Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program (2018) Linkage Projects

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2019L00002 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 Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019.

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001— Grant Guidelines for schemes under the                              Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019

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 scheme funded under the Linkage Program 2018 of the National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Program supports the growth of research partnerships between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors in Australia and overseas for projects that generate new knowledge, technologies and innovations.

In particular, these rules relate to the Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019.

 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019 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 Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019 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 Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019 were approved by the Minister for Education, Hon Dan Tehan MP, on 14 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 Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019 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 Linkage Program 2018— Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2019, 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, establishes the framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC), which is responsible for distributing research funding across various sectors. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a structured and competitive funding mechanism that promotes research excellence and innovation. The Act provides the legislative basis for the ARC to manage grants and ensure that research funding is allocated effectively to projects that generate new knowledge and benefit the broader community. The policy objective of the Act is to foster research partnerships that drive technological advancements and economic growth by facilitating collaborations between university-based researchers and other sectors. The explanatory statement outlines the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program 2018, which were approved by the Minister for Education on 14 December 2018. These guidelines detail the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment criteria, and funding variations for Linkage Projects commencing in 2019, ensuring that the grants are awarded in a transparent and accountable manner.

Scope and Application

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 provides the framework for the Grant Guidelines applicable to Linkage Projects under the Linkage Program 2018 for funding commencing in 2019. These guidelines apply to entities and individuals involved in research partnerships between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors, both within Australia and overseas. They are designed to facilitate the growth of collaborative research projects that yield new knowledge, technologies, and innovations. The guidelines set forth eligibility criteria for applicants, detailing the types of organisations and research programmes that qualify for financial assistance. They also outline the application process, assessment criteria, and the mechanisms for varying funding approvals. Furthermore, these guidelines are consistent with the funding caps and splits for the applicable years and incorporate relevant policies and ethical standards to ensure responsible and ethical research practices. The guidelines, approved by the Minister for Education, are intended to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline the process for preparing and submitting research proposals, while maintaining high standards of research integrity and ethical conduct.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Grant Guidelines (sections 59(2) and 59(4) of the Australian Research Council Act 2001) specify the eligibility criteria for applicants, the application process, the assessment criteria, the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied, and additional accountability requirements. These sections are crucial as they define the framework for the Linkage Program 2018, which supports research partnerships between university-based researchers and other sectors to generate new knowledge, technologies, and innovations. The Guidelines also ensure consistency with funding caps and splits, and incorporate various policies and ethical guidelines to govern the research process. The Grant Guidelines impose specific obligations on the parties involved, such as meeting the eligibility criteria, adhering to the application process, and fulfilling assessment requirements. Organisations must ensure their proposals align with the eligibility criteria, which includes the types of organisations that can apply and the types of research programs that can be funded. The application process must be followed meticulously, with all required documentation and information provided as specified. The assessment process is rigorous, involving multiple stages to evaluate the merit and potential impact of the research proposals. Furthermore, any variations to the funding approval must be communicated and justified according to the guidelines. The Grant Guidelines do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but breaches of the outlined criteria and processes could lead to the rejection of funding applications or the revocation of existing funding approvals. Non-compliance with the incorporated policies, such as the ARC Research Integrity and Research Misconduct Policy or the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, could result in additional scrutiny, investigations, or sanctions, depending on the severity of the breach. These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the guidelines to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the research projects funded under the Linkage Program.

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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.