EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Subject: Australian Research Council Act 2001
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013
Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research must approve ARC funding rules.
Purpose and effect
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2013 sets out the eligibility and accountability requirements and other relevant matters for research programs which may be funded under this scheme. The scheme provides funding to eligible organisations for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities that will be used to support high-quality research projects. Funding under this scheme is approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2013 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 program 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 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 rules 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 Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, on 8 December 2011. No amendments have been made.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference:
- The Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997)/the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans; and/as applicable, the NHMRC’s other codes on animal research (see subsection 13.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
- Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2013 (see subsection 9.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au)
- National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 13.4.2), available from (www.arc.gov.au).
Commencement
The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2013 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
Likely impact and effect
These Funding Rules provide the key criteria and requirements for proposals for, and the allocation and administration of, funding under the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2013.
Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights
The funding rules are compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description
Section 1 provides the name of the Funding Rules.
Section 2 provides the commencement details.
Section 3 provides definitions.
Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the objectives of the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme and selection criteria.
Section 5 outlines the level of funding, restrictions on budget items, and types of research not supported.
Section 6 deals with organisational types, roles and eligibility. This includes eligible, collaborating and partner organisations.
Section 7 outlines roles and general eligibility for researchers and eligibility criteria for Chief Investigators and Partner Investigators.
Section 8 outlines the number of proposals, funded projects and cross-scheme eligibility.
Section 9 outlines the submission of proposals, including proposal content and format, how to complete and submit proposals, closing time for proposals and certification of proposals
Section 10 deals with the selection and approval process.
Section 11 outlines the appeals process.
Section 12 outlines reporting requirements including progress reports, end of year reports, final report and audited financial statement.
Section 13 outlines fundamental principles of conducting research including ethics and research practices, applicable law, confidentiality, intellectual property and incomplete or misleading information.
Appendix A: Eligible Organisations