Linkage Program Grant Guidelines (2022 edition): Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to facilitate the funding and support of research in Australia, with a focus on fostering collaboration between researchers, higher education institutions, and industry. One of the key mechanisms through which this is achieved is the Linkage Program, which includes the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment, and Facilities (LIEF) scheme. This scheme provides funding for research infrastructure, equipment, and facilities to eligible organisations, enabling researchers to participate in cooperative initiatives and share expensive resources. The policy objective is to enhance research capabilities and outcomes through collaboration and shared use of infrastructure. The Grant Guidelines for the LIEF scheme, approved by the Acting Minister for Education and Youth on 28 March 2022, outline the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment criteria, and accountability requirements for the scheme. These guidelines are designed to ensure that the funding is used effectively and efficiently, while also reducing regulatory burdens on the higher education sector. The guidelines were developed in consultation with relevant departments and have been determined to be low risk. Importantly, these guidelines are exempt from disallowance under the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015, as they are made in accordance with the enabling Act and do not contain matters more appropriate for an Act of Parliament.

Scope and Application

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 provides the legal foundation for the Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program Grant Guidelines (2022 edition): Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF), which govern the allocation of funds for research infrastructure, equipment, and facilities. These guidelines apply to eligible organisations, which include higher education institutions, industry entities, and other entities deemed suitable by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The LIEF scheme is designed to facilitate collaboration and the shared use of expensive research infrastructure between higher education organisations and industry, as well as to support cooperative use of international or national research facilities. The guidelines encompass eligibility criteria, the application process, assessment procedures, funding variations, and additional accountability requirements. These guidelines are subject to the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years, ensuring alignment with the overall budget and distribution of funds. The guidelines, which were approved by the Acting Minister for Education and Youth on 28 March 2022, take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. The ARC consulted with relevant departments, which assessed these guidelines as low risk. These guidelines are exempt from disallowance under the Legislation (exemption and other matters) Regulations 2015, as they are made under the authority of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 and do not contain matters more appropriate for an Act of Parliament.

Key Provisions

The Grant Guidelines under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 provide the framework for the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme, which aims to fund research infrastructure, equipment and facilities for eligible organisations. This includes higher education organisations and industry, enabling collaborative research initiatives (subsection 59(2)(a) of the Act). The guidelines detail the eligibility criteria for applicants (subsection 59(2)(a)), the application process (subsection 59(2)(b)), the assessment criteria (subsection 59(2)(c)), the conditions under which funding approvals may be varied (subsection 59(2)(d)), and additional accountability requirements (subsection 59(2)(e)). Furthermore, the guidelines must consider the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years (subsection 59(4) of the Act). These Grant Guidelines impose several obligations on the parties involved. Eligible organisations must meet specific criteria to qualify for funding, including being an entity capable of undertaking research and being involved in cooperative research initiatives. They must also comply with the application process, which includes providing detailed proposals outlining the research infrastructure, equipment or facilities required. Furthermore, applicants must adhere to the assessment criteria, which evaluate the merit, significance and feasibility of the proposed research initiatives. Additionally, organisations must ensure compliance with any additional accountability requirements specified in the guidelines. Failure to comply with the Grant Guidelines may result in various consequences. While the explanatory statement does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, breaches of the guidelines could lead to the rejection of funding applications, revocation of existing funding approvals, or other administrative actions taken by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The severity of the consequences would depend on the nature and extent of the breach. However, it is important to note that the explanatory statement does not provide specific details regarding maximum penalties or civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance. The Grant Guidelines are designed to facilitate a streamlined application process and reduce regulatory burdens on the higher education sector. By coordinating with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the guidelines aim to minimise the preparation and submission burdens associated with proposal submissions. Additionally, the guidelines incorporate relevant policies and codes, such as the ARC Medical Research Policy, Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality, ARC Open Access Policy, Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and Public Service Code of Conduct, to ensure compliance with industry standards and ethical considerations. The guidelines also comply with the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, as they do not engage any applicable rights or freedoms, and are compatible with human rights.