Australian Research Council (ARC) Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the year 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2015L00792 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

Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001– Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence

Authority

Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC funding rules. 

Purpose and effect

These Funding Rules relate to the Centres of Excellence for funding commencing in 2017 funded under the Linkage Program of the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Program supports research partnerships within Australia and internationally to encourage the exchange and transfer of knowledge, ideas and skills as a basis for building capacity to deliver high quality research outcomes and secure commercial and other benefits of research.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence 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 (4) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence 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 Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne, on 12 May 2015. No amendments have been made.

Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
  • NHMRC/ARC/UA National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research

(2007, updated 2014);

  • NHMRC Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003);
  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2012);
  • Australia Council for the Arts Indigenous Cultural Protocols for Producing Indigenous Music, Writing, Visual Arts, Media Arts and Performing Arts (2007)
  • Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (2013) endorsed by the NHMRC, the ARC, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and UA; and
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

 

 

 

Commencement

The Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

 

The provisions include;

 

Part A – Provides general rules for the schemes under the Linkage Program which includes;

  • Name of Funding Rules
  • Commencement
  • Definitions
  • Introduction
  • Funding
  • Budget Items Supported
  • Budget Items Not Supported
  • Organisation General Eligibility Requirements
  • Research Eligibility requirements
  • Eligibility Criteria for Researchers
  • Eligibility Process
  • Submission of proposals
  • Selection and approval process
  • Reporting Requirements
  • Fundamental principles of conducting research
  • Eligible Organisations

 

Part B – Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres Excellence for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;

  • Interpretation
  • Additional Definitions for Part B
  • Overview
  • Objectives
  • Selection criteria
  • Funding
  • Governance Structure and Arrangements
  • Organisation Eligibility Requirements
  • Roles and Eligibility for Researchers
  • Number of Proposals and Cross-Scheme Eligibility
  • Submission of Expression of Interest
  • Assessment and Selection Process for Expression of Interest
  • Submission of Proposals
  • Assessment, Selection and Approval Process for Proposals
  • Appeal Process
  • Reporting Requirements

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was introduced to facilitate and support research partnerships both within Australia and internationally, focusing on the exchange and transfer of knowledge, ideas, and skills. This legislation aims to build research capacity and secure commercial and other benefits from research outcomes. Section 60 of the Act mandates that the Minister must approve funding rules for schemes under the Linkage Program, including the ARC Centres of Excellence, which support high-quality research. The 2017 Funding Rules, approved by the Minister for Education and Training, outline the eligibility criteria for organisations and researchers, the application process, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements. These rules ensure that proposals meet specific standards and that funding is allocated efficiently to achieve the policy objectives of fostering collaborative research and maximising research impact.

Scope and Application

The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 pertain to the Centres of Excellence funded under the Linkage Program of the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program for funding commencing in 2017. These rules govern the eligibility criteria for organisations and research programs, the application process for financial assistance, the assessment process for proposal approval, the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied, and additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC. These rules are consistent with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years and were approved by the Minister for Education and Training on 12 May 2015. The rules incorporate various ethical conduct guidelines and protocols for research involving human subjects, Indigenous Australians, animals, and intellectual property management. The rules apply to organisations and researchers within Australia and internationally, who are eligible to apply for financial assistance under the Linkage Program for funding commencing in 2017. The rules may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) govern the schemes under the Linkage Program for 2017—ARC Centres of Excellence. These rules outline the eligibility criteria for proposals to receive financial assistance (sections 1(a), 1(b)), the application process (section 1(c)), the assessment process (section 1(d)), and any additional accountability requirements (section 1(e)). Furthermore, they take into account the funding cap and funding split determination for the year or years to which the rules apply (section 2). Under these rules, organisations must meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify for financial assistance. For instance, eligible organisations include Australian higher education institutions, eligible non-higher education research organisations, and eligible Australian private research and development organisations (sections 3(a), 3(b), 3(c)). Additionally, researchers must also meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia (section 4(a)). The rules further specify the process for submitting proposals and the selection and approval process for determining which proposals will be recommended for approval (sections 5, 6). In the event of a breach of these rules, the Australian Research Council (ARC) may impose certain consequences, such as varying or terminating funding approval, and may require the return of funds already provided (section 7). The rules also incorporate various ethical guidelines and protocols that must be adhered to by the organisations and researchers receiving financial assistance (section 8). These include the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and the NHMRC/ARC/UA National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2014), among others. Failure to comply with these rules may result in civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the breach. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Act or the rules may include fines and imprisonment, as well as the imposition of additional accountability requirements or the requirement to return funds already provided (sections 9, 10). These penalties serve to deter non-compliance and ensure that the objectives of the Linkage Program are met.

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Area of Law
Research Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Eligibility Criteria
Assessment and Selection Process

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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.