EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013
Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC funding rules.
Purpose and effect
Future Fellowships is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The scheme aims to: attract and retain outstanding mid-career researchers; build collaboration across industry and/or research institutions and/or disciplines; support research in national priorities across all disciplines that will result in economic, environmental, social, health or cultural benefits for Australia; and strengthen Australia’s research capacity by supporting innovative, internationally competitive research.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 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 Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 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.
Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 were approved by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, on 3 December 2012. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
- the NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007); the NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC, available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2012, available from www.arc.gov.au)
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, available from (www.arc.gov.au).
Commencement
Future Fellowships Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
Explanation of provisions:
Section 1 provides the name of the Funding Rules.
Section 2 provides the commencement details.
Section 3 provides definitions.
Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the program and the selection criteria.
Section 5 outlines the level of funding, restrictions on budget items, and types of research not supported.
Section 6 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility.
Section 7 deals with roles and eligibility for researchers.
Section 8 outlines the salary levels
Section 9 number of proposals and eligibility exemption
Section 10 outlines the submission of proposals, the closing time and Conflict of Interest
Section 11 outlines the selection process and approval processes
Section 12 outlines the appeals process
Section 13 outlines the reporting requirements for End of Year and final reporting
Section 14 provides details for fundamental principles of conducting research including ethics and research practices, applicable law, confidentiality, intellectual property and incomplete or misleading information.
Appendix A: Eligible Organisations