eligible Organisations
Appendix D. Notional Fellowships salaries, relocation allowances and teaching relief contributions
Appendix E. National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals