The Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training has today tabled its report, Australian Government Funding Arrangements for non-NHMRC research.
The report identifies ways to simplify research funding application and assessment processes, particularly for university researchers.
Committee Chair Mr Andrew Laming MP said, 'Australian researchers spend a great deal of time and effort applying for competitive research funding. Time spent applying for research funding, is less time available to conduct world-class research.'
The Committee has made 15 recommendations in its report. The key recommendation is the introduction of a central online research management system for all Commonwealth grant programs, and a two-stage application process which favours the strength and merit of research ideas.
Mr Laming said, 'the Committee's recommendations aim to reduce the large volume of information required to support a research funding application. The recommendations emphasise the need to make use of existing data sources and information, improve document uniformity, and level the playing field for under-represented researchers. This includes early and mid-career researchers, women, minority groups, Indigenous researchers and rural and regional universities.'
The report also calls for a more strategic approach to Australia's research investment, including investment and participation in international research funds.
The Committee received 97 submissions to its inquiry, and held four public hearings in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
