ARC grants programme ‘should back fresh thinking and potential’

Humanities deans want better balance between track record and creativity in Australian Research Council grants

Australian Research Council grants should be subject to restrictions on how long individual researchers can rely on them, the Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities has said.

The ARC is conducting an internal review of its National Competitive Grants Program. In the deans’ submission on 17 March, they say that for the programme to support research that breaks new ground, a better balance is needed between established research and creative ideas, methods and approaches. “Currently, there is too much emphasis on track record and not enough on fresh thinking and potential,” the deans say.