Grants up to $500,000 per year to support high-quality research addressing knowledge gaps, fostering collaboration, and delivering economic, social, environmental, and cultural benefits across Australia.
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What is ARC Discovery Projects Grants (DPG)?
The Discovery Projects Grants (DPG), part of the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) National Competitive Grants Program, aim to support excellent basic, strategic, and applied research across all disciplines, excluding clinical and other medical research. The program encourages research projects that address significant gaps in knowledge and foster collaborations at both national and international levels, providing economic, social, and cultural benefits for Australia.
It has a two-stage application process:
- Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Stage 2: Full Application (invited only).
ARC Discovery Projects Grants level of support
- Funding range: $30,000 – $500,000 per year.
- Duration: Up to five consecutive years.
- No co-contribution is required. However, Administering Organisations and Other Organisations may choose to provide in-kind or cash support (e.g. staff time, facilities, or data access) to strengthen the application.
ARC Discovery Projects Grants important dates
- Close Date & Time: 12 December 2025 at 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
- EOI Outcomes Announced: 25 February to 27 February 2026
- Full Application Open: 2 March 2026
- Full Application Close: 22 April 2026
- Rejoinders: 23 June to 6 July 2026
- Anticipated announcement: 19 October to 30 October 2026
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
ARC Discovery Projects Grants objectives
The Discovery Projects Grant aims to:
- support excellent research addressing significant gaps in knowledge.
- foster national and international collaboration.
- build research capacity across Australian universities.
- deliver economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits.
Projects and expenditure eligible for ARC Discovery Projects Grants support
Eligible expenditure includes:
- Research personnel salaries (+30 % on-costs).
- HDR stipends (1.0 FTE).
- Teaching relief (up to $50 000 per CI per year).
- Essential equipment and software maintenance.
- Field research and associated travel costs.
- Carer support for essential travel.
Ineligible expenditure includes:
- Medical research (per ARC Medical Research Policy 2025).
- Experimental development.
- Contracted consultancies or low-innovation work.
- Teaching materials unless research-based.
- Capital works, infrastructure, and general facilities.
- Non-project costs (e.g. visas, relocation, entertainment, alcohol, mobile phones).
- Salaries for CIs or PIs.
- HDR stipends for CIs or PIs.
Other ARC Discovery Projects Grants important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for ARC Discovery Projects Grants support
- Applications accepted only from Eligible Organisations (listed in Appendix B of the program guidelines).
- Grants may be awarded to Adelaide University if named participants transfer from the former University of Adelaide or University of South Australia (UniSA) during the transition period.
- Applications must include at least one Chief Investigator (CI).
- CIs must:
-
- Be employed at ≥ 0.2 FTE or hold an honorary academic appointment at an Eligible Organisation.
- Reside in Australia for > 50 % of the project period (approved absences allowed).
- Not undertake a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) during the project.
-
Project limits for Chief Investigators (CIs):
-
- Max two projects as CI, or
- One ARC Fellowship + one project, or
- One Fellowship/project if also a Director on an ARC Centre of Excellence or Special Research Initiative.
ARC Discovery Projects Grants assessment criteria
EOI Stage (Weightings)
- Investigator(s) / Capability – 30 %
- Project Quality & Innovation – 70 %
Full Application Stage (Weightings)
- Investigator(s) / Capability – 30 %
- Project Quality & Innovation – 45 %
- Benefit – 15 %
- Feasibility – 10 %
Additional criteria for First Nations research:
- Collaboration, engagement and benefit sharing with First Nations communities.
- Indigenous research leadership and capacity building.
- Adherence to AIATSIS and NHMRC ethical guidelines.
- Compliance with Australian Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles (2018).
How do I get the ARC Discovery Projects Grants?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
- Provide complete information requirements.
To increase their chances of success, applicants should clearly demonstrate:
1. Strong investigator capability:
- A track record of high-quality research outputs relevant to the discipline.
- Evidence of excellence in supervision, mentoring, and training of early career researchers.
- Ability to establish and lead national and international collaborations.
2. Research excellence and innovation:
- A clearly defined and original research question, hypothesis, or framework.
- Methodology that is robust, feasible, and well aligned with project aims.
- Potential to generate new knowledge and advance the field significantly.
3. National benefit and value for money:
- Expected outcomes that deliver economic, environmental, social, cultural, or commercial benefits for Australia.
- Relevance to Australian Government priority areas.
- Realistic budgets that reflect efficient and cost-effective project delivery.
4. Feasibility and environment:
- Demonstrated capacity and time to deliver the project within scope and timeframe.
- Access to the necessary facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support.
- Clear evidence of project management capability and research governance.
5. For First Nations research:
- Genuine engagement, collaboration, and benefit sharing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
- Adherence to AIATSIS Code of Ethics (2020) and NHMRC Guidelines (2018).
- Commitment to Indigenous Data Sovereignty Principles (2018) and leadership in Indigenous research capacity building.
Information to prepare for the ARC Discovery Projects Grants application
Ensure you have the following documentation ready:
- A detailed project plan, including timelines, methodologies, and participant roles.
- Evidence of previous research achievements, particularly high-quality publications.
- Certification of eligibility for all named participants and organisations.
See the guidelines for more details of information requirements.
Applying for the ARC Discovery Projects Grants
The application process begins with the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the ARC’s Research Management System (RMS).
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
ARC Discovery Projects Grants resources
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