Grants & Opportunities

Hidden in plain sight: an investigation into telomere phage biology. This project aims to investigate a peculiar class of what had long seemed rare microbes called telomere phages. We have discovered that they in fact mediate control over populations of bacteria and this project will investigate how they do so. The project expects to generate new knowledge on how proteins encoded by the telomere phage are secreted from its host bacterium, and how the proteins then enter and kill neighbouring bacteria. Expected outcomes from this project include knowledge gain as well as methods and technology development. This project should provide significant benefits in research training excellence as well as the potential means to decontaminate environments of specific bacteria.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Prof Trevor Lithgow

Metal-based complexes and materials that challenge antimicrobial resistance. This research project focuses on the design, development, and application of new bismuth, gallium and indium compounds as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents. These metals act as iron mimics in vivo and can exert antimicrobial activity while displaying low systemic toxicity in humans. The project aims to exploit this, and the inability of microbes to easily develop resistance towards metals, to combat bacteria for which modern drugs are rapidly becoming ineffective, as highlighted in the WHO list of critical and priority pathogens. The intended outcome is that efficacy will be driven through advances in synthetic and structural chemistry, discovering the mode of action, and creating anti-infective polymers and gels.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3402 - Inorganic Chemistry. Lead: Prof Philip Andrews

Protecting the Australian cattle industry from haemorrhagic septicaemia . The bacterium Pasteurella multocida can cause the rapidly fatal disease haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle and other ungulates. This disease occurs in many countries, including one of our nearest neighbours, Indonesia. The importation of haemorrhagic septicaemia is a major food security and economic threat to the Australian cattle industry. Current vaccines are crude, locally made and offer only limited immunity; a commercial vaccine with increased efficacy would safeguard the Australian cattle industry and help control the disease worldwide. In this project, we aim to identify factors required for haemorrhagic septicaemia strains to cause disease and use this knowledge to generate novel vaccine strains that provide long-lasting immunity. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3009 - Veterinary Sciences. Lead: Prof John Boyce

Evolutionary expansion of neocortical computations. The neocortex is the most evolved part of the mammalian brain, exhibiting massive expansion of neuronal number in non-human primates (NHPs) and humans. Are the enhanced cognitive abilities of humans and NHPs formed by a complexification of neocortical neuronal networks, which operate with evolutionary conserved principles? We aim to address this fundamental question by investigating the functional properties of molecularly and anatomically defined neocortical neurons, the computational elements of the neocortex, using high-resolution electrophysiological and optical techniques in acute ex vivo preparations of the living human, NHP and rodent neocortex. The results will herald a new computational understanding of the evolution of neocortex.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3209 - Neurosciences. Lead: Prof Stephen Williams

Understanding health care labour markets to improve population health. The health workforce is essential for the routine operations of healthcare systems, the adoption of innovations, and sustainability during crises. However, the uneven distribution of health professionals leads to shortages, surpluses, patient harm, and burnout among health professionals. This research uses new longitudinal data on all Australian doctors and nurses to study the effects of policy changes and labour market shocks on recruitment, retention, workforce participation, health outcomes, and the well-being of health professionals. By combining labour economics and micro-econometrics with policy insights, this project aims to generate new evidence for more innovative health workforce planning.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3801 - Applied Economics. Lead: Prof Anthony Scott

Democracy's Knowledge Problem: from Polarization to Collective Wisdom. This project aims to understand how democratic societies can track knowledge despite increasing polarization and technological change. The research will develop mathematical models to analyze how beliefs become signals of group identity in social networks and evaluate institutional designs for promoting epistemic accuracy while respecting social bonds. This will provide significant benefits through identifying effective governance interventions for digital platforms, developing metrics to distinguish healthy from dysfunctional opinion clustering, and creating principles for reform. The findings will help Australian policymakers design better democratic institutions and regulatory frameworks while fostering epistemic robustness.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5003 - Philosophy. Lead: Prof Toby Handfield

