Section 1 - Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for ARC International Fellowships commencing in 2005 and Awards submitted in 2004/5 - Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for ARC International Fellowships commencing in 2005 and Awards submitted in 2004/5 | Zoe
Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for ARC International Fellowships commencing in 2005 and Awards submitted in 2004/5
1Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for ARC International Fellowships commencing in 2005 and Awards submitted in 2004/5
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The ARC expects that research funded by the ARC will be appropriately acknowledged.
When, at any time during or after completion of a Project, the Institution or researcher publishes material, books, articles, television or radio programs, newsletters or other literary or artistic works which relate to the Project and/or Fellowship, the Institution or researcher shall acknowledge, at a prominent place in the publication, the support of the ARC in a form acceptable to the ARC.
Advice on acceptable forms of acknowledgement and use of the logo is provided on the ARC website at www.arc.gov.au.
Acronyms
The following acronyms are used in ARC Funding Rules.
AEST
Australian Eastern Standard Time
AIMS
Australian Institute of Marine Science
ANSTO
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
APA
Australian Postgraduate Award
APAI
Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry)
APD
Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship
APDC
Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (CSIRO)
APDI
Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry)
APF
Australian Professorial Fellowship
ARC
Australian Research Council
ARCIF
Australian Research Council International Fellowship
ARF
Australian Research Fellowship
AVCC
Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee
CI
Chief Investigator
CSIRO
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
DSTO
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
ECR
Early Career Researcher
GA
Geoscience Australia
GAMS
Grant Application Management System
GST
Goods and Services Tax
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
KCTR
Key Centre for Teaching and Research
LASP
Learned Academies Special Projects
LIEF
Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Program
LIF
Linkage Industry Fellowship
NC
Network Convenor
NCGP
National Competitive Grants Program
NHMRC
National Health and Medical Research Council
NP
Network Participant
PI
Partner Investigator
QEII
Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship
RIEF
Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme
SPIRT
Strategic Partnerships with Industry – Research and Training
SRC
Special Research Centres
URL
Universal Resource Locator
Australian Research Council
Linkage International
Funding Rules for ARC International Fellowships commencing in 2005 and Awards submitted in 2004/5
1. Introduction
This document sets out the Funding Rules under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 for Linkage International, a program funded under the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). These Funding Rules are written on the basis that it is the researcher who is the applicant. However, grants from the ARC are made to institutions, not the individual researchers.
The Commonwealth provides funding under Linkage International for movement of researchers between Australian research institutions and centres of research excellence overseas, and to foster collaboration and networking between Australian and overseas researchers. It provides two types of support:
Awards: to build links between researchers, research teams and research centres of excellence in Australia and overseas by funding extended collaborations; and
Fellowships, including:
- ARC International Fellowships funded under international agreements for the reciprocal exchange of postdoctoral researchers, including the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO) Fellowship Agreement;
- ARC International Fellowships to fund overseas researcher/s to work in Australia;
- ARC International Fellowships to fund Australian researcher/s to work in overseas institutions; and
- Australia-Israel Fellowships (AIF) co-funded by the ARC and the Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation.
From time to time, the ARC may collaborate with overseas funding agencies to fund internationally-coordinated collaborative Awards. The ARC’s call for proposals will be coordinated with those of the other participating agencies. The selection process and criteria for Awards will apply to applications for internationally-coordinated Awards, and applications will be assessed competitively with other Awards applications under consideration. The ARC will refer recommended proposals to the collaborating overseas agency or agencies for further coordinated discussion. ARC funding of internationally-coordinated Awards may be subject to the decision of the collaborating overseas agency or agencies to fund the counterpart application(s) submitted by overseas investigators.
2. Objectives
Linkage International will provide funds to:
build strong ongoing collaborations between researchers, research teams or centres of excellence in Australia and overseas;
strengthen international research experience for early career researchers and generate opportunities for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers to link into leading-edge international research networks;
build Australian research capability by enhancing existing, and developing new collaborations among experienced and senior researchers; and
develop innovative modes of international collaboration and links into global innovation networks.
3. Description
A Linkage International application must propose a research collaboration of international standard in a relevant discipline or multi-disciplinary field.
3.1. ARC International Fellowships
ARC International Fellowships (ARCIF) fund outstanding postdoctoral, research or senior researcher fellows to work in Australian or overseas institutions. ARC International Fellowships are available for a period of up to 12 months.
To bring international fellows to Australia, Australian-based Chief Investigator/s submit an application for a collaborative project with the Fellow as a named participant on the application.
For Australian researchers to work in overseas institutions, the researcher applies as a Fellow directly to the ARC, with an Australian eligible higher education institution as the administering organisation. At least one Overseas Investigator (OI) must be included as a named participant on the application. The application must demonstrate the support of the proposed host institution and researcher collaborator/s in the host institution.
Australian researchers currently employed in overseas institutions are encouraged to apply for ARCIFs to maintain and develop collaborations with Australian-based colleagues.
Under ARC International Fellowships, the following Fellowships are funded:
The Anglo-Australian Observatory Fellowship is supported under Linkage International (refer to Appendix 3)
ARC International Fellowships meet obligations under reciprocal agreements with France, Germany, and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) for early career postdoctoral and senior researchers (see Appendixes 4-6). A Fellowship is a grant for up to one year for the selected overseas Fellow to work in Australia. It includes support for salary and salary on-costs, travel to a major conference in Australia, and return international travel and consumables. The Australian-based Chief Investigator submits the application for a collaborative project with the applicant Fellow.
Australia-Israel Fellowships (AIF) are co-funded by the ARC and the Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation to promote scientific exchange with Israel. A Fellowship grant will fund selected postdoctoral, research or senior researcher/s to work in Australia or in Israel. To bring Israeli fellows to Australia, Australia-based Chief Investigator/s submit an application to the ARC for a collaborative project with the applicant Fellow. For AIFs to fund Australian researcher/s to work in Israel, the Fellow applies directly to the ARC, with an Australian eligible higher education institution as the administering organisation, and demonstrates the support of the proposed host institution and researcher collaborator/s in Israel. (Refer to Appendix 7.)
ARC International Fellowships (ARCIF) (other than those described above) to fund overseas researchers to work in Australia. Preference may be given to applications involving countries with which the ARC has a Memorandum of Understanding (see Appendix 8) and countries with which the ARC has traditional research links (the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and India); and
ARC International Fellowships (ARCIF) (other than those described above) to fund Australian researchers to work in overseas institutions. Preference may be given to applications involving countries with which the ARC has a Memorandum of Understanding (see Appendix 8) and countries with which the ARC has traditional research links (the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and India).
3.2. Linkage International Awards
Linkage International Awards provide funds for Australia-based researchers to participate in joint research projects with overseas researchers, establishing new collaborations, strengthening on-going collaborations and providing international research experience for early career researchers. Applications for support under Linkage International Awards may be for collaboration with appropriate researchers in any country or countries. Funding is available to Australian-based researchers for the direct costs of the collaboration.
Preference may be given to applications involving countries with which the ARC has a Memorandum of Understanding (refer to Appendix 8) and countries with which the ARC has traditional research links (the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and India).
Australian researchers currently employed in overseas institutions are encouraged to use Linkage International Awards to maintain and develop collaborations with Australian-based colleagues.
Collaborations for which funding may be requested include:
reciprocal visits by leading researchers (Chief Investigators (CIs) and Overseas Investigators (OIs)). Appendix 8 sets outs guidelines for funding requests and reciprocal funding;
reciprocal exchanges for postgraduate and/or postdoctoral researchers working in the CI’s and OI’s research teams: visits by early career researchers should be for substantial uninterrupted periods, typically three months or more (Appendix 8 sets outs guidelines for funding requests and reciprocal funding);
funding for innovative modes of international research collaboration, for example through e-research networking;
participation in international activities, such as meetings and workshops, that are prospective in moving the research agenda of the field(s) forward, and shaping collaborative and complementary research programs to address significant problems or capture new opportunities; and
collaborative research and/or network activities, as specified in ARC calls for internationally-coordinated proposals funded under collaborative initiatives with overseas funding agencies.
