Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Future Fellowships - Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

Overview

The Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were issued under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Kim Carr MP. These rules were introduced to facilitate the Future Fellowships scheme, which is part of the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The scheme aims to attract and retain outstanding mid-career researchers, build collaboration across sectors, and support research that will yield economic, environmental, social, health, or cultural benefits for Australia. The rules address the need for clear guidelines on eligibility, application processes, assessment criteria, and funding variations. They were approved on 3 October 2008 and remain in their original form without amendments. The rules incorporate several referenced documents that provide additional guidelines and requirements for ethical conduct, intellectual property management, and other relevant matters.

Scope and Application

The Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, issued under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, apply to eligible mid-career researchers and organisations that are approved to host these fellowships. The scheme is designed to support research across all disciplines that align with national priorities, offering economic, environmental, social, health, or cultural benefits for Australia. These rules delineate the eligibility criteria, application procedures, assessment processes, and accountability requirements for funding approval and disbursement. The rules extend across the Commonwealth of Australia and are applicable to both public and private sector research organisations that meet the specified eligibility criteria. Exclusions from eligibility typically involve organisations or research programs that do not align with national priorities or that fail to meet the ethical and responsible conduct standards as outlined in the incorporated reference documents. The rules may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, allowing the Minister to adapt the scheme to changing research needs and national priorities.

Key Provisions

The Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, approved under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, establish the criteria and processes for the Future Fellowships scheme. This scheme, part of the National Competitive Grants Program, aims to attract and retain outstanding mid-career researchers, fostering collaboration and supporting research that benefits Australia economically, environmentally, socially, and culturally. Section 3 of the rules provides definitions and interpretations necessary for understanding the eligibility criteria, roles, and responsibilities of applicants and organisations. Section 4 outlines the overarching objectives of the scheme and sets forth conflict of interest requirements to ensure the integrity of the selection process. Organisations and individuals seeking funding must meet specific eligibility criteria outlined in Section 5 and Section 6. Eligible organisations include Australian universities, eligible non-university research organisations, and certain overseas institutions. Host organisations must be Australian entities capable of supporting the research project. Future Fellows, who must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, should be mid-career researchers with a track record of excellence. The rules also specify the support and salary levels provided to Future Fellows. Section 7 details the funding levels, duration, types of research supported, and restrictions on budget items, clarifying what areas of investigation are not supported. Additionally, it limits the number of proposals that can be submitted by an individual. The application process, detailed in Section 8, includes specific steps for eligibility exemption and advice, drafting proposals, certification, and submission. Applicants must ensure their proposals align with the scheme's objectives and follow the provided Future Fellowships Instructions to Applicants. Section 9 describes the selection and approval process, including the criteria for assessment and the procedures for evaluating proposals to ensure a fair and rigorous selection process. In terms of accountability and consequences, Section 10 addresses cross-scheme issues, such as eligibility and non-duplication of funding. Section 11 outlines the outcomes of the funding process, including the offer of funding and the procedures for appeals if an application is unsuccessful. While the rules do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, breaches of the responsible conduct of research or ethical standards, as incorporated by reference from the NHMRC/ARC documents, may result in civil or criminal consequences, including fines and imprisonment, as per the relevant legislation governing research integrity.