ATSE backs ARC reforms & urges Government to continue R&D overhaul
Australia’s tech and engineering academy has broadly welcomed proposed changes to the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program.
Australia’s tech and engineering academy has broadly welcomed proposed changes to the Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), describing them as an important step towards a more effective system to power national discovery and industrial advancement.
But the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) said the reforms must be accompanied by secure, long term research infrastructure funding, including for the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), to avoid leaving critical gaps in Australia's research ecosystem.
Quotes attributable to Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM FTSE FAA, ATSE President:
“These reforms are a positive step for Australian research. A simpler, more focused grants program means researchers can spend more time on discovery and innovation, and less time navigating a complex funding system.
“The NCGP is the backbone of Australia's fundamental research effort. Over time, it has taken on more to fill gaps elsewhere in the system. Bringing it back to its original purpose is the right move, while supporting opportunities for early career and Indigenous researchers.
“We note mid-career researchers will no longer have access to dedicated fellowships under these reforms. The NSTC report, which included a national STEM workforce survey of nearly 3,500 researchers, found job insecurity remains a significant barrier well into the mid-career stage, not just at entry level. ATSE is keen to continue to work with the ARC and Government to ensure mid-career researchers aren't left without a secure pathway as these reforms are implemented.
“Streamlining the NCGP doesn't remove the need for investment in the areas it can no longer support. Research infrastructure is essential if we want great Australian ideas to become new technologies, industries and solutions that benefit the community.
“We will continue to work constructively with the Federal Government to ensure any changes to the NCGP are aligned with the broader research and development ecosystem reforms underway, so Australia can turn world-class research into lasting economic and social impact.
“ATSE acknowledges the comprehensive stakeholder engagement undertaken by the ARC during the review of the NCGP.”
Additional background information — A summary of adopted recommendations from ATSE’s submission to the NCGP review discussion paper.
Recommendation |
Outcome |
| Engage with the expert panel of the Strategic Examination of Research and Development to ensure changes to the National Competitive Grants Program are aligned with the broader research and development ecosystem. | Adopted outside of this report |
| Ensure early career researchers have access to grant opportunities by guaranteeing allocations of the proposed Initiate and Breakthrough grants. | Adopted in spirit – ECR allocation was guaranteed through an additional separate scheme |
| Amend the proposed Initiate Grants to allow for a longer funding period. | Adopted – Initiate became Explore which has a 3-year limit rather than a 2-year limit |
| Redesign the Lead and Mentor Grants to allow greater support for early career researchers or redirect funding towards grant opportunities early career researchers can apply for. | Adopted – provided additional funding for postdocs and PhDs compared to draft version |
| Streamline grant application processes to reduce burdens on researchers. | Principle adopted but not outlined in the report – a future action for the ARC. |
13
MAY
2024
Submission to the Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program
ATSE’s submission makes 6 recommendations about using the NCGP to support research in Australia. ATSE argues for using the NCGP to champion underinvested in types of research, including fundamental, Interdisciplinary, null result and replication research. It calls for research funding to be moved towards 3% of GDP and calls for funding the full cost of research.