3.3. National Research Priorities
The Minister for Education, Science and Training has designated the following areas as national research priorities for the 2005 funding round:
Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia
Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health
Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
These areas of research will be referred to as Designated National Research Priorities. Within each Research Priority is a number of Priority Goals which are listed below:
Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia
Priority Goals
- PG 1 Water – a critical resource
- PG 2 Transforming existing industries
- PG 3 Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity
- PG 4 Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation
- PG 5 Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity
- PG 6 Developing deep earth resources
- PG 7 Responding to climate change and variability
Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining good Health
- Priority Goals
- PG 1 A healthy start to life
- PG 2 Ageing well, ageing productively
- PG 3 Preventive healthcare
- PG 4 Strengthening Australia’s social and economic fabric
Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
Priority Goals
- PG 1 Breakthrough science
- PG 2 Frontier technologies
- PG 3 Advanced materials
- PG 4 Smart information use
- PG 5 Promoting an innovation culture and economy
Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
Priority Goals
- PG 1. Critical infrastructure
- PG 2. Understanding our region and the world
- PG 3. Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests
- PG 4. Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime
- PG 5. Transformational defence technologies
Full descriptions of these Designated National Research Priorities and their associated Priority Goals can be found in Appendix 9, and on the ARC web site (www.arc.gov.au).
Preference may be given to research collaborations which have the potential to contribute to ARC priorities.
4. Eligibility
4.1. Applicant roles
There are four applicant roles available under Linkage International. These are:
Chief Investigator (CI)
Overseas Investigator (OI)
ARC International Fellow (ARCIF)
- Australia-Israel Fellowship (AIF)
Partner Investigator (PI)
The roles and eligibility requirements for each of these are described below.
4.2. Eligibility of applicant
The Australian-based Chief Investigator(s) and Overseas Investigator(s) must be outstanding researchers of international standing in the relevant discipline or multi-disciplinary field. A team of Australian-based researchers can consist of researchers from different organisations, provided the Chief Investigator is a researcher employed by the administering institution.
4.2.1. Chief Investigators
4.2.1.1. Eligibility of Chief Investigators
To be eligible to apply as a Chief Investigator, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
He/she must be an active researcher who takes intellectual responsibility for the project, its conception, any strategic decisions called for in its pursuit and the communication of results. The applicant must have the capacity to make a serious commitment to the project and cannot assume the role of a supplier of resources for work that will largely be placed in the hands of others. The ARC reserves the right to rule on the question of capacity.
He/she must reside predominantly in Australia for the full term of the grant. If the applicant does not have permanent resident status he/she must obtain temporary resident status from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs before taking up the grant.
He/she must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- be associated with, or employed by, an Australian higher education institution (refer to Appendix 1 for the list of eligible higher education institutions).
- The applicant must hold a substantive position at, and/or derive at least 50 per cent of her/his salary from, that institution; be a continuing or non-continuing adjunct professor or visiting fellow, or equivalent, at an Australian higher education institution who does not have a substantive position or paid appointment elsewhere; be associated with, or employed by, an Australian publicly funded organisation not directly funded to carry out research but with research-related purposes and objectives (such as a museum).
- The applicant must hold a substantive position at, and/or derive at least 50 per cent of her/his salary from, that organisation.
Notwithstanding her/his eligibility under the criteria above, researchers in the following categories are not eligible to apply as a Chief Investigator:
undergraduate students, or
postgraduate students (unless eligible to be a Chief Investigator because of employment and then only for research which lies outside the scope of the postgraduate studies), or
researchers who derive more than 50 per cent of their salary from organisations outside the higher education sector that are funded primarily for research from State or Commonwealth Government sources. These include, but are not limited to:
- Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)*
- Geoscience Australia (GA)
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
- State Research and Development (R&D) organisations
In the case of Fellows from Germany and South Korea, funded under reciprocal agreements, Chief Investigators must be employed by eligible higher education institutions, listed in Appendix 1, or CSIRO.
Chief Investigators must have fulfilled all obligations from previous ARC grants (including final and progress reports). Chief Investigators who have not fulfilled all obligations from previous ARC grants are ineligible.
A researcher who is eligible to be a Chief Investigator is not eligible to be a Partner Investigator.
4.2.1.2. First-named Chief Investigator
At the time of application, the first-named Chief Investigator, or Australian applicant for an ARC International Fellowship, must be a Chief Investigator on at least one current ARC grant under Federation Fellowships, Discovery Projects (or the earlier Large Research Grants or Research Fellowships programs), Linkage Projects (or the earlier SPIRT program), or ARC Centres of Excellence, Special Research Centres or Key Centres of Teaching and Research programs.
This eligibility requirement does not apply to Australia-Israel Fellowships or ARC International Fellowships funded under reciprocal agreements with Germany, France and South Korea.
4.2.2. Overseas Investigators
Researchers who are employed in overseas institutions and who are providing significant commitment, intellectual input and relevant expertise to the project can apply as Overseas Investigators. To be eligible to apply as an Overseas Investigator, a researcher must demonstrate a significant contribution to the research collaboration.
4.2.3. Partner Investigators
Researchers who are not eligible to be Chief Investigators but who are providing significant commitment, intellectual input, relevant expertise and significant financial contribution to the project can apply as Partner Investigators. To be eligible to apply as a Partner Investigator, a researcher must:
be ineligible to be a Chief Investigator, and
demonstrate a significant contribution of funds (other than salary) or other material resources from the researcher’s institution for the proposed project (having regard to the total cost of the project and the relative contribution of each Chief Investigator).
4.2.4. Linkage International Awards
To be eligible for consideration, each Linkage International Awards application must have at least one Australian-based Chief Investigator and one Overseas Investigator. Applications may include Partner Investigators. The first-named Chief Investigator must also meet the eligibility requirement set out in Item 4.2.1.2.
4.2.5. ARC International Fellowships
To be eligible for consideration, the first-named participant on an ARC International Fellowship application must be an Australian-based Fellow and/or Chief Investigator (refer to Item 4.2.1.1).
The eligibility requirement for first-named Chief Investigators set out in Item 4.2.1.2 applies to applications for ARC International Fellowships, other than
Australia-Israel Fellowships; and
ARC International Fellowships funded under reciprocal agreements with Germany, France and South Korea.
4.2.5.1. Applications for overseas Fellows to work in Australia
Applications for overseas Fellows to work in Australia are made by an Australia-based host Chief Investigator(s) together with the applicant Fellow. The applicant Fellow must be able to demonstrate that he/she has ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in his/her country.
In the case of Fellows from Germany and South Korea, funded under reciprocal agreements, Chief Investigators must be employed by eligible higher education institutions, listed in Appendix 1, or CSIRO. For Fellowships funded under reciprocal agreements with Germany, France and South Korea, refer to Appendices 4-6 for details of the relevant agreements.
4.2.5.2. Applications for Australian Fellows to work in overseas institutions
Australian applicants for Fellowships to work in overseas institutions must satisfy the eligibility criteria for first-named Chief Investigators (refer to Items 4.2.1.1 and 4.2.1.2).
At least one Overseas Investigator (OI) must be included as a named participant on the application. The application must demonstrate the support of the proposed host institution and researcher collaborator/s in the host institution. The strength of commitment by the overseas host institution will be considered in the assessment of the application.
4.2.5.3. Australia-Israel Fellowships
The Australia-Israel Fellowship (AIF) is available to fund Israeli researchers to work in Australian eligible higher education institutions and to fund Australian researchers to work in Israeli higher education and research institutions.
Eligible Israeli Fellows are researchers who are associated with, or employed by, a higher education or research institution in Israel.
Eligible Australian researchers are researchers who are associated with, or employed by, an eligible Australian higher education institution.
4.3. Eligibility of institution
A list of eligible institutions is set out in Appendix 1. In addition, the CSIRO is eligible to submit applications to host Fellows from Germany and South Korea.
To be eligible for a Linkage International grant, an Australian administering institution or overseas host institution must undertake to provide appropriate facilities and equipment for the researcher(s), to meet the associated infrastructure support costs, and to continue collaboration with the overseas researcher(s).
4.4. Eligibility of project
A Linkage International application must propose a collaborative research project of international standard in a relevant discipline or multi-disciplinary field. In some Fellowships, the disciplines or fields are specified or restricted under the Memoranda of Agreement between the ARC and partner research agencies (refer to Appendixes 4-6). The project can involve basic or applied research or a combination of both.
4.5. Number of grants and applications
An application may not request more than one ARC International Fellowship.
An Australian-based Chief Investigator may make a maximum of one ARC International Fellowship application in a calendar year and one application for a Linkage International Award in a 12 month period.
An Australian researcher may hold a maximum of two Linkage International Awards and host only one ARC International Fellowship at any one time.
Australia-Israel Fellowships cannot be extended or granted a second time.
For the purposes of this eligibility criterion, a Linkage International grant carried over, or deferred, into the next calendar year is classified as a Linkage International grant for the calendar year in which it was first awarded.
Linkage International Award applications may be considered for funding for a period of up to one year from the date of submission. The ARC reserves the right to determine the outcome of an application at any time during this period.
5. Funding
5.1. Level of funding
5.1.1. ARC International Fellowships
ARC International Fellowship applications for overseas fellows may seek funding for the salary of the Fellow. ARC International Fellowship salaries are based on the ARC notional salary scale (refer to Appendix 2).
Australian applicants for ARC International Fellowships, including the Australia-Israel Fellowship working in Israel, may request a living allowance or stipend.
The ARC’s Expert Advisory Committees and Board may recommend levels of support for, and durations of ARC International Fellowships which differ from those requested.
5.1.2. Linkage International Awards
The minimum Linkage International Award grant is $A5000.
Guidelines for funding requests for reciprocal visits and exchanges are set out in Appendix 8. The ARC expects that Australian Government funding will be normally augmented by matching cash and in-kind contributions from the overseas collaborating partners to meet the direct costs of their participation. Contributions from the overseas source in the form of primary project costs and salary should not be included as matching contributions. Funds from the ARC may not normally be used for this purpose. ARC International Fellowships may not be used to provide salary and travel support as the overseas matching component of an Award.
Applications which do not include matching reciprocal funding will be considered in relation to the objectives of the program, noting that strength of commitment from overseas collaborators’ institutions is a selection criterion.
Where Awards are funded under an internationally-coordinated initiative, ARC funding will support Australian participation and the collaborating overseas agencies will fund the participation of overseas investigators.
Guidelines for funding requests for reciprocal visits and exchanges are set out in Appendix 8.
Applicants seeking funding for innovative modes of research collaboration, for example through e-research networking, residencies or modes other than reciprocal visits and exchanges, should explain the nature of the innovation in the proposed collaboration, and identify and justify budget items in relation to the proposed collaboration.
5.2. Duration of Funding
ARC International Fellowships may fund salary and salary-related on-costs for up to 12 months, subject to parliamentary appropriations. Australia-Israel Fellowships and Fellowships funded under reciprocal agreements must be undertaken within a period of one year. Other ARC International Fellowships may be taken in blocks of not less than two months per year over a total period of up to three years.
Funding for Awards is available to Australian-based researchers for the direct costs of the collaboration for a period of up to three years, subject to parliamentary appropriations. In exceptional circumstances, and subject to review after three years, a period of up to five years may be awarded subject to parliamentary appropriations.
Recommendations on the duration of grants rests with the ARC’s Selection Committee and Board which may recommend Fellowships and Awards for a duration different from that requested.
5.3. Areas of investigation not supported
Linkage International does not support the following work:
clinical medicine and dental research and training and public health research and training that are covered by the NHMRC;
activities leading solely to the creation or performance of a work of art, including visual art, musical compositions, drama, dance, designs and literary works, for which Commonwealth Government support is provided through the Australia Council for the Arts;
scholarly investigations that, while important in themselves, do not lead to conceptual advances or discoveries, or to novel practical outcomes or applications. Projects such as uncritical biographical compilations and purely descriptive catalogues or editions that do not involve original research are not funded;
production of teaching materials, even though some research may be involved in their production;
compilation of data, unless an integral part of a project, in which case applicants must provide a statement indicating the research objectives to which the data would contribute; and
development of research aids and tools (including computer programs), unless they form an integral part of a project, in which case applicants must provide a statement indicating the research objectives to which these activities would contribute.
5.4. Budget items not supported
The following items are not normally eligible for support under the Linkage International:
salaries of academic staff engaged in teaching and research, and in research only (including the cost of ‘buying time’ to free such staff to do more research), except for the ARC International Fellowships where the salary of the Fellow may be funded; consideration will given to requests for contributions to Overseas Investigator salaries, on a case-by-case basis and in relation to the objectives of the program;
salaries of staff supporting research at the institutional level (for example, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Research Grants Manager);
costs of the primary research activity, including field trips, equipment and support staff salaries, except where an Award is funded under an internationally-coordinated initiative of the ARC and overseas funding agency or agencies, and primary research activity is specified in the ARC call for proposals;
infrastructure support costs, which are the responsibility of an administering institution;
costs of ongoing collaboration with overseas researchers and/or their home institutions incurred after completion of the Linkage International project. These are the responsibility of an administering institution; and
conference organisation or attendance where the purpose is the reporting of research findings.
6. Cross-program funding
This item is not relevant to Linkage International.
7. Application process
7.1. Applications
Applicants should note that applications are considered by a Selection Committee whose membership includes people who are not specialists in the field of the application. Consequently, the collaboration and its expected outcomes should be described in a way that can be understood by all Committee members, both specialist and non-specialist. Linkage International Awards and Fellowships have different text requirements. Please read the Funding Rules and Instructions to Applicants carefully.
As the application is the prime source of information available to the Selection Committee, applicants must submit their projects as mature plans ready for implementation. The application must contain all the information necessary for assessment of the project without the need for further written or oral explanation, or reference to additional documentation, including the World Wide Web, unless requested by the Selection Committee. All details in the application, particularly concerning any successful grants, must be current.
7.2. Certification
It is the responsibility of the administering institution to obtain signatures of all participants, including Overseas Investigators, named on the application form. These signatures are to be retained by the administering institution which must provide these certifications if requested. A pro forma is available for this purpose on the ARC web site (www.arc.gov.au).
7.3. Submission of applications
Applications under Linkage International consist of two parts:
Application form: to be completed in Grant Application Management System (GAMS). Application forms are available from Research Offices in institutions or may be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.arc.gov.au.
Additional text including supporting documentation and curricula vitae.
7.3.1. Application format
All documents must be written in English and must comply strictly with the format and submission requirements. All pages should be in black type, use a single column and 12-point font size on white A4 paper, printed on one side only and unbound, with at least 2 cm margins on each side. As applications are scanned electronically, applicants must use a highly legible font type, such as Arial, Courier, Palatino, Times New Roman and Helvetica. Variants such as mathematical typesetting languages may also be used. References may be reproduced in 10-point font size. Colour graphs or colour photographs may be included but they will be reproduced in black and white and the reproduction quality may be degraded.
Pages in excess of stipulated limits may be removed before assessment.
7.3.2. Application content for ARC International Fellowships
7.3.2.1. Additional text
In no more than six pages, applicants for Fellowships are required to consider the selection criteria and provide the following information:
a brief outline of the research program, including aims, research plan and methodology;
a brief description of the nature of the applicant Fellow’s ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in his/her country;
information on the research environment of the host institution including physical and intellectual resources available to the Fellow;
justification of all budget items; and
the track record of the proposed Fellow.
In the case of a proposal for a Fellow from Germany or South Korea, applicants should explain the benefit expected to flow to programs of research administered by higher education institutions as listed at Appendix 1.
7.3.2.2. Curriculum vitae and supporting documentation
A curriculum vitae for each Chief Investigator, applicant Fellow and Partner Investigator must be provided. Each curriculum vitae should not exceed one page in length and must include the following details:
name;
qualifications and current appointment;
relevant employment history;
a list of the ten most significant relevant publications for the last five years and the total number of peer-reviewed research publications over the last five years; and
brief details of all competitive grant funding for the last five years.
