Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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

Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities.

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001– Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities

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 Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme funded under the Linkage Program of the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Program supports research partnerships within Australia and internationally to encourage the exchange and transfer of knowledge, ideas and skills as a basis for building capacity to deliver high quality research outcomes and secure commercial and other benefits of research.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 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 Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 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 Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities were approved by the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne, on 4 February 2014. 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);
• 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 Linkage Program 2015 – Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 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 Linkage 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 Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2015 which includes;

• Interpretation
• Additional definitions for part B
• Objectives
• Selection criteria
• Research / Activities not supported
• Funding
• Budget items supported / not supported
• Roles and Eligibility – Organisation and Researchers
• Limits on projects and proposals
• Reporting requirements.