EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Funding Rules made under section 60 of the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition)
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and Education
Subject:	Australian Research Council Act 2001—Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition)
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 the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) which is under the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Programme. The Linkage Programme supports the growth of research partnerships between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors in Australia and overseas that generate new knowledge, technologies and innovations. 
In accordance with subsection 59 (2) of the Act, the Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) 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 Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2016 edition) 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 Linkage Programme (2016 edition) were approved by the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, on 6 September 2016.  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) 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 Linkage Programme (2016 edition) 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 Linkage Programme which includes; 
•	Name of Funding Rules
•	Commencement
•	Definitions
•	Introduction
•	Funding
•	Organisation General Eligibility Requirements
•	Participant 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 Industrial Transformation Research Hubs for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;
•	Interpretation
•	Commencement Date
•	Additional Definitions for Part B
•	Overview
•	Objectives
•	Selection Criteria
•	Funding
•	Organisational Types, Roles and Eligibility
•	Partner Organisation Contribution Requirements
•	Roles and Eligibility for Participants
•	Proposals Eligibility
•	Assessment and Selection Process
•	Reporting Requirements
•	Host Organisations
•	Scheme specific eligibility requirements

Part C—Provides scheme specific rules for Industrial Transformation Training Centres for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;
•	INTERPRETATION
•	COMMENCEMENT DATE
•	ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR PART C
•	OVERVIEW
•	OBJECTIVES
•	SELECTION CRITERIA
•	FUNDING
•	ORGANISATIONAL TYPES, ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY
•	ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPANTS
•	SELECTION OF ICHDRS AND ICPDS
•	PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY
•	REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Part D—Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Projects for funding commencing in 2017 which includes;
•	INTERPRETATION
•	COMMENCEMENT DATE
•	ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR PART D
•	OVERVIEW
•	OBJECTIVES
•	SELECTION CRITERIA
•	FUNDING
•	ORGANISATIONAL TYPES, ROLES, ELIGIBILITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS	
•	ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPANTS
•	PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY

Part E—Provides scheme specific rules for Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2018 which includes;
•	INTERPRETATION
•	COMMENCEMENT DATE
•	ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS FOR PART E
•	OVERVIEW
•	OBJECTIVES
•	SELECTION CRITERIA
•	FUNDING
•	ORGANISATIONAL ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY
•	ROLES AND ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPANTS
•	PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY
•	REPORTING REQUIREMENTS