Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2022L01187 In force Legislative Instrument

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REPLACEMENT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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

Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines.

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001— Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines

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 a scheme funded under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines. The Industry Fellowships Program provides funding for researchers to develop cutting edge innovations and apply their research to addressing industry challenges. The fellowships will provide industry with increased access to individuals with strong technical skills, knowledge and research capacity. They will also support universities to bolster their capacity for research commercialisation and translation.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for the scheme under the Linkage Program Guidelines 2022 — Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines for funding commencing in 2022 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;

(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 the scheme under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants 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 Grant Guidelines for the scheme under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP, on 26 August 2022.

Documents incorporated by Reference

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

ARC Medical Research Policy available on the ARC website
Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality available on the ARC website
ARC Open Access Policy available on the ARC website
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
Public Service Code of Conduct (Section 13(7)) of the Public Service Act 1999
Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector available on
the Department of Education website.

Commencement

The Grant Guidelines for the scheme under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

The provisions

These Guidelines contain information relating to the Grant Guidelines for the scheme under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants 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.

Consultation outside Government

The ARC consulted widely with stakeholders outside of government in developing the Industry Fellowship Program Grant Guidelines and other policy documents for the Industry Fellowship Program.

The following groups were among those invited to participate in consultations, and provided valuable feedback into the design of the schemes:

Deputy Vice Chancellors for Research (from all Australian Universities)
Universities Australia
STA Australia
Research Australia
Australian Academy of Sciences Early and Mid-Career Researcher Forum
Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering
Women in STEMM Australia
Australian Council of Learned Academies
Australian Industry Group
Business Council of Australia
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Council of Small Business Organisations Association
Industry Growth Centres
Co-operative Research Centres
Former members of the ARC College of Experts
Indigenous Business Australia
Engineers Australia
Australian Institute of Company Directors

Many other individual researchers and experts from both university and industry (research translation) settings also participated in the consultations. The Australian Research Council Advisory Committee, constituted of expert members from a range of fields, were consulted on the development of the guidelines.

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.

Senate Standing Order 23 (4a) – Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation

The Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines is exempt from disallowance because it is an instrument containing a set of rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act) and, Section 10, Item 7 of the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015, relevantly provides that legislative instruments made under section 60 of the ARC Act are not subject to disallowance.

The application of section 10, Item 7 of the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015 to the Guidelines, allowing for exemption from disallowance, is appropriate because the legislative instrument was made in accordance with the enabling Act, the Legislation Act and other applicable Acts and does not contain matter more appropriate for an Act of Parliament.

Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015

Section 10 – Particular legislative instruments that are not subject to disallowance

Item 7 – Legislative Instruments:

(a) A rule made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001; and

(b) A variation of a set of rules made under section 61 of the Act.

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 establishes the framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC) to manage research funding. The Act was introduced to ensure that the research funding process is transparent, competitive, and aligned with national research priorities. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the Act allows for the creation of grant guidelines to support research initiatives. The policy objective of the Act is to foster high-quality research in Australia by providing funding for projects that demonstrate excellence and have the potential for significant impact. The explanatory statement for the Grant Guidelines under the Linkage Program 2022—Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines, issued by the Minister for Education, outlines the criteria for eligibility, application process, assessment procedures, and accountability measures. These guidelines are designed to facilitate the development of cutting-edge innovations and enhance industry access to skilled researchers. The guidelines were developed following extensive consultation with various stakeholders, including universities, industry groups, and research institutions, to ensure they meet the needs of the research community and industry.

Scope and Application

The Grant Guidelines made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, specifically for the Linkage Program 2022—Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines, provide the regulatory framework for the Industry Fellowships Program, which aims to fund researchers developing cutting-edge innovations and applying their research to industry challenges. These guidelines are applicable to researchers, universities, and industry entities that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Guidelines. The Guidelines cover the eligibility criteria for applicants, the process for applying for financial assistance, the assessment process for determining which proposals will be recommended for approval, the circumstances under which funding approvals may be varied, and any additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The guidelines are designed to be consistent with the funding cap and funding split determination for the relevant years. The Guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education on 26 August 2022 and take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. The Guidelines incorporate several documents by reference, including the ARC Medical Research Policy, Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality, ARC Open Access Policy, Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, Public Service Code of Conduct, Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector, and others. The Guidelines are exempt from disallowance under Section 10, Item 7 of the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Grant Guidelines under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines (sections (a) to (e)) provide specific details about eligibility criteria for applicants, the application process, assessment criteria, and the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied. These provisions ensure clarity and transparency for potential applicants, outlining what is required for a proposal to be considered for financial assistance. Additionally, the Guidelines address additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The obligations imposed by the Grant Guidelines on the parties and entities they govern include meeting the specified eligibility criteria, adhering to the outlined application process, and complying with the assessment criteria. The Guidelines also require that any funding approval may be varied under specific circumstances. These obligations ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and consistent with the funding cap and funding split determination for the relevant years. Failure to comply with the Grant Guidelines can result in various consequences, although specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the Explanatory Statement. The Guidelines themselves are designed to reduce regulatory burden and streamline the application and assessment process. However, non-compliance with the stated requirements could potentially lead to disqualification of proposals or revocation of funding approvals. The Guidelines also reference other policies and documents, such as the Public Service Code of Conduct and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, which may have their own sets of compliance requirements and consequences for breaches. The Grant Guidelines for the scheme under the Linkage Program 2022— Industry Fellowships Program (IFP) Grants Guidelines are consistent with the requirements of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, particularly under section 60, and the Legislation Act 2003. They were approved by the Minister for Education and are subject to consultation with various stakeholders, including universities, industry groups, and research organisations. This ensures that the Guidelines reflect a broad range of perspectives and needs within the research community. The Guidelines also take into account funding caps and splits, ensuring alignment with broader funding strategies.

Area of Law: Research & Development Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Regulatory Standards
Catchwords: Eligibility Criteria; Assessment Criteria

Interactions

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.

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