Grants of up to $2 million per year to support university-based researchers and industry to collaborate on research, innovation and training that addresses strategic priorities and transforms Australian industries.
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What is the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program?
The Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP), under the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Program, supports university-based researchers and industry to work together to address strategic government priorities and transform Australian industries.
The intended outcome is to increase Australia’s research and innovation capacity, generate new knowledge, develop new technologies, products and ideas, create jobs, drive economic growth and enhance quality of life in Australia.
Projects should also consider alignment with Australian Government priorities, including the National Science and Research Priorities.
Two funding opportunities are available under the program:
- Industrial Transformation Research Hubs (ITRH) – support industry and academic partnerships working together on research and development projects to create innovative and transformative solutions for industry.
- Industrial Transformation Training Centres (ITTC) – support partnerships between university-based researchers and industry to deliver innovative Higher Degree by Research (HDR) and postdoctoral training and develop researchers with capability in end-user research.
Industrial Transformation Research Program level of support
The ARC provides funding for Research Hubs and Training Centres as follows:
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs
- Funding: Between $500,000 and $2 million per year.
- Duration: Between three and five consecutive years.
Industrial Transformation Training Centres
- Maximum funding: Up to $10 million over a maximum of five consecutive years.
- Years 1–3: Between $500,000 and $2 million per year.
- Year 4: Between $150,000 and $2 million.
- Year 5: No minimum funding level, with a maximum of $2 million.
- Duration: Between four and five consecutive years.
Funding amounts are based on 2026 price levels and may be subject to variation, including annual indexation.
Co-contribution requirements
Research Hubs
- Applications must include combined Partner Organisation cash and in-kind contributions that match or exceed 50% of the total ARC funding requested.
- Where any Partner Organisation has more than 100 employees, the combined Partner Organisation cash contribution must be at least 37.5% of the total ARC funding requested.
- Where the Partner Organisation, or the largest Partner Organisation in a consortium, has 100 employees or fewer, there is no minimum cash contribution requirement.
- There is no upper limit on Partner Organisation cash contributions.
Training Centres
- Applications must include combined cash and in-kind contributions that, together with the ARC contribution, are sufficient to support all research projects described in the application, particularly those involving Higher Degree by Research candidates and postdoctoral researchers.
- There is no specified minimum percentage contribution for Training Centres.
Industrial Transformation Research Program important dates
- Applications close: 25 November 2026, 5:00 pm Canberra time
- Selection Advisory Committee meeting: 5–8 April 2027
- Expected announcement: 31 August–14 September 2027
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
The ARC advises that dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
Industrial Transformation Research Program objectives and priorities
The Industrial Transformation Research Program supports collaboration between university-based researchers and industry to increase Australia’s research and innovation capacity.
The program aims to generate new knowledge and develop new technologies, products and ideas that contribute to job creation, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia.
Projects may also align with the Australian Government’s National Science and Research Priorities:
- Transitioning to a net zero future
- Supporting healthy and thriving communities
- Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
- Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment
- Building a secure and resilient nation
Projects must directly address one or more of the current Industrial Transformation Priorities:
- Renewables and low emissions technologies
- Medical science
- Transport
- Value-add in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors
- Value-add in resources
- Defence capability
- Enabling capabilities
Applications addressing the Medical Science priority must take the ARC Medical Research Policy into consideration.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Industrial Transformation Research Program support
Projects must directly address one or more of the current Industrial Transformation Priorities and support eligible research activities.
Eligible expenditure may include:
- Salary support for eligible project personnel, such as research associates, research assistants, managers, technicians and laboratory attendants, excluding Directors, Chief Investigators and Partner Investigators.
- Stipends for Higher Degree by Research students.
- Equipment, equipment maintenance and consumables, including specialised computer equipment and software essential to the project.
- Essential domestic and international travel and accommodation, generally up to an average of $25,000 per year of the project, excluding specified field research and eligible care-related travel costs.
- For Research Hubs, teaching relief for Chief Investigators of up to $50,000 per CI per year where it will enhance engagement with Partner Organisations.
- For Training Centres, eligible stipends for Higher Degree by Research candidates and salary support for eligible postdoctoral fellows.
The increase in the eligible travel-cost limit is specifically identified as a change in the 2026 guidelines.
Ineligible expenditure
Grant funding cannot generally be used for:
- Research activities, infrastructure or projects previously or currently funded through another Commonwealth grant.
- Medical research as defined under the ARC Medical Research Policy.
- Experimental development.
- Contracted research or consultancy arrangements involving little innovation or low risk.
