Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition)

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2016L01610 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

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

Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 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 Programme (2016 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 the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) which is under the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Programme. The Linkage Programme supports the growth of research partnerships between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors in Australia and overseas that generate new knowledge, technologies and innovations.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 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 Programme (2016 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 Programme (2016 edition) were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 6 September 2016.  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 Programme (2016 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 Programme 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 Industrial Transformation Research Hubs for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;

  • Interpretation
  • Commencement Date
  • Additional Definitions for Part B
  • Overview
  • Objectives
  • Selection Criteria
  • Funding
  • Organisational Types, Roles and Eligibility
  • Partner Organisation Contribution Requirements
  • Roles and Eligibility for Participants
  • Proposals Eligibility
  • Assessment and Selection Process
  • Reporting Requirements
  • Host Organisations
  • Scheme specific eligibility requirements

 

 

Part C—Provides scheme specific rules for Industrial Transformation Training Centres for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;

  • INTERPRETATION
  • COMMENCEMENT DATE
  • ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR PART C
  • OVERVIEW
  • OBJECTIVES
  • SELECTION CRITERIA
  • FUNDING
  • ORGANISATIONAL TYPES, ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY
  • ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPANTS
  • SELECTION OF ICHDRS AND ICPDS
  • PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY
  • REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

 

Part D—Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;

  • INTERPRETATION
  • COMMENCEMENT DATE
  • ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR PART D
  • OVERVIEW
  • OBJECTIVES
  • SELECTION CRITERIA
  • FUNDING
  • ORGANISATIONAL TYPES, ROLES, ELIGIBILITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS 
  • ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPANTS
  • PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY

 

Part E—Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2018 which includes;

  • INTERPRETATION
  • COMMENCEMENT DATE
  • ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR PART E
  • OVERVIEW
  • OBJECTIVES
  • SELECTION CRITERIA
  • FUNDING
  • ORGANISATIONAL ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY
  • ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPANTS
  • PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY
  • REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

 

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aims to facilitate and support research partnerships that foster knowledge, technology, and innovation growth across sectors in Australia and internationally. This Act allows for the establishment of funding rules under section 60, which were introduced to ensure the efficient and effective management of research grants within the Australian Research Council's (ARC) National Competitive Grants Programme. The Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) address the need for clear guidelines regarding eligibility, application processes, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements for proposals within the Linkage Programme. These rules were approved by the Minister for Education and Training and are designed to align with funding caps and splits, ensuring a structured approach to research funding that encourages collaboration and innovation.

Scope and Application

The Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 relate to the Linkage Programme (2016 edition), which falls under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Programme. These rules provide the criteria for eligibility, application process, assessment, and accountability requirements for financial assistance. They apply to research partnerships between university-based researchers and those in other sectors within Australia and internationally. The rules take into account the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years. The rules apply nationally and were approved by the Minister for Education and Training. They are consistent with various ethical guidelines and protocols, including the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, and the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research. The rules incorporate these documents by reference. The Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) consist of general rules applicable to the Linkage Programme and scheme-specific rules for Industrial Transformation Research Hubs, Industrial Transformation Training Centres, Linkage Projects, and Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment, and Facilities, all of which have different commencement dates.

Key Provisions

The Funding Rules, established under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, outline the guidelines and criteria for the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) which aims to foster partnerships between university-based researchers and those in other sectors to generate new knowledge, technologies, and innovations. The main provisions of these rules include eligibility criteria (section 1), application processes (section 2), assessment methods (section 3), conditions for varying funding approvals (section 4), and additional accountability measures (section 5). These provisions collectively ensure that the programme adheres to the funding cap and split determinations for the applicable years. The rules impose several obligations on the parties involved. Eligible organisations and participants must meet specific criteria to qualify for financial assistance. This includes adhering to the eligibility requirements, submitting proposals within the stipulated deadlines, and participating in the assessment process. Organisations are also required to provide necessary information and documentation as part of the proposal submission and reporting requirements. Furthermore, all parties must comply with fundamental principles of conducting research, including ethical guidelines as outlined in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and other relevant ethical standards. Any breach of the provisions outlined in these Funding Rules can lead to various consequences. While the explanatory statement does not detail specific offences or penalties, it is implied that non-compliance with the rules may result in the revocation of funding approvals, denial of future funding applications, or other administrative actions as deemed necessary by the Australian Research Council. Additionally, failure to adhere to ethical guidelines could result in further scrutiny or penalties as prescribed by the relevant ethical codes and legislation.

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Area of Law
Administrative Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Eligibility Criteria
Assessment and Selection Process
Catchwords
Funding Rules
Research Partnerships
Accountability Requirements

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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.