Linkage Program - ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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

Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and Training

Subject: Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020

Authority

Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC funding rules. 

Purpose and effect

These Grant Guidelines relate to the Linkage Program - ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020 funded under the Linkage Program of the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Program promotes national and international partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations, government and other publicly funded research agencies.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020 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 (4) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020 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 for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020 were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 20 May 2018.

Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

• the ARC Research Integrity and Research Misconduct Policy (2016);
• the ARC Open Access Policy (2017);
• NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
• NHMRC/ARC/UA National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research

(2007, updated 2015);

• as applicable, NHMRC Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003);
• as applicable, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2012);
• as applicable, Australian Council for the Arts Indigenous Cultural Protocols for Producing Indigenous Music; Writing; Visual Arts; Media Arts; and Performing Arts (2007);
• as applicable, Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (2013) endorsed by the NHMRC, the ARC, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and UA; and
• National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (2017), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

Commencement

The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

The provisions include;

These Guidelines contain information relating to the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020 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 Legislation Act 2003 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.