- Basic facilities normally provided by participating organisations, including standard laboratory refurbishment, office or laboratory space, basic computing facilities and standard reference materials.
- Capital works and general infrastructure costs.
- Costs not directly related to the project.
- International student fees, HECS or HELP liabilities.
- Salaries or on-costs for Directors, Chief Investigators or Partner Investigators.
Other ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program (ITRP) important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Industrial Transformation Research Program support
Applications can only be submitted by an Eligible Organisation listed in Appendix B of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. The organisation submitting the application becomes the Administering Organisation.
Each application must:
- Directly address one or more current Industrial Transformation Priorities.
- Include at least one Australian Partner Organisation.
- Meet the specific participant requirements for either a Research Hub or Training Centre.
- Include significant cash, in-kind and/or other material contributions from participating Eligible Organisations and Partner Organisations, in accordance with the requirements of the relevant scheme.
A Partner Organisation may be an Australian or overseas organisation other than an Eligible Organisation, but every application must nominate at least one Australian Partner Organisation.
Note: The Eligible Organisation list has also changed. The University of Adelaide and University of South Australia have been removed, with Adelaide University included in the new Appendix B.
Industrial Transformation Research Program assessment criteria
Applications for both Research Hubs and Training Centres are assessed against four weighted criteria:
1. Investigator(s)/Capability – 20%
- Investigator(s)/Capability considers matters including the research opportunity and performance evidence of the proposed team, experience in collaborative and industry-focused research, relevant industry outcomes, supervision and mentoring capability, research track record, and the team’s capacity to undertake the proposed project.
2. Project Quality and Innovation – 30%
- Project Quality and Innovation considers the quality, originality and innovation of the proposed research, its potential to drive growth, productivity and competitiveness, the strength of the research framework, and the quality of proposed collaborations.
3. Feasibility and Commitment – 20%
- Feasibility and Commitment considers value for money, the proposed project design, budget and timeframe, risks and mitigation strategies, access to facilities and infrastructure, collaboration arrangements, organisational support and Partner Organisation commitment.
4. Benefit – 30%
- For projects involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander research, additional consideration is given to collaboration and benefit sharing, Indigenous research capacity building and leadership, Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles, and relevant ethical research requirements.
- Benefit considers how clearly the research addresses the Industrial Transformation Priorities and the expected economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australian research end-users.
- It also considers identified market opportunities, industry transformation, research capacity building, dissemination and promotion of research outcomes and, where relevant, freedom to operate within the intellectual property and patent landscape.
For Research Hubs, assessment also considers strategies to encourage commercialisation of research outcomes.
For Training Centres, assessment also considers development of end-user research skills and capacity and the strength of national and international collaboration.
How do I get the Industrial Transformation Research Program?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and Instructions to Applicants.
- Meet all eligibility requirements for the relevant Research Hub or Training Centre opportunity.
- Directly address at least one current Industrial Transformation Priority.
- Nominate at least one Australian Partner Organisation.
- Meet the applicable participant and organisational requirements.
- Address all relevant weighted assessment criteria.
- Provide a National Interest Test statement explaining, in plain English, the broader benefits of the proposed research.
- Ensure named participants have current RMS profiles, including required declarations relating to foreign affiliations, relationships and financial interests.
- Complete the required research security assessment and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place where risks are identified.
- Complete and submit the application through the ARC Research Management System by the closing date.
Applications are assessed through a competitive peer review process based on the weighted assessment criteria, their ranking against other applications and value for money.
Applicants may nominate up to three people whom they do not wish to assess their application by submitting a Request Not to Assess form through RMS. The request must be submitted at least two weeks before the application closing date.
The Selection Advisory Committee considers applications and makes funding recommendations, with final grant decisions made by the Minister.
Information to prepare for the Industrial Transformation Research Program application
Applicants should prepare the information and documentation required by the relevant Instructions to Applicants, including:
- A detailed research proposal addressing one or more Industrial Transformation Priorities.
- Details of the research team, participating organisations and proposed collaborations.
- Partner Organisation commitments and required contributions.
- Evidence demonstrating the capability and track record of the research team.
- A detailed project budget and justification.
- Details of project risks and mitigation strategies.
- A National Interest Test statement.
- Required Partner Organisation certification documentation.
- Research security assessments and appropriate mitigation measures where risks are identified.
- Up-to-date RMS profiles for all named participants, including required declarations relating to foreign affiliations, relationships and financial interests.
The application form includes text and file-size limits, as specified in the Instructions to Applicants available through GrantConnect or displayed within RMS.
Applying for the Industrial Transformation Research Program
Applications must be completed and submitted through 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.
Industrial Transformation Research Program resources
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