Discovery Program (2019 edition)

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2019L01372 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

 

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Grant Guidelines made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001

Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001— Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition

Authority

Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC Grant Guidelines. 

Purpose and effect

The instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003 (the LA). These Grant Guidelines relate to schemes funded under the Discovery Program of the National Competitive Grants Program. The Discovery Program supports the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity, which generates new knowledge resulting in the development of new technologies, products and ideas, the creation of jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia. In particular, these rules relate to the Australian Laureates Fellowships scheme, the Future Fellowships scheme, the Discovery Early Career Research Awards scheme, the Discovery Indigenous scheme and the Discovery Projects scheme.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition

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 programme 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 (4) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition

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 Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition were approved by the Minister for Education, Hon Dan Tehan MP, on 20 September 2019.

Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • the ARC Research Integrity and Research Misconduct Policy (2016);
  • the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (2017);
  • the ARC Open Access Policy (2017);
  • the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018);
  • as applicable, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) (updated July 2018);
  • as applicable, NHMRC Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders (2018);
  • as applicable, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2012);
  • as applicable, Australia Council for the Arts Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Music; Writing; Visual Arts; Media Arts; and Performing Arts (2007); and
  • as applicable, the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (2013).

 

 

Commencement

The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

 

The provisions include;

These Guidelines contain information relating to the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition, this includes: grant amount, eligibility, assessment criteria, application process and delivery or grant activities.

Consultation

The ARC consulted with the Department of Finance and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and they have determined the Grant Guidelines as low risk.

 

Regulatory Impact Statement

These Grant Guidelines include a number of measures that reduce regulatory burden on the higher education sector. This includes coordination with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to produce a timeline that minimises the burden on the sector in relation to preparation and submission of proposals

 

Statement of compatibility with human rights

Section 9(1) of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 requires the rule maker in relation to a legislative instrument to which section 42 (disallowance) of the LA applies to cause a statement of compatibility to be prepared in respect of that legislative instrument.

The legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms. It is compatible with human rights, as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, seeks to promote and support research of the highest quality in Australia. This Act was introduced to address the need for a structured and competitive grants system to fund research projects across various disciplines, ultimately contributing to the nation's economic growth, innovation, and quality of life. The 2019 Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program, issued under the authority of the Minister for Education, provide detailed rules on the eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements for grant applicants. These guidelines are intended to ensure that the research funded by the Australian Research Council aligns with national research priorities and maintains high standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The policy objective behind these guidelines is to support the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity through competitive funding schemes, while also reducing the regulatory burden on the higher education sector by coordinating timelines with other relevant bodies like the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Scope and Application

The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition, made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, apply to proposals seeking financial assistance for research projects under the Discovery Program. These guidelines cover the Australian Laureates Fellowships, Future Fellowships, Discovery Early Career Research Awards, Discovery Indigenous, and Discovery Projects schemes, which are part of the National Competitive Grants Program. The guidelines outline eligibility criteria for applicants, including the types of organisations and research programs that may receive funding, and detail the application process, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements. They also incorporate various policies and ethical guidelines for research integrity, intellectual property, and responsible conduct. These guidelines have a national jurisdictional reach and apply to all research institutions and individuals seeking funding from the Australian Research Council. The guidelines do not specify any exclusions or exemptions but are consistent with the funding caps and split determinations set for the year of application. They were approved by the Minister for Education on 20 September 2019 and took effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

Key Provisions

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) mandates the Minister's approval of ARC Grant Guidelines, and section 60 provides the authority for such approval. The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Discovery Program—2019 edition (the Guidelines), approved by the Minister for Education, Hon Dan Tehan MP, on 20 September 2019, are a legislative instrument under the Legislation Act 2003. These Guidelines aim to support Australia's research and innovation capacity through various schemes including Australian Laureates Fellowships, Future Fellowships, Discovery Early Career Research Awards, the Discovery Indigenous scheme, and the Discovery Projects scheme. They cover eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, variations in funding approvals, and additional accountability requirements. In accordance with subsection 59(2) of the Act, these Guidelines must align with the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years. The Guidelines impose several obligations and requirements on parties and entities they govern. Firstly, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, which include the type of organisation eligible to receive assistance and the kinds of research programmes in which they can engage. The Guidelines detail how to apply for financial assistance, including the submission of a formal application and necessary documentation. They also outline the assessment process for evaluating proposals, ensuring a fair and transparent selection procedure. Additionally, the Guidelines specify circumstances under which funding approvals may be varied and any additional accountability requirements that the ARC deems necessary. To ensure compliance, several documents are incorporated by reference, such as the ARC Research Integrity and Research Misconduct Policy (2016) and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018). The Guidelines also address potential breaches and associated penalties. While specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the explanatory statement, breaches of the Guidelines could result in the revocation of funding approvals, legal action, or reputational damage. Given the legislative nature of the Guidelines, significant non-compliance might also attract civil or criminal sanctions, although these are not explicitly stated in the provided text. The Guidelines are designed to minimise regulatory burden and ensure that the research sector adheres to high standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The incorporation of various ethical guidelines and policies underscores the importance of adhering to these standards to maintain the credibility and effectiveness of the funding schemes.

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Area of Law
Research & Innovation Law
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Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
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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.