A report should be provided on the outcome of any earlier ARC-funded international collaborative grant (such as IREX) for each Chief Investigator, including a list of joint publications, grants or similar evidence of successful ongoing collaboration. This report should consist of one page per grant.
Applicants for ARC International Fellowships may attach a letter of support from the overseas collaborating institution if that letter indicates financial commitment to the proposed collaboration.
These documents are not included in the quota of pages for the additional text.
7.3.3. Application content for Linkage International Awards
7.3.3.1. Additional text
In no more than three pages, applicants for Awards are required to address the selection criteria and provide the following information:
a brief description of the nature of the collaboration including the role of, and benefit to, the Australian and overseas partners;
a management plan for the collaboration, including a proposed schedule of research activities. If the collaboration includes visits, a schedule of visits is to be presented as a table with the following information for each visit:
- dates;
- name and status of researcher(s) travelling;
- destination;
- activity to be performed; and
- funding source
a brief outline of the proposed collaborative research program, including aims, significance, research plan and methodology; and
justification of all budget items.
7.3.3.2. Curriculum vitae and supporting documentation
Curricula vitae must be provided for Chief Investigator(s), Overseas Investigator(s) and, where appropriate, Partner Investigator(s). Each curriculum vitae should not exceed one page in length and must include the following details:
name;
qualifications and current appointment;
relevant employment history;
a list of the ten most significant relevant publications for the last five years and the total number of peer-reviewed research publications over the last five years; and
brief details of all competitive grant funding for the last five years.
A report should be provided on the outcome of any earlier ARC-funded international collaborative grant for each Australian Chief Investigator and, where appropriate, each Australian Partner Investigator, including a list of joint publications, grants or similar evidence of successful ongoing collaboration. This report should consist of not more than one page per grant.
Applicants for Linkage International Awards may attach a letter of support from the overseas collaborating institution if that letter indicates financial commitment to the proposed collaboration.
These documents are not included in the quota of pages for the additional text.
7.3.3.3. Awards funded under an internationally-coordinated initiative of the ARC and overseas funding agency or agencies
Applications submitted in response to an ARC call for proposals for Awards funded under an internationally-coordinated initiative of the ARC and overseas funding agency or agencies must include information on the counterpart applications submitted by Overseas Investigators for funding by collaborating agencies. The information must include the following details:
summary information: name of the counterpart agency or agencies, names and affiliation of principal participants, the counterpart project title and identification code (if any), and date of proposal submission; and
a specific summary of the proposed interaction, including visits between Australian Chief Investigators and Overseas Investigators, stating the anticipated scientific benefits of the interaction.
7.3.4. Number of copies
An original and one identical paper copy only are required. It is the copy that is reproduced and dispatched for assessment. The application must be clipped with NAL clips, not stapled, in the following order:
application form
additional text, curricula vitae
report on previous grant, if relevant
letter of support, as appropriate
All applications must:
be signed by the appropriate persons on the certification page of the application form
be submitted through the Research Office of the administering institution
7.3.5. Closing date for applications
ARC International Fellowships Applications must be submitted by 5.00 pm (AEST) 19th March 2004
Awards Applications may be submitted to the ARC at any time. They will be batched for assessment several times during the year. Closing dates will be specified in the ARC ‘call for proposals’ for applications for Awards funded under internationally-coordinated initiatives of the ARC and overseas funding agency or agencies.
7.3.6. How to complete and submit applications
Applicants should submit their applications through the Research Office of the administering institution by the institution’s closing date. Applications should be completed and submitted electronically, by the Research Office, via the Grants Application Management System (GAMS), to the ARC.
Applications should be sent:
by mail, to
Linkage International Program Coordinator
Disciplines and Programs
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
by courier, to
Linkage International Program Coordinator
Disciplines and Programs
Australian Research Council
Geoscience Australia Building
cnr Hindmarsh Drive and
Jerrabomberra Avenue
SYMONSTON ACT 2609
8. Selection and approval process
8.1. Selection criteria
8.1.1. ARC International Fellowships
Selection will be based upon the following criteria and weightings:
quality of the applicant Fellow including track record and potential
30%
proposed research program, including aims, significance, research plan and methodology
30%
quality of the host group, including intellectual and physical resources for support of the applicant Fellow
20%
prospects for ongoing international collaboration between the host group and other Australian groups and groups in the relevant country
20%
8.1.2. Linkage International Awards
Selection will be based upon the following criteria and weightings:
strength and benefits of the collaboration
40%
Chief Investigator, including track record, research management skills
20%
Overseas Investigator, including track record, research management skills
20%
proposed program of collaborative research, including aims, significance, research plan and methodology
20%
8.1.3. All assessments
All assessments under Linkage International will include the following additional considerations where appropriate:
In the case of applicants who have previously received grants under Linkage International or the former IREX program, the demonstrated outcomes of those collaborations, including joint publications, joint grants, contracts or similar awards, or other relevant evidence; and
Any other requirements mentioned in specific agreements or indicated in the attached appendices.
8.2. Assessment and selection procedure
Assessment of applications is undertaken by a selection committee drawn from members of the ARC College of Experts. The Selection Committee, which has the right to make decisions solely on the basis of its expertise, will:
exclude ineligible applications;
rank each application relative to the others on the basis of the applications;
assess and recommend budgets; and
prepare funding recommendations that are submitted to the ARC Board and, subject to its views, to the Minister for approval.
The ARC has procedures for declaring conflicts of interest and for members to withdraw from considering particular applications.
8.2.1. Applications for Awards funded under internationally-coordinated initiatives of the ARC and overseas funding agency or agencies
These Award applications will be included, and assessed competitively, with other Awards applications that are batched around the time of the closing date. The ARC will refer applications which the Committee recommends for funding to the overseas agencies for further coordinated discussion. ARC funding of internationally-coordinated Awards may be subject to the decision of the collaborating overseas agency to fund the counterpart application(s) submitted by overseas investigators. The ARC has absolute discretion to assess an application for an Award funded under internationally coordinated activities with a later batch of Awards applications.
8.3. Offer of grant
Successful administering institutions will be notified in a letter of offer that will indicate the funding to be provided and include the Funding Agreement.
A project may not begin, nor may funding assistance be expended, before the Funding Agreement is signed.
9. Appeals process
Appeals will be considered only against process issues and not against Committee decisions or assessor ratings and comments. Appeals must be made on the appeals form available from the ARC website (www.arc.gov.au).
The form must be lodged through the administering institution’s Research Office, and be received within 28 days of the date on the letter notifying the outcome of applications. Appeals should be addressed to:
The Appeals Officer
Australian Research Council
GPO Box 2702
CANBERRA ACT 2601
10. Administration of grants
10.1. Funding Agreement
Successful applicants should familiarise themselves with the Funding Agreement. They must accept the terms of the Funding Agreement and the administering institution must sign the Funding Agreement before funds can be paid.
Projects must commence as required by the Funding Agreement. Failure to do so will result in termination of funding.
Administering organisations should note that the Funding Agreement covers the post-award management, including reporting requirements and financial management. The draft Funding Agreement can be viewed on the ARC website (www.arc.gov.au).
10.1.1. Varying the Funding Agreement
Requests to vary the Funding Agreement must be forwarded in writing by the institution’s Research Office, or equivalent, to the ARC. Forms are available for variation requests on the ARC website (www.arc.gov.au).
10.1.2. Varying the Funding Approval
Requests to vary the Funding Approval or the Funding Agreement must be forwarded in writing by the institution’s Research Office, or equivalent, to the ARC. The Funding Approval may be varied where any of the circumstances described in subsection 55(3) of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 occurs namely:
the organisation’s involvement with the research program ends;
the research program changes so that it is no longer consistent with the description in the Funding Approval;
the person named in the funding approval as the person leading the research program ceases to lead the program; or
any other such circumstances as the ARC may, in its discretion, determine.
