The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences expresses concern regarding the news that Ministerial veto was applied to grants worth $4.2 million, which had been recommended for funding by the Australia Research Council, without communication of this decision or the reason for it to the applicants or their institutions.
The grants had been recommended for funding by the ARC, following rigorous peer review. This robust, independent process underpins the integrity of the research funding system.
The ARC funds valuable research across disciplines – indeed, many of the world’s most pressing challenges will only be solved through solutions that draw on insights and expertise from multiple fields.
Review by independent experts should remain the principal basis for decisions on competitive research funding.