EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2015 and 2016—Australian Laureate Fellowships, Discovery Projects, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Discovery Indigenous
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education
Subject:	Australian Research Council Act 2001– Discovery Program for the years 2015 and 2016—Australian Laureate Fellowships, Discovery Projects, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Discovery Indigenous
Authority
Section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Act) provides that the Minister must approve ARC funding rules.  
Purpose and effect
These Funding Rules relate to schemes funded under the Discovery Program of the ARC’s National
Competitive Grants Program. The Discovery Program supports the growth of Australia’s research
and innovation capacity, which generates new knowledge resulting in the development of new
technologies, products and ideas, the creation of jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of
life in Australia.
These Funding Rules apply to: Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2015,
Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2016, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
for funding commencing in 2016, and Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2016.
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2015 and 2016 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 Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2015 and 2016—Australian Laureate Fellowships, Discovery Projects, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Discovery Indigenous 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 Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2015 and 2016—Australian Laureate Fellowships, Discovery Projects, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Discovery Indigenous were approved by the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne, on 1 October 2014. No amendments have been made. 
Documents incorporated by reference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
The following documents are incorporated by reference: 
•	NHMRC/ARC/UA Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007);
•	NHMRC/ARC/UA National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007); 
•	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 (2011); 
•	Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (2013) endorsed by the NHMRC, the ARC, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and UA; and
•	National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research, available from (www.arc.gov.au).

Commencement
The Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program for the years 2015 and 2016—Australian Laureate Fellowships, Discovery Projects, Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and Discovery Indigenous shall take effect upon registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.  

The provisions include;

Part A – Provides general rules for the schemes under the Discovery Program which includes; 
•	Name of Funding Rules
•	Commencement
•	Definitions
•	Introduction
•	Funding
•	General Eligibility requirements
•	Submission of proposals
•	Selection and approval process
•	Appeals process
•	Reporting requirements
•	Fundamental principles of conducting research
•	Eligible organisations

Part B – Provides scheme specific rules for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding commencing in 2015

Part C – Provides scheme specific rules for Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2016 

Part D – Provides scheme specific rules for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award for funding commencing in 2016

Part E – Provides scheme specific rules for Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2016