Grants & Opportunities

Reading the past to predict future biodiversity: a deep-time perspective. The extent of human-moderated impact on ecosystems is rapidly increasing. To date, most current research in this field is based on short-term observations or experiments. By examining the characteristics of species and ecosystem response to climate change from a major geological Ice Age ~320-265 million years ago in eastern Australia, this study will investigate how marine species and ecological communities evolved in response to repeated glacial/interglacial cycles and associated warming/cooling climate changes. Expected findings will help to better understand the long-term links between global warming/cooling climate regimes, sea levels, changing sea-water temperature and chemistry, and species and ecosystem responses to these drivers.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3705 - Geology. Lead: Prof Guang Shi

Enhancing sensory perception and balance control in HMD-based VR. This project seeks to test a revolutionary new theoretical framework for understanding how we perceive our self-motion and maintain postural control when immersed in head-mounted display (HMD) virtual reality (VR). Photorealistic graphical simulations and artificial vestibular stimulation will be used to investigate how visual and non-visual information concerning self-motion is integrated in the brain. The outcomes will reveal how multisensory interaction influences our sensory perception and postural control during HMD VR. The knowledge gained is expected to generate new economic benefits by inspiring next-generation technologies that will optimise users' immersive experiences (e.g., virtual exploration and immersive gaming).. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology. Lead: Prof Juno Kim

A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through the provision of controllable refrigeration (so-called 'cold energy') following regasification. In particular we will measure, optimise and exploit the highly endothermic catalysed conversion of para- to ortho- hydrogen, which can provide up to 525 kJ/kg of cooling at convenient temperatures. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: Prof Michael Johns

Monitoring Desalination Membrane Fouling using Sodium Magnetic Resonance. Seawater desalination using membrane modules is critical technology for potable water access, however it faces significant challenges due to fouling. Sodium magnetic resonance techniques will be developed to non-invasively detect and image salt accumulation in these opaque membrane modules due to fouling. These data will first be used to improve our understanding of the unexplored interplay between fouling and detrimental salt accumulation in the modules (known as cake-enhanced concentration polarisation) and thus validate 3D simulations of this phenomenon. The ability to unambiguously detect salt accumulation in membrane modules will then be extrapolated to a non-invasive monitoring tool for membrane fouling in desalination facilities.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: Prof Michael Johns

New carbon phases synthesized under extreme conditions. This project aims to address one of the major fundamental puzzles in carbon science; how to experimentally synthesize new phases of carbon predicted by theory. This could be approached via a combination of high pressure and high-energy ion irradiation to transform novel nano-carbon precursors. The expected outcomes include new phases of carbon with unexplored properties, an understanding of the pathways for synthesis of carbon materials, and new computational tools to understand nano-carbon materials under extreme conditions. This should provide benefits for industries seeking advanced materials for modern manufacturing.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics. Lead: Prof Jodie Bradby

Carbon in a Bubble: Cavitation in Ionic Liquids. This project aims to investigate the potential of pressure-driven phase change as an energy-efficient mechanism for removing dissolved gases from low melting point salts, by advancing understanding of the cavitation behaviour of ionic liquids. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of fluid mechanics through an innovative combination of advanced computational simulations and synchrotron X-ray measurement techniques developed by the investigators. Expected outcomes of this project include expanded understanding of the physics of ionic liquids, and the ability to engineer more efficient gas separation systems. The project aims to benefit the chemical and energy sectors through improved energy efficiency.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering. Lead: Dr Daniel Duke

Hello, Mr America: Americans on R&R Leave in Australia in the Vietnam War. This project will provide the first comprehensive history of an important but neglected aspect of Australia's relationship with the United States. From 1967 until 1971 nearly 300,000 American servicemen - one tenth of the total number of Americans who served in Vietnam - travelled to Australia for their R&R Leave. What began as a matter of military expediency became an exercise in cultural diplomacy that left lasting economic, social and political legacies in Australia. Outcomes include a deeper understanding of the history of the US-Australian alliance, the international history of the Vietnam War, and Australian history during a period of dramatic transformation. Outputs will include a book, journal articles, and a symposium.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4303 - Historical Studies. Lead: Prof Chris Dixon

Defining how inter-bacterial symbioses regulate aquatic ecosystem health. This project will determine how ecological relationships among aquatic bacteria govern the health of Australia’s marine and freshwater environments. Cyanobacteria support aquatic ecosystem productivity, but can have detrimental effects when they form harmful blooms, although the factors governing the balance of these contrasting impacts are largely undefined. By coupling sophisticated approaches including genomics, phenomics, and microfluidics to examine how symbioses with other bacteria influence the growth and function of important species of cyanobacteria, this research will elucidate the importance of an over-looked factor in controlling the productivity, health and value of Australia’s aquatic estate.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3107 - Microbiology. Lead: Prof Justin Seymour

