Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Special Research Initiatives - Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2008-2009 or 2009-2010 Variation (No. 2)

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aims to provide a framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC) to fund and support research in Australia. One of the key mechanisms through which the Act achieves this is via the Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules, which were introduced to facilitate high-quality research programs that advance Australia's research excellence and deliver community benefits. In May 2009, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research approved a variation to these rules, specifically to enable the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Initiative (EMBL). This variation allows for certain exceptions to the eligibility criteria for research proposals, thereby broadening the scope of potential research initiatives that can be funded under the scheme. The policy objective remains to foster globally competitive research excellence in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 are designed to govern the eligibility and accountability requirements for research programs eligible for funding under the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program. These rules apply to Chief Investigators (CIs) and Principal Investigators (PIs) who are nominated on a proposal seeking funding under the Special Research Initiatives scheme. The legislation pertains to those involved in the proposal process, including individuals and entities aiming to conduct high-quality research that aligns with the scheme's objective to enhance Australia's global research competitiveness and deliver community benefits. The rules extend their applicability nationally, as the Australian Research Council operates under the Commonwealth. Notably, a variation to these rules was approved to specifically enable the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Initiative, adjusting certain eligibility criteria and including a Group Leader position within the scope of the initiative. This variation ensures that the European Molecular Biology Laboratory can be effectively integrated into the Special Research Initiatives scheme.

Key Provisions

The Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules, under section 8.1.5, specify that all Chief Investigators (CIs) and Principal Investigators (PIs) nominated on a proposal must satisfy the eligibility criteria for the roles they are to perform, unless otherwise approved by the Australian Research Council (ARC). This means that the eligibility of the researchers is crucial for the funding to be granted, and any exceptions to this rule must be explicitly approved by the ARC. The rules are designed to ensure that the research programs are led by qualified individuals who meet the necessary standards. These rules impose several obligations on the entities involved. Firstly, researchers must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section 8 and Appendix 3 of the rules. Secondly, if there are any deviations from these criteria, the researchers or their institutions must seek and obtain explicit approval from the ARC. Additionally, the funding agreement, as outlined in Appendix 2, has been modified to include specific provisions for the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Group Leader position, reflecting the unique requirements of this initiative. Failing to comply with the eligibility requirements set forth in the Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules could result in various consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the explanatory statement, breaches of these rules may lead to the rejection of funding applications, which would prevent the research from receiving the necessary financial support. Moreover, any misrepresentation or failure to meet the eligibility criteria could be considered a breach of the funding agreement, potentially leading to legal or administrative repercussions. The variation to the Special Research Initiatives Funding Rules takes effect on the day following its registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. This means that once the amendment is registered, the new provisions regarding the eligibility criteria for researchers and the specific inclusion of the EMBL Group Leader position become enforceable. Researchers and institutions must be aware of these changes to ensure compliance with the updated rules.