This week DASSH members gathered to provide feedback on how the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities could be better represented in the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP).
The policy review examines fundamental settings of Australia’s research grant schemes. The release of the ARC’s Discussion Paper: A New Plan for ARC-Funded Research proposes significant changes to the current model including a complete reconfiguration of grant schemes and streamlining processes.
Launched in 2024, stakeholders are invited to respond to the paper to ensure that the NCGP is effective and enhances research capabilities in Australia. In consultation with members, DASSH put forward a number of recommendations to the ARC:
- More funding for pure and applied research
- Expand funding arrangements to better support research translation
- Greater recognition of wider research impacts and the value of novel contributions to knowledge
- Expand the largely STEM-based research priorities within industrial transformation schemes
- Adopt a stronger interdisciplinary focus
- Ensure that the eligibility and assessment criteria for funding schemes properly aligns with the different stages of academic careers
- Greater support for Indigenous researchers through a dedicated funding scheme
- Further refinement of the EOI process
DASSH is building on these recommendations based on current member feedback to make a comprehensive submission ensuring that the impacts of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities research are clearly recognised and understood.
Stay tuned for more updates about our 2025 Submission soon!