Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for Proposals for Submission in 2006
13ARC International Fellowships
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13.1.1 The ARC provides funding for ARCIF salaries and on-costs (based on the ARC Notional Salary Scales at Appendix 3) and travel-related costs associated with collaborative projects in Eligible Organisations and/or overseas organisations.
13.1.2 Unless otherwise specified, in addition to the requirements specified in Sections 1, 3-11 and Appendices 1-3, Proposals for ARCIFs must satisfy the requirements specified in Section 13.1 and the relevant requirements for the particular ARCIF type.
13.1.3 Types of ARCIFs
13.1.3.1 Linkage International provides funding for the following ARCIFs:
ARCIFs to fund Australia-based researcher(s) to work in overseas research organisations;
ARCIFs to fund overseas researcher(s) to work in Eligible Organisations;
ARCIFs funded under long-term international agreements:
i. ARCIF – International Research Fellowship Agreement between the French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology and the ARC;
ii. ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship - International Research Fellowship Agreement between the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (AvH) and the ARC; and
iii. ARCIF - 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 (ATSE).
d. Co-funded ARCIFs under other agreements:
i. AIFs - co-funded between the Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation and the ARC;
ii. Anglo-Australian Observatory Fellowships - co-funded under an International Research Fellowship Agreement between the United Kingdom Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the ARC.
13.1.4 Eligibility criteria
13.1.4.1 ARCIF candidates must have at least postdoctoral status or equivalent research qualification or experience obtained at the closing time for submission of Proposals, unless an exemption has been granted by the ARC. Exemptions may be requested for an ARCIF candidate where the required qualification and/or timing of award of qualification are not met, according to the process described in Section 7.1. The request must contain a statement justifying the Fellowship candidate’s special circumstances for an eligibility exemption.
13.1.4.2 If a fellowship candidate does not have a PhD or equivalent research qualification the exemption request should demonstrate that her/his research record is equivalent to a PhD.
Section 13 - Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for Proposals for Submission in 2006 - ARC International Fellowships | Zoe
13.1.4.3 An ARCIF candidate must not have previously been awarded an ARCIF.
13.1.5 Duration of Funding
13.1.5.1 An ARCIF may be awarded for up to 12 months. Minimum durations for the various fellowship types are specified within the appropriate sections of the Funding Rules.
13.1.6 Budget items supported
13.1.6.1 Fellowship salaries and relevant travel-related costs may be requested for the ARCIF candidate.
13.1.6.2 Relocation costs may be requested for a fellowship candidate and accompanying family member(s) (unless specifically excluded for a Fellowship type) up to the maximum of the relevant amount(s) shown in Appendix 3. The need for relocation costs must be justified to the satisfaction of the ARC.
13.1.7 Number of Proposals
13.1.7.1 The following limits apply to Linkage International ARCIF Proposals:
a. Only one ARCIF may be requested per Proposal.
b. A person nominated as a project leader on an ARCIF Proposal may participate in only one ARCIF Proposal in 2006.
13.1.8 Selection criteria
13.1.8.1 Further to Section 8.1, ARCIF Proposals which meet the eligibility criteria; will all be assessed and merit-ranked using the following criteria and weightings:
ARCIF candidate 30%
Assessment against this criterion will take into account the excellence of the ARCIF candidate, including:
her/his contribution to the proposed activities;
her/his track record relative to opportunities; and
her/his capacity to undertake the proposed research and collaborative activities, including in relation to commitments to other research programs, teaching, committee memberships and administrative duties.
b. Proposed program of collaborative research 30%
Assessment against this criterion will take into account the aims, significance, research management plan and methods of the Proposal, including:
the management plan for the collaboration, including the proposed schedule of research activities;
the expected results, including the potential of the research to result in economic and/or social benefits for Australia and to contribute to one or more of the National Research Priorities; and
value for money and budget justification, including where appropriate, any cash or in-kind financial contributions to be made from non-ARC sources.
c. Quality of host group 20%
Assessment against this criterion will take into account:
the research environment of the Host Organisation; and
ii. the intellectual and physical resources for the ARCIF candidate.
d. Strengths and benefits of the collaboration 20%
Assessment against this criterion will take into account the nature and merit of the collaboration including:
prospects of ongoing collaboration between the Australia-based and overseas participants; and
the research teams which are to be involved in and associated with the projects, including all named CIs, PIs and OIs; and
the demonstrated strength of commitment by the Administering Organisation and the proposed host university or research organisation.
13.2 ARCIF Proposals for Australia-based researchers to work in overseas research organisations (excluding AIFs)
13.2.1.1 In addition to the requirements specified in Section 13.1, ARCIF Proposals for Australia-based researchers to work in overseas research organisations (excluding AIFs) must satisfy the requirements in Section 13.2.
13.2.1.2 ARCIF Proposals for Australia-based researchers to work in overseas research organisations (excluding AIFs) must be submitted by the Eligible Organisations specified in Appendix 2, Item 1.
13.2.2 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria
13.2.2.1 A Proposal for an ARCIF to work in an overseas research organisation must identify one ARCIF candidate and at least one OI.
13.2.2.2 The first-named participant on a Proposal for an ARCIF to work in an overseas research organisation must be identified as a CI or an ARCIF and that person must be a CI or ARC Fellow on at least one ARC project being funded for 2006 under the CE, DP, Federation Fellowship, IRD, LIEF, LP or SRC schemes, or be a RN Convenor for a RN being funded by the ARC for 2006.
13.2.2.3 An ARCIF candidate must, at the closing time for submission of Proposals and for the full term of the funding, satisfy the eligibility criteria for CIs, excluding 5.2.1a.
13.2.3 Duration of Funding
13.2.3.1 Funding for ARCIFs may be awarded for a period of, or periods totalling, 12 months.
13.2.4 Budget Items supported
13.2.4.1 The following project costs may be supported for an ARCIF to work in an overseas research organisation:
ARCIF salary support at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates (plus on-costs), providing that, for any or all of the duration of the fellowship, the ARCIF’s salary is not supported by any other Commonwealth funding source (including other ARC funding), unless otherwise approved by the ARC;
One return economy class airfare, reasonable local travel to and from airports, visas and vaccinations for the ARCIF holder;
Consumables up to a total of A$5,000;
The cost of attendance at one conference relevant to the project aims during the term of the ARCIF, including registration, travel and accommodation; and/or
Costs associated with relocation, in accordance with subsection 13.1.6.2.
13.3 ARCIF Proposals for overseas researchers to work in Australia (excluding AIFs and Anglo-Australian Observatory Fellowships)
13.3.1 ARCIF Proposals for overseas researchers to work in Australia under international research fellowship agreements with agencies in France, Germany or the Republic of Korea are dealt with in Sections 13.4, 13.5 and 13.6, respectively.
13.3.2 Co-funded ARCIFs under other agreements, including AIFs and Anglo-Australian Observatory Fellowships, are dealt with in Sections 13.7 and 13.8, respectively.
13.3.3 A Proposal for an ARCIF candidate to work in Australia, excluding proposed ARCIFs under an agreement specified in subsections 13.3.1 or 13.3.2, must meet the requirements:
specified in Section 13.1; and
specified in the following subsections of Section 13.3.
13.3.4 ARCIF Proposals for overseas researchers to work in Australia, excluding ARCIFs under international research fellowship agreements with agencies in France, Germany or the Republic of Korea, and AIFs and Anglo-Australian Observatory Fellowships, must be submitted by the Eligible Organisations specified in Appendix 2, Item 1.
13.3.5 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria
13.3.5.1 In addition to the ARCIF candidate, an ARCIF Proposal for an overseas researcher to work in Australia must include at least one CI.
13.3.5.2 The first-named participant on an ARCIF Proposal for an overseas researcher to work in Australia must be a CI.
13.3.5.3 If an ARCIF candidate does not have permanent resident status he/she must obtain temporary resident status from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs before the ARC will commence payments for that ARCIF.
13.3.5.4 Proposals may also include other CIs, OIs and PIs.
13.3.6 Duration of Funding
13.3.6.1 Funding for an ARCIF Proposal for an overseas researcher to work in Australia may be awarded for a period of, or periods totalling, 12 months.
