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 in 2023
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and Youth
Subject: Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023
Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC Grant Guidelines.
Purpose and effect
These Grant Guidelines relate to the Linkage Program - ARC Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023 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 in 2023 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 in 2023 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 in 2023 were approved by the Minister for Education and Youth, the Hon Alan Tudge on 25 May 2021.
Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference:
- ARC Medical Research Policy available on the ARC website
- Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality available on the ARC website
- ARC Open Access Policy available on the ARC website
- Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
- Public Service Code of Conduct (Section 13(7)) of the Public Service Act 1999
- Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector available on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
Commencement
The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023 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 in 2023 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.