10.1.3. Reports
Administering organisations are required to submit both technical and financial reports concerning funded projects to the ARC on a regular basis, as detailed in the Funding Agreement.
11. Other matters
11.1. Applicable law
The ARC is required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Information about the Privacy Act is available at http://www.privacy.gov.au/act/index.html
11.1.1. Applications for Awards funded under internationally-coordinated initiatives of the ARC and overseas funding agency or agencies
The ARC will refer applications recommended for funding by the Selection Committee to the collaborating overseas agency or agencies for further coordinated discussion. At this point, the applications will be subject to the privacy requirements that apply to the overseas agency or agencies.
11.2. Publicising and reporting
The ARC may publicise and report an offer or award of grant, including information about the proposed research, the name and institution of any applicant, the title and summary descriptions of the project and its intended outcomes, and the level of funding from the ARC and any other organisation involved in the project.
11.3. Intellectual property
Applicants must agree to comply with the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (available at www.arc.gov.au) and act in accordance with any intellectual property policies of the applicant’s institution.
11.4. Incomplete or misleading information
It is a serious offence to provide false or misleading information to the Commonwealth.
If an application is incomplete, inaccurate or contains misleading information, it may be excluded from any further consideration for funding (see item 8.2).
If the ARC believes that omissions or inclusion of misleading information are intentional, or if there is evidence of malpractice, the ARC will refer the matter for investigation with a view to prosecution under Commonwealth criminal law. The Commonwealth Government is committed to protecting its revenue, expenditure and property from any attempt, by members of the public, contractors, sub-contractors, agents, intermediaries or its own employees, to gain financial or other benefits by deceit.
Examples of malpractice include, but are not restricted to:
providing fictitious track records; or
falsifying claims in publications records (such as describing a paper as accepted for publication when it has only been submitted).
11.5. Insurance and liabilities
By accepting funds under an ARC research scheme, academies agree to indemnify the Commonwealth from any expense arising from any action that may be made or brought against the Commonwealth resulting from activities funded under the scheme. Academies are responsible for taking out appropriate insurance.
11.6. Contact point
For further information, the institution’s Research Office should be contacted in the first instance.
Enquiries about Linkage International may be addressed to:
Appendix 2. ARC Notional Fellowship Salaries for 2003
Salaries are indexed annually.
Fellowship
Step
Salary
26% oncosts
TOTAL
Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (APD); Postdoctoral Fellowship Industry (APDI); Linkage Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship CSIRO; Research Cadetship-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (RC-ATSI)
Funded under an International Research Fellowship Agreement between the United Kingdom Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the ARC, this Fellowship is managed by the Anglo-Australian Telescope Board.
Number and eligibility
One Fellowship will be awarded alternately to early-career British and Australian researchers to undertake postdoctoral work at the Anglo-Australian Observatory.
The Fellowship is funded on a 50/50 share basis between the parties to the Agreement.
Duration
Two years with an extension of up to twelve months in exceptional circumstances.
Application
Any Australian or British postdoctoral researcher is eligible to apply for the Fellowship when applications are called for by advertisement.
Selection is managed by the Anglo-Australian Observatory.
Possible entitlements
Salaries will be recommended by the administering institution from the appropriate point (dependent upon experience) on the ARC notional salary scale set out in Appendix 2. Salaries are subject to approval by the Minister and will be paid through the administering institution.
Reimbursement of travel costs at the cheapest direct airfare rate for an overseas resident and his/her dependants is provided, with similar return airfare provisions, provided that the Fellow has not obtained subsequent employment in Australia for a period exceeding twelve months.
Transfer expenses for an Australian resident Fellow and his/her dependants are reimbursed on a basis comparable with those provided for overseas Fellows, including a private vehicle allowance up to the maximum equivalent of the cheapest direct airfare.
Removal expenses of up to $A12 000 are payable for a Fellow relocating from the United Kingdom and comparable expenses are payable for an Australian resident Fellow, subject to full refund of the amount if the Fellowship is relinquished within twelve months.
Leave (recreation, sick and maternity) may be granted during the period of the Fellowship.
An additional Research Support Grant of $6000 a year is available.
Appendix 4. French Fellowships
An International Research Fellowship Agreement between the French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology and the ARC. The applicant Fellow must be able to demonstrate that he/she is covered by the relevant agreement as either a resident or a citizen of the country and that he/she has ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in that country.
Number and eligibility
Up to five research Fellowships may be awarded by the ARC in 2005 to postdoctoral or senior researchers from France to work in Australia in the fields of humanities, social sciences, the natural sciences and engineering. Australian researchers may seek Fellowships through their French host researcher.
Applicant Fellows must be of at least postdoctoral status at the time of application. This means that the applicant Fellow’s PhD must have been conferred before submitting the application to the ARC. Early career researchers from France are strongly encouraged.
Applicant Fellows must be French citizens and must demonstrate ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in France. Fellowships cannot be extended or granted a second time.
Duration
Six to twelve months. Successful applicants must commence Fellowships before 30 June 2005.
Application
Any Australian academic institution may nominate French candidates to the ARC. Any French academic institution may nominate Australian candidates to the Ministry. Nominating institutions must guarantee to provide appropriate facilities and equipment and to meet associated research costs.
Possible entitlements
Salaries will be recommended by the administering institution from the appropriate point on the ARC notional salary scale at Appendix 2. Salaries are subject to agreement by the ARC and approval by the Minister, and will be paid through the administering institution.
An amount of 26 per cent of salary is payable to administering institutions for on-costs, together with a contribution to consumable items for the research project.
One return economy class airfare and associated travel expenses for the Fellow is provided.
The cost of attendance at a major conference in Australia, during the Fellowship, including registration and travel, is covered. Medical and accident insurance is provided by the administering institution. No responsibility will be taken for any costs associated with visits by family members.
Appendix 5. German Fellowships
An International Research Fellowship Agreement between the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (AvH) and the ARC.
The applicant Fellow must be able to demonstrate that he/she is covered by the relevant agreement as either a resident or a citizen of the country and that he/she has ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in that country.
Number and eligibility
Up to five Fellowships annually to German citizens or residents, three to outstanding researchers of international standing, and two to young (or early career) researchers, in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences or engineering.
Applicant Fellows must be of at least postdoctoral status at the time of application. This means that the applicant Fellow’s PhD must have been conferred before submitting the application to the ARC.
Applicant Fellows must be able to demonstrate ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in Germany.
Fellowships cannot be extended or granted a second time.
Duration
Four to twelve months. Successful applicants must commence Fellowships before 30 June 2005.
Application
Any Australian higher education institution and the CSIRO can nominate German candidates to the ARC. Any German researcher, university or research institution can nominate Australian candidates to the AvH. Nominating institutions must guarantee to provide appropriate facilities and equipment and to meet associated research costs.
Possible entitlements
Salaries will be recommended by the administering institution from the appropriate point on the ARC notional salary scale at Appendix 2. Salaries are subject to agreement by the ARC and approval by the Minister, and will be paid through the administering institution.
An amount of 26 per cent of salary is payable to administering institutions for on-costs together with a contribution to consumable items for the research project.
One return business class airfare and associated travel expenses for the Fellow is provided. Air fares and associated travel expenses, at the economy rate, for a partner and dependent children can be provided if they accompany the Fellow and stay in the host country for at least six months. If the Fellow is accompanied by his/her family, he/she will be entitled to economy class travel.
The cost of attendance at a major conference in Australia, during the Fellowship, including registration and travel can be claimed.
The administering institution will provide health and accident insurance cover during the stay in the host country for the researcher (and partner and dependent children provided they are in continuous residence in the host country for the stay of the researcher).
Appendix 6. The Republic of Korea (South Korea) Fellowships
An International Research Fellowship Agreement among the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF), the ARC, the Australian Academy of Science (AAS), and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATS).
The applicant Fellow must be able to demonstrate that he/she is covered by the relevant agreement as either a resident or a citizen of the country and that he/she has ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in that country.
