Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01376:body:0:p4
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instrument current as at the date of signing by the Minister and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the ARC Act in force at that date.

2.                     About the grant program
2.1.                  The Linkage Program is one of two Programs under the ARC National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP).

Objectives
2.2.                  The Linkage Program supports the growth of research partnerships between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors in Australia and overseas for projects that generate new knowledge, technologies and innovations.
2.3.                  The purpose of the Linkage Program is to promote national and international research partnerships between researchers and business, industry, community organisations and other publicly funded research agencies. By supporting the development of partnerships, the ARC encourages the transfer of skills, knowledge and ideas as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research.
2.4.                  The Linkage Program aims to encourage and extend cooperative approaches to research and improve the use of research outcomes by strengthening links within Australia's innovation system and with innovation systems internationally.
2.5.                  The objectives of the Linkage Program are to deliver outcomes of benefit to Australia and build Australia's research and innovation capacity through support for:
          1. collaborative research between university-based researchers and researchers in other sectors;
         b.              research training and career opportunities that enable Australian and international researchers and research students to work with industry and other end-users; and
         c.              research in priority areas.
2.6.                  The grant opportunities currently available under the Linkage Program are:
          1. ITRP comprising:
            -                 Industrial Transformation Research Hubs (Research Hubs);
            -                 Industrial Transformation Training Centres (Training Centres);
         b.              Linkage Projects;
         c.              Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF);
         d.              ARC Centres of Excellence;
         e.              Special Research Initiatives;
         f.               Learned Academies Special Projects (LASP); and
         g.              Supporting Responses to Commonwealth Science Council Priorities.

Intended Outcome
2.7.                  The intended outcome of the Linkage Program is to increase Australia's research and innovation capacity to generate new knowledge and result in the development of new technologies, products and ideas, the creation of jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia.

Linkage Program scope and timeframes
2.8.                  Linkage Program grants are awarded on the basis of excellence through a competitive peer review process for each grant opportunity.
2.9.                  Depending on the grant opportunity, Linkage Program grant applications will be accepted once a year, on a continuous basis, or as required.
2.10.              These grant guidelines will be in effect from the date the Minister signs these grant guidelines.

Key performance indicators
2.11.              The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Linkage Program are identified each year in the ARC Portfolio Budget Statements and the ARC corporate plan. Reporting is provided every year in Our annual report.
2.12.              The KPIs focus