Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010

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Legislation au F2008L04697 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 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

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, established the Australian Research Council (ARC) to promote and support high-quality research in Australia. A significant aspect of this Act is the provision for funding rules under section 60, which the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research must approve. The Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010, approved by the Minister, aim to streamline the process for allocating funds to fundamental research projects, recognising their importance to the national innovation system. These rules detail eligibility criteria, the application process, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements, ensuring alignment with the funding cap and split determination for the specified years. This regulatory framework supports the policy objective of fostering research excellence and innovation in Australia by providing clear guidelines for the distribution and management of research grants.

Scope and Application

The Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010 apply to proposals for funding under the Australian Research Council's (ARC) National Competitive Grants Program, specifically targeting individual researchers or research teams engaged in fundamental research. These rules are applicable to all entities eligible to receive funding under the scheme, which includes researchers affiliated with Australian universities, public research institutions, and certain other eligible entities. The rules set out the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment procedure, and accountability requirements for the funding of research projects. They also consider the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years, ensuring consistency with broader funding frameworks. The geographic scope of these rules is national, as they are issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and apply across all states and territories. Exclusions and exemptions within the rules are limited to specific instances where particular categories of researchers or types of research are not eligible for funding. The rules also extend their application through incorporation by reference to several key documents, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, and the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research. These rules, approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, represent a comprehensive framework designed to support and regulate research projects within Australia's competitive grants program.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2010 (F2008L04697) detail the eligibility criteria for financial assistance (section 4), the application process (section 10), the preparation and submission of proposals (section 11), and the selection and approval process (section 12). Section 4 specifies the types of organisations and research programs eligible for funding, while section 10 outlines the steps for application, including eligibility exemption and certification. Section 11 provides guidance on the format and submission of proposals, and section 12 describes the assessment process, including the opportunity for rejoinder and the exclusion criteria for proposals. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. Firstly, organisations and researchers must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in section 4, which include adhering to conflict of interest requirements. Secondly, applicants must complete and submit their proposals according to the format and guidelines specified in section 11, ensuring all necessary documentation and certifications are provided. Thirdly, researchers must comply with the ethical standards and conduct outlined in the incorporated codes of conduct, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can result in various consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the text, breaches of ethical standards or failure to adhere to the eligibility criteria can lead to the exclusion of proposals from funding consideration. Furthermore, any misconduct or failure to comply with the responsible conduct of research can result in disciplinary actions against the researchers or organisations involved. The consequences for breaches may include loss of funding, reputational damage, and potential legal action if the breach is severe enough to warrant such measures.

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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.