EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001— Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012.
Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC funding rules.
Purpose and effect
The Special Research Initiative for a Science of Learning Research Centre provides will provide funding to an Eligible Organisation to coordinate, manage and fund researchers’ access to the Australian Synchrotron facilities.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Special Research Initiative for a Science of Learning Research Centre Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 contains:
(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 Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 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 Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 were approved by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans, on 20 April 2012. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference:
- ARC— Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007); National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); and codes on animal research promulgated by the NHMRC, available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au); (see section 15.1)
- Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2012 (see subsection 11.2.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see section 15.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au);
Commencement
Special Research Initiative in Synchrotron Science Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 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 deals with Governance Structure and Arrangements
Section 9 outlines the selection of researchers awarded access under the SRI Synchrotron Science
Section 10 outlines the number of proposals and cross-scheme eligibility
Section 11 outlines submission of proposals, the closing time and Conflict of Interest
Section 12 outlines the selection process and approval processes
Section 13 outlines the appeals process
Section 14 provides the reporting requirements for End of Year and Final reporting
Section 15 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