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Strategic Plan 2009–10 to 2011–12

• Foreword
• About the ARC
• Our Mission
• Guiding Principles
• Operating Environment
• National Innovation Priorities
• National Research Priorities
• ARC Key Objectives
• Appendix: Additional Information
• Acronyms
• Feedback

Under the Australian Research Council Act 2001, the ARC must prepare a strategic plan each year for the approval of the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

The ARC Strategic Plan 2009–10 to 2011–12 was released in August 2009. The Plan has been developed in consultation with the ARC Advisory Council and staff.

A Message from the Minister

In May this year, I released Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century, which outlines the Australian Government’s plans to revitalise the national innovation system. The Australian Research Council is critical to those plans, and critical to the system itself. It is not only one of our most important public research funding bodies; it is also a force for change and renewal.

The period from 2009–10 to 2011–12 covered by this Strategic Plan will be significant for Australian research and innovation. Our best chance of recovering quickly from the global downturn and laying the foundations for future prosperity is to go on investing in new ideas, even when times are tough. That is the Government’s strategy, and the Australian Research Council is helping us deliver it.

The Australian Research Council is responsible for a large share of Australia’s investment in research and development, especially through the National Competitive Grants Program. The Government also relies on it to manage special projects such as the Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative inspired by the Australia 2020 Summit.

The Australian Research Council is also driving reform in the university research sector by developing and implementing Excellence in Research for Australia. ERA will measure Australia’s research performance against international benchmarks. It will lift the quality of Australian research and identify opportunities for further development.

I look forward to following the execution of this Strategic Plan and to seeing the real difference it will make to Australia’s innovation system.

Senator Kim Carr
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
July 2009

ARC Contact

Past strategic plans can be obtained by emailing communications@arc.gov.au.