Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001

  Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing                             in 2014

Authority

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

Purpose and effect

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) is a scheme that provides funding to Eligible Organisations to support research by individual researchers. The objectives of the DECRA scheme are to: support and advance promising early career researchers; promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways; focus research effort in the National Research Priority areas to improve research capacity and policy outcomes; and enable research and research training in high quality and supportive environments.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014 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 Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014 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.

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014 were approved by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, on 21 January 2013. No amendments have been made.

Documents incorporated by reference

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

• the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007); the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC (see subsection 8.5.4 of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
• Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2014 (see subsection 8.2.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
• National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 12.4.2 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

Commencement

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

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 interpretations of the definitions.

Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme and the selection criteria.

Section 5 outlines the level of funding, restrictions on budget items, and types of research not supported.

Section 6 outlines organisational types, roles and eligibility.

Section 7 deals with number of proposals, funded projects and cross-scheme eligibility.

Section 8 outlines submission of proposals including the closing time for proposals and conflict of interest.  

Section 9 outlines the selection and approval process.  

Section 10 outlines the appeals process.  

Section 11 outlines reporting requirements including progress reports, end of year reports, final report and audited financial statement.

Section 12 outlines fundamental principles of conducting research including ethics and research practices, applicable law, confidentiality, intellectual property and incomplete or misleading information.  

Appendix A. Eligible Organisations