Chemosynthesis: a hidden foundation of marine biodiversity and productivity. Microbial chemosynthesis (i.e. carbon fixation using inorganic energy sources) is a critical but understudied process supporting life and nutrient cycling in the unlit ocean. This program will provide the first systematic assessment of the importance, processes, and mediators of chemosynthesis for ocean biodiversity and productivity. To do so, we will combine microbial and biogeochemical analyses of (i) depth transects in the open ocean, (ii) understudied unlit niches (sea caves, shipwrecks), and (iii) reef-building coral microbiomes. The project will provide wide-reaching benefits by increasing knowledge of marine ecology, microbiology, and biogeochemistry, including better understanding and constraining a key global carbon sink. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3107 - Microbiology. Lead: Prof Chris Greening

Skillphabets: Teaching robots new skills by reducing information asymmetry. Tool use is a key aspect of human intelligence, relying on the extraction of perceptual information and fine motor skills. The ability to break down complex tasks into reusable skills is crucial for problem-solving. For instance, a teacher may teach a child to write by starting with basic strokes that form letters, which then combine into words and sentences. This can be challenging due to information asymmetry between teacher and student. This project will enable robots to learn reusable skills (Skillphabets) from human teachers by minimising this information asymmetry. Anticipated outcomes include improved alignment between humans and AI, pretrained Skillphabets and applications spanning defense, aerospace, agriculture and manufacturing.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence. Lead: Dr Michael Burke

Audiences, equity, and the future of free-to-air television . Australia’s free-to-air television industry is in structural decline, with concerning implications for media access, emergency communications and social cohesion. This project aims to develop novel methods to identify those Australians most affected, to understand how their experience of television will change, and to provide options to ensure widely-endorsed public policy goals are met in a radically different media landscape. The project expects to generate new knowledge about television distribution, infrastructure and equity. Expected outcomes include improved decision-making to support broadcast spectrum reallocation and a renewed policy debate about television’s vital public goods.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Prof Ramon Lobato

Mobile-Energy-as-a-Service: Delivering Sustainable Electromobility. This project proposes a novel concept of Mobile-Energy-as-a-Service, a comprehensive mechanism utilising the transport, power, and infrastructure aspects of electric vehicle mobility. It uses electric vehicle batteries as mobile energy sources and eases the pressure on the grid during peak times. The proposal incorporates an evidence-based, user-specific, & flexible incentivised pricing scheme to handle the impending wave of electric vehicles on our roads. With the help of appropriate digital platforms, users can plan their travel in an economically optimal way while passing through differentially priced energy zones. This research helps Australia to achieve its energy sustainability and carbon neutrality targets.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4008 - Electrical Engineering. Lead: Prof Mahinda Vilathgamuwa

A molecular investigation into the lipid antigen-presenting molecule, CD1a. This project aims to investigate the role of lipid antigen presentation in T cell mediated immunity, an area of research for which there is a very limited understanding. Using X-ray crystallography, biophysical measurements and cellular immunology, the project will provide structural data on how the lipid antigen-presenting molecule, CD1a, can bind an array of lipid classes, and how these CD1a-lipid complexes are subsequently recognised by the responding T cell repertoire. This project will generate new knowledge in the burgeoning field of lipid-mediated T cell immunity. This basic discovery project will lay the foundations for new therapies targeting the CD1a lipid display molecule.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Prof Jamie Rossjohn

Low-cost, sustainable hydrides for green energy storage. This project aims to develop a technologically simple method for the renewable-powered production of borohydride salts with outstanding energy density using unique material and process designs recently developed at Monash University. New knowledge in sustainable technologies is expected to be derived from in-depth studies of the hydride formation mechanisms under previously unexplored conditions. The target project outcome is a first-of-the-kind sustainable, low-cost borohydride synthesis method that can replace the current high-cost, fossil-fuel-based process. This is expected to benefit the Australian energy sector by enabling inexpensive storage and distribution of renewable electricity in the form of a sustainable solid energy carrier.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3406 - Physical Chemistry. Lead: A/Prof Alexandr Simonov

Engineering enzymes for controlled peptide modification. This project aims to (1) understand the mechanism and control the specificity of peptide crosslinking by engineered enzymes and (2) to exploit these enzymes as biocatalysts to produce complex bioactive peptides. This project intends to generate new knowledge on the biocatalytic synthesis of peptides using a highly interdisciplinary approach and essential tools that have been developed. The anticipated outcomes of this project are an enhanced understanding of how to the control the function of biocatalysts for peptide synthesis and to use these biocatalysts to synthesis complex bioactive natural products. This knowledge is vital for future efforts to develop biocatalytic methods for peptide production.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry. Lead: Prof Max Cryle

