NHMRC is one of the organisations that may approve a body as an Approved Research Institute (ARI).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is responsible for the administration of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth) (ITAA 1936).
NHMRC is an approving authority pursuant to section 73A(6) of the ITAA 1936. Under that provision, NHMRC assesses whether entities (a university, college, institute, association or organisation) applying for ARI status are undertaking scientific research which is, or may prove to be, of value to Australia.
Under this provision, scientific research means any activities in the field of natural or applied science for the extension of knowledge.
NHMRC uses the ATO Guidelines for Approved Research Institutes (the Guidelines) to assess if an entity is undertaking scientific research which is, or may prove to be, of value to Australia. The Guidelines specify that to gain ARI approval an entity must (among other things) have a suitably qualified research committee that evaluates the merits of proposed research programs and determines how any research funds held are applied to research purposes.
Initial request to become an Approved Research Institute
Applications for ARI status must be submitted directly to the ATO:
Australian Taxation Office
PO Box 3373
PENRITH NSW 2740
The full requirements that the entity must satisfy to be approved as an ARI are set out in the Guidelines for Approved Research Institutes.
The ATO will undertake a preliminary assessment of applications. Applications will then be forwarded to NHMRC for substantive assessment if the applicant’s field of research is congruent with NHMRC’s expertise/functions.
Once the application has been assessed and finalised, the ATO will notify the applicant of the outcome.
Applications submitted directly to NHMRC will not be assessed.
Variation to research committee membership
Membership of a research committee, including variation to its composition, is subject to the prior approval of the approving authority.
All requests to vary the membership to the ARI’s research committee must be sent directly to NHMRC for approval (if it was the original approving authority).
The requirements for an ARI’s research committee are detailed in the Guidelines for Approved Research Institutes.
Requests to vary an ARI’s research committee must contain the following information:
- name of the ARI
- name of the research committee
- name/s of the members being replaced/resigning
- name/s of the proposed new members
- a CV for each proposed new member, including:
- list of academic qualifications
- list of professional appointments
- information outlining a proven ability to direct a research program
- signed statement from each proposed member agreeing to serve on the research committee
- signed consent from all other research committee members, or approving board, endorsing the proposed new members.
Please send all research committee membership variation requests to administering.institutions@nhmrc.gov.au.
NHMRC will contact the ARI directly with the outcome of the variation request or if further information is required.
Use of NHMRC’s name and logo
NHMRC’s approval of an ARI is not an authorisation for the ARI to use NHMRC’s name, logo or branding in any public communications or statements including in online materials or social media platforms.