Understanding vicarious trauma in Australian foster care. This project aims to investigate experiences of vicarious trauma in Australian foster care. This project expects to generate new knowledge about antecedents and mitigators of vicarious trauma, and will do so by using interdisciplinary approaches to understand the specific contexts in which vicarious trauma may occur. Expected outcomes of this project includes the generation of national data about vicarious trauma in foster care through the development of a new measure of vicarious trauma. This should provide significant benefits, such as providing a clear means to assessing vicarious trauma, and through the development of a mobile app that will enable foster families in Australia to monitor and report experiences of vicarious trauma.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4410 - Sociology. Lead: Prof Damien Riggs

Driving Towards Greener and Safer Roads using Big Spatiotemporal Data. This project aims to design novel techniques for using big spatiotemporal data to reduce the impact of road transport on the environment and improve road safety. This project expects to address key challenges and lay scientific foundations of using the big data for developing a next-generation eco-friendly navigation system and increasing situational awareness for road transport safety. Expected outcomes of this project include novel big data management and analytics techniques, and new edge computing models for vehicular networks. The success of this project should bring several key benefits including reducing greenhouse gas emissions on roads, facilitating urban planning, and improving road safety.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science. Lead: Prof Muhammad Cheema

Cost-effective and Reliable Edge Caching for Software Vendors. This project aims to deliver a suite of models and techniques for cost-effective and reliable data caching in the multi-access edge computing (MEC) environment facilitated by 5G mobile network. MEC offers great promises for rapidly advancing mobile and IoT applications in various domains in Australia, e.g., smart cities, remote medical services, advanced manufacturing, etc. Combining graph analytics, optimisation techniques and game theory, this project tackles the new challenges in the placement, update and adaptation of edge data faced by software vendors embracing 5G. The outcomes can ease software vendors' cost and security concerns during the transition from 4G to 5G, and significantly promote the wave of 5G innovation in Australia.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science. Lead: Prof Qiang He

An intelligent condition-monitoring system for mineral screening machines. This project aims to develop an intelligent condition-monitoring system for screening machines which are widely used for classifying mineral particles in the mining industry. This project will develop new vibration-based methodologies and techniques for fault diagnostics and remaining useful life prediction of bearings and gears in situations with multiple complex sources and interferences. The monitoring system, as the expected outcomes of this project, will modernise the current maintenance practices towards condition-based predictive maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime, increasing productivity and reducing maintenance costs for the Australian mining industry. It will also add more value to the Australian manufactured products. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering. Lead: Prof JC Ji

Securing Australian floating wind developments with helical anchors. This project will reduce the cost of offshore floating wind energy by uniting leading academic expertise and innovative industry partners to develop the knowledge and practical tools that will enable the deployment of helical anchors as a cheap and reliable anchoring system for floating wind. Helical anchors are seen as the most promising solution to anchor wind turbines, but their deployment has been limited by uncertainties associated with the torque and vertical force required for installation in complex seabeds, and their performance under environmental loading. The project will address these specific points through a combination of physical, numerical and analytical modelling, using data and design scenarios provided by industry. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Christophe Gaudin

Addressing Misinformation with Media Literacy through Cultural Institutions. Misinformation can harm democratic processes, social cohesion and public health outcomes. Media literacy prepares citizens for misinformation by developing critical analysis abilities. This project partners with Australian public cultural institutions to increase adult media literacy. Through an action-based, mixed methods approach, the project investigates adults’ experiences with online misinformation and assesses their ability to identify and challenge it. Research findings will inform the design and evaluation of targeted evidence-based media literacy training and resources that will be shared across broadcast media, physical spaces and online. Through these initiatives Australians will be better equipped to combat misinformation.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Prof Tanya Notley

Engineering vanadium oxide-based cathode for aqueous ammonium ion batteries. This project aims to develop the next-generation rechargeable aqueous ammonium ion batteries and the scaled-up prototypes. It will be innovatively powered by nonmetallic charge carriers to show superior safety, low cost, high rate and cycle performance, and large capacity, ensuring realistic implementation for industrial purposes. Expected outcomes include a series of chemically and morphologically tuned vanadium oxide-based cathode materials, a novel and reliable working principle based on reversible ammonium ion storage, and battery pack prototypes targeting industry demanded energy density and lifespan. Via industrial pilot trials, commercial benefits will be fast tracked for clean energy storage, net zero future and industry upgrades.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Tianyi Ma

Supporting the sustainability of Australia's local news ecosystem. This project aims to understand how Australia’s main public broadcaster, the ABC, can best support public interest journalism in rural and regional communities, with a specific focus on fragile and underserved areas of the nation’s local news ecosystem. The project will develop new knowledge around media power and how news providers can work together to secure the sustainability of local news. Expected outcomes include a framework to identify and define areas of news need, an assessment of existing interventions and road-tested approaches to improve information quality. The project should provide benefits by supporting forms of local journalism that ultimately enhances the demographic health and social fabric of small towns and cities. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Prof Kristy Hess

Surveillance and sampling to maintain absence of pests and diseases. This project aims to develop empirically validated statistical and mathematical methods for industry and government to deliver more efficient biosecurity surveillance programs. The project endeavours to enhance biosecurity at the border and within Australia, while minimising the costs and burden of testing. Expected project outcomes include effective surveillance and sampling for high-priority threats, accessible software for decision-makers, and generalisable approaches to address rapidly increasing biosecurity risks. Significant benefits include maintaining absence of key pathogens and pests in Australia.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4905 - Statistics. Lead: Prof Kathryn Glass

