Funding Implications
Data collected through the University’s RAI process is reported annually to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) in accordance with the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) specifications. Further information about the HERDC and RAI is available here.
According to the ERA Trial Submission Guidelines, HERDC will continue to inform research block grant allocations until such a time that the Australian Government considers and implements any new mechanism. If in the future, however, the Government decides to use information submitted as part of ERA and/or ERA outcomes to inform block grants or other allocation mechanisms, ERA-sourced information will not be used in this manner without prior consultation with eligible institutions.
Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE)
In July 2009, DIISR released an issues paper regarding a new Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE) initiative.
SRE will augment the existing Research Infrastructure Block Grants (RIBG) Scheme funding – $510 million will be available over four years to support universities in meeting the indirect costs of Australian Competitive Grant research activities. All universities will receive an increase in the formula-based allocation, using 20% of the funding. Access to the remaining 80% will be contingent on universities undertaking transparent costing as well as agreeing to participate in ERA.
Further information about the SRE is available on the DIISR website.