Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program (2017 edition) (14/08/2017)

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2017L01137 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 Linkage 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 Linkage 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 Linkage Program of the National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Program supports the growth of research partnerships in Australia and overseas that generate new knowledge, technologies and innovations. In particular, these rules relate to the Industrial Transformation Research Hubs scheme, the Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme, the Linkage Projects scheme and the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage 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 Linkage 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 Linkage Program—2017 edition were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 14 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 Linkage 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 Linkage 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 Industrial Transformation Research Hubs for funding commencing in 2018

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Additional Definitions for Part B
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Participant Eligibility
  • RESEARCH Hub Director Operational Requirements
  • Proposal Eligibility
  • Funding
  • Assessment and Selection Process
  • Reporting Requirements

 

Part C—Scheme-specific rules for Industrial Transformation Training Centres for funding commencing in 2018

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Additional Definitions for Part C
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Administering Organisation Operational Requirements
  • Participant Eligibility
  • Proposal Eligibility
  • Participant Operational Requirements
  • Funding
  • Assessment and Selection Process
  • Reporting Requirements

 

Part D—Scheme-specific rules for Linkage Projects for funding applied for in 2018

  • Interpretation
  • Important Dates
  • Additional Definitions for Part D
  • Objectives
  • Organisation Eligibility
  • Participant Eligibility
  • Proposal Eligibility
  • Funding
  • Selection Process

 

Part E—Scheme-specific rules for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2019

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

 

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.

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to establish the Australian Research Council (ARC) and to provide for the funding of research projects. The Act was introduced to address the need for a coordinated national approach to research funding and to support high-quality research that benefits Australia. The Act is administered by the Minister for Education, who is responsible for approving funding rules under the Act. The primary policy objective of the Act is to foster and support research and innovation that contributes to Australia's economic, social, and cultural well-being. The Explanatory Statement for the Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Act outlines the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment, and accountability requirements for schemes under the Linkage Program, which supports research partnerships that generate new knowledge, technologies, and innovations. The Funding Rules were approved by the Minister for Education and Training on 14 August 2017, and they include measures to reduce regulatory burden on the higher education sector. The rules are compatible with human rights, as they do not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Scope and Application

The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 apply to the schemes funded under the Linkage Program of the National Competitive Grants Program, specifically the Industrial Transformation Research Hubs scheme, the Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme, the Linkage Projects scheme, and the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme. These rules are designed to support the growth of research partnerships in Australia and overseas that generate new knowledge, technologies, and innovations. The rules pertain to the eligibility criteria for proposals, the application process, assessment and selection procedures, and accountability requirements, ensuring that the funding is used appropriately and effectively. The geographic reach of these rules is national, applying across Australia and any international partnerships. The rules take account of and are consistent with the funding cap and funding split determination for the relevant years. The rules were approved by the Minister for Education and Training and have not been amended since their approval. They incorporate by reference various ethical and research conduct guidelines to ensure compliance with best practices and ethical standards. The rules are subject to coordination with the National Health and Medical Research Council to minimise the burden on the sector during the preparation and submission of proposals. They have been determined to be low risk and are compatible with human rights, as they do not engage any applicable rights or freedoms.

Key Provisions

The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) and approved in 2017, set out the operational parameters for schemes under the Linkage Program. These schemes include the Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects, and Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. They are designed to support research partnerships that foster new knowledge, technologies, and innovations, both within Australia and internationally. The rules establish eligibility criteria for proposals, detail the application process, outline the assessment criteria for selecting proposals, and provide guidelines for modifying funding approvals, among other provisions. Entities and individuals applying for funding under these schemes must adhere to strict eligibility requirements and procedural guidelines outlined in the rules. Eligible organisations include Australian higher education institutions, Australian research organisations, and some non-profit organisations. Participants must meet specific criteria, such as possessing the necessary qualifications and experience relevant to the research project. The submission of proposals requires detailed information on the proposed research, including objectives, methodologies, and expected outcomes. The selection process involves rigorous assessment by experts to ensure that the proposed projects align with the objectives of the Linkage Program. Violations of the provisions set out in these Funding Rules can lead to various consequences. While the explanatory statement does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences, breaches of research integrity, ethical guidelines, or misrepresentation of information in proposals could potentially lead to sanctions. These may include the withdrawal of funding, disqualification from future funding rounds, and possible legal action for misrepresentation or fraud. The rules incorporate ethical conduct standards from various authoritative documents, which if breached, could further compound the consequences for the involved parties.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Administrative Law
Technology Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Assessment and Selection Process
Reporting Requirements
Regulatory Standards

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.