Overview of the Research Block Grants
In 2012, $1.63 billion is being provided to eligible Australian higher education providers (HEP) as block grants for research and research training, through a number of performance-based schemes. Research block grants (RBG) are allocated according to performance based formula and are independent of funding for specific research projects, programs, or fellowships. HEPs have considerable autonomy in deciding what research projects, personnel, equipment and infrastructure this funding should support. Frequently asked questions have been provided to assist with your enquiry or contact RBGrants@innovation.gov.au.
The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) manages six schemes to support research and research training in Australian HEPs:
Important note: Payments are made to HEPs who administer the schemes on behalf of DIISRTE. Individual students or researchers need to approach their HEP to obtain funding support.
How Research Block Grants are authorised
The schemes are established by the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and can only fund eligible HEPs listed in Table A or Table B of HESA, Division 16. HEPs receive a single annual funding amount (block) for each scheme and are responsible for administering the schemes on behalf of DIISRTE within broad guidelines. The guidelines and conditions of grant can be found on the scheme web pages listed above.
2012 HERDC, CTS and Rollover SmartForms (for the collection of 2011 data)
Adobe SmartForms for the reporting of 2011 HERDC research income, publications, and CTS non-financial data are now available. HEPs are also required to request rollover of funding through the Request for Rollover SmartForm. Returns for all information are due by 30 June 2012 as per the HERDC Specifications and conditions of grant for each scheme.
Research Income and Publications
CTS Non-Financial
Request for Rollover
Grant Amounts
Principles for Joint Higher Degrees by Research
In November 2010, the department established a working group to consider impediments to jointly reporting the completion of a higher degree by research (HDR) student concurrently enrolled at two Australian HEPs. As an outcome of this consultation, a document has been developed that provides guidance to HEPs for managing joint HDRs. The document also outlines new provisions for reporting a student completion from a joint HDR.
- Principles for Joint Higher Degrees by Research Between Australian HEPs [
PDF 128KB] [
RTF 747KB]
Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC)
The department has released the 2012 HERDC Specifications for the collection of 2011 data.
How Research Block Grants are calculated
Funding for each scheme is calculated by a formula using some combination of the following inputs:
- Research student total load
- Research student total completions
- Research income
- Research publications
- Previous program payments
Important note: The formulae calculate each HEPs percentage share of the total available funds - they do not assign dollar values to the inputs and aggregate them to determine funding.
Detailed information on all the scheme formulae can be found on the Research Block Grants Calculation Methodology page. All data inputs are sourced from the Higher Education Research Data Collection or the Higher Education Student Data Collection.
Research Block Grants Data
Important Links
Historical Research Block Grant Schemes