Number and eligibility
At least three Fellowships to researchers from South Korea. Up to ten each year may be available, depending on funds.
Applicant Fellows must be of at least postdoctoral status at the time of application. This means that the applicant Fellow’s PhD must have been conferred before submitting the application to the ARC.
No restriction is placed on nationality or age.
Applicant Fellows must demonstrate ongoing research connections with a university or research institute in South Korea.
Fellowships cannot be extended or granted a second time.
Duration
Four to twelve months.
Successful applicants must commence Fellowships before 30 June 2005.
Application
Any Australian higher education institution, including the CSIRO, can nominate candidates from South Korea to the ARC.
Any researcher, university or research institution in South Korea can nominate Australian candidates to KOSEF.
Nominating institutions must guarantee to provide appropriate facilities and equipment and to meet associated research costs.
Possible entitlements
Salaries will be recommended by the administering institution from the appropriate point on the ARC notional salary scale at Appendix 2. Salaries are subject to agreement by the ARC and approval by the Minister, and will be paid through the administering institution.
An amount of 26 per cent of salary is payable to administering institutions for on-costs together with a contribution to consumable items for the research project.
One return economy class airfare and associated travel expenses for the Fellow is provided. Air fares and associated travel expenses, at the economy rate, for a partner and dependent children can be provided if they accompany the Fellow and stay in the host country for at least six months.
The cost of attendance at a major conference in Australia, during the Fellowship, including registration and travel can be claimed.
The administering institution will provide health and accident insurance cover during the stay in the host country for the researcher (and partner and dependent children provided they are in continuous residence in the host country for the stay of the researcher).
Appendix 7. Australia-Israel Fellowships
Australia-Israel Fellowships are co-funded by the Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange and the ARC.
Description
Fellowships may be awarded annually by the ARC to fund postdoctoral, research or senior research fellow level researchers from Israel to work in Australia or from Australia to work in Israel.
The number of Fellowships awarded is subject to the funding available, normally the equivalent of up to two 12-month Fellowships per year. Applicants may apply for Fellowships for up to 12 months, but applications may request Fellowships of shorter duration.
Fellowships cannot be extended or granted a second time.
Successful applicants must commence Fellowships before 30 June 2005.
Nominating institutions must guarantee to provide appropriate facilities and equipment and to meet associated research costs.
Australian applicants are encouraged to apply for complementary funding if the Israeli host institution offers fellowships and other forms of support for visiting researchers.
Possible entitlements
For Israeli AIFs working in Australian host institutions, salaries should be requested at the appropriate point on the ARC notional salary scale, normally based on the Fellow’s position in his/her home institution. The ARC notional salary scale is available in Appendix 2. An amount of 26% per cent of salary is payable to administering institutions for on-costs together with a contribution to consumable items for the research project.
For an Australian AIF working in Israeli host institutions and continuing to receive his/her salary from the Australian institution, a living allowance of up to $AUD4000 per month is available.
For an Australian AIF working in Israeli host institutions and not receiving a salary from the Australian institution, a stipend may be paid in addition to a living allowance of up to $AUD4000 per month.
One return economy class airfare and associated travel expenses for the Fellow is provided.
The cost of attendance at a major conference in Australia during the Fellowship is provided, including registration and travel.
A contribution is made towards subsistence.
Fellows are responsible for their own medical and dental treatment.
No responsibility will be taken for any costs associated with visits by family members.
Appendix 8. Linkage International Awards
Countries with which the ARC has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Austria
Austrian Science Foundation (FWF)
China
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
Czech Republic
Grant Agency of the Czech Republic
France
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Germany
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Indonesia
Indonesian University Research Council (IURC)
Italy
National Research Council of Italy (CNR)
Japan
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
The Republic of Korea
Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) and Korea Research Foundation (KRF)
Switzerland
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
The Netherlands
Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Traditional research partners
Canada
India
New Zealand
The United Kingdom
The United States of America
Australian participation in projects supported under the European Union’s Sixth Framework may be assisted under Linkage International Awards.
Reciprocal exchange visits: guidelines to funding requests:
Applications may seek funding for reciprocal visits by leading researchers and exchanges for postgraduate and/or postdoctoral researchers working in their research teams. Usually, the ARC will fund international travel costs for Australian-based researchers and subsistence in Australia for visiting researchers from overseas.
The ARC expects that Australian Government funding normally will be augmented by matching cash and in-kind contributions from the overseas collaborating partners to meet the direct costs of their participation. Contributions from the overseas source in the form of primary project costs and salary should not be included as matching contributions and it is against the spirit of Linkage International for this funding to be obtained from any Australian source. Funds from the ARC may not be used for this purpose. ARC international Fellowships may not be used to provide salary and travel support as the overseas matching component of an Award. In cases where the source of matching funds for the overseas collaborator(s) provides international travel and subsistence for them, the ARC will consider supporting Australian researchers on the same basis.
Normally, the ARC will consider providing the following support—
for researchers travelling from Australia, international return economy class airfare(s) and, in some cases, a contribution to living expenses at reasonable local rates;
for researchers coming to Australia, a contribution to living expenses (up to $600 per week), internal travel and, in exceptional circumstances (that is, where the overseas collaborator is from an economically disadvantaged country), a contribution to the international economy class airfare;
in both cases, a limited contribution to consumables directly related to the collaborative work, up to a maximum of $A5000 a year.
The ARC will consider applications which do not include matching reciprocal funding in relation to the objectives of the program, noting that strength of commitment from overseas collaborators’ institutions is a selection criterion.
Appendix 9. Descriptions of Designated National Research Priorities and associated Priority Goals
Research Priority 1: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia
Transforming the way we utilise our land, water, mineral and energy resources through a better understanding of human and environmental systems and the use of new technologies
Natural resources have traditionally fuelled our national and regional economies. They have the potential to generate further wealth and employment opportunities in the future. But our natural resources and biodiversity must be used on a sustainable basis so that the benefits continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
Australia faces significant environmental challenges:
Efficient and sustainable water use is a critically important issue for our economic and social development;
Significant land degradation issues, such as salinity, need to be arrested to underpin our agricultural production systems;
Climate change can be expected to have complex, long-term consequences for the environment, for our agricultural and marine production systems and for communities; and
The cleanliness and efficiency of our energy production systems should be enhanced.
There is substantial effort underway to develop more efficient water utilisation practices, to protect our rivers and groundwater resources, and to protect and remediate our fragile soils.
Our agricultural and mining industries are being transformed through the adoption of new technologies, and the development of new types of foods.
This will help to revitalise our regional communities and generate substantial export earnings for the nation over the coming decades.
The Government is committed to meeting the greenhouse gas emissions target set for Australia at Kyoto.
Australia is well placed to take an international lead in developing new and improved energy technologies and in capturing and ‘sequestering’ carbon dioxide.
Other opportunities lie in managing and using our unique, rich land- and marine-based biodiversity, and in developing our deep earth resources.
Australia has a strong record of achievement in research in fields in the natural sciences, such as agriculture, natural resource management, climate change, horticulture, forestry, mining, energy, and marine sciences, as well as in the social sciences and humanities.
We must build on these strengths to improve our competitive advantages while enhancing our understanding of natural systems and the interplay of human activities.
In particular, there needs to be an increased understanding of the contributions of human behaviour to environmental and climate change, and on appropriate adaptive responses and strategies.
To understand and manage these complex interactions better will require significant collaboration within the research community and with other stakeholders.
Priority goals for research fall in the seven areas of water utilisation, transforming resource-based industries, overcoming land degradation, developing cleaner, more efficient fuels and energy sources, managing biodiversity, deep earth resources and responding to climate change and variability.
Priority Goals
Water – a critical resource
Sustainable ways of improving water productivity, using less water in agriculture and other industries, providing increased protection of rivers and groundwater and the re-use of urban and industrial waste waters.
Australia is one of the driest continents and is dependent upon access to freshwater supplies for economic and social development. It has a complex geological structure, a highly variable climate, unique ecosystems, flora and fauna and a distinctive indigenous and settler history. Enhancing our understanding of the links between these factors and water availability will result in a better understanding of sustainable water management practices.
