Grant Guidelines for the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended)

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2018L01778 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

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

 

Grant Guidelines for the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended)

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001— Grant Guidelines for the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended)

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 the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended)

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 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 the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended) were approved by the Minister for Education, Hon Dan Tehan MP, on 7 December 2018.

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 the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended) 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 the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended), 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 to foster and support research and innovation in Australia, introduced a structured framework for the allocation of grants to support research activities. This Act established the Australian Research Council (ARC) as the key entity responsible for administering research grants, ensuring that the allocation of funds is competitive and based on merit. The purpose of this legislation was to address the need for a systematic approach to funding research, thereby enhancing Australia’s research capacity and encouraging the development of new technologies, products, and ideas that contribute to economic growth and improved quality of life. The ARC, operating under the authority of the Minister for Education, is tasked with approving grant guidelines, ensuring they align with national research priorities and funding constraints. These guidelines, as amended in 2018, outline the eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment methods, and accountability requirements for grant recipients, reflecting a commitment to maintaining high standards of research integrity and responsible conduct.

Scope and Application

The Grant Guidelines made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 pertain to the schemes funded under the Discovery Program of the National Competitive Grants Program. These guidelines apply to entities and individuals eligible to apply for financial assistance under the various schemes, which include the Australian Laureates Fellowships, Future Fellowships, Discovery Early Career Research Awards, Discovery Indigenous, and Discovery Projects. The guidelines outline eligibility criteria, the application process, assessment criteria, conditions for varying funding approvals, and additional accountability requirements. The application of these guidelines is overseen by the Minister for Education, and they are consistent with the funding caps and splits determined for the relevant years. These guidelines extend to all eligible entities and researchers within Australia, ensuring compliance with various policies and ethical guidelines that are incorporated by reference, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The guidelines do not engage any applicable rights or freedoms, thereby being compatible with human rights as per the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Grant Guidelines for the Discovery Program (2018) (Amended) under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 detail the eligibility criteria for applicants seeking financial assistance, the application process, assessment criteria, conditions for funding approval variations, and additional accountability requirements that the Australian Research Council (ARC) deems necessary. These guidelines specifically address the Australian Laureates Fellowships, Future Fellowships, Discovery Early Career Research Awards, Discovery Indigenous, and Discovery Projects schemes (sections 59(2)(a)–(e)). Furthermore, these guidelines must align with the funding caps and splits for the applicable years (section 59(4)(a) and (b)), ensuring that the grants remain within the set financial boundaries and distribution ratios. These Grant Guidelines impose several obligations and requirements on applicants and organisations seeking funding. Eligibility criteria must be met, which includes the type of organisation eligible to apply and the nature of the research programme. Applicants must adhere to the outlined application process, which typically involves submitting a detailed proposal that addresses specific research objectives, methodologies, and expected outcomes. The assessment process for proposals involves rigorous evaluation by experts to ensure that the research proposed is of high quality and aligns with the objectives of the Discovery Program. Additionally, applicants must comply with all referenced policies and guidelines, such as the ARC Research Integrity and Research Misconduct Policy, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and relevant ethical guidelines, depending on the nature of the research. Breaches of the Grant Guidelines may result in civil or criminal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed within the Grant Guidelines themselves. Generally, non-compliance with ARC policies and guidelines, particularly those related to research integrity and ethical conduct, can lead to severe repercussions. This may include the revocation of current funding, disqualification from future funding opportunities, legal action, and potential criminal charges for research misconduct or breaches of ethical standards. The penalties for such breaches can vary widely depending on the severity and nature of the violation but are intended to uphold the integrity and reputation of the research funded by the ARC.

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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.