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

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2006L02376 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 Projects

 

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

 

 

Subject:  Australian Research Council Act 2001

   Linkage 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 Australian Research Council (ARC) funding rules. 

 

Purpose and effect

Linkage Projects is a scheme funded under the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program.  The Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 sets out the eligibility and accountability requirements and other relevant matters for research programs which may be funded under this scheme.  The scheme supports research and development projects which are collaborative between higher education researchers and other parts of the national innovation system, which are undertaken to acquire new knowledge and which involve risk or innovation and which are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage 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; and

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

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, on 20 December 2005.  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)/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 at (http://www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Linkage Projects Instructions to Applicants for Funding Commencing in 2007 (see subsection 7.4.3.2) available at (http://www.arc.gov.au);
  • The draft Funding Agreement (see subsection 10.1) available at (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 at (http://www.arc.gov.au).

 

Consultation

On 21 June 2005, the ARC invited comments and feedback from all organisations eligible for ARC funding on funding rules for ARC schemes.  The ARC also met with a number of key higher education institutions known as the ‘Group of Eight’ in the period 11-15 July 2005.  Submissions were received by the ARC from a number of institutions in June/July 2005.  The ARC considered these submissions and, where appropriate, the funding rules approved by the Minister reflect this feedback. 

 

Retrospectivity

This determination has effect from 20 December 2005, the date the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP approved funding rules for proposals.  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 Projects scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2007.

 

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

Section 1 includes an overview, the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and Linkage Projects scheme, and fundamental principles and requirements, including ethics and research practices, non-duplication, conflict of interest, and acknowledging ARC support.

 

Section 2 outlines the changes from last year.

 

Section 3 covers funding details, including funding rounds, level and duration of funding, types of research supported, areas of investigation/work not supported, restrictions on budget items, Linkage Industry Fellowships (LIFs), and the number of proposals and funded projects permitted.

 

Section 4 covers organisational types, roles and eligibility, including eligible organisations and partner organisations.

 

Section 5 covers roles and eligibility for researchers, including researcher roles and general eligibility, Early Career Researchers, eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators and APDI Fellows, and requests for exemptions.

 

Section 6 outlines cross-scheme issues relating to funding, eligibility, researchers from Commonwealth-funded Research Centres, and funding of clinical medical and dental research.

 

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

 

Section 8 covers the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedures, and the offer of funding.

 

Section 9 outlines the appeals process.

 

Section 10 deals with the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, variations to the Funding Agreement or Funding Approval, and reporting requirements.

 

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

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aimed to establish a framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC) to fund research projects that promote innovation and knowledge acquisition. The Act provides the legislative basis for the ARC to manage and allocate funds for research initiatives, with a particular focus on collaborative projects between higher education researchers and other sectors of the national innovation system. The problem or gap addressed by the Act was the need for a structured and competitive grants program that encourages research and development with potential commercial and societal benefits. The Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007, issued under the authority of the Minister for Education, Science and Training, further detail the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment procedures, and accountability requirements for research proposals seeking funding under the Linkage Projects scheme. These rules ensure that the funding process is transparent, fair, and aligned with the policy objectives of fostering innovation and collaborative research.

Scope and Application

The Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007, made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, apply to proposals for research and development projects that are collaborative between higher education researchers and other parts of the national innovation system. The scheme supports projects that aim to acquire new knowledge, involve risk or innovation, and are approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training. These rules outline the eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, funding variations, and additional accountability requirements for the Linkage Projects scheme. The eligibility criteria include the types of organisations that can receive assistance and the kinds of research programs that can be funded. The rules also take into account the funding cap and split for the relevant years, ensuring consistency with the overarching objectives of the Australian Research Council Act 2001. The rules apply nationally, as they are issued under Commonwealth authority, and no exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated, though specific provisions may exclude certain types of research or organisations from eligibility. The rules are supplemented by various incorporated documents that provide further guidance and standards for ethical conduct, application instructions, funding agreements, and intellectual property management.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2007 (F2006L02376) are designed to clearly outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment and approval procedures, variations, and additional accountability requirements for research programs that may receive funding under this scheme. Section 1 provides an overview of the National Competitive Grants Program and the specific objectives of the Linkage Projects scheme, including fundamental principles and requirements such as ethical research practices, non-duplication, conflict of interest, and acknowledging ARC support. Section 2 details the changes from the previous year's rules, ensuring that applicants are aware of any modifications to the process or criteria. Section 3 addresses funding specifics, including the level and duration of funding, types of research supported, areas not supported, restrictions on budget items, Linkage Industry Fellowships, and the number of proposals and funded projects permitted. Section 4 and 5 respectively outline the eligibility criteria for organisations and researchers, including roles and eligibility for Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, and APDI Fellows, as well as requests for exemptions. The obligations and requirements imposed by these rules on the parties or entities they govern are comprehensive and multifaceted. Firstly, eligible organisations must ensure that their research programs meet the specified criteria and adhere to the ethical guidelines set forth in the rules. Researchers, particularly Chief Investigators, must meet specific eligibility criteria and provide necessary certifications and approvals. Additionally, organisations and researchers are required to submit detailed proposals that clearly outline the research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. The rules also mandate that all parties comply with intellectual property management principles, confidentiality requirements, and reporting obligations. Moreover, organisations and researchers must ensure that all research conducted under this scheme adheres to the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research and other relevant codes and guidelines. The rules also establish clear consequences for breaches of the provisions outlined. Any failure to comply with the eligibility criteria, ethical guidelines, or reporting requirements may result in the withholding or withdrawal of funding. Additionally, there may be civil or criminal consequences for breaches related to intellectual property, fraud, or misrepresentation. While the rules do not specify maximum penalties, breaches of similar legislation can result in significant fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. Therefore, it is crucial for all parties involved to fully understand and adhere to the requirements to avoid any potential legal repercussions.

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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.