13.3.7 Budget items supported
13.3.7.1 The following project costs may be supported for an ARCIF Proposal for an overseas researcher to work in Australia:
ARCIF salary support at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates (plus on-costs);
One return economy class airfare, reasonable local travel to and from airports, visas and vaccinations for the ARCIF holder;
Consumables up to a total of A$5,000;
The cost of attendance at one conference in Australia relevant to the project aims during the term of the ARCIF, including registration, travel and accommodation; and/or
Costs associated with relocation, in accordance with subsection 13.1.6.2.
13.4 ARCIFs pursuant to an agreement with the French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology
13.4.1 Agreement
13.4.1.1 The ARC has a reciprocal research fellowship agreement with the then French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology (now the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research). Under the agreement (ARC-French Ministry agreement) the ARC and the French Ministry provide support for citizens of France and Australia or permanent residents of Australia to collaborate on research projects in French academic institutions and Eligible Organisations (Appendix 2, Item 2).
13.4.1.2 Support for Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia to collaborate in French academic institutions may be sought through the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research.
13.4.1.3 In addition to the requirements specified in Section 13.1, ARCIF Proposals pursuant to an agreement with the French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology for French researchers to collaborate in Australia, must satisfy the requirements in Section 13.4.
13.4.2 Number Available and Target Group
13.4.2.1 Subject to the ARC receiving an adequate number of Proposals of the required type and sufficient quality and subject to the availability of funding, up to five ARCIFs (ARC-French Ministry agreement) each year may be recommended by the ARC to provide support for French researchers to collaborate in Australia. Postdoctoral researchers under 35 years of age are particularly encouraged to apply.
13.4.3 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria
13.4.3.1 An ARCIF Proposal for a French researcher to collaborate, pursuant to the French Agreement, on a research project in Australia must be submitted by an Eligible Organisation as specified in Appendix 2, Item 2.
13.4.3.2 In addition to the ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement) candidate, a Proposal must include at least one CI.
13.4.3.3 An ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement) candidate must not have previously been awarded such a Fellowship.
13.4.3.4 The first-named researcher on an ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement) Proposal must be a CI from an Eligible Organisation as specified in Appendix 2, Item 2.
13.4.3.5 Proposals may include other CIs, OIs and PIs, as well as the ARCIF candidate.
13.4.4 Duration of Funding
13.4.4.1 Proposals for ARCIFs (ARC-French Ministry agreement) may request support for between 6 to 12 months in total. Preference will be given to Proposals of one period only, although the distribution of the stay over more than one period will be considered. Fellows are required to take up the fellowship offer within 6 months of the ARC’s letter of offer to the Administering Organisation of the ARCIF. An ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement) will not be extended.
13.4.5 Budget Items supported
13.4.5.1 The ARC may provide funding for the following items for this type of fellowship:
ARCIF salary support at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates (and on-costs);
one return economy class airfare for the ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement) holder;
reasonable costs directly incurred by the Host Organisation, eg cost of consumables necessary for the research; and
the cost of attendance at a conference in Australia, which is relevant to the project during the term of the ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement), including registration, travel and accommodation.
13.4.6 Budget Items not supported
13.4.6.1 In addition to the items specified in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, the ARC will not provide funding for other items for this type of fellowship, including, but not limited to:
medical and accident insurance for the ARCIF (ARC-French Ministry agreement). This is the responsibility of the Administering Organisation; and/or
any costs associated with visits by family members.
13.5 ARCIFs pursuant to an agreement with Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation (AvH), Federal Republic of Germany
13.5.1 Agreement
13.5.1.1 The ARC has a reciprocal research fellowship agreement with the AvH. Under the agreement (the ARC-AvH agreement), the ARC and the AvH provide support for German researchers and Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia to collaborate on research projects in German universities and research institutes, and in Eligible Organisations (Appendix 2, Item 3). The fellowships are named the ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowships.
13.5.1.2 Support for Australian residents or citizens to collaborate in German academic institutions may be sought through the AvH.
13.5.1.3 In addition to the requirements specified in Section 13.1, ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship Proposals for German researchers to collaborate in Australia and must satisfy the requirements specified in Section 13.5.
13.5.2 Number Available and Target Group
13.5.2.1 Up to five ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowships each year may be recommended by the ARC to provide support for up to three outstanding German researchers of international standing and up to two German “brilliant, young researchers”.
