EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001

Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012

Issued by the authority of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Subject:	Australian Research Council Act 2001
		Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding 			commencing in 2012

Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research must approve ARC funding rules.  

Purpose and effect
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities is a scheme funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program. The Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2012 sets out the eligibility and accountability requirements and other relevant matters for research programs which may be funded under this scheme. The scheme provides funding to eligible organisations for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities that will be used to support high-quality research projects. Funding under this scheme is approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. 

In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2012 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 (2) of the Act, the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 rules 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 Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 were approved by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, on 22 April 2011. No amendments have been made. 

Documents incorporated by reference
The following documents are incorporated by reference: 
•	The Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997)/the NHMRC’s National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans; and/as applicable, the NHMRC’s other codes on animal research (see subsection 13.1 of the rules), available from (www.nhmrc.gov.au);
•	Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Instructions to Applicants for funding commencing in 2012 (see subsection 9), available from (www.arc.gov.au); and
•	National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (see subsection 13.4 of the rules), available from (www.arc.gov.au).

Commencement
The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities Funding Rules for funding commencing in 2012 shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.  

Likely impact and effect
These Funding Rules provide the key criteria and requirements for proposals for, and the allocation and administration of, funding under the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme for research projects where funding will commence in 2012.

Explanation of provisions: provision by provision description

Section 1 provides the name of the Funding Rules. 

Section 2 provides the commencement details. 

Section 3 provides definitions. 

Section 4 provides an overview and outlines the Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities scheme and selection criteria.
 
Section 5 outlines funding including the level and period of funding, budget items supported/not supported and research/activities not supported. 

Section 6 outlines organisational types, roles and eligibility.
	
Section 7 deals with roles and eligibility for researchers including eligibility criteria for chief investigators and partner investigators. 

Section 8 outlines number of proposals, funded projects and cross-scheme eligibility. 

Section 9 outlines the submission of proposals including closing time for proposals, certification in the RMS and conflict of interest. 

Section 10 deals with the selection and approval process including request not to assess, recommendations and offer of funding. 

Section 11 outlines the appeals process. 

Section 12 outlines reporting requirements including progress reports, end of year reports, final report and audited financial statement. 

Section 13 deals with fundamental principles of conducting research including ethics and research practices, applicable law, confidentiality, intellectual property and incomplete or misleading information. 

There is one appendix:

Appendix A: Eligible Organisations