Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects - Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007

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Legislation au F2006L02655 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

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

 

Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007

 

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

 

 

Subject:  Australian Research Council Act 2001

   Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding                                            commencing in 2007

 

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 Learned Academies Special Projects is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program.  The objectives of the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects scheme are to support programs of research, or programs that support the conduct of programs of research, undertaken by one or more of the Eligible Organisations, and are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training which:

(a) capitalise on their unique capabilities;

(b) assist programs of research undertaken by organisations; and

(c) may be expected to have results of broad benefit for research and scholarship in the               natural and applied sciences, technological development and applied technology, the               social sciences and the humanities

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 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;

 (e) any additional accountability requirements that the CEO thinks desirable.

 

The rules may also deal with such other matters as the CEO considers appropriate.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 must 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 Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 31 July 2006.  No amendments have been made.

 

Documents incorporated by reference

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • The standard Funding Agreement (see subsection 1.1.2), available from (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 (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Proposal form (see subsection 7.4.3.1) available from (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 (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 Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 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 Learned Academies Special Projects scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2007.

 

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

 

Section 1 outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program, the Learned Academies Special Projects scheme, and the fundamental principles and requirements, including ethics and research practice, non-duplication, conflict of interest, and acknowledging ARC support.

 

Section 2 outlines changes from last year.

 

Section 3 outlines the level and duration of funding, types of research supported, areas of investigation/work not supported, restrictions on budget items, and the number of proposals allowed.  

 

Section 4 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility, including eligible organisations, collaborating organisations and partner organisations.

 

Section 5 outlines roles and eligibility for researchers, including eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators and for Partner Investigators.

 

Section 6 outlines cross-scheme issues.

 

Section 7 outlines with the application process, including eligibility rulings, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.

 

Section 8 outlines the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure and offer of funding. 

 

Section 9 deals with the appeals process.

 

Section 10 deals with the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement or Funding Approval, and reporting,

 

Section 11 refers to other relevant matters, including applicable law, confidentiality, project description, intellectual property, incomplete or misleading information, and insurance and liabilities.

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to establish the Australian Research Council and to provide for its functions, including the administration of competitive grant schemes to support research and development. The Act allows for the creation of specific funding rules to govern these grant schemes, ensuring that they align with national research priorities and objectives. One such set of rules, the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007, was approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 31 July 2006. These rules are designed to support programs of research undertaken by eligible organisations, with a focus on maximising the unique capabilities of these entities, assisting broader research programs, and ensuring that the research conducted has the potential to yield significant benefits for scholarship and societal advancement in various fields including natural and applied sciences, technological development, social sciences, and humanities. The rules were developed with input from eligible organisations and address essential criteria for eligibility, application processes, assessment procedures, funding variations, and accountability requirements.

Scope and Application

The Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 apply to research projects supported by the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program, specifically under the Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects scheme. These rules govern the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment and selection procedures, and the administration of funding for research projects that aim to capitalise on the unique capabilities of eligible organisations. The eligible organisations under this scheme include research institutions, universities, and other entities approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training. The rules ensure that the research projects have broad benefits for research and scholarship across various fields, including natural and applied sciences, technological development, social sciences, and humanities. The rules are consistent with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years and are applicable nationally within Australia, administered by the Minister for Education, Science and Training. There are no stated exclusions or thresholds in these specific rules, but they must align with overarching national policies and ethical standards, as referenced in the incorporated documents. These Funding Rules are subject to amendments through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the Minister, ensuring they remain consistent with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years. The rules were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training on 31 July 2006, and no amendments have been made since. The rules provide comprehensive guidelines for the management and ethical conduct of research projects funded under this scheme, ensuring alignment with national research standards and practices.

Key Provisions

The Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Funding Rules (F2006L02655) are established under Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, with the primary aim of regulating the allocation of funds for research projects beginning in 2007. Section 1 of these rules delineates the overarching objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Learned Academies Special Projects scheme. It also establishes fundamental principles and requirements that must be adhered to, including ethical conduct in research, non-duplication of efforts, conflict of interest, and acknowledgment of ARC funding (Section 1). The rules specify the eligibility criteria for proposals, which include criteria related to the types of organisations that can receive funding and the kinds of research programs eligible for support (Section 2). Moreover, Section 4 details the types of organisations that qualify for funding, such as eligible, collaborating, and partner organisations, alongside the roles and eligibility criteria for researchers, including Chief Investigators and Partner Investigators (Section 4 and 5). These rules impose several obligations on the parties involved. Eligible organisations must ensure that their research programs capitalise on their unique capabilities, assist in research undertaken by other organisations, and potentially yield results of broad benefit for research and scholarship (Section 1). Researchers must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having the necessary qualifications and experience, and be prepared to comply with ethical standards and conflict of interest policies (Section 5). Additionally, all applicants must submit complete and accurate proposals, adhering to the guidelines and deadlines specified in the rules (Section 7). Organisations must also ensure compliance with intellectual property management principles, confidentiality, and project descriptions as outlined in Section 11. Failure to comply with these rules can result in significant consequences. While the rules themselves do not explicitly outline specific penalties for breaches, any non-compliance with the Australian Research Council Act 2001 or the terms of the Funding Agreement could lead to legal and administrative repercussions. These may include the withholding of funding, the requirement to repay already disbursed funds, and potential legal action under the Act. The maximum penalties for such breaches would be determined by the provisions of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, which could include fines or other penalties as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities.

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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.