13.5.3 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria
13.5.3.1 A Proposal for a German researcher to collaborate on a research project in Australia must be submitted by an Eligible Organisation as specified in Appendix 2, Item 3.
13.5.3.2 In addition to the ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship candidate, a Proposal must include at least one CI, unless CSIRO is the Administering Organisation. If CSIRO is the Administering Organisation there must be at least one PI who is an employee of CSIRO.
13.5.3.3 An ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship candidate must not have previously been awarded such a Fellowship.
13.5.3.4 The first-named researcher on an ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship Proposal must be a CI, other than where CSIRO is the Administering Organisation. If CSIRO is the Administering Organisation, the first-named researcher must be a PI who is an employee of CSIRO.
13.5.3.5 Proposals may include other CIs, OIs and PIs, as well as the ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship candidate.
13.5.4 Duration of Funding
13.5.4.1 A Proposal for an ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship may request support for between 4 and 12 months in total. The supported stay may comprise several periods. An ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship will not be extended.
13.5.5 Budget Items supported
13.5.5.1 The ARC may provide funding support for the following items:
ARCIF salary support plus on-costs at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates;
one return business class airfare for an unaccompanied ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellow (see also subsection 13.5.6);
e. the cost of attendance at a conference in Australia, which is relevant to the project during the term of the fellowship, including registration, travel and accommodation.
13.5.6 Relocation
13.5.6.1 The ARC will pay reasonable costs relating to relocation to Australia and return of the Fellow’s partner and/or dependant(s) only where an ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellowship is provided for more than 6 months, and the Fellow’s partner and/or dependant(s) accompany the Fellow and reside in Australia, for a minimum of 6 months. If a Fellow is accompanied by dependants, airfares for the Fellow and dependant(s) will be paid at the economy class rate.
13.5.7 Budget Items not supported
13.5.7.1 The ARC will not provide funding support for other travel-related items, including, but not limited to, medical and accident insurance for the ARC Ferdinand von Mueller Fellow. This is the responsibility of the Administering Organisation.
13.6 ARCIFs pursuant to an agreement with the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF)
13.6.1 Agreement
13.6.1.1 The ARC has a research fellowship agreement with KOSEF, the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). Under the agreement, (ARC-KOSEF agreement), the ARC and KOSEF provide support for visiting fellows to collaborate on research projects in academic institutions in the Republic of Korea and in Eligible Organisations (Appendix 2, Item 3).
13.6.1.2 Under the Agreement the AAS and ATSE administer visits by researchers from the Republic of Korea, other than visiting fellows.
13.6.1.3 Support for Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia to collaborate in academic institutions in the Republic of Korea may be sought through KOSEF.
13.6.1.4 In addition to the requirements specified in Section 13.1, ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) Proposals for Korean researchers to collaborate in Australia must satisfy the requirements in Section 13.6.
13.6.2 Number Available and Target Group
13.6.2.1 Subject to the ARC receiving an adequate number of Proposals of the required type and sufficient quality and subject to the availability of funding, up to ten ARCIFs (ARC-KOSEF agreement) each year will be recommended by the ARC to provide support for researchers from the Republic of Korea who must be of at least Postdoctoral status.
13.6.3 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria
13.6.3.1 An ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) Proposal for a Korean researcher to collaborate on a research project in Australia must be submitted by an Eligible Organisation as specified in Appendix 2, Item 3.
13.6.3.2 In addition to the ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) candidate, a Proposal must include at least one CI, unless CSIRO is the Administering Organisation. If CSIRO is the Administering Organisation there must be at least one PI who is an employee of CSIRO.
13.6.3.3 The first-named researcher on an ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) Proposal must be a CI, unless CSIRO is the Administering Organisation. If CSIRO is the Administering Organisation, the first-named researcher must be a PI who is an employee of CSIRO.
13.6.3.4 Proposals may include other CIs, OIs and PIs, as well as the ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) candidate.
13.6.4 Duration of Funding
13.6.4.1 Proposals for ARCIFs (ARC-KOSEF agreement) may request support for between 4 and 12 months in total.
13.6.5 Budget Items supported
13.6.5.1 The ARC may provide funding support for the following items:
ARCIF salary support at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates (and on-costs);
one return economy class airfare for the ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) holder;
the cost of attendance at a conference in Australia, which is relevant to the project during the term of the ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement), including travel and accommodation. Any registration fees are the responsibility of the Fellow.
