Science and Research Priorities
In May 2015 the Australian Government identified nine Science and Research Priorities: food, soil and water, transport, cybersecurity, energy, resources, advanced manufacturing, environmental change and health. The ARC supports the Australian Government's Science and Research Priorities by funding the highest quality research and research training under the NCGP, to build Australia's capacity in these areas.
In October 2018 the Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Education (Minister Tehan), requested that the ARC CEO review the ARC's implementation of the National Science and Research Priorities, as they relate to the NCGP. The ARC Research Priorities Panel was established to assist in the review. The ARC distributed a discussion paper for feedback, and consulted with key stakeholders within the research and innovation sector.
National Interest Test
In October 2018 the Australian Government announced the introduction of a National Interest Test to all NCGP schemes. The National Interest Test requires applicants to clearly articulate how their research will deliver economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits to the Australian community.
The National Interest Test provides further assurance to the Australian public that ARC funding is supporting research that returns substantive outcomes to the nation.
Inquiry into Funding Australia's Research
On 9 May 2018 the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training launched an inquiry into the efficiency, effectiveness and coherency of Australian Government research funding. The inquiry focused on federally funded research agencies, their funding mechanisms and collaborative university research. The inquiry did not consider funding administered through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The ARC provided a submission to the inquiry. The Committee tabled its report—titled Australian Government Funding Arrangements for non-NHMRC Research—on 27 November 2018. The Committee made 15 recommendations in its report, including a number directly relevant to the ARC.
STEM and Gender
On 1 April 2019 the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering launched the Women in STEM Decadal Plan, which was funded by the Australian Government. It outlined six opportunities to strengthen gender equity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Australia over the next 10 years. This included the establishment of a national evaluation framework to guide decision-making and drive investment in STEM measures that work. The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews MP, subsequently released the Advancing Women in STEM Strategy, which set out the Australian Government's vision to improve the participation of women across all STEM fields. The ARC provided input to support the development of both documents.
The ARC implements policies that support women researchers in all disciplines, including both STEM and the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS). These include the provision of paid maternity leave and part-time opportunities to researchers under certain NCGP fellowships and awards, as well as the development of assessment criteria that consider career interruptions and caring responsibilities. The ARC also administers the Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellowships, which fund recipients to engage in ambassadorial work supporting the female STEM and HASS research workforce.
Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan
The Australian Government's 2016 Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan called for a revitalisation of Antarctic science through the implementation of a coordinated Antarctic science funding model. To progress this, the Department of the Environment and Energy commissioned the Australian Antarctic Science Program Governance Review to examine the governance arrangements supporting the Australian Antarctic Science Program, and to provide advice on a new model. This review made nine recommendations centred on institutionalising long-term collaborative science, ensuring coherent science leadership, integrating strategy and planning, and streamlining administration.
As part of its response to the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan, the Australian Government announced $56 million of funding over seven years to support the work of Antarctic researchers in Australian universities through the ARC's Excellence in Antarctic Science round under the SRI scheme. The grant will support examinations of the strategic, economic, scientific and environmental significance of Antarctica to Australia. It will foster collaboration between Australian researchers, and national and international stakeholders.