EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Australian Research Council Federation Fellowships Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008
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 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
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 award of Federation Fellowships are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Federation Fellowships 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 CEO thinks desirable.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Federation Fellowships 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 Federation Fellowships Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 24 August 2007. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated into the Funding Rules by reference:
- The Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997) (subsection 4.4.3.3) as applicable the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and/as applicable, the NHMRC’s other codes on animal research (see subsection 4.4.1.1 of the rules), available from (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Federation Fellowships: Instructions to Applicants for Funding commencing in 2008 (see subsections, 10.4.1, 10.4.4.1, and 10.4.3.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au);
- The Funding Agreement (see subsections 4.1.2; 13.1; and 14.6.1), available from (http://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 (http://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 Federation Fellowship Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2008 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 Federation Fellowships scheme for Federation Fellowships where funding will commence in 2008.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Sections 1-3 cover the name, commencement and interpretation of the funding rules.
Section 4 covers overview, objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program, the Federation Fellowships 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.
Section 7 describes organisational types, roles and eligibility including eligible organisations.
Section 8 outlines roles and eligibility for Federation Fellows including eligibility criteria for Federation Fellows.
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 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 four appendices:
Appendix 1: Descriptions of National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals
Appendix 2: Eligible Organisations
Appendix 3: Notional ARC Federation Fellowship Salaries for Funding Commencing in 2008
Appendix 4: Minimum Funding Contribution Requirements for Administering Organisations