Transforming existing industries
New technologies for resource-based industries to deliver substantial increases in national wealth while minimising environmental impacts on land and sea.
Resource-based industries underpin much of Australia’s prosperity and have the potential to do so in the future. For example, Australia remains highly prospective for minerals discoveries and highly attractive for the development of new era foods from agricultural and marine sources. Our competitive advantage and national well being will depend on research and on the development and adoption of new technologies.
Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity
Identifying causes and solutions to land degradation using a multidisciplinary approach to restore land surfaces.
The Australian landscape is fragile: soil salinity, acidity, and nutrient levels pose significant, long term challenges for agriculture and the environment. Research is helping to find solutions to these problems. For example, the National Land and Water Resources Audit shows the extent of salinity, soil erosion and soil acidification in the Australian environment and illustrates Australia’s leading edge in national mapping of critical resource data. Further multidisciplinary effort is required to develop sustainable land management practices that are appropriate for Australian conditions and mitigate major land degradation processes and increase biodiversity.
Reducing and capturing emissions in transport and energy generation
Alternative transport technologies and clean combustion and efficient new power generation systems and capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide.
Australia is well positioned to produce world class solutions to reduce and capture greenhouse gas emissions and the Government is committed to meeting the emissions target set for Australia at Kyoto. We are also well placed to develop alternative energy technologies and ecologically sustainable transport and power generation systems.
Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity
Managing and protecting Australia’s terrestrial and marine biodiversity both for its own value and to develop long term use of ecosystem goods and services ranging from fisheries to ecotourism.
Australia has a unique and rich flora and fauna. Many of our complex ecosystems – on which our agricultural, fisheries and tourism industries depend - have adapted to events such as drought and fire, and have been shaped by indigenous and settler management practices. There is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of these natural systems and the interplay with human activities, and the effects of management and protection measures.
Developing deep earth resources
Smart high-technology exploration methodologies, including imaging and mapping the deep earth and ocean floors, and novel efficient ways of commodity extraction and processing (examples include minerals, oil and gas) while minimising negative ecological and social impacts.
Many of Australia’s known mineral assets may be nearly exhausted within the next decade. New land-based deposits are believed to be buried deeper in the crust and the deep marine areas surrounding Australia are also largely unexplored. New technologies, such as remote sensing, indicate scientists are on the brink of being able to ‘see’ inside the earth and identify deeply buried deposits.
Responding to climate change and variability
Increasing our understanding of the impact of climate change and variability at the regional level across Australia, and addressing the consequences of these factors on the environment and on communities.
Australia already has a highly variable climate, and climate change can be expected to have further significant impacts. It is important to enhance our understanding of the consequences of climate change and variability at the regional level across Australia, and the implications for the environment and for communities. It is also important to explore beneficial adaptation strategies to climate change and variability to ensure ongoing social, economic and environmental well being.
Research Priority 2: Promoting and Maintaining Good Health
Promoting good health and well being for all Australians
Average life expectancies have increased markedly in recent decades. Australians also expect to lead longer and healthier lives in the future, and to remain productive and independent over an extended period.
Enabling individuals and families to make choices that lead to healthy, productive and fulfilling lives will yield economic and social benefits and add materially to national well being.
Australians expect that their children and grandchildren should have a healthy start to life.
Developing strategies to promote the healthy development of young Australians, and addressing the causes and reducing the impact of the genetic, social and environmental factors which diminish their life potential will be critical.
A revolution is also underway at the other end of the life cycle. Australia, like many other developed nations, is undergoing a major demographic shift involving significant growth in the aged population.
To meet this challenge, it will be important to promote healthy ageing by developing better social and medical strategies to ensure that older Australians enjoy healthy and productive lives.
Informed insights into the causes of disease and of mental and physical degeneration will contribute to the achievement of this goal.
All Australians stand to benefit from preventive healthcare through the adoption of healthier attitudes, habits and lifestyles.
Evidence-based preventive interventions may help reduce the incidence and severity of many diseases, including major health problems such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, mental ill-health, obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic inflammatory conditions. These could include interventions that reduce exposure to contamination of the physical environment (eg air pollution).
Improvements in the health and well being of the young, of older Australians and in preventive healthcare will be underpinned by research.
However, while Australia has an enviable record in health and medical research, the research effort is spread across the many universities, hospitals and health and medical research institutes, resulting in critical mass only in limited areas of research.
There is also a need to draw on multidisciplinary approaches that include research contributions from the social sciences and humanities.
This priority is designed to promote health and prevent disease through a more focused and collaborative effort.
Priority goals for research fall in the four areas of a healthy start to life, ageing well, ageing productively, preventive healthcare and strengthening Australia’s social and economic fabric.
Priority Goals
A healthy start to life
Counteracting the impact of genetic, social and environmental factors which predispose infants and children to ill health and reduce their well being and life potential.
Human health in the developing foetus and in early childhood is critical to the future well being of the adult. Research shows that health and well being in early childhood is predictive of later positive outcomes, and that health in middle and late childhood is also crucial. This goal supports the Government’s National Agenda for Early Childhood initiative.
Ageing well, ageing productively
Developing better social, medical and population health strategies to improve the mental and physical capacities of ageing people.
Australia’s population is ageing, with a significant projected increase in the number of people aged over 65 and over 85. While Australia is relatively well placed compared with many OECD nations, major shifts in cultural expectations and attitudes about ageing are necessary to respond constructively, at both an individual and population level. A healthy aged population will contribute actively to the life of the nation through participation in the labour market or through voluntary work. This goal supports the Government’s National Strategy for an Ageing Australia.
Preventive healthcare
New ethical, evidence-based strategies to promote health and prevent disease through the adoption of healthier lifestyles and diet, and the development of health-promoting products.
Preventive healthcare research will improve the prediction and prevention of disease and injury for all Australians through the adoption of healthier behaviours, lifestyles and environments. Research will generate an improvement in the design, delivery and uptake of programmes such as exercise-based rehabilitation. There are several major disease targets amenable to immediate study, such as cardiovascular health, neurodegenerative diseases, mental ill-health, obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic inflammatory conditions. Research on prevention will emphasise interdisciplinary approaches, including research on ethics, drawing on contributions from the social sciences and humanities, as well as from the health and medical sciences. It will also focus on developing new health promoting foods and nutraceuticals. This goal supports the Government’s Focus on Prevention initiative.
Strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric
Understanding and strengthening key elements of Australia's social and economic fabric to help families and individuals live healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives.
Living in today's society involves a complex web of choices, yet many of the traditional support structures are weaker than they have been in the past. Enabling people to make choices that lead to positive pathways to self reliance and supportive family structures is more important than ever. The interactions between the social safety net, social and economic participation, financial incentives and community and private sources of support are critical in helping people maximise their potential and achieve good, healthy, lifetime outcomes. In the decade ahead, it will be vital to understand and support the drivers for workforce participation and the broader social and economic trends influencing Australian families and communities. This goal supports the Government's welfare reform and participation agendas. Research in this area will emphasise interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on contributions from the economic, behavioural and social sciences
Research Priority 3: Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries
Stimulating the growth of world-class Australian industries using innovative technologies developed from cutting-edge research
Progress and wealth often derive from the unforeseen application of new discoveries. Australia must be at the leading edge if it is to stay abreast of international developments and take advantage of opportunities.
Our national capabilities in emerging sciences and their underpinning disciplines determine our capacity to develop and implement new technologies. Australia has a strong base of expertise, skills and technological capacities in the fundamental sciences and key technologies.
Our strengths are in a wide range of areas such as biotechnology, material sciences, information and communications technology (ICT), photonics, nanotechnology and sensor technology.
ICT is currently the critical enabling technology and is a major contributor to national productivity and growth.
But breakthrough science underpins technological advancements in many areas and Australia needs to foster an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation.
Applications for frontier technologies are potentially very large. Australia has the capacity to exploit niche markets for new products and services.
Australia also has an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials and must grasp the opportunity to stay ahead.
