Australian Research Council [II] (2001 - )

Summary

On 1 July 2001 the Australian Research Council [II] (ARC), a Commonwealth entity, was established as an independent body under the Australian Research Council Act 2001, reporting to the Minister for Education [or relevant minister]. The ARC's purpose was to help shape Australian research for the nation's economic, social, environmental and cultural benefit by enabling excellent research; evaluating the excellence, impact and depth of Australian research; providing expert advice and research grants services; supporting research integrity and promoting ethical research. The Australian Research Council is directly descended from the 1965 Australian Research Grants Committee (ARGC). ARC has functions which date to the 1946 Commonwealth Universities Research Grants Committee. The ARC became an independent body on 1 July 2001 under its own legislation, the Australian Research Council Act 2001, with a broader range of advisory functions and full administrative responsibility for the assessment of grant applications.

Details

Chronology

2002

Operational event - First funding outcomes of the Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities; Special Research Initiatives; Linkage Projects; Discovery Projects and; Discovery Indigenous Researcher Development schemes.

2003

Operational event - First funding outcomes of the Federation Fellowships and Centres of Excellence schemes.

2007

Operational event - The ARC takes responsibility of Excellence in Research Australia (ERA). The ARC Advisory Council is established.

2009

Operational event - The Australian Research Integrity Committee is established; the ARC Research Management System is launched; first funding outcomes of the Future Fellowships scheme and the Australian Laureate Fellowships schemes (replaced the Federation Fellowships scheme) are announced. The ERA 2009 trial is completed.

2010

Operational event - The first comprehensive ERA 2010 National Report is delivered.

2011

Operational event - First funding outcomes of the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award scheme.

2012

Operational event - First funding outcomes of the Discovery Indigenous scheme (replaced the Discovery Indigenous Researcher Development scheme) and the Industrial Transformation Research Program Research Hubs and Training Centres schemes. The ERA 2012 National Report is delivered.

2015

Operational event - The ERA2015 National Report is delivered. The ARC publishes its first Reconciliation Action Plan

2016

Operational event - The ARC introduces a continuous Linkage Project scheme

2018

Operational event - The inaugural round of Engagement and Impact (EI) takes place; ERA 2018 National Report; and the Gender and the Research Workforce Report delivered.

2020

Operational event - ARC Research Grants Services commences.

2022

Operational event - The Independent Review of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Review) commenced.

2023

Operational event - The Trusting Australia's Ability: Review of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 final report was released in April, with the Government's response following in August.

2024

Operational event - Amended ARC Act came into effect on 1 July 2024, including the commencement of the independent ARC Board as the new Accountable Authority of the ARC.

Related entries

Timeline

 1946 - 1965 Commonwealth Universities Research Grants Committee
       1965 - 1988 Australian Research Grants Committee
             1988 - 2001 Australian Research Council [I]
                   2001 - Australian Research Council [II]

Published resources

Books

• Australian Research Council, Research Integrity Policy (Canberra: Australian Research Council, Australian Government, 2023), https://www.arc.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/Att%20A%20ARC%20Research%20Integrity%20Policy.pdf. Details

Resources

• Australian Research Council, Profiles: Georgina Sweet Fellows, Australian Research Council, Australian Government, Canberra, 2026, https://www.arc.gov.au/profiles-georgina-sweet-fellows. Details