NCGP Scrutiny Committee
The National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) Scrutiny Committee was established to independently review the processes followed by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in the administration of NCGP applications submitted by Selection Advisory Committee (SAC) members and/or ARC staff members.
In doing so, the Committee will be in a position to assist the ARC in meeting its obligations with regard to procedural fairness as detailed in APS Values Framework Section 2.6 ‘Working with the Public’ published by the Australian Public Service Commission (Appendix A), and legislative framework governing the ARC, including:
- Australian Research Council Act 2001
- Freedom of Information Act 1982
- Privacy Act 1988
- Public Service Act 1999
- Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013
- Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
The Scrutiny Committee’s functions and responsibilities are to:
- Scrutinise the probity of ARC assessment processes in relation to funding applications involving members of the ARC Selection Advisory Committees and/or ARC staff
- Ensure ARC staff are operating in accordance with relevant procedures
- Provide advice to the ARC in relation to how the administrative processes could be modified or improved.
In carrying out Committee functions and responsibilities, members are required to review the administration of each member application. They will:
- exercise the highest standard of ethical conduct
- be scrupulously honest and exercise all due care and diligence in the performance of their duty
- consider the evidence before them without bias towards the ARC or the Applicant
- maintain the confidentiality of information made available and of the Committee
- declare any conflicts of interests with a case
The Committee has four members appointed by the ARC CEO. Three members are required for each meeting. One member will be appointed as Chair for each meeting.