Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for Proposals for Submission in 2006
14Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)
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14 Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)
14.1 Introduction
14.1.1 From time to time, the ARC may collaborate with overseas funding agencies to fund Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs).
14.1.2 Depending upon the specific initiative, the ARC may fund the costs associated with the conduct of research projects, travel and/or salary support costs for researchers.
14.1.3 The ARC takes a proactive role in identifying specific ICIs to be undertaken in this Linkage International category. ICIs may be identified by the ARC in consultation with overseas funding agencies and professional organisations. Initiatives may result from ARC reviews or other research strategies, from reviews of National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) outcomes in a particular field or from other reviews or reports of a similar nature. In providing advice to government on Australian research, the ARC may identify initiatives to be funded under ICIs.
14.1.4 ICIs will be identified in Appendix 4 of the Funding Rules. After Ministerial approval has been obtained for the conduct and funding of any new ICI under Linkage International, Appendix 4 will be varied as required to provide details pertaining to the particular initiative. The ARC will issue a call for Proposals for ICI initiatives in accordance with these Funding Rules.
14.1.5 Proposals under the ICI category may be submitted only when invited by the ARC in a call for Proposal(s) for funding for the specific ICI initiative. The ARC may invite Proposals from one or more Eligible Organisations.
14.1.6 The objective of ICIs is to support high-quality research and/or international collaboration/s which will assist in advancing Australia’s research excellence to be globally competitive and deliver benefits to the community.
14.1.7 Funding under the ICI category is available to support activities related to high-quality research collaboration in all or any fields of research supported by the ARC, in collaboration with one or more overseas funding organisations. The relevant overseas funding organisations are specified against the relevant initiative in Appendix 4, Column 1.
14.1.8 Proposals for ICIs must satisfy the requirements specified in Sections 1 and 3-11, unless otherwise specified, in addition to the requirements specified in Section 14 for the particular initiative.
14.2 Organisational types, roles and eligibility
14.2.1 Eligible Organisations
14.2.2 ICI Proposals must be submitted by an Eligible Organisation. Eligible Organisations for particular ICIs under Linkage International Funding Rules are specified in Appendix 2, Item 4.
Section 14 - Australian Research Council Act 2001 - Linkage International - Funding Rules for Proposals for Submission in 2006 - Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs) | Zoe
14.3 Investigator types, roles and eligibility
14.3.1 There are three roles which investigators may undertake under ICIs. These are CI, OI and PI. The roles and eligibility requirements for each of these roles are described at Section 5.
14.3.2 In order to participate in a project as a CI, OI or PI, a person must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified for the relevant role. The investigator roles available for specific initiatives under the ICI category under these Funding Rules are specified against the relevant initiative in Appendix 4, Column 4.
14.3.3 Unless otherwise specified in Appendix 4, Column 4 against the relevant ICI initiative, each Proposal must have at least one CI. Any other requirements for the participation of researchers in specified roles will be specified in Appendix 4, Column 4.
14.3.4 Further to subsection 5.2.4, unless specified in Appendix 4 against the relevant ICI initiative, a first-named CI on a ICI Proposal is not required to be a CI or ARC Fellow on an ARC project being funded for 2006.
14.4 Types of research supported
14.4.1 The types of activities supported under ICIs are specified against the relevant initiatives in Appendix 4, Column 1.
14.5 Funding
14.5.1 The indicative duration and any funding thresholds for particular initiatives are specified against the relevant initiatives in Appendix 4, Column 6. Any funding awarded will be subject to parliamentary appropriations and the provisions of the ARC Act.
14.6 Budget Items Supported
14.6.1 Unless otherwise specified in Appendix 4, only the following project costs may be supported under ICIs:
personnel (salaries and on-costs), including Research Associates, technicians, laboratory attendants, but excluding those items detailed in subsection 3.5.2b and e;
equipment;
maintenance; and
travel.
14.7 Budget Items Not Supported
14.7.1 In addition to the items specified in Sections 3.4 and 3.5, the ARC may specify other items which may not be supported for a particular ICI. These other items, if any, are specified against the relevant initiative in Appendix 4, Column 7.
14.8 Researchers from Commonwealth-funded Research Centres
14.8.1 Duplication with Commonwealth-funded Research Centres
14.8.1.1 Funding will not be provided for research already funded by a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre or which could reasonably be expected to be supported by the Centre given its research program and its level of funding. The proposed research outlined in the Proposal must not duplicate work that is or will be undertaken by a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre.
Letter showing association between the Proposal and a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre
14.8.1.2 If a Proposal identifies a CI who is substantially associated (subsection 14.8.5) with a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre, the Proposal must include a letter from the Centre Director which describes the relationship between the proposed research outlined in the Proposal and the research undertaken by the Centre, and states that “the proposed research does not duplicate work that is already funded or could reasonably be expected to be funded by the Centre”. This letter should be no longer than one page. If such a letter is not provided in the Proposal, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval.
14.8.1.3 The ARC reserves the right to determine if a proposed project duplicates work funded or likely to be funded as part of a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre. In making a determination the ARC may have regard to, amongst other matters, the Centre application, Centre funding agreement, business plans, strategic plans and/or Annual Reports. If the ARC considers that any information contained in the ICI Proposal, the accompanying letter from the Centre Director and/or the Centre Annual Report, is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading in a material respect, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval. If, however, the ARC considers that parts of the proposed project remain worthy of support, the ARC may assess the Proposal in the usual way and instead recommend that reduced funding be approved for the Proposal. If the ARC becomes aware of duplication of funding after a project has been funded the project may be terminated and the Centre Director may be asked to show cause why any ARC funding for the Commonwealth-funded Research Centre should not be terminated.
14.8.2 Substantial association
14.8.2.1 The persons nominated as the Centre Director and Deputy Directors in the initial Centre application or their successors, and researchers who receive more than 30% of their salary from a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre, are considered to be “substantially associated with” the Centre.
14.8.2.2 Notwithstanding subsection 14.8.6, the ARC reserves the right to determine whether researchers are substantially associated with a Commonwealth-funded Research Centre and also reserves the right to take into account the magnitude of in-kind contributions when deciding whether a researcher is substantially associated with a Centre (see subsection 14.10.1.1b).
14.9 Number of Proposals
14.9.1 The ARC may seek ICI Proposals, by the times specified in Appendix 4, Column 2. Proposals may be submitted only when invited by the ARC.
14.9.2 The ARC may specify limits on the number of Proposals and/or funded projects which an organisation may submit, or in which a researcher may participate, for a particular initiative. The limits, if any, are specified against the relevant initiative in Appendix 4, Column 7. Submitting Proposals that exceed these limits may result in all Proposals involving the relevant researcher(s) not being recommended or approved for funding.
14.10 Application, Selection and Approval Process
14.10.1 All Proposals for ICI support which meet the eligibility criteria will be assessed and merit ranked using the following criteria:
a. the nature and merit of the ICI Proposal in relation to the objective of the ICI detailed in subsection 14.1.6 and the additional objectives, if any, specified for the specific ICI as outlined in Appendix 4, Column 5, taking into consideration:
i. the goals of the collaborative Proposal;
ii. the method and approach proposed;
iii. expected results, including the potential of the research to result in economic and/or social benefits to Australia and to contribute to one of the National Research Priorities; and
iv. value for money and budget justification, including where appropriate any cash or in-kind financial contributions to be made from non-ARC sources;
b. the parties who are to be involved in and associated with the project, including their track record relative to opportunities and their capacity to undertake the proposed activities.
14.10.2 Sections 7 and 8 of the Funding Rules set out the general requirements for all categories of Linkage International, including the Application, Selection and Approval processes.
14.10.3 The ARC may refer recommended Proposals to the collaborating overseas agency or agencies specified in Appendix 4, Column 1, for further coordinated discussion.
14.10.4 ARC funding of a ICI Proposal may be subject to the decision of the collaborating overseas agency or agencies to fund the counterpart Proposal submitted by overseas counterparts.
14.11 Closing time for Proposals
14.11.1 At the time of inviting ICI Proposals the ARC will set and advise prospective Applicants about the relevant timeframes for the closure of ICI Proposals. For specific initiatives these details are shown in Appendix 4, Column 2. Proposals may be withdrawn but may not be changed after submission. Additions, deletions and modifications to Proposals will not be accepted after submission, unless invited by the ARC. Subject to this subsection, Proposals received after the closing time will not be accepted. The ARC may, in its absolute discretion, and only in exceptional circumstances, accept late Proposals.
14.12 Other Requirements
14.12.1 In addition to the above requirements for ICI Proposals, other requirements may be specified against any initiative in Appendix 4, Column 7.
Appendix 1: 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.
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 (e.g. 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.
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.
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.
Appendix 2: Eligible Organisations
Item 1: Eligible Organisations for Linkage International Awards and relevant ARCIFs
New South Wales
Charles Sturt University
Macquarie University
Southern Cross University
The University of New England
The University of New South Wales
The University of Newcastle
The University of Sydney
University of Technology, Sydney
University of Western Sydney
University of Wollongong
Victoria
Deakin University
La Trobe University
Melbourne College of Divinity
Monash University
RMIT University
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of Melbourne
University of Ballarat
Victoria University
Queensland
Bond University
Central Queensland University
Griffith University
James Cook University
Queensland University of Technology
The University of Queensland
The University of the Sunshine Coast
University of Southern Queensland
Curtin University of Technology
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
The University of Notre Dame Australia
The University of Western Australia
The Flinders University of South Australia
The University of Adelaide
University of South Australia
Tasmania
Australian Maritime College
University of Tasmania
Northern Territory
Charles Darwin University
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
The Australian National University
University of Canberra
Multi-State
Australian Catholic University
Museums and herbaria which are Australian publicly funded organisations not directly funded to carry out research, but with research-related purposes and objectives.
