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
The combined cash and in-kind contributions from Partner Organisations must 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 which, together with the ARC contribution, are sufficient to support all research projects described in the application, particularly the Higher Degree by Research candidates and postdoctoral fellows within the Training Centre.
Important: I would completely replace the existing co-contribution text rather than edit it. The previous post says Partner Organisations must match or exceed ARC funding and that larger organisations must provide a minimum cash contribution of 75% of ARC funding. Those requirements are no longer correct.
Industrial Transformation Research Program important dates
- Applications open: 16 September 2026
- Applications close: 25 November 2026, 5:00 pm Canberra time
- Assessment period: 26 November 2026 to 7 April 2027
- Expected announcement: 31 August to 14 September 2027
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
The ARC advises that these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
Industrial Transformation Research Program objectives and priorities
The ITRP aims to increase Australia’s research and innovation capacity by supporting collaboration between university-based researchers and industry. The program seeks to generate new knowledge and develop new technologies, products and ideas that contribute to jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia.
The program also considers alignment with Australian Government priorities, including the 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 agriculture, forestry and fisheries
- Value-add in resources
- Defence capability
- Enabling capabilities
Applications addressing the Medical Science priority must take the ARC Medical Research Policy (2025 version) 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
I would replace the existing assessment criteria completely because the weightings in the current GrantHelper post are outdated.
Applications for both Research Hubs and Training Centres are assessed against four weighted criteria:
- Investigator(s)/Capability – 20%
- Project Quality and Innovation – 30%
- Feasibility and Commitment – 20%
- Benefit – 30%
Assessment considers factors including the research capability and track record of the team, quality and innovation of the proposed research, feasibility and value for money, collaboration and Partner Organisation commitment, alignment with the Industrial Transformation Priorities, and expected economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australian research end-users.
Where projects involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander research, additional considerations apply relating to collaboration, benefit sharing, Indigenous research capacity and leadership, Indigenous Data Sovereignty and compliance with relevant ethical frameworks.
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.
- Address all relevant weighted assessment criteria.
- Provide a National Interest Test statement explaining, in plain English, the benefits of the proposed research beyond the grant period.
- Assess and appropriately manage research security risks before submitting the application.
- Ensure named participants meet applicable ARC research integrity and research security requirements.
- Ensure required RMS profiles and declarations are current and complete.
Applications are assessed through a competitive peer review process based on how well they meet the weighted assessment criteria, their ranking against other applications and whether they represent value with money.
Remove any reference to a rejoinder process from the existing post if one appears elsewhere on the page. The ARC has removed the rejoinder process for the new round.
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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