Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program (2017 edition)
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Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program (2017 edition)
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Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Discovery Program (2017 edition).
C8. Funding
C8.1 Level and Period of Funding
C8.1.1 The ARC provides a salary and Project funding as follows:
| Salary funding level | Requested and/or awarded at one of three salary levels as specified in subsection C8.1.2. | | Salary funding duration | Four consecutive years on a full-time basis. Subject to conditions in subsection C7.7, a Future Fellowship may be undertaken on a part-time basis not exceeding eight consecutive years. | | Project funding level | Up to $50,000 per annum. | | Project funding duration | Up to four consecutive years. |
| Current Academic Level (or equivalent) | Future Fellowship<br>Salary Level to be requested | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Level A and B | Level 1<br>(1.0 FTE) | $152,630 including 30 per cent on-costs. |
| Level C | Level 2<br>(1.0 FTE) | $184,766 including 30 per cent on-costs. |
| Level D and E | Level 3<br>(1.0 FTE) | $216,896 including 30 per cent on-costs. |
C8.1.2 A Future Fellowship salary must be requested and will be awarded at one of three salary levels (2017$) (plus salary-related (on-cost) funding). The correct Salary Level to request for the Future Fellowship Candidate’s current Academic Level (or equivalent) at the closing time for submission of Proposals, is shown in Table 1 below. For example, a researcher that is currently an Academic Level C must apply for a Future Fellowship Level 2. Exceptions to this clause are shown in C8.1.3 and C8.1.4.
The figures in this section are based on the 2017 levels of funding and will be subject to variation (for example, due to annual indexation). Updated levels will be available on the ARC website.
C8.1.3 Where the Future Fellowship Candidate is not employed at an Australian university at the time of application, or is an international researcher, the academic level applicable must be fully justified by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or equivalent.
C8.1.4 Where the Future Fellowship Candidate has experienced significant interruptions to their academic career, due to family responsibilities as primary care giver and/or due to working with a relevant industry, they may choose the most appropriate salary level. The circumstances of the career interruption and chosen salary level must be justified and certified by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or equivalent.
C8.1.5 The ARC has the absolute discretion in determining the requirements outlined in subsection C8.1.3 for circumstances including, but not limited to, Future Fellowship Candidates who are employed overseas, who are not employed, or who are not receiving a salary, at the time of submission of Proposals.
C8.2 Budget Items Supported
C8.2.1 In addition to the budget items supported in subsection A7.2, funding provided by the ARC may be used for items which directly support the Future Fellowship Candidate’s research including:
a. up to one Higher Degree by Research stipend, at a rate of $26,694 (2017$) per annum for students enrolled at Eligible Organisations; and
b. Travel Costs essential to the Project (excluding relocation costs) not exceeding $100,000 over the Project Activity Period. Travel Costs related to carrying out Field Research or any carers’ costs are not included in this $100,000 limit.
C8.2.2 All eligible requested funding costs must be justified in the Proposal to the satisfaction of the ARC.