10 Consultation 10.1 The proposals outlined in this paper represent a major agenda for reform in the funding of university research and research training in Australia. The Government is firmly committed to the broad framework presented above. 10.2 At the same time, the Government is committed to ensuring an orderly period of transition to the new arrangements and sufficient lead times to ensure that all affected by the proposals have an opportunity to adapt to the new environment and adjust their strategies accordingly. The proposals concerning the funding of research training and the allocation of block research funds, in particular, entail a significant change in how funding is allocated, and under what ground rules. The implications of these changes for the strategies and priorities of many institutions are likely to be significant and institutions will need time to adapt to the new pattern of incentives. 10.3 There are also important matters of detail which will need to be resolved during the consultation process, including the composition of indices for the allocation of funds and the working of the portable scholarship scheme. To aid the consultation process, more detailed outlines of the proposed new arrangements are presented in Attachments C and D. 10.4 Before the Government finalises its decisions on the reforms outlined in this paper, the Department and the Australian Research Council will engage in a process of consultation with universities, researchers and students, as well as other interested parties. Profiles discussions later in 1999 will also provide an appropriate forum for consultation with institutions on some issues. 10.5 Written comments on the proposals outlined in this paper are invited by 1 October 1999. They should be sent to: Assistant Secretary |
| Contents & Foreword 1 Higher education research: a national investment 2 Vision and principles for reform 3 Roles and responsibilities for action 4 Reforming competitive programmes 5 Improving institutional management of research & research training 6 Improving research training 7 A new framework for university research 8 The role of the Australian Research Council 9 Implementation 10 Consultation Attachment A: Current funding arrangements Attachment B: Mapping of existing programmes to new programme structure Attachment C: Changes to the Australian Research Council's referred programmes and organisational arrangments Attachment D: new programme for research and research training to be administered by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs |
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