Research performance and research capability. 5.1.1 Commonwealth objectives The Commonwealth encourages excellence in research performance and the strengthening of research capability. Particular objectives are to: progressively increase the number of research groups performing at world class levels, as measured by international performance benchmarks; and promote collaboration, amongst universities, across sectors, between researchers and industry Australia and internationally. The Commonwealth, through the Australian Research Council (ARC), conducts the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) which evaluates the quality of research undertaken at Australian universities by discipline against international benchmarks. ERA is used to assist in determining funding in the Sustainable Research Excellence in Universities program administered by the Commonwealth.
