Probity guidelines
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Assessment objective and probity risks
This document sets out the probity guidelines to assess science applications including a competitive grant process against established criteria and recommend to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment Water Populations and Communities (the Minister) appropriate proposals to undertake research under the Australian Antarctic Science Program (AASP).
These guidelines are relevant for all people involved in providing advice to, and/or involved in the assessment of Australian Antarctic Science applications.
Hereafter, reference to the AAD refers to the Australian Antarctic Division within the Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities; reference to SP&C refers to Science Planning and Coordination, a section of the AAD science branch responsible for managing the AASP.
During the assessment process, discussions between applicants, the AAD and assessors will be undertaken in line with the probity guidelines.
As the AAD needs to both help applicants understand its research and policy interests and conduct a fair and equitable application and grants process, care needs to be taken to ensure effective implementation of the probity guidelines. High probity risk areas are identified as: the assessment process; the collaborative requirements of the program; and procedural grievances by unsuccessful applicants. These risk areas are the primary focus of these probity guidelines.
1.2 Background
AASP is a public good research program directed primarily towards research which the Australian Government, particularly the AAD, needs to inform environmental policy and decisions, both in the short term and into the future.
The AASP will be directed towards research outlined in the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan 2011–12 to 2020–21.
Applications will undergo a two-stage assessment process. Guidelines for the assessment are available.