13.6.6 Relocation
13.6.6.1 The ARC will pay reasonable costs relating to relocation to Australia and return of the Fellow’s partner and/or dependant(s) only where an ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement) is provided for more than 6 months, and the Fellow’s partner and/or dependant(s) accompany the Fellow and reside in Australia, for a minimum of 6 months. Airfares for the Fellow and dependant(s) will be paid at the economy class rate.
13.6.7 Budget Items not supported
13.6.7.1 In addition to the items specified in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, the ARC will not provide funding support for other travel-related items including, but not limited to, medical and accident insurance for the ARCIF (ARC-KOSEF agreement). This is the responsibility of the Administering Organisation.
13.7 Australia-Israel Fellowships (AIFs)
13.7.1 Agreement
13.7.1.1 The ARC has a fellowship agreement with the Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation (AISEF). Under the agreement, AIFs are co-funded by the AISEF and the ARC for Australian and Israeli researchers to collaborate in research projects in Australia and Israel.
13.7.1.2 Proposals for AIFs (in either direction) must be submitted only by an Eligible Organisation (Appendix 2, Item 2).
13.7.1.3 In addition to the requirements specified in Section 13.1, Proposals for AIFs must satisfy the requirements specified in Section 13.7.
13.7.2 Number Available and Target Group
13.7.2.1 Up to two AIFs each year may be recommended by the ARC to provide support for Israeli researchers to collaborate on research projects in Australia or Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia to collaborate on research projects in Israel.
13.7.3 Duration of Funding
13.7.3.1 Proposals for AIFs may request support for up to 12 months.
13.7.4 Budget Items supported
13.7.4.1 The ARC may provide funding support for the following items:
AIF salary support at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates (and on-costs);
one return economy class airfare for the AIF holder;
the cost of attendance at a conference, which is relevant to the project during the term of the Fellowship, including registration, travel and accommodation.
Requirements for AIF holders coming to Australia
13.7.5 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria for AIF-to-Australia candidates
13.7.5.1 In addition to the AIF candidate, an AIF-to-Australia Proposal must include at least one CI.
13.7.5.2 The first-named researcher on an AIF-to-Australia Proposal must be a CI from an Eligible Organisation as specified in Appendix 2, Item 2.
13.7.5.3 Proposals may include other CIs, OIs and PIs, in addition to the AIF candidate.
Requirements for AIF holders going to Israel
13.7.6 Investigator roles and eligibility criteria for AIF-to-Israel candidates
13.7.6.1 An AIF-to-Israel Proposal must identify one AIF candidate and at least one OI.
13.7.6.2 The AIF candidate must, at the closing time for submission of Proposals and for the full term of the funding, satisfy the eligibility criteria for CIs, excluding 5.2.1a.
13.7.6.3 The first-named researcher on an AIF-to-Israel Proposal must be the AIF candidate or a CI from an Eligible Organisation as specified in Appendix 2, Item 2.
13.7.6.4 Proposals may include other CIs, OIs, and PIs, in addition to the AIF candidate.
13.7.7 Budget Item not supported
13.7.7.1 AIF salary support at the relevant level of the ARC Notional Salary rates (plus on-costs), providing that, for any or all of the duration of the fellowship, the AIF’s salary is not supported by an Eligible Organisation or any other Commonwealth funding source (including other ARC funding).
13.8 Anglo-Australian Observatory Fellowships
13.8.1 Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO) fellowships are co-funded under an International Research Fellowship Agreement between the United Kingdom Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and the ARC, and are managed by the Anglo-Australian Telescope Board.
13.8.2 One fellowship is generally awarded alternately to Australian or British postdoctoral researchers to undertake postdoctoral work at the AAO.
13.8.3 Application and selection processes are managed by the AAO and any Australian or British researcher is eligible to apply for the fellowship when Proposals are called for by advertisement by the AAO. Funding may be provided by the ARC towards AAO Fellowships. ARC funding is provided under the Funding Rules for the Special Research Initiatives scheme and will be recommended in accordance with the selection process managed by the AAO (see the Funding Rules for the ARC’s SRI scheme for further details).