EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012
Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research must approve ARC funding rules.
Purpose and effect
The Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to support excellence in research by attracting world-class researchers and research leaders to key positions in Australia.
Funding under this scheme is approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 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 Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 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 Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, on 19 October 2011. 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 15.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Australian Laureate Fellowships Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2012 (see subsection11), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 15.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au).
Commencement
The Australian Laureate Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
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 Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2012.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1 provides the name of the Funding Rules.
Section 2 provides the commencement details.
Section 3 provides definitions.
Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the Australian Laureate Fellowships scheme and selection criteria.
Section 5 outlines funding including the level and period of funding, budget items supported/not supported and research/activities not supported.
Section 6 outlines organisational types, roles and eligibility.
Section 7 deals with roles and eligibility for researchers including eligibility criteria for Australian Laureate Fellow and Postgraduate Researchers.
Section 8 outlines the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellowship and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowship.
Section 9 outlines the Australian Laureate Fellowship salary support.
Section 10 outlines the Number of Proposals, Funded Projects and Cross-scheme Eligibility.
Section 11 outlines the submission of proposals and the closing time for proposals.
Section 12 deals with the selection and approval process, recommendations and offer of funding
Section 13 outlines the appeals process.
Section 14 outlines reporting requirements including progress reports, end of year reports, final report and audited financial statement.
Section 15 deals with fundamental principles of conducting research including ethics and research practices, applicable law, confidentiality, intellectual property and incomplete or misleading information.
There is one appendix:
Appendix A: Eligible Organisations