Major funding for research infrastructure comes from the Commonwealth Government through two components: The Research Infrastructure Block Grants Scheme (RIBG); and Linkage—Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF). 

The Research Infrastructure Block Grants Scheme 

RIBG provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to eligible HEPs to enhance the development and maintenance of research infrastructure.

The objectives of RIBG are to:

• enhance the development and maintenance of research infrastructure in HEPs for the support of high quality research in all disciplines
• meet project-related infrastructure costs associated with Australian Competitive Grants
• remedy deficiencies in current research infrastructure
• ensure that areas of recognised research potential, in which HEPs have taken steps to initiate high quality research activity, have access to the support necessary for development.

Further information can be found at the RIBG webpage.

 

 

Linkage—Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities

 

The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme fosters collaboration through its support of the cooperative use of national and international research facilities.

Essentially, the scheme provides funding for large-scale cooperative initiatives so that expensive infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared by researchers in partnered organisations. However, the ARC may fund single-organisation proposals in some circumstances.

Further information can be found at ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities.