The ARC wants to end the funding divide between basic and applied research in its major Discovery and Linkage schemes.
“Recognition of the complex creation of new knowledge and/or revisionist interpretation of evidence needs to be at the heart of future National Competitive Grant Programme scheme design” the council states in a new paper.
In particular, it argues that the existing divide “is not helpful” for supporting HASS research.
“There should be greater support for the important, but not always visible, work of researchers which can provide a launchpad for the tangible creation of value for the cultural, economic, environmental and social benefits for Australians,” the ARC announces.
The paper is based on submissions and consultations with unspecified stakeholders and proposes ten outcomes:
- simplify ARC schemes all covering pure basic, strategic basic and applied research
- “greater clarity” on strategic direction: in part to “better inform public discussion of the NCGP and the important role it plays in Australia’s research ecosystem” The ARC board will set strategy
- stronger monitoring of research performance and impact
- “more targeted support for under-represented groups: “examine how best to encourage more research proposals from them”
- build Indigenous research capacity and capability “from students through to senior scholars”: in particular through the ARC’s Indigenous Forum
- “drive and support” early stage research: it’s importance must be “better understood” Allow ECRs to be Investigators.
- tolerate greater risk: more support for potentially transformative research “that can, over time, help to address the complex and multifaceted challenges facing Australia”
- respond to priorities for research: from government and ARC
- *deeper collaboration: “across the research spectrum and between universities, disciplines, international partners and end-users of research”
- better links between ARC funded work and government/industry
The ARC proposes six schemes
Embedded: two-year fellowships, generally in a funded project
Initiate: “small project grants” for higher-risk, higher-reward research projects
Indigenous capability: small-medium EMCR grants in any discipline
Breakthrough: medium sized funding for all disciplines, to “build new knowledge and progress research innovation.
Collaborate: “multi-institutional programs of work with research infrastructure funds, involving end-user and/or international partners.” Will include infrastructure funding like the existing Linkage Grants LIEF scheme.
Lead and Mentor: similar to the purposes of the Sweet/Fitzpatrick programmes, which continue
Prioritise: “flagship grants” which “will establish national centres of excellence to support large-scale research of national and international scale and importance for Australia or aligned with a government priority”
There are also two-year fellowships, generally embedded in a funded project.
