ARC Centres of Excellence for funding commencing in 2017 June 2015 Australian Research Council

Presentation Overview Overview of ARC Centres of Excellence Applying for a 2017 Centre Key points on the process Key changes since 2014 round Selection criteria Personnel, organisations and budgets Other tips and timeline Questions Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

National Competitive Grants Program Discovery Program Linkage Program Australian Laureate Fellowships Future Fellowships Discovery Indigenous Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Discovery Projects ARC Centres of Excellence Co-funded Centres and Special Research Initiatives Industrial Transformation Research Hubs Industrial Transformation Training Centres Linkage Projects Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

ARC Linkage Program National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) Linkage Projects Industrial Transformation Research Program Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities ARC Centres of Excellence Co-Funded Centres Special Research Initiatives Linkage Learned Academies Special Projects Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Overview of ARC Centres of Excellence The ARC Centres of Excellence scheme was originally established in 2002 to support research intended to build national capability in areas of national importance and develop the scale and focus necessary for Australia to achieve international standing in those areas. The scheme funds world class, internationally competitive research teams investigating, and finding solutions to, challenging and important Australian and international problems. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

ARC NCGP funding by scheme 2006–2014

Previous statistics—2014 EOIs received EOIs shortlisted Full proposals received Number interviewed Successful proposals 103 24 22 12 Australian Government commitment of $284.9 million over seven years Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Overview of ARC Centres of Excellence ARC Centres of Excellence involve significant collaboration with: universities publicly funded research organisations other research bodies governments and businesses in all fields of research (except Medical Research) Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The ARC Centres of Excellence—objectives highly innovative and potentially transformational research interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches develop relationships and build new networks build Australia’s human capacity postgraduate and postdoctoral training large-scale problems over longer periods of time impact on wider community through interaction with universities, government, industry, private and non-profit sector Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Consultation and Feedback The ARC consulted the sector in November 2014 on various options for the 2017 round through a formal consultation paper The findings of the mid-term reviews for CE11 in 2014 have provided valuable input ARC post-award business following the establishment of CE14 has also informed the 2017 round Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Key changes since 2014 Major changes Minor changes Revisions to scheme objectives and selection criteria New Eligible Organisations—Torrens University Australia and AIATSIS Increases in maximum funding level to $5 million per annum and salary on-costs to 30% CI eligibility aligned with other ARC schemes Inclusion of external peer review at Expression of Interest stage Minimum time commitment of 0.2 FTE for CIs Clarification on commitments from participating organisations Clarification on better practice in governance and expectations of outstanding leadership Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The process—key participants Organisations Administering Organisations Other Eligible Organisations Partner Organisations The collaboration of these organisations must form a national entity, not a distributed network Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Current Centres of Excellence—Collaborations Centre of Excellence Australian Org. International Higher Ed. Government

The process—key participants (2) Personnel Centre Director Chief Investigators Partner Investigators A Centre may also involve other participants with more informal arrangements (for example, Associate Investigators) Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The process of applying for a Centre Competitive three stage process for applications Expressions of Interest external expert assessment/rejoinder (new) shortlisted by Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) Full Proposal external expert assessment/rejoinder SAC shortlists Proposals for interview phase Interviews in Canberra with SAC Proposed Centre Director, key researchers DVCR The SAC will make recommendations to ARC CEO for Ministerial approval Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The process—key changes No budget will be required for EOIs EOIs will be externally peer reviewed to improve applicant feedback and increase the robustness of expert advice One ‘Request Not To Assess’ submission to cover both EOI and full Proposal assessment process Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The process—cross scheme eligibility Note the revised definition of ARC Research Centres Program and its exclusions of certain initiatives: ARC Research Centres Program means a research centre wholly or partly funded by the ARC and includes ARC Centres of Excellence, Co-funded Centres and specific ARC Special Research Initiatives (excluding Initiatives providing funding for Synchrotron Science, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers’ Network and Type 1 Diabetes) Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The process – cross scheme eligibility – limits of grants held The ARC has allowed researchers to retain all grants/Fellowships/Awards held or Proposals submitted through other ARC funding schemes until the outcome of the ARC Centres of Excellence Proposal is publicly known. If the Centre Proposal is successful, the relevant Centre Director and Chief Investigators will be required to relinquish projects to comply with specified limits of permissible grants held. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The process – duplication of research The ARC will initially allow researchers to submit proposals to and hold grants in other ARC schemes. Researchers, however, will need to identify those projects which overlap or duplicate the research program proposed in the Centre Proposal and explain to the ARC that if the Centre Proposal is successful: the projects which overlap with the Centre Proposal will be relinquished; or the projects may be retained if they demonstrate compliance with stated eligibility and duplication requirements in the Funding Rules. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The selection criteria One set of selection criteria but there are different weightings for EOIs and full Proposals The selection criteria have been revised Expression of Interest Selection Criteria EOI Weighting A. Research program – quality and innovation 70% B. Investigators 30% Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

