EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Variation to Funding Rules made under section 61 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Special Research Initiatives
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education, Science and Training
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Variation to Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2006
Authority
Section 61 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) allows for variation of a set of rules by the Minister for Education, Science and Training.
Purpose and effect
The variation (Appendix 2) to the Special Research Initiatives (SRI) Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006 allows for the funding of particular initiatives under these Funding Rules. The objective of the SRI scheme, an element of the National Competitive Grants Program, encompasses providing support for research and research-related activities, enabling the ARC to be proactive in identifying specific initiatives to be recommended for funding. As and when initiatives are approved for funding under the SRI scheme, Appendix 2 of the Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006 is varied to incorporate key details pertaining to those initiatives.
The Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006 were approved by the then Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, on 12 September 2005. A variation to these rules was approved by the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop MP, on 3 August 2006.
The Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for Funding commencing in 2006, and the variation to Appendix 2 of those Rules comply with the requirements of the ARC Act – in particular those under section 59 of the Act, which sets out the matters that must be dealt with in the rules.
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 reflected this feedback.
Commencement
The variation to the Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006 commences the day after they are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
Likely impact and effect
These variation (Appendix 2) to the Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2006 provide the key criteria and requirements for proposals for, and the allocation and administration of, funding under the Special Research Initiatives scheme for projects where funding will commence in 2006.
The revised Appendix 2 provides details of particular initiatives being supported under the varied Funding Rules ie the initiative being funded, eligible organisations, specific objectives, indicative duration of funding and funding thresholds, closing date/time for applications, application form requirements, signed copies and other requirements for submission of applications.