Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Federation Fellowships - Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2006L02377 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001

 

Federation Fellowships for funding commencing in 2006

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education, Science and Training

 

 

Subject:  Australian Research Council Act 2001

   Federation Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006

 

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

Federation Fellowships is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program.  The scheme reflects the Australian Research Council’s commitment to support excellence in research by attracting world-class researchers to key positions, and creating new rewards and incentives for the application of their talents in Australia.  The awards of Federation Fellowships are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.

 

In accordance with section 59 (2) of the Act, the Federation Fellowships Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2006 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 Board thinks desirable.

 

In accordance with section 59 (2) of the Act, the Federation Fellowship Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2006, 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 Federation Fellowship Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2006 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, on 12 July 2005.  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 1.3.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Federation Fellowships: Instructions to Applicants for Funding commencing in 2006 (see subsections 7.2 ,7.4.2 and 7.4.4), available from (www.arc.gov.au);
  • The draft Funding Agreement (see subsections1, 10.1 and 10.1.1), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 11.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 


Consultation

On 21 June 2005, the ARC invited comments and feedback from all organisations eligible for ARC funding on funding rules for ARC schemes.  The ARC also met with a number of key higher education institutions known as the ‘Group of Eight’ in the period 11-15 July 2005.  Submissions were received by the ARC from a number of institutions in June/July 2005.  The ARC considered these submissions and, where appropriate, the funding rules approved by the Minister reflected this feedback. 

 

Retrospectivity

This determination has effect from 12 July 2005, the date the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP approved funding rules for proposals.  Payments may have been made to eligible organisations under the Scheme from this date.  The retrospective commencement of this determination is beneficial to, and does not disadvantage, eligible recipients.

 

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 Federation Fellowships scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2006.

 

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

Section 1 outlines the National Competitive Grants Program objectives, describes Federation Fellowships, outlines the fundamental principles and requirements including ethics and research practices, duplication, conflict of interest and acknowledging ARC support.

 

Section 2 outlines changes from last year.

 

Section 3 deals with funding matters including the level of funding, start-up project grant, duration of funding, the types of research supported, the areas of investigation/work not supported and the number of grants and applications.

 

Section 4 describes organisational types, roles and eligibility including eligible organisations and host organisations for fellows.

 

Section 5 outlines investigator eligibility (eligibility criteria for Federation Fellows).

 

Section 6 deals with cross-scheme funding (cross-scheme eligibility).

 

Section 7 outlines the application process, including applications, referees’ reports, certification, submission of applications, application format, application form and instructions to applicants, how to complete and submit applications, number of copies and the closing date for applications.

 

Section 8 describes the selection and approval process, including the selection criteria, institutional organisational support, National Research Priorities, assessment and selection procedure, exclusion, assignment of assessors, recommendations and offer of Fellowship.

 

Section 9 details the Appeals process.

 

Section 10 describes the Administration of Funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement and Reports.

 

Section 11 deals with other matters, such as applicable law, confidentiality, project titles, intellectual property, incomplete or misleading information and insurance and liabilities.

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to facilitate the administration and management of research funding in Australia, particularly through the Australian Research Council (ARC). The Act provides the legislative framework for the ARC to allocate competitive grants to support research excellence across various disciplines. One of the key schemes under this Act is the Federation Fellowships, which aims to attract world-class researchers to key positions in Australia, thereby enhancing the nation's research capabilities. The Federation Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training and outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment procedures, and accountability requirements for the scheme. These rules ensure that the funding is distributed effectively and in line with the policy objectives of promoting high-quality research and supporting talented researchers within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Federation Fellowships Funding Rules for Funding Commencing in 2006, made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, apply to proposals for funding under the Federation Fellowships scheme, which is part of the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. These rules govern the eligibility criteria for organisations and researchers, the application process, assessment and selection procedure, funding terms, and additional accountability requirements. The rules apply to all entities and individuals eligible for Australian Research Council funding, including researchers and host organisations within Australia. The rules are designed to ensure that the Federation Fellowships scheme supports excellence in research by attracting world-class researchers to key positions in Australia. The rules incorporate by reference several key documents, including the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice and the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, among others. The rules were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training on 12 July 2005 and have effect from that date.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Funding Rules, as outlined in the Explanatory Statement, detail the criteria for eligibility, application, assessment, and administration of funding for Federation Fellowships under the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program. Section 1 sets out the objectives of the program, describes the Federation Fellowships scheme, and outlines fundamental principles such as ethical research practices and conflict of interest (Section 1). Section 2 highlights any changes from previous funding rules (Section 2). Section 3 specifies the funding details, including the amount, duration, and types of research supported (Section 3). Section 4 provides information on eligible organisations and their roles (Section 4). Section 5 outlines the eligibility criteria for potential Federation Fellows (Section 5). Section 6 addresses cross-scheme funding eligibility (Section 6). Section 7 details the application process, including submission requirements and deadlines (Section 7). Section 8 describes the selection and approval process, including assessment criteria and institutional support (Section 8). Section 9 outlines the appeals process for unsuccessful applicants (Section 9). Section 10 covers the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement and reporting requirements (Section 10). Finally, Section 11 addresses various other matters such as intellectual property, confidentiality, and project titles (Section 11). The Funding Rules impose several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Eligible organisations and fellows must adhere to the eligibility criteria, including the types of research programs and organisational types permitted (Section 4). Fellows must also meet specific eligibility criteria, such as qualifications and experience (Section 5). The application process requires detailed information and certification, with strict deadlines and submission formats (Section 7). Organisations and fellows must ensure their applications align with the National Research Priorities and ethical guidelines (Sections 1, 4, 8). The selection and approval process involves rigorous assessment by peer reviewers, with opportunities for appeals (Sections 8, 9). Once approved, fellows must comply with the terms of the Funding Agreement, including reporting and intellectual property requirements (Sections 10, 11). Breaches of the Funding Rules can lead to various civil or criminal consequences. For instance, providing incomplete or misleading information in applications may result in disqualification or the withdrawal of funding (Section 11). Failure to comply with the Funding Agreement or reporting requirements can lead to penalties or legal action (Section 10). Ethical breaches, such as not adhering to research guidelines, may result in disciplinary action or revocation of funding (Sections 1, 11). While specific penalties are not detailed in the Explanatory Statement, breaches can have significant consequences for both the individual and the funding body, potentially impacting future funding eligibility and professional reputation.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Technology Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
Compliance Obligations

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.