Steps to safeguard grant funding applauded

Science & Technology Australia (STA) has responded to last week’s review of the Australian Research Council (ARC), calling it a comprehensive, thoughtful blueprint for modernisation of the key grants funding agency.

The review’s recommendations include applying tighter guardrails to prevent future political interference in awarding grants, safeguarding discovery research funding, a transformative shift to a two-stage application process, and deeper engagement with Indigenous researchers and communities.

STA — which represents more than 115,000 scientists and technologists nationwide — commended the review panel on its legislative and regulatory recommendations to strengthen ARC operations and independence.

“The ARC plays a crucial role in supporting Australia’s economy-boosting research sector. We’re delighted to see the expert panel have listened to the challenges faced by the sector and responded thoughtfully and cleverly,” said STA CEO Misha Schubert.

“The proposed changes would create stronger guardrails to prevent future political interference in the awarding of grants, safeguard the crucial investment in discovery breakthroughs, and profoundly relieve one of the major stresses on Australia’s research workforce.

“Shifting to a two-stage application would be a game changer for productivity, wellbeing and morale in Australia’s brilliant research workforce, which is why STA has championed this shift for several years.

“It can free up researchers who currently spend hundreds of hours writing full funding applications — when around only one in five of those applications gets funded.

“We also welcome the recommendations to create stronger guardrails against political interference in awarding research grants, and to safeguard Australia’s investments in discovery breakthroughs.”

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