Smart information use involving improved data management, intelligent transport systems and digital media to develop creative applications for digital technologies provides huge opportunities to improve the performance of key Australian industries.
Australia needs to invest in this research area as it is fundamental to our future competitiveness and well being.
This priority will help to strengthen the capacity of Australian researchers to participate in new areas of research, enhance Australia’s international scientific reputation, stimulate local expertise, and help create vibrant new industries.
A better understanding of the conditions that are conducive to innovation will ensure that Australia’s investment in research will maximise the benefits for Australia.
Enhanced research effort will also be achieved through initiatives that develop a critical mass of researchers in key areas.
Priority goals for research fall in the five areas of breakthrough science, frontier technologies, advanced materials, smart information use, and promoting an innovation culture and economy.
Priority Goals
Breakthrough science
Better understanding of the fundamental processes that will advance knowledge and facilitate the development of technological innovations.
Breakthrough science underpins technological innovation across a range of industries critical to maintaining Australia’s position as a developed country. Some examples include bio-, cultural- and geo-informatics, nano-assembly and quantum computing. Technological advances are often unexpected and a strong foundation in mathematics and the fundamental sciences will provide an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Early participation in leading edge areas of research will enable Australian researchers to benefit more fully from international developments.
Frontier technologies
Enhanced capacity in frontier technologies to power world-class industries of the future and build on Australia’s strengths in research and innovation (examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics/phenomics, and complex systems).
The potential applications of frontier technologies across a range of industries in Australia are vast. Australia has significant capacity to exploit niche markets for new products and services emerging from frontier technologies. Australia has world-class research expertise in many such areas. Some examples include nanotechnology, biotechnology, ICT, photonics, genomics and phenomics. Also important are advanced frameworks such as complex systems in which these technologies are applied. Future directions in this priority area need to target the cutting-edge science critical for each emerging technology.
Advanced materials
Advanced materials for applications in construction, communications, transport, agriculture and medicine (examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart material and fabrics, composites, polymers and light metals).
The development of advanced materials will underpin growth in many areas of industrial and economic activity in Australia. Australia has substantial infrastructure in this area and an enviable track record as an innovator and developer of advanced materials. The era of advanced materials is just beginning, in spite of the tremendous progress in recent years. Substantial scientific and technological challenges remain ahead, including the development of more sophisticated and specialised materials. Some examples include ceramics, organics, biomaterials, smart materials and fabrics, composites, polymers, and light metals.
Smart information use
Improved data management for existing and new business applications and creative applications for digital technologies (examples include e-finance, interactive systems, multi-platform media, creative industries, digital media creative design, content generation and imaging).
ICT applications are providing huge opportunities to deliver new systems, products, business solutions, and to make more efficient use of infrastructure. Examples include e-finance, multi-media, content generation and imaging. Improved data management is central to the future competitiveness of key industries such as agriculture, biotechnology, finance, banking, education, transport, government, and health and ‘info-tainment’. The ability of organisations to operate virtually and collaborate across huge distances in Australia and internationally hinges on our capabilities in this area. The media and creative industries are among the fastest growing sectors of the new economy. Research is needed to exploit the huge potential in the digital media industry.
Promoting an innovation culture and economy
Maximising Australia’s creative and technological capability by understanding the factors conducive to innovation and its acceptance.
Understanding the factors that lead to highly creative and innovative ideas and concepts, and the conditions that lead to their introduction, transfer and uptake is critical for any nation that aspires to lead the world in breakthrough science, frontier technologies, and in other forms of innovation. Promoting an innovation culture and economy requires research with a focus on developing and fostering human talent, societal and cultural values favourable to creativity and innovation, and structures and processes for encouraging and managing innovation.
Research Priority 4: Safeguarding Australia
Safeguarding Australia from terrorism, crime, invasive diseases and pests, strengthening our understanding of Australia’s place in the region and the world, and securing our infrastructure, particularly with respect to our digital systems.
The importance of security and safety to Australia has been underscored by recent events.
Australia has to be capable of anticipating and tackling critical threats to society, strategic areas of the national economy and the environment.
The threats can potentially come from within and outside Australia.
The world is now characterised by the widespread and rapid movements of people, digitally coded data, goods and services, and exotic biological agents.
Critical infrastructure in Australia is increasingly dependent on digital technology for its management and integration.
Information protection and the integrity of security systems are now more important than ever before.
It is also necessary to protect the status of Australia as a nation free of many of the diseases affecting primary production around the world.
Terrorism has emerged as a very real global threat and crime is taking a significant toll on Australian society and economy.
Maintaining the operational advantage of Australia’s defence forces through superior capabilities is also fundamental to our national security.
Enhancing our nation’s understanding of social, political and cultural issues will help Australia to engage with our neighbours and the wider global community and to respond to emerging issues.
Leading edge research in Australia is already yielding high dividends and as a national research priority will improve the effectiveness of that contribution.
Stronger research capabilities will ensure that solutions are tailored to Australia’s unique circumstances, reflecting its geographic features and small population.
Greater collaboration within the research community and with other stakeholders will allow us to better understand and manage potential threats to Australia.
Harnessing the knowledge and capabilities across Australia offers us the best chance of developing innovative and rapid solutions to serious threats.
Australia’s international relations and its regional influence will be strengthened through new collaborative approaches and new science and technologies that enhance security and safety.
The heightened interest in personal and electronic security across the world also provides opportunities for Australian solutions.
Priority goals for research fall in the five areas of critical infrastructure, understanding our region and the world, protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests, protecting Australia from terrorism and crime, and transformational defence technologies.
Priority goals
Critical infrastructure
Protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure including our financial, energy, communications, and transport systems.
Protecting our critical infrastructure is important to national security and to the social and economic well being of Australia. An important aspect of this priority goal is e-security which is an enabler of e-commerce. Maintaining a critical mass of research in e-security will be essential in providing Australia with the tools to protect our way of life.
Understanding our region and the world
Enhancing Australia’s capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment through a greater understanding of languages, societies, politics and cultures.
Social, cultural and religious issues are of growing significance due to the insecurities of globalisation and the increasing role of non-state players in the security environment. Australia’s capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment will be substantially improved by enhancing its research base in apposite languages, societies and cultures. An approach that enhances Australia’s capacity to interpret itself to the rest of the world is also needed.
Protecting Australia from invasive diseases and pests
Counteract the impact of invasive species through the application of new technologies and by integrating approaches across agencies and jurisdictions.
Australia is free of many of the pests and diseases affecting primary production around the world. This status needs to be protected as the introduction of exotic species has the potential to adversely affect our exports and the environment. Australia already has strong skills and expertise in this area of research and further work will offer immediate benefits to the community. A greater level of coordination of our research effort will mean that Australia can more effectively develop innovative and rapid solutions to serious threats.
Protecting Australia from terrorism and crime
By promoting a healthy and diverse research and development system that anticipates threats and supports core competencies in modern and rapid identification techniques.
Protecting Australia from terrorism is now more important than ever before in light of recent events and our involvement in the ‘war on terror’. The new threat requires a more sophisticated response which should harness Australia’s research capabilities, and which will focus on all phases of counter-terrorism; prevention, preparedness, detection, response and recovery. Crime takes a significant toll on Australian society and economy. The June 2000 report from the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council estimated that crime costs Australia at least $18 billion per annum. Personal identification, information protection and the integrity of security systems are fundamental towards ensuring the national security of Australia. An effective solution will include building on Australia’s existing strengths in rapid detection using new analytical technologies and managing significant data collections.
Transformational defence technologies
Transform military operations for the defence of Australia by providing superior technologies, better information and improved ways of operation.
Australia has a small defence force to protect a large continent and a substantial maritime region of responsibility. Its operational advantage has been maintained through a superior capability which is dependent on leveraging innovative technologies. Although some benefits can be gained from overseas research, Australia has to conduct its own research to address uniquely Australian demands. A systems approach which harnesses the research capabilities of all stakeholders is essential to the successful development and introduction of innovative technologies.