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
These Funding Rules relate to schemes funded under the Linkage Program of the National Competitive Grants Programe. 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 Learned Academies Special Projects to support the development of Australian research and the supporting Responses to Commonwealth Science Council Priorities—to support the development of Australian research in priority areas as set by the Commonwealth Science Council.
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 27 April 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
- Funding
- Organisation General Eligibility Requirements
- Participant 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 Learned Academies Special Projects for Funding commencing in 2017 which includes:
- Interpretation
- Commencement Date
- Objectives
- Selection Criteria
- Funding
Part C—Provides scheme specific rules for Supporting Responses to Commonwealth Science Council Priorities, which includes:
- Interpretation
- Commencement Date
- Objectives
- Selection Criteria
- Funding
Overview
The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to facilitate the promotion, support and advancement of research in Australia. The Act establishes the Australian Research Council (ARC) and outlines its functions and powers. The Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program—2017 edition were introduced to provide a framework for funding research partnerships, including those in priority areas set by the Commonwealth Science Council. These rules were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 27 April 2017. The primary objective of these rules is to support the development of Australian research and innovation through funding partnerships between researchers, industry, and other stakeholders. The rules outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements for proposals seeking funding under the Linkage Program. These Funding Rules take into account the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years.
Scope and Application
The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, specifically the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program—2017 edition, apply to entities and individuals involved in research projects seeking financial assistance through the Linkage Program of the National Competitive Grants Program. This program is designed to foster research partnerships that lead to new knowledge, technologies, and innovations both within Australia and internationally. The rules outline eligibility criteria for organisations and research programs, the application process for financial assistance, the assessment methods for proposals, conditions for varying funding approvals, and additional accountability requirements as deemed necessary by the ARC. These rules are applicable to Commonwealth entities and are subject to the funding cap and split determination for the relevant years. The rules are consistent with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, and other relevant ethical guidelines and protocols. The rules are divided into general provisions applicable to all schemes under the Linkage Program, and specific provisions for Learned Academies Special Projects and Supporting Responses to Commonwealth Science Council Priorities. The rules took effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments and have not been amended since their approval on 27 April 2017.
Key Provisions
The Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides a framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC) to fund research projects. Under section 60 of the Act, the Minister is required to approve funding rules for schemes funded under the Linkage Program, which is part of the National Competitive Grants Program. The Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program—2017 edition (the Rules) set out the eligibility criteria for organisations and research programs (section 1), the application process (section 2), the assessment criteria for selecting proposals (section 3), the conditions under which funding may be varied (section 4), and any additional accountability requirements (section 5). These Rules were approved by the Minister on 27 April 2017 and incorporate by reference various ethical and research conduct guidelines, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2015).
The Rules impose several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, organisations seeking funding must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Rules (section 1). This includes being an eligible organisation type, such as a university, a research institution, or a private sector entity. Secondly, applicants must follow the submission process detailed in the Rules, which includes providing detailed proposals that meet the specified criteria (section 2). Thirdly, once submitted, proposals are assessed against the selection criteria to determine which projects will receive funding (section 3). Finally, funded organisations are required to adhere to the additional accountability requirements, such as reporting on the progress and outcomes of the funded research (section 5).
The Rules also outline potential consequences for non-compliance. While the explanatory statement does not explicitly mention criminal or civil penalties, it is reasonable to infer that serious breaches of the Rules could lead to the revocation of funding approvals or other administrative actions. For example, if an organisation fails to meet the eligibility criteria or does not comply with the reporting requirements, the ARC may withdraw funding and take measures to recover any misused funds. Additionally, ethical breaches as per the incorporated guidelines could result in further disciplinary actions by the respective ethical review bodies or research institutions. The Rules emphasise adherence to ethical standards, which, if violated, could lead to broader consequences beyond the scope of the ARC's funding decisions.