April 4, 2025

Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program Discussion Paper – IRU Response

The IRU supports many of the objectives of the proposed NBGP model, but recommends delaying the NCGP restructure until after a full response by Government to the Australian Universities Accord Final Report (the Accord) and the Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD). This will allow for the NCGP to be structured in alignment with Government plans for the whole R&D system, and allow further consultation with the sector on discrepancies between the proposed model and feedback on the previous 2024 Policy Review.

The IRU recommends that the ARC continue to work to improve consistency and reduce complexity in NCGP grant administration, and ensure peer review remains fit for purpose. Transitioning to a new NCGP model must not distract from ongoing work to make better use of the ARC’s expertise to demonstrate the value of public funded research and develop an impact evaluation framework.

Recommendations

1. The IRU supports the objective to target more support for ECRs and Indigenous research(ers).
2. The IRU supports immediate work to improve consistency and reduce complexity in NCGP grant administration and ensure peer review remains fit for purpose.
3. The IRU supports making better use of the ARC’s expertise to demonstrate the value of public funded research, including through a National Research Evaluation and Impact Framework.
4. The IRU does not support restructuring the NCGP funding schemes in advance of a full government response to the Accord and SERD, and further consultation with the sector.

Read the full submission here.