Item 2: Eligible Organisations for ARCIFs pursuant to the ARC’s agreement with the French Ministry of National Education, Research and Technology, and the ARC’s agreement with the Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation (AISEF)
Those organisations listed in Item 1, excluding Museums and herbaria.
Item 3: Eligible Organisations for ARCIFs pursuant to the ARC’s agreement with the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (AvH) and the ARC’s agreement with the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF), the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE)
Those organisations listed in Item 1, and the CSIRO.
Item 4: Eligible Organisations for ICIs
Those organisations listed in Appendix 4, Column 3 for the relevant initiative.
Item 1. ARC Notional Fellowship Salaries for Funding Commencing in 2007
Salaries are indexed annually.
Fellowship
Step/Option
Salary
28% on-costs
TOTAL
Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship; Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship Industry;
3 year, 100% option<br> <br>
$60,180<br>
$16,850<br>
$77,030<br> <br> <br>
Australian Research Fellowship
100% option<br>
$75,480<br>
$21,134<br>
$96,614<br> <br>
Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship<br>
100% option<br>
$89,760<br>
$25,133<br>
$114,893<br>
Australian Professorial Fellowship<br>
Step 1 – 100% option<br>
$104,040<br>
$29,131<br>
$133,171<br>
Australian Professorial Fellowship<br>
Step 2 – 100% option<br>
$120,360<br>
$33,701<br>
$154,061<br>
Federation Fellowship
$255,989<br>
$71,677<br>
$327,666<br>
Item 2. Maximum ARC Fellows and ARCIF Relocation Allowances
North America $17,000;
Europe/Asia (Northern Hemisphere)/ Africa/South America $14,000;
Asia (Southern Hemisphere)/Oceania $11,000; or
within Australia $8,000.
Unless otherwise specified in these Funding Rules, travel associated with relocations will only be funded up to a maximum of one return economy class airfare for each person approved for relocation.
Appendix 4: Particular Linkage International Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs) undertaken under these Funding Rules
Initiative being funded<br>(Column1)
Closing Time for Proposals<br>(Column 2)
Eligible Organisations<br>(Column 3)
Applicable Investigator roles[1] and requirements<br>(Column 4)
Specific objectives<br>(Column 5)
Indicative duration and funding thresholds<br>(Column 6)
Other Items specific to the initiative<br>(Column 7)
Title: Materials World Networks (MWN)<br>Joint initiative between the ARC and the US National Science Foundation in Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Material Research between Australian and US Investigators.
5:00pm AEST 13 October 2006.
Those organisations listed in Appendix 2, Item 1.
Chief InvestigatorOverseas InvestigatorPartner InvestigatorEach Proposal must have at least one CI and OI.The first-named CI will be considered the ‘Project Leader’ and must be an employee, or holder of an adjunct appointment or equivalent, at the proponent Eligible Organisation.<br>
To fund collaborative Australian/US Proposals in the field of materials science.To stimulate enhanced collaborations among material science researchers and create networks linking individuals and centres in Australia and the USA.Proposals must have clear relevance to fundamental materials phenomena, synthesis, characterization and/or properties.
Funding may be awarded for 1 to 3 years, subject to sufficient funding being available for Linkage International, and the provisions of the ARC Act.The duration of the proposed ICI project should match the duration of the counterpart project proposed to the NSF.Total funds of up to $100,000 per year will be provided for any one project.
A person nominated as a CI on an MWN ICI Proposal submitted in 2006 may participate in only one MWN ICI Proposal in 2006.
Title: Social Sciences Collaboration (SSC)<br>Joint initiative between the ARC and the Economic and Social Research Council of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (ESRC) in the field of Social Sciences: Cooperative Activity in Social Sciences Research between Australian and British Investigators.
5:00pm AEST 2 June 2006
Those organisations listed in Appendix 2, Item 1.
Chief InvestigatorOverseas InvestigatorPartner InvestigatorEach Proposal must have at least one CI and OI.The first-named CI will be considered the ‘Project Leader’ and must be an employee, or holder of an adjunct appointment or equivalent, at the proponent Eligible Organisation.<br>
To fund collaborative Australian/British Proposals in the fields of economics, economic and social history, political science, socio-legal studies, education, psychology, cognitive studies, linguistics, management and business studies, human geography, environmental planning, international studies, area and development studies, social statistics, demography, social science computing, sociology, social anthropology, social policy and social work.To stimulate enhanced collaborations among social science researchers and create networks linking individuals and centres in Australia and the UK.
Funds may be awarded for 1 to 5 years, subject to sufficient funding being available for Linkage International, and the provisions of the ARC Act.The duration of the proposed ICI project should match the duration of the counterpart project proposed to the UK ESRC.The maximum level of funding which will be provided per project is $250,000.
A person nominated as a CI on an SSC ICI Proposal submitted in 2006 may participate in only one SSC ICI Proposal in 2006.
1Refer Section 5 for a description of investigator types and their associated eligibility criteria.
[1] Refer Section 5 for a description of investigator types and their associated eligibility criteria.