2About the Discovery Program

2.                    About the Discovery Program

2.1.                  The Discovery Program is one of two Programs under the ARC National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP).

2.2.                  The Discovery Program aims to deliver outcomes of benefit to Australia and build Australia’s research capacity through support for:

1. excellent, internationally-competitive research by individuals and teams;

b.              research training and career opportunities for the best Australian and international researchers;

c.              international collaboration; and

d.              research in priority areas.

Intended outcome

2.3.                  The intended outcome of the Discovery Program is to contribute to the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity. Increasing Australia’s research and innovation capacity generates new knowledge and results in the development of new technologies, products and ideas, the creation of jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia.

Scope and timeframes

2.4.                  Discovery Program grants are awarded on the basis of excellence through a competitive peer review process for each grant opportunity.

2.5.                  Each Discovery Program grant opportunity is open for applications once a year or as required.

2.6.                  These grant guidelines will be in effect from the date the Minister signs these grant guidelines.

Key performance indicators

2.7.                  The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Discovery Program are identified each year in the ARC Portfolio Budget Statements and the ARC corporate plan. Reporting is provided every year in Our annual report.

2.8.                  The KPIs focus on long-term outcomes as well as medium-term outcomes relating to building Australia’s research capacity, for example, research careers and training, contributions in areas of national need and research collaboration.

Other relevant information

2.9.                  The Discovery Program is undertaken according to the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act) and the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines (CGRGs).

About the Discovery Program grant opportunities

2.10.              The schemes available under the Discovery Program are:

1. Australian Laureate Fellowships—Part A;

b.              Future Fellowships—Part B;

c.              Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)—Part C;

d.              Discovery Indigenous—Part D; and