EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education, Science and Training
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities 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
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2006 sets out the eligibility and accountability requirements and other relevant matters for research programs which may be funded under this scheme. The scheme provides funding to organisations for research infrastructure that will be used to support high-quality research projects and which are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities 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 subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2006 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 Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2006 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, on 4 April 2005. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated into the Funding Rules by reference:
- The draft Funding Agreement (see sections 1 and 10.1), available from (http://www.arc.gov.au);
- 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 (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment Facilities and Equipment Instructions to Applicants (see subsection 7.4.2 of the rules), available from (http://www.arc.gov.au); and
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 11.4 of the rules), available from (http://www.arc.gov.au).
Retrospectivity
This determination has effect from 4 April 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 Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2006.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1 covers the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme, and 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 covers funding details, including the level and duration of funding, the types of research supported, areas of investigation/work not supported, restrictions on budget items, number of proposals allowed, and ownership and location of infrastructure, equipment and facilities.
Section 4 covers organisational types, roles and eligibility.
Section 5 covers investigator types, roles and eligibility.
Section 6 outlines cross-scheme funding and eligibility issues.
Section 7 deals with the application process, including application requirements and format, certification, the application form, submission procedures, and the closing date.
Section 8 outlines the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure, and the offer of funding.
Section 9 outlines the appeals process.
Section 10 deals with the administration of grants, including the funding agreement, varying the funding agreement or funding approval, and reporting requirements.
Section 11 deals with other relevant matters, including applicable law, confidentiality, project description, intellectual property, incomplete or misleading information, and insurance and liabilities.