Australian Research Council Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012

Overview

The Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012, made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, were introduced to facilitate collaboration between higher education researchers and other sectors of the national innovation system. These rules, which were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on 3 March 2011, outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment procedure, and accountability requirements for funding. They are designed to support research and development projects that involve risk or innovation. The rules ensure that proposals meet specific criteria, including those relating to the types of organisations eligible to apply and the nature of the research programs. They also establish the framework for the assessment of proposals, the selection of projects for funding, and the management of funded projects, including reporting and compliance with ethical and intellectual property standards. The rules are intended to be consistent with the funding cap and funding split determinations for the applicable years, ensuring a structured and transparent approach to the allocation of research funding.

Scope and Application

The Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012, made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, apply to collaborative research and development projects that are undertaken to acquire new knowledge and involve risk or innovation. These rules are designed to govern the eligibility criteria for proposals seeking financial assistance, the application process, the assessment criteria for proposals, the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied, and any additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the Australian Research Council (ARC). These rules apply to eligible organisations, which include higher education institutions, research institutions, and other eligible entities that can demonstrate a commitment to collaborative research. The rules are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and are consistent with the funding cap and funding split determination for the relevant years. Notably, these rules do not apply to projects that do not meet the eligibility criteria, including those that do not involve collaboration between higher education researchers and other parts of the national innovation system. The rules also incorporate by reference various ethical and intellectual property guidelines to ensure the responsible conduct of research. The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Hon Kim Carr MP, approved these rules on 3 March 2011, and no amendments have been made since.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Linkage Projects Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012, as outlined in sections 1 through 14, provide detailed criteria and processes for the approval, application, assessment, and management of research projects under the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Projects scheme. Section 1 names the Funding Rules, while Section 2 specifies the commencement details. Section 3 provides definitions for key terms used throughout the Rules. Section 4 gives an overview of the Linkage Projects scheme and outlines the selection criteria. Section 5 specifies the level and period of funding, budget items supported and unsupported, and research activities not supported. Section 6 deals with organisational types, roles, and eligibility criteria, including eligible and partner organisations, as well as the requirements for letters of support and concessional treatment. Section 7 addresses roles and eligibility for researchers, detailing requirements for chief investigators, partner investigators, and Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships (APDI Fellows). Section 8 provides information on Fellowships, including eligibility criteria for APDI Fellowship candidates and Linkage Industry Fellowship (LIF) candidates, as well as funding levels and periods. Section 9 outlines rules regarding the number of proposals, funded projects, and proposal eligibility, including duplication and requests for eligibility exemption. Section 10 deals with the submission of proposals, including submission in the Research Management System (RMS), closing times, certification in RMS, and conflict of interest. Section 11 details the selection and approval process, including assessment and selection, the rejoinder process, requests not to assess, and recommendations and offers of funding. Section 12 outlines the appeals process for applicants. Section 13 details reporting requirements, including progress reports, end-of-year reports, final reports, and audited financial statements. Finally, Section 14 outlines the fundamental principles of conducting research, including ethics and research practices, applicable laws, confidentiality, intellectual property, and consequences for incomplete or misleading information. The Linkage Projects Funding Rules impose several obligations and requirements on parties involved in the funding process. Eligible organisations must meet specific criteria, including being a higher education provider, a research organisation, or a private sector entity that can demonstrate a collaborative research project with a higher education provider. Researchers must meet eligibility criteria and provide necessary documentation, such as letters of support from partner organisations. Proposals must be submitted through the RMS within specified timeframes, and applicants must certify that the proposal is free of conflicts of interest. The ARC is required to assess proposals based on outlined criteria, including the potential for new knowledge acquisition and the level of risk or innovation. Successful applicants must adhere to reporting requirements, including submitting periodic progress reports, an end-of-year report, and a final report. Additionally, all research must comply with ethical guidelines, applicable laws, and intellectual property regulations as detailed in the incorporated reference documents. Failure to comply with the Linkage Projects Funding Rules can result in several consequences, including financial penalties and the potential revocation of funding. Section 14 of the Rules outlines potential consequences for incomplete or misleading information, indicating that such actions may result in the rejection of proposals or the withdrawal of funding. While specific penalties are not detailed in the Explanatory Statement, breaches of ethical conduct or intellectual property laws could lead to additional civil or criminal consequences. The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, both incorporated by reference, provide further guidance on ethical standards and potential penalties for non-compliance. It is important for all parties involved in the Linkage Projects scheme to adhere to these rules to avoid any adverse outcomes.