EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities 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
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities 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
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2008 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 eligible organisations for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities that will be used to support high-quality research projects. Funding under this scheme is 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 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 ARC thinks desirable.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities 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 Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 23 January 2007. 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 subsections 1.1.2 and 10.1.3), 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 1.4.1.1 of the rules), available from (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2008 (see subsection 7.4.3.2 of the rules), available from (http://www.arc.gov.au); and
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 11.4.4 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 Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 commence the day after they are registered 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 Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2008.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1 covers the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities 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 2 outlines changes from last year.
Section 3 covers funding details, including the level and period of funding, the types of research infrastructure, equipment and facilities 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, including eligible organisations, collaborating organisations and partner organisations.
Section 5 covers, roles and eligibility for researchers including researcher roles and general eligibility, eligibility criteria for chief investigators and eligibility criteria for partner investigators.
Section 6 outlines cross-scheme issues, including cross-scheme funding, cross-scheme eligibility and funding of medical and dental research.
Section 7 deals with the application process, including eligibility exemption and eligibility ruling process, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.
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.
There are four appendices:
Appendix 1: Eligible Organisations
Appendix 2: Contributions by organisations
Appendix 3: Library and research information infrastructure
Appendix 4: National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals.