Linkage Program Grant Guidelines ARC Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023

Overview

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 was enacted to facilitate the administration of competitive grants for research and development. The Act provides the legislative framework for the Australian Research Council (ARC) to fund research projects that foster innovation and collaboration across various sectors, including business, industry, community organisations, and government. The policy objective of the Act is to support research and development that benefits the nation, aligns with national priorities, and promotes partnerships that enhance research outcomes. The Grant Guidelines issued under section 60 of the Act detail the eligibility criteria, application process, assessment criteria, and other relevant details for funding schemes such as the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023. These guidelines ensure transparency, consistency, and accountability in the grant approval process, taking into account funding caps and splits for the applicable years. The guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education and Youth on 25 May 2021 and incorporate several key policies and codes, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the Public Service Code of Conduct.

Scope and Application

The Grant Guidelines for schemes under the Linkage Program for ARC Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023 apply to eligible applicants who wish to seek funding under the Linkage Program of the Australian Research Council's (ARC) National Competitive Grants Program. This includes partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations, government, and other publicly funded research agencies. The guidelines are applicable on a national level as they are issued under the Australian Research Council Act 2001, which is a Commonwealth Act. The Grant Guidelines provide details on eligibility criteria, application process, assessment criteria, funding amount, and additional accountability requirements. They also take into account the funding cap and funding split determination for the applicable years. The guidelines are consistent with other ARC policies and guidelines, including 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. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the guidelines themselves, but eligibility criteria may exclude certain types of organisations or research programs. The guidelines extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments by incorporating other policies and guidelines by reference.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of these Grant Guidelines (F2021L00702) relate to the Linkage Program for Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence commencing in 2023. These guidelines are structured to provide clarity on eligibility criteria (section 1), application procedures (section 2), the assessment process (section 3), variations in funding approvals (section 4), and any additional accountability requirements deemed necessary by the ARC (section 5). The guidelines ensure alignment with funding caps and funding split determinations for the applicable years (subsection 59(4) of the Australian Research Council Act 2001). The Grant Guidelines impose specific obligations on applicants and recipients of ARC funding. Firstly, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria, which include the types of organisations that can apply for funding and the nature of the research programs eligible for support (subsection 59(2)(a)). The application process is outlined in detail, ensuring that applicants follow the correct procedures to submit their proposals (subsection 59(2)(b)). The assessment process involves rigorous evaluation criteria to ensure that proposals are scientifically sound and meet the program's objectives (subsection 59(2)(c)). Additionally, there are provisions for varying funding approvals under certain circumstances, ensuring flexibility and accountability in the management of grants (subsection 59(2)(d)). Any additional accountability requirements specified by the ARC are also binding on the applicants and recipients (subsection 59(2)(e)). Failure to comply with the provisions of these Grant Guidelines can lead to various consequences. While the explanatory statement does not explicitly list offences or penalties, breaches of the guidelines can result in the revocation of funding, legal action, or other administrative penalties. The Australian Research Council Act 2001 provides the framework for these consequences, ensuring that the integrity and objectives of the Linkage Program are upheld. The maximum penalties for non-compliance, if applicable, would be determined in accordance with the relevant sections of the Act and other applicable laws. These Grant Guidelines, once registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, will take effect immediately, governing all Linkage Program activities for ARC Centres of Excellence starting in 2023. The guidelines are consistent with other relevant policies and documents, including the ARC Medical Research Policy, Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality, ARC Open Access Policy, Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and the Public Service Code of Conduct, among others. The compatibility statement confirms that these guidelines do not engage any applicable rights or freedoms under the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, ensuring they are in alignment with human rights standards.