EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Projects 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 Projects 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 Projects is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The scheme supports research and development projects which are collaborative between higher education researchers and other parts of the national innovation system 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 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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008, the 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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 were approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, on 23 December 2006. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated 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 from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Linkage Projects Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2008 (see subsection 7.4.3.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 11.4.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au);and
- The draft Funding Agreement (see subsections 10.1, 11.6.1), 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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008 commence the day after they are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1 outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Linkage Projects scheme, and the fundamental principles and requirements, including ethics and research practice, non-duplication, conflict of interest, acknowledging ARC support and dissemination of research outputs.
Section 2 outlines changes from last year.
Section 3 outlines the funding rounds, the level and period of funding, types of research supported, areas of investigation/work not supported, restrictions on budget items, Linkage Industry Fellowships and the number of proposals and limit on projects.
Section 4 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility, including eligible organisations and partner organisations.
Section 5 outlines roles and general eligibility for researchers, including early career researchers, and eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators and Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry).
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, 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 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.
There are six appendices:
Appendix 1. Eligible Organisations
Appendix 2. Partner Organisations
Appendix 3. Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry)
Appendix 4. Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry)
Appendix 5. Guidelines for the evaluation of the adequacy of Partner Organisation in-kind contributions
Appendix 6. National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals