11 Other matters
11.1 Applicable law
11.1.1 The ARC is required to comply with the requirements of the Privacy Act 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
11.2 Confidentiality
11.2.1 The ARC will treat information contained in a Proposal as confidential. However, the ARC may disclose information contained in a Proposal, or otherwise provided to the ARC, to the extent that the information:
- is disclosed by the ARC to its advisers (including external assessors), officers, employees or other third parties in order to assess, evaluate or verify the accuracy or completeness of a Proposal;
- is disclosed to the ARC’s personnel to enable effective management or auditing of Linkage Projects or any Funding Agreement;
- is disclosed by the ARC to the Minister;
- is shared by the ARC within the ARC’s organisation, or with another Commonwealth Department or agency, where this serves the Commonwealth’s legitimate interests;
- is authorised or required by law to be disclosed;
- is disclosed in accordance with any other provision of these Funding Rules or the Funding Agreement; or
- is in the public domain otherwise than due to a breach by the ARC of any obligation of confidence.
11.2.2 Where information contained in a Proposal is made available to third parties for evaluation or assessment purposes the ARC will require the third parties to maintain the confidentiality of the material.
11.2.3 Notwithstanding the above, and in addition to the exemptions listed at subsection 11.2.1, the ARC may publicise and report offers or awards of funding, including information about the proposed research; the name of nominated CIs, PIs or APDI Fellows and their organisations; the name of the Administering Organisation and any other parties involved in or associated with the project; the title and summary descriptions of the project and its intended outcomes; and the level and nature of financial assistance from the ARC. Administering Organisations should ensure that information contained in the project title and summaries would not, if released, compromise their own requirements for confidentiality (such as future protection of intellectual property).
11.3 Project Descriptions
11.3.1 In making public information about a Proposal which has been approved for funding, the ARC may use a project description, including title and summary, which may differ from that provided in the Proposal.
11.4 Intellectual Property
11.4.1 The ARC does not claim ownership of any intellectual property in a Proposal or which is created or developed from the conduct of a project funded under Linkage Projects.
11.4.2 However, all Proposals become the property of the ARC on submission. Administering Organisations submit their Proposals on the basis that the ARC may copy, modify and otherwise deal with information contained in a Proposal (and allow any external assessor or other third party to do the same) for any purpose related to:
- the evaluation and assessment of Proposals;
- verifying the accuracy, consistency and adequacy of information contained in a Proposal, or otherwise provided to the ARC;
- the preparation and management of any Funding Agreement; or
- the administration or management of the NCGP.
11.4.3 If a Proposal contains information belonging to a third party, the Administering Organisation must ensure that it has in place all necessary consents to allow the ARC to deal with that information in accordance with these Funding Rules, prior to the Administering Organisation’s submitting its Proposal.
11.4.4 Except with written approval from the ARC, all Proposals and ARC-funded research projects must comply with the National Principles of Intellectual Property Management for Publicly Funded Research (available at http://www.arc.gov.au) and accord with any intellectual property policies of the researchers’ organisations.
11.5 Incomplete or misleading information
11.5.1 It is a serious offence to provide false or misleading information to the Commonwealth.
11.5.2 If the ARC considers that a Proposal is incomplete, inaccurate or contains false or misleading information, the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval. If an Administering Organisation and/or researcher nominated in a Proposal as a CI, PI or APDI Fellow provides the ARC with incomplete, inaccurate or misleading information in relation to either the Proposal for, or when reporting on progress of, a project the ARC may in its absolute discretion decide to not recommend the Proposal for approval or terminate the project if funded and require the Administering Organisation to repay some or all of the funding.
11.5.3 If the ARC considers that omissions, or inclusion of misleading information, are intentional, or if there is evidence of malpractice, the ARC may refer the matter for investigation with a view to prosecution under Commonwealth criminal law. The Commonwealth 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.
11.5.4 Examples of malpractice include, but are not restricted to:
- providing fictitious track records; or
- making false claims in publications records (such as describing a paper as accepted for publication when it has only been submitted).
11.6 Insurance and liabilities
11.6.1 Administering Organisations are subject to the liability, indemnity and insurance provisions of the Funding Agreement. The draft Funding Agreement can be viewed on the ARC web site (http://www.arc.gov.au).
Appendix 1. Eligible Organisations
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
Appendix 2. Partner Organisations
Eligibility
To be an eligible Partner Organisation, an organisation must be:
- a private sector organisation;
- a private non-profit organisation; or
- a Government organisation – in general, State, Territory or Commonwealth Government organisations are eligible to participate as Partner Organisations where funds they are committing to the project have not previously been appropriated either for internal research-related activities or for any other purpose of research, evaluation and/or consultancy.
Notwithstanding the above, the following organisations and types of organisation are not eligible as Partner Organisations under Linkage Projects:
- higher education organisations and their controlled entities, including their commercial arms;
- any organisation which in the ARC’s opinion is associated with a higher education organisation and which provides undergraduate or postgraduate training as a substantial part of its activities;
- Rural Research and Development Boards / Corporations;
- State and Territory Government Research and Development organisations;
- Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs);
- the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO);
- the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO);
- the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO);
- Geoscience Australia (GA);
- the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS);
- the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) at the Australian National University;
- the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (ERISS);
- the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD);
- any entity (for example joint ventures) where a majority of the membership is made up of, or ownership and/or control is exercised by, other organisations or their representatives, which are not themselves eligible to be a Partner Organisation;
- any other organisation that the ARC considers to be substantially funded for research or research-related activities from State, Territory or Commonwealth Government sources or from Governments of other countries.
If, after reading these Funding Rules, any doubt exists over the eligibility of an organisation to be a Partner Organisation, advice can be sought from the ARC about the status of the organisation. A request seeking a ruling about the eligibility of an organisation must comply with the process described in Section 7.1. The request must include information concerning the proposed Partner Organisation’s activities, ownership, and financial information such as a summary statement which might be included in an annual report.
Overseas Partner Organisation
The ARC is prepared to accept an overseas organisation as a Partner Organisation where the organisation meets the eligibility criteria above. Where a Proposal includes an overseas Partner Organisation, the Proposal must address the following additional criteria to the satisfaction of the ARC:
- the economic or social benefit of the research to Australia, and
- the intended use of the research outcomes in Australia.
Where similar Proposals involving Australian and overseas Partner Organisation(s) are competing at the margin for funding, the ARC may give priority to the Proposal involving Australian Partner Organisations. An Australian Partner Organisation is an eligible Partner Organisation, or part of such an organisation, that is incorporated under Australian law and is operating in Australia.
Partner Organisation Contributions – general requirements
Only costs directly relevant to the proposed project are taken into account as eligible Partner Organisation contributions. The entire contribution from Partner Organisations must be specific to the project and not part of a broader contribution to an Eligible Organisation. The contribution may be used, for example, to assist the project with personnel costs (excluding the salaries of CIs), provision of equipment or the use of a laboratory. Costs of capital works and general infrastructure are not normally considered for inclusion in the Partner Organisation contribution.
The ARC examines the proposed level of a Partner Organisation’s cash and in-kind financial support carefully and may make any adjustments it considers necessary to reflect what it considers to be the true value of the contribution. The Partner Organisation’s contribution (both in cash and in-kind) must be reported by the Administering Organisation in its end-of-year report.
Guidelines to assist Applicants and Partner Organisations in determining the value of in-kind contributions can be found at Appendix 5.
Partner Organisations such as community groups, small business enterprises, charities, and start-up commercial organisations that can demonstrate that they do not have ready access to cash reserves may seek exemption for the minimum cash requirements outlined below, except for cash requirements associated with APAI stipends. In such cases, the Applicant must submit a request for exemption according to the process described in Section 7.1. The request must quantify in detail the in-kind contributions and the Partner Organisations’ commitment to providing it. However, Applicants should note that the cash contribution is an important indicator for assessors when judging the degree of commitment and level of collaboration from the Partner Organisation.
Partner Organisation Contributions where the Proposal does not involve an APAI
For Proposals which do not involve a request for an APAI stipend, the combined Partner Organisation contributions, in cash (i.e. funds to be transferred to the Administering Organisation) or in kind (i.e. other eligible contributions of resources), must at least match the total amount sought from the Commonwealth.
If a Proposal is seeking on average $50,000 or more per year from the Commonwealth, the combined Partner Organisation contribution in cash must be at least 20 per cent of the total amount sought from the Commonwealth.
If a Proposal is seeking on average $500,000 or more per year from the Commonwealth, the combined Partner Organisation contribution in cash must be at least 50 per cent of the total amount sought from the Commonwealth.
Partner Organisation Contributions where the Proposal involves an APAI
Where a Proposal seeks support for an APAI student, the Partner Organisation must contribute a minimum of $6,000 in cash and $6,000 in cash or in kind (that is, $12,000 in total) for each year the student is to receive a stipend. In-kind payments alone will not suffice for this purpose. Where a PhD APAI is extended beyond the normal 3-year period (by up to six months), the Partner Organisation is not required to provide further cash or in-kind contributions associated with the APAI.
Support requested for project costs over and above those sought to support an APAI stipend must (in addition) be at least matched in cash and/or in-kind by the Partner Organisation.
Where a Proposal is seeking on average $50,000 or more per year from the Commonwealth, the combined Partner Organisation contribution in cash (including for APAIs) must be at least 20 per cent of the total amount sought from the Commonwealth.
Where a Proposal is seeking on average $500,000 or more per year from the Commonwealth, the combined Partner Organisation contribution in cash (including for APAIs) must be at least 50 per cent of the total amount sought from the Commonwealth.
Offer of funding
A project may not begin, nor ARC funds be expended, until the Funding Agreement between the Administering Organisation and the ARC has been signed, and the Partner Organisation(s) and the Administering Organisation have entered into a written agreement (the Partner Organisation Agreement) as required in the Funding Agreement.
With the exception of the above APAI-related Partner Organisation contribution, if the amount of Commonwealth funding approved for a Linkage Projects project varies from the amount requested, the Applicant must discuss the matter with the Partner Organisation. Where the Partner Organisation agrees the research project is viable within the parameters of the varied amount of Commonwealth funding, pro rata adjustments may be made to the proposed project budget.
Eligibility for concessional treatment
Partner Organisation contributions to a Linkage Projects project may be eligible for the R&D Tax Concession to the extent that the expenditure is incurred by an eligible company in respect of eligible R&D activities and provided that all other relevant requirements are met.
Detailed information on the eligibility requirements for the R&D Tax Concession can be obtained from AusIndustry State Offices in each capital city. Details of the programs administered by AusIndustry can be obtained from its homepage (http://www.ausindustry.gov.au).
If an eligible company is unsure whether it can claim the contribution as research and development expenditure, it can apply for a private binding ruling from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Details on how to apply and what information needs to be provided can be obtained from the ATO.
Appendix 3. APAI information
Eligibility
Students are likely to be recent graduates interested in applied research or graduates with some years of relevant work experience who wish to undertake research work in order to complete a higher degree. APAI funding is provided on the basis of full-time study and the student is to begin in the first year of the project.
To be eligible to receive APAI funding, a student must:
- be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen;
- be enrolled in a full-time postgraduate research degree at an Eligible Organisation;
- have an appropriate Honours 1 or 2A (or equivalent) undergraduate degree;
- not be receiving similar funding or stipend from a Commonwealth Government program;
- not already have completed a degree at the same level as the proposed candidature or at a higher level; and
- not previously have held an Australian Postgraduate Award or APAI unless it was terminated within the first six months of the earlier award.
The organisation where the student is enrolled may credit periods of study already undertaken towards the degree. If this occurs, the periods of study before the beginning of the APAI will be deducted from its maximum period of tenure.
The Administering Organisation must inform the ARC of any changes to an award that affect the amount or duration of funding.
APAI students may receive additional funding and/or payments from other sources provided that such funding and/or payments do not contravene their host organisation rules applying to Linkage Projects APAI holders and that the Partner Organisation(s) has no objection to the funding and/or payments.
Entitlements from the Commonwealth for APAIs
Details of APAI stipend rates for the current year are set out on the ARC web site (http://www.arc.gov.au). Stipend rates are indexed annually.
APAIs can be sought for up to three years. Where the award is based on enrolment for a Masters degree, the ARC will allocate a maximum of up to two years stipend only. PhD APAIs will be allocated a maximum of three years, with a possible six-month extension. For a successful APAI request, the Commonwealth will pay:
- the APAI stipend each year; and
- a further contribution towards relocation and thesis expenses, as outlined below.
These expenses should be claimed by the Administering Organisation in the End-of-Year report, and any unspent amounts should be reported.
Relocation allowance
The Administering Organisation will make payments up to the maximum amount specified for relocation costs on the ARC website to an APAI student relocating residence in order to take up her/his position or for an approved transfer, provided that the student provides evidence of expenditure on relocation costs to the Administering Organisation within six months of the expenditure being incurred. The ARC will reimburse the Administering Organisation provided that the claim is submitted within a year of the expenditure. The ARC will reimburse up to a maximum of $6000 for all allowances combined, in accordance with the Funding Agreement.
Thesis allowance
The Commonwealth will provide up to $840 toward the production of a PhD thesis or $420 toward the production of a Master’s thesis. This amount must be provided by the Administering Organisation to the student if:
- the student’s thesis is submitted within six months of the completion of the project;
- a claim is made within twelve months of the end of the project; and
- the student provides to the Administering Organisation evidence of expenditure relating to producing the thesis.
Taxation
Full-time APAI stipends are tax-exempt under section 51-10 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
HECS exemption
An APAI student is an exempt student under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 for the purpose of her/his enrolment in the full-time postgraduate research degree.
Appendix 4. APDI information
A successful ADPI Fellow would be appointed by the host organisation for three years to work full-time on the approved project. Tenured researchers who meet the eligibility criteria and obtain an APDI must resign from their substantive position before the project begins.
Entitlements from the ARC for an APDI
For an APDI, the ARC will pay to the Administering Organisation, as part of funding for the Linkage Projects project, a sum of approximately $60,180 (plus approximately $16,850 on-costs) per year as a contribution towards the salary of the Fellow. Remuneration levels are reviewed each year.
Eligibility exemption
Please refer to the information at Sections 5.6 and 7.1 of these Funding Rules.
Relocation allowance
The Administering Organisation will make payments to an APDI Fellow for travel and removal expenses associated with her/his relocating residence in order to take up her/his position on condition that the Fellow provides full particulars of mode and time of travel and the receipts for all other payments (for example, removal expenses) to the Administering Organisation within six months of the expenditure being incurred. The ARC will reimburse the Administering Organisation only in the context of the End-of-Year Report, provided that the claim is submitted within a year of the expenditure.
The ARC will reimburse in accordance with the Funding Agreement the following relocation expenses:
- travel expenses, not exceeding the cost of the cheapest direct airfare, for the APDI Fellow and his/her dependants. Where a Fellow elects to travel by car, the Commonwealth will provide a mileage allowance up to the maximum equivalent of the cheapest direct airfare. On completion of the Fellowship, the Fellow will be entitled to the same return fare provisions and removal expenses, provided that he/she has not obtained subsequent employment in Australia for a period exceeding twelve months;
- relocation costs for the Fellow and her/his dependants. For the purposes of relocation entitlements, a dependant is defined as a person who moves residence with the Fellow. A spouse/partner who transfers employment to the city of the host organisation may be regarded as a dependant; a child continuing to study at the former city and not intending to live with the Fellow, may not be regarded as a dependant.
