This document provides guidance for project partners contributing to ARDC co-investment projects. It outlines expectations for cash and in-kind contributions and addresses common questions regarding project reporting and eligibility. Any specific questions related to project co-investment reporting should be directed to [email protected].
Under the National Research Infrastructure (NRI) Investment Principles outlined in the 2021 Research Infrastructure Roadmap, all investments are expected to encourage and leverage co-investment from Commonwealth, state and territory governments, universities, and the public and private sectors.
Co-investment is a critical contributor to project success. It reflects partner commitment to accessing and sustaining world-class research infrastructure and helps demonstrate the sector’s collective support to governments. These contributions ensure that project outcomes are mutually beneficial and impactful, aligning with ARDC’s strategic investment priorities.
The ARDC seeks to foster long-term partnerships through co-investment, where both ARDC and its partners contribute resources, expertise, and sustained effort beyond the initial funding. As an NCRIS-funded capability, ARDC seeks a minimum of 1:1 co-investment ratio – attracting a minimum of $1 of eligible partner co-investment for every $1 of NCRIS funding received.
However, ARDC recognises that partner constraints might require flexibility in our approach to co-investment. Reductions in co-investment will be considered by exception, taking into account partner circumstances and project value.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum 1:1 co-investment ratio | Partners should match ARDC investment with equal value of cash and/or in-kind support, with flexibility for exceptional circumstances. |
| Planning | All contributions must be agreed during project setup in consultation with ARDC. |
| Eligibility | Contributions must align with 2025 NCRIS Guidelines and support project objectives. |
| Financial reporting | Annual and final (whole-of-life) financial acquittals will be required. |
| Validation | All contributions must be documented and verifiable. Satisfactory written evidence of contributions can be requested by the ARDC as per Schedule 2, Item 3 ‘Other Contributions’ of ARDC’s standard subcontractor agreement. |
At the ARDC, we support Australia’s research and innovation ecosystem by enabling excellence in the creation, analysis, and retention of high-quality data assets.
ARDC co-investment projects:
ARDC’s contribution is partly in the form of cash investment, which may only be applied to eligible activities as defined by the 2025 NCRIS Guidelines. These eligibility criteria may be updated by the government over time. In addition, ARDC’s contribution will also include a range of technical, program and project management, expertise and operational staff to support the successful delivery of the project.
Partner co-investment may be provided as cash, in-kind, or a combination of both. All contributions must be agreed upon during the project planning stage in consultation with ARDC staff. It is the responsibility of each contributing organisation to ensure compliance with any relevant funding rules.
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cash co-investment | Direct financial contributions where actual money leaves the contributing organisation to support the project. Must be validated and acquitted. |
| In-kind co-investment | Non-cash resources that directly support the project’s delivery and objectives. Must be validated and acquitted. |
Partners must provide an annual and final (whole of life) acquitted financial statement through to the end of the project which includes reporting on all forms of co-investment.
Direct financial contributions where actual money leaves the contributing organisation to support the project
Non-cash resources that directly support the project’s delivery and objectives
Partners must provide comprehensive reporting on all co-investment contributions through:
Recognising the administrative burden of reporting small contributions across multiple partners, ARDC applies the following principles:
Co-investment must be validated and ARDC reserves the right to request clarification or supporting documentation at any time. All contributions must be documented and verifiable.
The ARDC collects and reports on the uptake and adoption of national scale infrastructure, standards, frameworks and models, skills and training, and policy and strategy contributions delivered via its co-investment projects and programs.
ARDC tracks ongoing outcomes through post-project reporting. While ARDC cannot enforce reporting obligations beyond a project’s contracted end date, partners are requested to continue contributing to reporting and impact assessments to demonstrate the ongoing success and delivery of national scale infrastructures and services. This is critical to highlight the need for ongoing government and industry investment in NCRIS.
ARDC recognises that partner circumstances might change during project lifecycles. We are committed to working collaboratively with partners to:
Partners experiencing difficulties meeting co-investment commitments should contact the ARDC Contracts team early to discuss potential solutions.
For questions related to co-investment planning or reporting, contact [email protected].
