Australian Research Council Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted to provide a framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC) and to establish mechanisms for the funding of research, introduced the Discovery Projects scheme to support research projects by individual researchers or teams. The Act mandates the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research to approve funding rules, including those for the Discovery Projects scheme. The Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014, approved by the Minister, detail the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment and selection criteria, funding variations, and accountability requirements. The primary objectives of this scheme are to foster high-quality research, enhance the national research priorities, expand Australia's knowledge base, encourage research training, boost international collaboration, and support the competitiveness of Australian research. The rules are designed to be consistent with the funding cap and split determinations for the relevant years and incorporate ethical and intellectual property guidelines.

Scope and Application

The Discovery Projects Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 are designed to regulate and facilitate funding for research projects undertaken by individual researchers or research teams. These rules apply to all entities and individuals seeking funding for research projects through the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Projects scheme. The scheme aims to support excellent basic and applied research, enhance the scale and focus of research in national priorities, expand Australia's knowledge base, and foster international collaboration. The rules set out eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, funding variations, and accountability requirements for funded research programs. The rules also incorporate by reference various codes and statements on responsible conduct of research, ethical conduct, and intellectual property management. The rules have national application and are subject to registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. Notably, the rules do not specify exclusions or exemptions but outline the types of research and budget items that are not supported. The application and interpretation of these rules can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the Minister.

Key Provisions

The Discovery Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2014, approved under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, provide comprehensive guidelines for the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment, and accountability requirements for research projects funded under this scheme. Section 4 (Overview and Program) outlines the overarching objectives, including supporting excellent basic and applied research, enhancing the national research priorities, and fostering international collaboration. Section 5 (Level of Funding) specifies the funding cap for the year and restrictions on budget items, while Section 6 (Organisational Types, Roles, and Eligibility) details the types of organisations eligible for funding and their respective roles. Section 7 (Roles and Eligibility for Researchers) further clarifies the eligibility criteria for individual researchers and research teams. The Act imposes several obligations on applicants and organisations seeking funding. Firstly, applicants must ensure their research aligns with the National Research Priorities and adheres to the ethical standards outlined in Section 14 (Fundamental Principles of Conducting Research), including the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Secondly, organisations must comply with the defined eligibility criteria, as specified in Sections 6 and 7, ensuring they meet the requirements for the type of research and the organisational structure. Additionally, applicants are required to submit their proposals by the stipulated deadline, as detailed in Section 10 (Submission of Proposals), and must declare any conflicts of interest. Section 11 (Selection Process) further mandates that proposals undergo a rigorous assessment process to determine their suitability for funding. Breaches of the provisions outlined in the Discovery Projects Funding Rules can lead to significant consequences. For instance, submitting incomplete or misleading information, as described in Section 14, can result in the disqualification of the proposal. Furthermore, failure to comply with the ethical standards and legal requirements can lead to disciplinary actions against the researchers or institutions involved. Under the Act, there are no specific offences listed, but non-compliance may result in the revocation of funding, legal action, and reputational damage. The penalties are not explicitly stated in the Funding Rules but may include the requirement to repay any misused funds and potential exclusion from future funding opportunities.