Appendix 5. Guidelines for the evaluation of the adequacy of Partner Organisation in-kind contributions
Appendix 2 describes the requirements for both cash and in-kind contributions by Partner Organisations. This appendix contains guidelines to be used in determining the value of in-kind Partner Organisation contributions.
Underlying principles and practical considerations
The primary objectives in examining Partner Organisation in-kind contributions are to ensure that the available support is adequate for the successful completion of the project and that the Partner Organisation contribution is in accordance with the budget, aims and research plan contained in the Proposal.
In-kind contributions that are shown to be essential and central to the conduct of the project are given full recognition in evaluating the dollar-for-dollar contribution. The onus is on the Administering Organisation to establish the merit of the case for recognition of the level and extent of the in-kind contribution.
In-kind contributions to a project may include scientific liaison and management, direct technical support, or unique access to reagents or equipment.
Corporate membership or subscription fees in industrial consortia do not qualify as Partner Organisation contributions but the allocation of designated research funds, together with the identification of the linkages between the member and the project, does qualify.
Guidelines for recognising in-kind budget items in Partner Organisation contributions
This list is not all-inclusive. If in doubt as to the acceptability of a particular item, please consult:
Linkage Projects Coordinator
Email: ncgp@arc.gov.au
| Category | Accepted | Not Accepted |
|---|
| Access to unique databases | Incremental costs of access | Cost of collecting the<br>database |
| Analytical and other services | Internal rates<br> | Commercial rates |
| Incremental cost of providing service | |
| Equipment | Contributed – Used<br>- fair market value<br>- company book value<br>- price for internal transfers<br> | List price or discounted list price<br>Rental equivalents exceeding accepted values had the equipment been donated or sold |
| Equipment (continued) | Contributed - New<br>- selling price to most favoured customer (if stock item)<br>- cost of manufacture (if one of a kind)<br>- cost of purchase | Development costs |
| Lent<br>- rental equivalent based on depreciation<br>- rental rate equivalent to highest-volume user | |
| Sold<br>- difference between discounted price and selling price to most favoured customer | |
| Materials | Unit cost of production for commercial products<br>Selling price to most favoured customer<br>Price for internal transfers<br>Cost of production of prototype and samples | Development costs (unless it is an integral part of the proposed project) |
| Patents and licences | Licences acquired from third parties for use by the university in the project | Patents<br>Licensing fees paid to the university |
| Payments concerning the CI | Payment to the university for release time from teaching duties | Payment to the CI as consulting fees or honoraria (additional to normal salary) |
| Salaries | Typical salary cost (including on costs) at internal rates | External charge-out or consultant rates<br>Costs relating to administrative support where overhead has been included in salary costs |
| Contributed software<br>(need to distinguish between existing software used as a tool for analytical purposes and the Partner Organisation's contribution to developing new software tools where this is one of the main objectives of the Proposal) | Copying costs<br>Licensing cost<br>Documentation cost<br>Cost of training and support of software<br>Cost of equivalent commercial product (where donated software is not commercially available)<br> | Development costs |
| Travel | Travel costs associated with field work<br>Travel costs to meet with university personnel & Partner Organisation staff<br>Conference travel for university staff<br> | |
| Use of facilities | Internal rates for logistical support and travel allowance for university personnel working on Partner Organisation premises or on field work<br>Internal rates for use of specialised equipment by university personnel or use of process or production lines<br>Internal rates for value of lost production resulting from down time | Use of equipment by Partner Organisation personnel.<br>Space for Partner Organisation activities outside the scope of the specific Proposal<br>Equivalent commercial rates |
Appendix 6. 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 (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.
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.
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 programs 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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.