Australian Research Council Funding Rules for schemes under the Linkage Programme (2015 edition)
A10.2Eligibility Criteria for Chief Investigators (CIs)
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A10.2 Eligibility Criteria for Chief Investigators (CIs)
A10.2.1 A researcher nominated on a Proposal as a CI must meet at least one of the following criteria at the scheme-specific Commencement Date and for the duration of the Project:
- be an employee for at least 0.2 FTE (20 per cent of Full Time Equivalent) at an Eligible Organisation; or
- be a holder of an Emeritus Appointment (as defined at section A3) at an Eligible Organisation.
CIs on successful Projects will be required to retain their eligibility for the duration of the Project in order to retain their CI status. Any changes to personnel and/or roles must be approved by the ARC via a Variation of Funding Agreement.
A10.2.2 A CI must take significant intellectual responsibility for the conception and conduct of the Project and for any strategic decisions called for in its pursuit and the communication of results. A CI must have the capacity to make a serious commitment to carrying out the Project and cannot assume the role of a supplier of resources for work that will largely be placed in the hands of others.
A10.2.3 A CI must have the experience and capacity to provide effective supervision, support and mentoring of research personnel, including Higher Degree by Research candidates and postdoctoral fellows, associated with the Project.
A10.2.4 A CI must normally reside predominantly in Australia for the full life of the Project. Any significant absences including fieldwork or study leave directly related to the Project must have approval from the Administering Organisation and must not total more than half the Project funding period.
A10.2.5 Researchers undertaking a Higher Degree by Research are not eligible to be CIs. Researchers must have their Higher Degree by Research conferred by the Commencement Date of the Project in order to be eligible.
A10.2.6 If a Proposal has been approved for funding and a CI is, at any time, no longer able to work as proposed on the Project, the Project may be continued provided that any replacement CI meets the CI eligibility criteria and is approved by the ARC.