Linkage Program—Special Research Initiative: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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

Linkage Program—Special Research Initiative: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and Training

Subject: Linkage Program—Special Research Initiative: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines

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 Special Research Initiative: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines for funding commencing 2018 or 2019 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 Linkage Program—Special Research Initiative: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines 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 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: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines 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: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program Grant Guidelines were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 26 October 2017. 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: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program 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: PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) Remediation Research Program 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. The ARC also consulted with the Department of Defence in preparing the Guidelines.

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.