Australian Research Council Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2008L01061 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

 

Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

 

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001

  Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009

 

Authority

Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research must approve ARC funding rules. 

 

Purpose and effect

Linkage International is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 sets out the eligibility and accountability requirements and other relevant matters for research programs which may be funded under this scheme. The scheme supports the movement of researchers between eligible Australian research organisations and centres of research excellence overseas, and to foster collaboration and networking between Australia-based and overseas researchers. Funding under this scheme is approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage International for funding commencing in 2009 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 Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 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 Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, on 19 March 2008. No amendments have been made.

 

Documents incorporated by reference

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • The Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997)/the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans; and/as applicable, the NHMRC’s other codes on animal research (see subsection 4.4.1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
  • Linkage International Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2009 (see subsection 10.4.3.1), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
  • The draft Funding Agreement (see subsections 13.1, 13.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 14.4.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

Commencement

The Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

 

Likely impact and effect

These Funding Rules provide the key criteria and requirements for proposals for, and the allocation and administration of, funding under the Linkage International scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2009.

 

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

 

Section 1 provides the name of the Funding Rules.

 

Section 2 provides the commencement details.

 

Section 3 provides interpretation of the Funding Rules.

 

Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Linkage International scheme, and the fundamental principles and requirements, including ethics and research practice, non-duplication, conflict of interest, acknowledging ARC support and dissemination of research outputs.

 

Section 5 outlines changes from last year.

 

Section 6 outlines the level and period of funding, types of research supported, restrictions on budget items, areas of investigation/work not supported, and the number of proposals and funded projects.  

 

Section 7 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility.

 

Section 8 outlines roles and general eligibility for researchers, eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators, Overseas Investigators, Partner Investigators and ARCIF Fellows.

 

Section 9 outlines cross-scheme issues relating to funding, eligibility, and funding of medical and dental research.

 

Section 10 deals with the application process, including eligibility exemption and eligibility advising process, proposals, certification and submission of proposals.

 

Section 11 outlines the selection and approval process, including selection criteria, assessment and selection procedure and offer of funding. 

 

Section 12 deals with the appeals process.

 

Section 13 deals with the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement, varying the Funding Agreement or Funding Approval, and reporting,

 

Section 14 refers to other relevant matters, including applicable law, confidentiality, project description, intellectual property, incomplete or misleading information, and insurance and liabilities.

 

Section 15 deals specifically with ARC International Fellowships (ARCIFs), including general requirements, funding details and selection criteria for all types of ARCIFs. The section outlines specific requirements and funding details for: ARCIF Proposals for Australia-based researchers to work in overseas research organisations; and ARCIF Proposals for overseas researchers to work in Australia.

 

Section 16 covers Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs), including: organisational types, roles and eligibility; investigator types, roles and eligibility; types of research supported; funding; budget items supported; budget items not supported; researchers from Commonwealth-funded Research Centres; number of proposals permitted; the application, selection and approval process; closing time for proposals; and other requirements.

 

There are four appendices:

 

Appendix 1: National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals

Appendix 2: Eligible Organisations

Appendix 3: Notional Fellowship salaries and relocation allowances

Appendix 4: Particular Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)  

                     undertaken under these Funding Rules

Overview

The Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 were introduced to establish the eligibility and accountability requirements for research programs under the Linkage International scheme, a component of the Australian Research Council's (ARC) National Competitive Grants Program. Enacted in 2008 by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, these rules aim to support the exchange of researchers between Australian institutions and international centres of research excellence, thereby fostering collaboration and networking between researchers in both countries. Approved by Senator the Hon Kim Carr on 19 March 2008, the rules delineate the eligibility criteria for proposals, the application process, assessment procedures, and the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied. They also incorporate by reference several key documents, including the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, and the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice. The rules establish a comprehensive framework for the administration of the Linkage International scheme, ensuring that all research proposals meet the necessary ethical standards, do not duplicate existing research, and comply with conflict of interest policies. They provide detailed guidelines on the types of research projects eligible for funding, the allowable budget items, and the procedures for application, assessment, and funding approval. By setting these standards and processes, the Linkage International Funding Rules aim to enhance the quality and impact of collaborative research between Australian and international researchers, supporting the movement of knowledge and expertise across borders.

Scope and Application

The Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009 apply to research programs seeking funding under the Linkage International scheme, a component of the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. This scheme supports the movement of researchers between eligible Australian research organisations and centres of research excellence overseas, aiming to foster collaboration and networking between Australian and overseas researchers. The Act applies to eligible organisations and researchers who wish to apply for funding under this scheme, with a particular focus on those who can demonstrate the potential for significant international research collaboration. The geographic scope of these rules is national, as they pertain to research projects and partnerships that span Australian and international research entities. The rules delineate eligibility criteria for organisations and researchers, specify the application process, outline the assessment and selection procedures, and detail the accountability requirements for funded projects. Notably, the rules incorporate by reference various guidelines and principles, such as the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice and the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research. These Funding Rules were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and they provide the framework for the administration and allocation of funding under the Linkage International scheme for projects starting in 2009.

Key Provisions

The Linkage International Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2009, under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, establish the eligibility and accountability requirements for research programs funded by the Linkage International scheme. This scheme supports the movement of researchers between Australian research organisations and international centres of research excellence, aiming to foster collaboration and networking. The rules detail the criteria for proposal approval, application process, assessment criteria, funding variations, and additional accountability requirements. The rules also specify the eligibility criteria for organisations and researchers, the assessment process, and the administration of funding, including the Funding Agreement and reporting requirements. Organisations and researchers seeking funding under these rules must meet specific eligibility criteria, including the types of organisations and research programs that can receive funding. They must also adhere to ethical and research practice standards as outlined in the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice. Researchers are required to avoid conflicts of interest, acknowledge ARC support in research outputs, and ensure the dissemination of research results. Additionally, organisations must comply with the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research and provide necessary insurance coverage. Violations of the Linkage International Funding Rules can result in serious consequences, including the potential loss of funding approval and the requirement to repay any funds already received. The rules stipulate that any incomplete or misleading information provided in a proposal may lead to the proposal being rejected or the funding being revoked. Furthermore, failure to comply with ethical standards and research practices can result in legal and reputational damage, potentially affecting future funding opportunities. Under these rules, breaches of the Funding Agreement or failure to meet reporting requirements can lead to the termination of funding and the need to return any funds disbursed. The maximum penalties for breaches are not explicitly stated in the explanatory statement, but the consequences are significant, impacting both the reputation and future funding prospects of the organisations and researchers involved. Additionally, failure to adhere to the intellectual property management principles can result in legal disputes and financial liabilities.

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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.