EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
ARC Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years
2014–2016—Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects and Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
ARC Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years 2014–2016—Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects and 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
The Linkage Projects scheme promotes national, and international, collaboration and research partnerships between key stakeholders in research and innovation including higher education providers, government, business, industry and end users. Research and development is undertaken to apply advanced knowledge to problems, acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the ARC Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years 2014–2016—Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects and 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 ARC Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years 2014-2016—Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects and Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities rules 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 ARC Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years 2014–2016—Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects and Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities were approved by the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne, on 12 August 2014. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference:
- the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007), the ARC Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy
- the NHMRC/ARC/UA National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2014);
- NHMRC Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003)
- the 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—(www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2012), available from (www.aiatsis.gov.au);
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, available from (www.arc.gov.au);
- ARC Open Access Policy on the dissemination of research findings, available from (www.arc.gov.au).
Commencement
The ARC Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Program for the years 2014–2016—Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects and 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
- Research Activities Not Supported
- Funding
- Budget Items Supported
- Budget Items Not Supported
- Organisation General Eligibility Requirements
- Participant General Eligibility Requirements
- Eligibility Process
- 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 Industrial Transformation Research Hubs for funding commencing in 2014
Part C – Provides scheme specific rules for Industrial Transformation Training Centres for funding commencing in 2015
Part D – Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2015
Part E – Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2016
Part B to Part E includes the following;
- Introduction to each scheme including overview, objectives, and selection criteria;
- Funding – this provides the level and period of funding, the budget item supported and not supported; and
- Eligibility requirements for researchers and Chief/Partner Investigators – this includes eligibility criteria.