EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and Education
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001—Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships
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 Future Fellowships for funding commencing in 2015 funded under the Discovery Program of the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Discovery Program supports the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity, which generates new knowledge resulting in the development of new technologies, products and ideas, the creation of jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships 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 Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships 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 Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne, on 12 June 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 2013);
- 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 (2011);
- 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 Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships 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 Discovery Program which includes;
- Name of Funding Rules
- Commencement
- Definitions
- Introduction
- Funding
- General Eligibility requirements
- Submission of proposals
- Selection and approval process
- Appeals process
- Reporting requirements
- Fundamental principles of conducting research
- Eligible Organisations
Part B – Provides scheme specific rules for Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships for funding commencing in 2014 which includes;
- Interpretation
- Additional Definitions for Part B
- Introduction to Future Fellowships
- Objectives
- Selection criteria
- Funding
- Host Organisations
- Scheme specific eligibility requirements
Overview
The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to establish the Australian Research Council (ARC) and set out its functions, including the administration of competitive grants. The Act was designed to address the need for a structured and merit-based funding mechanism to support research excellence and innovation in Australia. The 2015 Funding Rules, made under section 60 of the Act, were introduced to provide detailed guidelines for the administration of the Future Fellowships scheme under the ARC’s Discovery Program. These rules, approved by the Minister for Education and Training, aim to ensure that the Future Fellowships scheme operates in a transparent, accountable, and effective manner, supporting high-quality research that contributes to Australia’s research and innovation capacity. The rules outline eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, funding variations, and additional accountability requirements, all of which are intended to foster responsible and ethical research practices.
Scope and Application
The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 pertain to the Future Fellowships for funding commencing in 2015, part of the Discovery Program of the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. These rules delineate the eligibility criteria for organisations and research programs seeking financial assistance, the application process, the assessment mechanism for determining which proposals will be recommended for approval, the conditions under which funding approvals can be varied, and any additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC. The rules apply nationally and are consistent with the funding cap and split determinations for the applicable years. Eligible organisations include those capable of conducting high-quality research, and the rules incorporate various ethical and research conduct guidelines to ensure integrity and responsibility in research practices. The rules were approved by the Minister for Education and Training on 12 June 2015 and have not been amended since. They incorporate several ethical and research conduct guidelines, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. These rules are designed to support the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity, thereby fostering new knowledge, economic growth, and an enhanced quality of life.
Key Provisions
The Funding Rules, approved under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, outline the eligibility criteria, application process, and assessment criteria for funding under the Discovery Program 2015—Future Fellowships. These rules apply to proposals for funding commencing in 2015, with the aim of supporting Australia's research and innovation capacity (subsection 59(2)). They include criteria for eligible organisations and research programs, application procedures, the assessment process, and provisions for varying funding approvals (subsection 59(2)(a)–(d)). Additionally, these rules consider the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years (subsection 59(4)(a)–(b)).
Entities and individuals seeking funding under these rules must comply with several obligations. Eligible organisations must be entities capable of conducting research, such as universities or eligible research institutions. Researchers must ensure their proposals meet the eligibility criteria, including the nature and scope of the research program. They must also adhere to the submission guidelines and provide all necessary documentation within the specified timeframe. Furthermore, entities must comply with the ethical and cultural protocols referenced in the Funding Rules, including the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (subsection 59(2)(a)–(e)).
Failure to comply with the Funding Rules can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the explanatory statement, breaches of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research or ethical guidelines could lead to formal investigations, sanctions, or revocation of funding. Researchers and organisations found to be in violation of these rules may face reputational damage, loss of credibility, and potential legal actions. It is important for applicants to thoroughly understand and adhere to all provisions outlined in the Funding Rules to avoid any adverse outcomes.