4.1 Research activities that meet the definition of Research as per the glossary in these grant guidelines will be supported.
What activities are not supported
4.2 Unless the following activities meet the definition of research as per the glossary in these grant guidelines, the following activities will not be paid for with grant funding:
compilation of data, computer programs, research aids and tools;
descriptive data compilations, catalogues or bibliographies;
teaching materials; or
activities leading solely to the creation or performance of a work of art, including visual art, musical compositions, drama, dance, film, broadcasts, designs and literary works, unless those works are directly related to the Centre’s activities and demonstrably research-based.
4.3 The ARC Centres of Excellence grant opportunity does not support applications that involve Medical Research as detailed in the ARC Medical Research Policy.
4.4 The ARC Centres of Excellence grant opportunity does not support applications that involve Antarctic research (see Glossary for definition).
Eligible expenditure
4.5 Grant money may be sought for budget items that directly support the research program contained in an application.
4.6 Eligible expenditure items are:
salaries and up to 30 per cent on-costs for Centre personnel who perform research or activities that support the research, including Research Associates, Research Assistants, a Centre Manager or Chief Operations Officer, technicians and laboratory assistants but excluding the Centre Director, CIs and PIs. Salary support must be requested at an appropriate level for the position within the Administering or Other Eligible Organisation(s);
stipends for postgraduate students, in whole or in part, at an appropriate level for the relevant Eligible Organisation(s);
access to workshop services necessary for the Centre research program;
equipment, maintenance and consumables essential for the Centre research program. Funding will not be provided for equipment or consumables that are considered to be for broad general use;
publication and dissemination of Centre outputs and outreach activity, including the development and maintenance of the Centre’s website;
general domestic and international travel costs (economy) for Centre personnel where this is related to the research program or to support Field Research essential to the research program (including research, technical and logistical support, local travel and accommodation costs); and
domestic and international travel costs (economy) for visitors to the Centre where this is related to the Centre research program or Centre governance.
4.7 All items for which grant money is sought must be justified in the full application to Our satisfaction.
4.8 You can only spend grant funds on eligible grant activities as defined in these grant guidelines and any additional expenditure conditions specified in the Grant Agreement.
What the grant money cannot be used for
4.9 You cannot use the grant to fund:
basic facilities as outlined below;
any capital works and general infrastructure costs;
costs not directly related to the Centre, including but not limited to professional membership fees/professional development courses which are not offered by the Centre, fees for patent application and maintenance, equipment for live music or drama performances, equipment for gallery and museum exhibitions, visas, relocation costs, entertainment costs, insurance, mobile phones (purchase or call charges) and other indirect costs;
fees for international students or the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) and Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) liabilities for students;
salaries and/or on costs, in whole or in part, for the Centre Director, CIs or PIs;
research support for PIs, apart from short-term project support for investigators visiting from overseas and domestic and international travel associated with the Centre;
teaching relief;
cost of investigations that are more appropriately undertaken by way of a consultancy;
direct development of products and other commercialisation activities; or
indirect costs, including basic facilities and equipment, organisational overheads; and/or infrastructure costs.
4.10 The following basic facilities must be provided and funded by You, Other Eligible Organisations or Partner Organisations where required, including:
access to a basic library collection;
access to film or music editing facilities;
accommodation (for example, laboratory and office space, suitably equipped and furnished);
bench fees or similar laboratory access fees;
provision of basic computing facilities such as desk top computers, portable computer devices, printers, word processing, and other standard software;
use of photocopiers, telephones, mail, fax, email and internet services; and
standard reference material or funds for abstracting services.
4.11 The ARC may, in its absolute discretion, determine whether any projects costs involve items not permitted as identified above. If such a determination is made, then the ARC may, in its absolute discretion, decide to not recommend part or all of the application for funding.