Improving the accountability of dark advertising on digital platforms. This project aims to improve accountability of dark alcohol advertising on digital platforms. Digital marketing practices are largely opaque, posing a critical challenge for regulation which traditionally relies on advertising being observable as a foundation for public accountability. This project will develop and translate cutting-edge approaches for monitoring dark advertising, building tools and expertise to observe digital advertising and ensure consumer protection and fair market practices in the digital era. The project benefits researchers, civil society, government and the public by providing new methods to examine and monitor harmful digital marketing practices and informing regulatory solutions to mitigate harms.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Dr Aimee Brownbill

Facilities for Atmospheric Boundary Layer Evaluation and Testing. This proposal aims to establish state-of-the-art stationary and mobile facilities for atmospheric wind, dust and plume measurements with unique capability to quantify the effect of climate change, surface topography and urbanisation on near-surface microclimate where humans live. To better predict microclimate, mitigate air pollution impacts and exploit local conditions for improved urban planning and agricultural yield, high quality observations of the near-surface atmosphere at fine temporal and spatial resolutions are required. The proposed Facilities for Atmospheric Boundary Layer Evaluation and Testing (FABLET) will advance Australia’s capability to make these difficult measurements of atmospheric boundary layer.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 3702 - Climate Change Science. Lead: Prof Maziar Arjomandi

Quantum microscopy facility for ultrasensitive nanoscale magnetic imaging. Investigations of 2D and van der Waals materials, biological samples, energy materials, and quantum devices on the nano- and microscale are revolutionising medicine, communications, information technology, energy production and storage by virtue of new phenomena. The new quantum microscopy facility will enable state-of-the-art capabilities in mapping chemical, magnetic, optical, electronic, and spectral properties, providing cutting-edge tools that will enable breakthroughs in both existing and future multi-disciplinary projects in photonics, quantum devices, nanomaterials, nanoelectronics, biotechnology, and energy technology as key drivers of the new economy in Australia.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Jan Seidel

A Self-Driving Automated Molecular Synthesis and Formulation Platform. This LIEF will build a NSW-wide machine-learning powered, self-driving, automated chemical synthesis platform. These robotic systems will put us at the forefront of the revolutionary transformation of chemical synthesis and formulation into data rich disciplines. Based on technological advances in chemistry robots and machine learning, these specialised systems will carryout reaction and formulation optimisation with a range of chemical classes across scales. They will conduct online analysis of reaction outcomes and using machine learning algorithms operate in a self-driving mode to decide upon the next round of experiments. They will accelerate the optimisation of processes for advanced applications in medicines, mining and agriculture. . Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 3405 - Organic Chemistry. Lead: Prof Christopher Hyland

National Atomic Layer Etching Facility. This project aims to create Australia’s first and only facility for Atomic Layer Etching, which allows layer-by-layer removal of semiconductor materials with excellent etch depth control and uniformity, while the etched surface exhibits ultra-low surface damage and roughness. The etch and surface quality is crucial for advanced nanoscale electronic and photonic devices, as the surface is a significant fraction of nanoscale devices, severely affecting their properties. The diverse variety of applications supported by this facility will make it a nexus point between multiple disciplines, enabling research in quantum technology, broadband networks, sensing, materials science, and beyond, accelerating its adoption by Australian manufacturing.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware. Lead: Dr Andreas Boes

Regional and Urban Greenhouse Gas Emission Detection (RUGGED) . The facility proposed here will establish a network of sun-sensing spectrometers for detection of changes in atmospheric composition. The instruments can be deployed to regions or facilities of interest to capture the total change of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to these regions or facilities, for example at urban scales, or areas of intense natural or anthropogenic emissions or uptake. The greenhouse gas quantification system will provide valuable independent estimates of emissions, to enable verification of bottom-up greenhouse gas inventories and satellite-based estimates of emissions... Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 3702 - Climate Change Science. Lead: A/Prof Nicholas Deutscher

Acidic aerobic digestion to reduce emissions from sewage sludge. This project aims to develop a novel acidic sludge treatment technology for water utilities to reduce greenhouse gases and odour emissions from sewage sludge, a previously overlooked source in wastewater management. Through three work packages targeting critical gaps in current research, it aims to understand the biological & chemical mechanisms, optimize the operating conditions, and promote technology translation. The project is expected to provide utilities with a novel retrofitting solution that can be integrated into the existing system. The anticipated benefit is significant greenhouse gases mitigation from water industry and support it to meet net-zero-emission goal by 2050.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4011 - Environmental Engineering. Lead: Dr Zhiyao Wang

The program has funding available for eligible sport, active recreation and racing organisations located in areas declared under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Assistance will be available where Personal Hardship Assistance (Category A) or Restoration of Essential Public Assets (Category B) are listed. Eligible organisations outside of declared Local Government Areas affected by a disaster event are asked to contact the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games (DSROPG) to determine their eligibility for funding.