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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. ARC NCGP funding by scheme 2006–2014

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. ARC Centres of Excellence