Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2019L00331 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

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

 

Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science

 

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and Training

 

Subject: Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in                 Excellence in Antarctic Science

 

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 Grants Guidelines relate to the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science for funding commencing 2020 funded under the Linkage Program of the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program.

The Linkage Program supports research partnerships within Australia and internationally to encourage the exchange and transfer of knowledge, ideas and skills as a basis for building capacity to deliver high quality research outcomes and secure commercial and other benefits of research.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science Grant Guidelines 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 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 Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science Grant Guidelines 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 Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science Grant Guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Dan Tehan on 13 March 2019. No amendments have been made.

Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
  • National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2015);
  • NHMRC Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003);
  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2012);
  • Australia Council for the Arts Indigenous Cultural Protocols for Producing Indigenous Music, Writing, Visual Arts, Media Arts and Performing Arts (2007);
  • Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (2013); and
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

Commencement

The Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science Grant Guidelines shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

 

The provisions include;

These Guidelines contain information relating to the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science Grant Guidelines, 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 was enacted to establish the Australian Research Council (ARC) and provide for the making of grants for research. The Act aimed to fill the gap in supporting high-quality research in Australia by facilitating partnerships and knowledge exchange. The Australian Parliament enacted this legislation to foster research excellence and innovation. The policy objective, as stated in the explanatory statement, is to support research partnerships within Australia and internationally, encouraging the exchange and transfer of knowledge and skills, which ultimately aims to build research capacity and deliver high-quality research outcomes. The Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science, issued under section 60 of the Act, provide the framework for funding commencing in 2020. These guidelines outline eligibility criteria, application processes, assessment procedures, and accountability requirements, ensuring that the grants align with the funding cap and split determination for the relevant years. The guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Dan Tehan, on 13 March 2019, and incorporate several ethical and conduct protocols to ensure responsible research practices.

Scope and Application

The Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science Grant Guidelines, established under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, apply to entities and individuals seeking funding for research projects within the scope of the Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science. These Guidelines outline the eligibility criteria for applicants, which include specific types of organisations eligible to apply and the kinds of research programs that can receive funding. The Guidelines also detail the application process, the assessment criteria for evaluating proposals, the conditions under which funding approvals can be varied, and any additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC. The Guidelines apply nationally across Australia and are intended to support research partnerships both domestically and internationally, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and skills. The Guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education and Training on 13 March 2019 and are consistent with the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years. No amendments have been made since their approval. The Guidelines incorporate several referenced documents to ensure compliance with ethical and research standards.

Key Provisions

The Australian Research Council Act 2001, specifically under section 60, mandates that the Minister for Education and Training approve Grant Guidelines. The Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program (2019) Special Research Initiative in Excellence in Antarctic Science, which are now in effect, outline several key provisions. They include eligibility criteria for proposals to qualify for financial assistance (section 60(a)), application procedures (section 60(b)), the assessment process for approving proposals (section 60(c)), conditions for varying funding approvals (section 60(d)), and any additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC (section 60(e)). These Guidelines ensure consistency with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years, as stipulated in subsection 59(4) of the Act. The Guidelines impose several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, they establish clear eligibility criteria, ensuring that only proposals from entities meeting specific requirements can apply for funding. These entities include research institutions and industry partners who must collaborate to conduct research that meets the program’s objectives. Secondly, applicants must adhere to a detailed application process, providing all necessary documentation and information to demonstrate their project's viability and alignment with the initiative's goals. Thirdly, the Guidelines detail the assessment process, which includes peer review by experts to evaluate the scientific merit and potential impact of the research. Lastly, the Guidelines impose accountability requirements, necessitating that funded projects meet specified milestones and deliver agreed-upon outcomes. Violations of the Guidelines or failure to meet the established obligations can result in severe consequences. While the explanatory statement does not detail specific penalties, breaches of the Guidelines could lead to the revocation of funding, legal action, or other administrative penalties. The Act itself does not explicitly state maximum penalties, but penalties for non-compliance with similar research funding guidelines typically include financial penalties, suspension or termination of funding, and legal action to enforce compliance. Ensuring adherence to these Guidelines is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the research initiative and the efficient use of public funds.

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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.