Linkage Program Grant Guidelines (2021 edition) Variation No.1

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to provide for the establishment of the Australian Research Council (ARC) and to prescribe the functions and powers of the ARC, including the administration of grant programs designed to support research and innovation in Australia. The legislation was introduced to address the need for a coordinated approach to funding research that promotes partnerships between universities and other sectors, thereby enhancing the translation of research outcomes into practical applications and economic benefits. The Act was passed by the Parliament of Australia, reflecting a policy objective to foster a research environment that supports industrial transformation and addresses strategic priorities facing Australian industries. The 2021 variation to the Linkage Program Grant Guidelines, issued under the authority of the Minister for Education and Youth, represents an ongoing effort to refine and update the framework for these grants, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in achieving their intended outcomes. This variation, which expands the definition of research output to include preprints, was made to better accommodate the evolving nature of research dissemination and to encourage the timely sharing of research findings.

Scope and Application

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 provides the legislative framework for the establishment and operation of the Australian Research Council (ARC), including the development and approval of grant guidelines. Section 60 of the Act mandates that the Minister for Education and Youth must approve ARC Grant Guidelines, with the Chief Executive Officer authorised to vary these guidelines under Section 61, subject to ministerial approval. The Linkage Program Grant Guidelines (2021 edition) pertain to the Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP), which supports collaborative research between university-based researchers and industry entities both within Australia and internationally. The ITRP encompasses two grant opportunities: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and Industrial Transformation Training Centres, aiming to foster partnerships that address strategic priorities in Australian industries. Notably, a variation to these guidelines was approved by the Minister on 21 September 2021, altering the definition of "research output" to include all products of an ARC-funded research project, including preprints. The application of these guidelines is national, as they apply to all entities and researchers participating in the ARC Linkage Program across Australia. These guidelines are exempt from disallowance under Section 10, Item 7 of the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015, as they are made in accordance with the enabling Act and other relevant legislation.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Grant Guidelines, as specified in the Explanatory Statement, are sections 59 and 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act). Section 59 of the Act allows for the variation of a set of approved Grant Guidelines by the Chief Executive Officer with the approval of the Minister under section 61 of the ARC Act. Section 60 of the Act requires the Minister to approve these Grant Guidelines, which pertain to the Linkage Program Grant Guidelines (2021 edition) Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP). This variation, approved by the Minister for Education and Youth on 21 September 2021, modifies the definition of research output to include all products of an ARC-funded research project, including preprints, that meet the definition of research. These Grant Guidelines impose several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, they mandate that the Linkage Program facilitate the growth of research partnerships between university-based researchers and those in other sectors, both domestically and internationally. This is achieved through the Industrial Transformation Research Program, which includes the establishment of Industrial Transformation Research Hubs and Industrial Transformation Training Centres. These entities must collaborate to address strategic priorities facing Australian industries. Furthermore, the Guidelines specify that all research outputs, including preprints, must be considered as part of the research project deliverables. The Grant Guidelines also detail the consequences for non-compliance or breaches of the specified provisions. While the Explanatory Statement does not explicitly outline criminal or civil penalties, it does indicate that the Guidelines are exempt from disallowance under section 10, Item 7 of the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015. This exemption suggests that the Guidelines are intended to be robust and enforceable within the legislative framework provided by the ARC Act. Any breach of these Guidelines, which are integral to the operation of the Industrial Transformation Research Program, could potentially lead to administrative or financial repercussions, although specific penalties are not detailed in the Explanatory Statement. The variation to the Grant Guidelines, which was approved under section 61 of the ARC Act, amends the definition of research output to include preprints, thereby broadening the scope of research deliverables. This change is intended to enhance the inclusivity and comprehensiveness of research outputs recognised under the program. The variation was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation, making it effective immediately upon registration. This amendment ensures that all forms of research products are considered, promoting a more holistic approach to research output recognition and dissemination.