EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2011
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2011
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 Projects supports research and development projects which are collaborative between higher education researchers and other parts of the national innovation system, which are undertaken to acquire new knowledge, and which involve risk or innovation.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2011 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 Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2011 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.
Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2011 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Kim Carr MP, on 16 March 2010. 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 NHMRC/ARC/AVCC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC (see Appendix A1.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2011 (see subsection 11.3.1), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see Appendix A1.A7.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
- The draft Funding Agreement (see Appendix B1), available from (www.arc.gov.au).
Commencement
Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2011 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
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 interpretations of the definitions.
Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the objectives of the National Competitive Grants Program and the Linkage Projects scheme, and conflict of interest requirements.
Section 5 provides details of 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, the number of proposals and funded projects, and duplication.
Section 7 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility including eligible organisations and partner organisations.
Section 8 deals with roles and eligibility for researchers including Researchers Roles & General Eligibility, Chief Investigators, Partner Investigators, Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships, and Linkage Industry Fellowships.
Section 9 outlines cross-scheme issues relating to eligibility and funding, non-duplication and cross-scheme funding, researchers from Commonwealth-funded research centres and funding of medical and dental research.
Section 10 deals with the application process, including eligibility exemption and proposals.
Section 11 deals with the submission of proposals including content, format, how to complete and submit a proposal, closing time for proposals and certification.
Section 12 outlines the selection and approval process, including assessment and selection process, rejoinder process, recommendations and offer of funding and exclusion of proposals.
Section 13 deals with the appeals process.
There are six appendices:
Appendix A. Fundamental Principles and requirements
Appendix B. Administration of Funding
Appendix C. Eligible Organisations
Appendix D. Notional APDI fellowship salaries and PhD stipend
Appendix E. Partner Organisations
Appendix F. Guidelines for Evaluations of the Adequacy of Partner Organisation In-kind contributions