Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture

Administered by Department of Education

Legislation au F2020L00197 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

 

Grants Guidelines made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education

Subject:  Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture

 

Authority

Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC Grant Guidelines. 

Purpose and effect

The instrument is a legislative instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2003 (the LA). These Grants Guidelines relate to the Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture for funding commencing 2020 funded under the Linkage Program of the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program.

The Linkage Program supports research partnerships within Australia and internationally to encourage the exchange and transfer of knowledge, ideas and skills as a basis for building capacity to deliver high quality research outcomes and secure commercial and other benefits of research.

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture contains:

(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 programme 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 Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture 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 Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture Grant Guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan on 26 February 2019. No amendments have been made.

Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The following documents are incorporated by reference:

  • Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
  • National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, updated 2015);
  • NHMRC Values and Ethics: Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2003);
  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies (2012);
  • Australia Council for the Arts Indigenous Cultural Protocols for Producing Indigenous Music, Writing, Visual Arts, Media Arts and Performing Arts (2007);
  • Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (2013); and
  • National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, available from (www.arc.gov.au).

 

Commencement

The Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture Grant Guidelines shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments. 

The provisions include;

These Guidelines contain information relating to the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture 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 LA 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 Grants Guidelines made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001, issued by the Minister for Education, are intended to provide guidance for the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, this legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for structured guidelines governing the funding and assessment of research projects in the fields of Australian society, history, and culture. The primary policy objective is to ensure that research conducted under this initiative is of high quality, fosters partnerships, and contributes to the exchange and transfer of knowledge, ideas, and skills. The Guidelines cover eligibility criteria, application procedures, assessment processes, and accountability requirements, all of which are designed to facilitate the efficient and effective management of research grants within the specified initiative.

Scope and Application

The Australian Research Council Act 2001 provides the legislative framework for the establishment of Grant Guidelines under section 60, which were issued for the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture. These Guidelines apply to entities eligible for funding under the Linkage Program of the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program, focusing on research partnerships within Australia and internationally aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and research outcomes. The Guidelines set out eligibility criteria, the application process, assessment procedures, and conditions for funding variations. They are designed to be consistent with funding caps and splits determined for the respective years. The Guidelines, which were approved by the Minister for Education, incorporate several ethical and conduct protocols, including the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. The Guidelines are effective upon their registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, and they are compatible with human rights as they do not raise any human rights issues. The Guidelines also include measures to reduce regulatory burden on the higher education sector, particularly through coordinated timelines with the National Health and Medical Research Council to streamline the preparation and submission of proposals.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Grant Guidelines for the Linkage Program Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture (sections referenced in parentheses) establish the framework for eligibility criteria, application process, assessment procedures, variations in funding approval, and additional accountability requirements for the research program. Section (a) outlines the eligibility criteria, including the types of organisations that can receive assistance and the types of research programs that are eligible for funding. Section (b) details how to apply for financial assistance, providing guidance on the submission process. Section (c) describes the assessment process, which includes the criteria and procedures for evaluating research proposals to determine which will be recommended for approval. Section (d) explains the circumstances and ways in which a funding approval may be varied, ensuring flexibility in managing grants. Section (e) specifies any additional accountability requirements deemed desirable by the Australian Research Council (ARC). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties involved. Firstly, organisations must meet the specified eligibility criteria to be considered for funding. This includes ensuring that the research program aligns with the goals of the Linkage Program and the Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture. Applicants must follow the prescribed application process, which includes preparing and submitting a proposal that meets the outlined requirements. The ARC is obligated to assess the proposals based on the specified criteria, ensuring a fair and transparent evaluation process. Additionally, the ARC must consider the funding cap and split determination for each year, as mandated by the Act. The Guidelines also incorporate several external documents, such as the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, which applicants must adhere to. Breach of the Grant Guidelines can result in various consequences. While the text does not specify exact penalties, it is implied that non-compliance with the eligibility criteria, application process, or assessment procedures could lead to the rejection of a proposal or the revocation of a grant. The ARC may impose additional accountability measures or sanctions for serious breaches. The Guidelines, however, state that they do not engage any applicable rights or freedoms and are compatible with human rights, indicating that the primary focus is on ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of the research program rather than punitive measures.

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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.