Our members, Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, undertake research that adds to Australia’s stock of knowledge, and to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing. To remain at the forefront of global advances, Australia needs a competitive research grants system that is fit for purpose. UA acknowledges the ARC’s efforts to ensure we have a rigorous and robust program which supports excellence and delivers benefit to the nation.
UA believes we have a system which has served us well for its intended purpose but recommends the ARC to focus more on the following areas:
- Prioritising basic research (section 1),
- Streamlining the NCGP schemes (section 2),
- Supporting early career researchers (section 3) and greater diversity among grant recipients (section 4),
- Reducing administrative burden on researchers and research offices pre and post award
(section 5), and - Looking at better models for promoting research impact (section 6).
