Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program (2017 edition)

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2017L01407 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

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

Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program—2017 edition

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—2017 edition

Authority

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

Purpose and effect

The instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003 (the LA). These Funding Rules relate to schemes funded under the Discovery Program of the 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 particular, these rules relate to the Australian Laureates Fellowships scheme, the Future Fellowships scheme, the Discovery Early Career Research Awards scheme, the Discovery Indigenous scheme and the Discovery Projects scheme.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program—2017 edition 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 programme 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—2017 edition 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—2017 edition were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 22 August 2017. No amendments have been made.

Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
  • National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2015);
  • 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 Discovery Program—2017 edition 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
  • Organisation General Eligibility Requirements
  • Participant General Eligibility Requirements
  • Funding
  • Submission of proposals
  • Selection and approval process
  • Appeals process
  • Reporting requirements
  • Fundamental principles of conducting research
  • Eligible Organisations

 

Part B—Scheme-specific rules for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2018

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Additional Definitions for Part B
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Participant Eligibility
  • Australian Laureate Fellows Operational Requirements
  • Funding
  • Selection Process
  • Reporting Requirements

 

Part C—Scheme-specific rules for Future Fellowships for funding commencing in 2018

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Additional Definitions for Part C
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Administering Organisation Operational Requirements
  • Participant Eligibility
  • Future Fellows Operational Requirements
  • Funding
  • Selection Process

 

Part D—Scheme-specific rules for Discovery Early Career Research Award for funding applied for in 2019

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Participant Eligibility
  • DECRA Operational Requirements
  • Funding
  • Selection Process

 

Part E—Scheme-specific rules for Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2019

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Additional Definitions for Part E
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Participant Eligibility
  • Participant Operational Requirements
  • Funding
  • Selection Process

 

Part F—Scheme-specific rules for Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2019

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Participant Eligibility
  • Participant Operational Requirements
  • Funding
  • Selection Process

 

Consultation

The ARC consulted with the Department of Finance and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and they have determined the Funding Rules as low risk.

 

Regulatory Impact Statement

These Funding Rules include a number of measures that reduce regulatory burden on the higher education sector. This includes coordination with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to produce a timeline that minimises the burden on the sector in relation to preparation and submission of proposals

 

Statement of compatibility with human rights

Section 9(1) of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 requires the rule maker in relation to a legislative instrument to which section 42 (disallowance) of the LA applies to cause a statement of compatibility to be prepared in respect of that legislative instrument.

The legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms. It is compatible with human rights, as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

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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.