The selection criteria (2) Full Proposal Selection Criteria Weighting A. Research program – quality and innovation 20% B. Investigators C. Institutional support D. Governance, leadership and mentoring E. Outcomes and linkages Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Key matters relating to personnel Centre Directors commit a minimum of 70% (0.7 FTE) of their time be employed by Administering Organisation at time of Centre commencement A Centre Director can only be nominated for that role on one EOI/full Proposal A Centre Director must demonstrate outstanding leadership Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Key matters relating to personnel (2) Chief Investigators and Partner Investigators CI must be an employee for at least 20% (0.2 FTE) at an Eligible Organisation CI must commit a minimum of 20% (0.2 FTE) to the activities of the Centre What will be the contribution of the Centre Director, Chief Investigators and Partner Investigators to the proposed research program and do they have appropriate capacity and commitment to the Program? Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Other Eligible Organisations An EOI or Proposal must include one or more Other Eligible Organisations (see section A15 of the Funding Rules for list of eligible organisations) There must be a significant contribution of cash and/or in-kind contributions and/or other material resources from the Other Eligible Organisation(s) The ARC is not prescriptive as to the type or level of contribution. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Partner Organisations An EOI or Proposal must include one or more Partner Organisations A Partner Organisation must not be an Eligible Organisation, or a controlled entity, or an entity (for example a joint venture) where more than 50% is owned by one or more Eligible Organisations. There must be a significant contribution of cash and/or in-kind Contributions and/or other material resources from the Partner Organisation(s). The ARC is not prescriptive as to the type or level of contribution. Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Changes to Funding Agreement in the 2017 Round (1) Please read the Funding Agreement as there have been changes to the administrative and operational process: Strategic Planning Equity Plan Advisory Committees Use of Discretionary Expenditure Associate Investigators Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Changes to Funding Agreement in the 2017 Round (2) Cross-discipline, Cross-node Research Program Capacity Building and Training Communication, Education and Outreach Plan CE11 Centres—a word on rebids Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Research Impact Research Impact means the demonstrable contribution that research makes to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions to academia It is included in objectives and selection criteria The ARC is seeking better communication about research outcomes Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Research Impact Pathways Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Benefits Research income   Staff Background IP Infrastructure Collections Research Work and Training Workshop/Conference Organising Facility Use Membership of Learned Societies and Academies Community and Stakeholder Engagement Publications including E-Publications Additions to National Collections New IP: Patents and Inventions Policy Briefings Media Commercial Products, Licences and Revenue New Companies – Spin offs, Start Ups or Joint Ventures Job Creation Implementation of Programs and Policy Citations Integration into Policy Economic, Health, Social, Cultural, Environmental, National Security, Quality of Life, Public Policy or Services Higher Quality Workforce Risk Reduction in Decision Making *Items listed above are high level examples that may assist with the development of a Research Plan and in understanding your Research Impact Pathway Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Tips for new players! Track records: success is important. The ARC is looking for the best people to conduct research and capacity building in the future Collaborations, linkages, networks: the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

Tips for new players! (2) Objectives of the scheme: think carefully about the objectives and how you address them Research program: well thought out and developed—workshopping with relevant parties Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

ARC Centres of Excellence Timeline Work with the proposed Administering Organisation – Research Office Regularly monitor the indicative dates on Centres page on ARC website ARC Centres of Excellence Key Indicative Dates Expression of Interest open 3 June Expression of Interest close 22 July Rejoinders open and close 21 August–31 August Proposals open 7 October Proposals close 16 December 3 March–17 March Interviews 16 May–20 May

Forthcoming discussion topics ARC peer review process—presentations now happening Release of new ARC Research Integrity and Misconduct Policy Introduction of ORCID in future grant proposals Web: arc.gov.au I Email: centres@arc.gov.au

ARC Centres of Excellence