EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001– Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership
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 Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership for
funding commencing in 2014 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 for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership 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 Linkage Program for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership 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 for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership were approved by the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne, on 15 September 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 for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership 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
Part B – Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Program for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership for funding commencing in 2014 which includes;
- Interpretation
- Objectives
- Selection criteria
- Funding
- Roles and eligibility for researchers
- Scheme specific eligibility requirements
Overview
The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to facilitate the creation and operation of a competitive grants scheme designed to support research and development in Australia. The Act establishes the Australian Research Council (ARC) and outlines its functions, including the administration of competitive grants. The problem this legislation aimed to address was the need for a structured and competitive framework to support high-quality research and innovation across various sectors, ultimately contributing to economic growth and societal benefits. The enacting body was the Australian Parliament, with the policy objective of fostering research excellence and collaboration through competitive funding mechanisms. The explanatory statement details the Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Act, which govern the Linkage Program for 2014—Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership, outlining eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, and accountability requirements, ensuring alignment with funding caps and splits, and incorporating relevant ethical and conduct guidelines.
Scope and Application
The Funding Rules under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 govern the administration of financial assistance for the Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership, which is part of the Linkage Program for 2014. This legislation applies to eligible entities and individuals who propose to undertake research activities in partnership with industry or other sectors, aimed at fostering the exchange of knowledge and skills to enhance research outcomes and secure commercial benefits. The rules outline the eligibility criteria for applicants, the application process, assessment methodologies, and the conditions under which funding approvals may be modified or revoked. These rules are applicable to research projects within Australia and potentially in collaboration with international partners, thus extending their reach beyond national boundaries. While the rules comprehensively cover the specified initiative, they exclude other schemes not covered by the Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership. The rules are subject to the overarching funding cap and split determinations for the relevant year, ensuring alignment with broader funding policies. The Minister for Education has approved these rules, which incorporate several ethical and responsible conduct guidelines, ensuring high standards in research practices.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Funding Rules under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 focus on the establishment of guidelines and procedures for funding research initiatives, specifically the Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership for 2014. Section (2) outlines the eligibility criteria for organisations and research programs, ensuring that only those meeting specific requirements can apply for financial assistance. Section (3) details the application process, including the documentation and information necessary for a proposal to be considered. Section (4) describes the assessment process, which involves evaluating proposals based on specific criteria to decide which will be recommended for funding. Section (5) addresses the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied, providing flexibility for adjustments in exceptional circumstances. Lastly, Section (6) incorporates additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC to ensure transparency and responsible use of funds.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria specified in Section (2) to be considered for funding. This includes ensuring that the organisation is capable of conducting high-quality research and that the research program aligns with the objectives of the Antarctic Gateway Partnership. Secondly, applicants must follow the submission guidelines outlined in Section (3) to ensure their proposals are complete and meet the required standards. Thirdly, researchers and organisations must adhere to the fundamental principles of conducting research, which are detailed in Section (7), ensuring ethical and responsible research practices. Additionally, successful applicants must comply with the reporting requirements in Section (8), providing regular updates on the progress and outcomes of their research projects.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act can result in various consequences. Breaches of ethical research conduct, as stipulated in the incorporated guidelines such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007), can lead to disciplinary actions against researchers and organisations. Additionally, non-compliance with the reporting requirements can result in the suspension or termination of funding. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the Funding Rules, breaches of ethical guidelines can attract civil or criminal penalties under other relevant legislation. For instance, unethical conduct in research involving human participants may result in penalties under the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 2006.