Linkage Program - ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2018L00791 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 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.

 

 

Overview

The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020, issued under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, were enacted to provide clear and comprehensive guidelines for funding, eligibility, application processes, and assessment criteria for proposals within the Linkage Program. These guidelines aim to facilitate partnerships between researchers and various sectors such as business, industry, community organisations, government, and other publicly funded research agencies. The enactment of these guidelines by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 20 May 2018, addresses the need for structured and transparent criteria to ensure that funding is appropriately allocated to research initiatives that meet the program's objectives. These guidelines are designed to reduce the regulatory burden on the higher education sector while promoting responsible research conduct and ethical practices, aligning with the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research and other relevant policies.

Scope and Application

The Grant Guidelines made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 apply to proposals for financial assistance under the Linkage Program for Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence commencing in 2020. These guidelines are applicable to eligible entities, including universities, research institutions, and businesses, that wish to partner with ARC in promoting national and international collaborations in research. The guidelines specify the eligibility criteria for applicants, detailing the types of organisations and research programs that can receive funding. They also outline the process for applying for financial assistance, 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. These guidelines are consistent with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years. They also incorporate by reference various policies and codes concerning research integrity, open access, ethical conduct, and intellectual property management, thereby extending their application to ensure compliance with broader research standards and protocols. The guidelines have been approved by the Minister for Education and Training and are intended to reduce regulatory burdens on the higher education sector by streamlining the proposal preparation and submission process.

Key Provisions

The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing 2020, issued under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment criteria, and funding provisions for grants aimed at fostering partnerships between researchers and various sectors including business, industry, and government. These Guidelines ensure that the grants align with the funding cap and split determination for the applicable years (sections 59(2) and 59(4)). Approved by the Minister for Education and Training, these Guidelines were designed to facilitate and support research that benefits the nation by promoting collaborative research endeavours. The Guidelines impose several obligations on applicants and recipients. Firstly, they must meet the specified eligibility criteria, which include the types of organisations eligible for funding and the nature of the research programs. Applicants must also comply with the application process, which involves submitting a detailed proposal outlining the research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes (section 59(2)(b)). Recipients of grants are required to adhere to the Australian Research Council's (ARC) research integrity and misconduct policies, ensuring that all research is conducted ethically and responsibly. Additionally, recipients must comply with any additional accountability requirements set forth by the ARC (section 59(2)(e)). Breaches of the Guidelines may result in serious consequences. Firstly, failure to comply with the research integrity and ethical conduct policies could lead to disciplinary action against the researchers involved. Under the ARC Research Integrity and Research Misconduct Policy, misconduct can result in the revocation of funding, public reprimand, and the requirement to rectify or retract published research. Furthermore, if an institution fails to adhere to the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, it may face legal action for intellectual property infringements. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not explicitly stated in the Guidelines, but they may include financial penalties and legal sanctions.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Administrative Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Eligibility Criteria
Assessment Criteria
Compliance Obligations
Catchwords
Regulatory Impact Statement

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

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.