Priming Australia's Deep Tech Ecosytem through Targeted Interventions. Australia's productivity growth is at a 60-year low. Deep tech startups (e.g., in AI, robotics, biotech, quantum computing etc.) are vital for reigniting productivity and addressing structural imbalances in the economy. These startups, powered by university scientific research teams, hold transformative potential but face high technical and market risks that deter private investment. Government-led interventions can help to de-risk these ventures, enabling commercialisation of technology and ecosystem growth. This project applies a rigorous quasi-experimental design to evaluate such interventions, delivering world-first, evidence-based insights on optimal policy design to stimulate the growth of deep tech ecosystems around the world.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3502 - Banking, Finance and Investment. Lead: Prof Jason Zein

Enhancing learner feedback literacy using AI-powered feedback analytics. The project aims to advance the understanding of learner feedback literacy in higher education contexts by proposing an analytics-based mechanism to innovatively capture and analyse trace-data-based behaviour when learners interact with feedback. This innovative approach will enable personalised support using AI techniques to help learners reflect on feedback critically and take meaningful actions. The project addresses a critical challenge in supporting learners to develop the capabilities needed to benefit from feedback, due to an inadequate understanding of how they use feedback. This will, in turn, enhance feedback effectiveness and contribute to improved learning experiences, better graduate outcomes, and lifelong learning success.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3904 - Specialist Studies In Education. Lead: A/Prof Roberto Martinez-Maldonado

Enhancing magnesium mineral carbonation for sustainable carbon storage. Subsurface carbon mineralisation enables long-term storage of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. This project aims to quantify the effect of water composition (ionic and pH) on the efficiency of magnesium-based carbon mineralisation, and hence exploit a unique Australian combination of natural acidic brine and mafic mine tailings (both waste streams) to continuously produce optimal carbonate products enabling economic carbon capture. Critical is mineralisation that maximises carbon capture whilst retaining high system gas and liquid permeability. To this end, magnetic resonance techniques using ferromagnetic contrast will be developed to non-invasively monitor the onset of this mineralisation and the subsequent pore space modification. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: A/Prof Einar Fridjonsson

Hitting the Limits: Intersectional sexisms in Australian universities. This project responds to the limits of Australian university culture by examining the conditions that limit social cohesion in relation to gender. The project generates new theoretical, cultural and practical knowledge about how experiences of intersectionality, gender, power and complexity shape universities. Innovation comes with multi-method design and pathway to impact via a suite of creative responses focused on raising awareness of the gender problem in universities and providing possible solutions. This project provides significant national benefits as the gender problem that shapes universities shapes Australian society, and will enables universities to lead the way in ameliorating gender-based inequalities. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3904 - Specialist Studies In Education. Lead: A/Prof Emily Gray

Cement-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Renewable Energy Harvesting. Harvesting otherwise wasted mechanical energy is a critical step toward advancing renewable and sustainable energy sources. This project aims to develop multifunctional cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators with integrated energy-harvesting, self-healing, and hydrophobic capabilities. Energy harvesting efficiency will be optimised by incorporating hybrid high-surface-area nanofillers to enhance the dielectric constant of cementitious composites. Durability and environmental adaptability will be improved using crystalline admixtures and silane coatings, providing enhanced resistance to mechanical damage and humidity. These outcomes will create fundamental knowledge in self-powering and net-zero energy buildings and civil infrastructure.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: A/Prof Wengui Li

Causes and consequences of post-ejaculatory sperm phenotypic plasticity. This project will explore the causes and consequences of sperm phenotypic plasticity and gene expression, thus challenging the fundamental assumption that spermatozoa are simple DNA-delivery machines. The project will build on exciting developments in sperm biology and the availability of a uniquely suitable marine invertebrate system that offer opportunities to test this long-standing ‘silent sperm’ paradigm. Expected outcomes include a revision of our understanding of gene expression in mature sperm, and data that explore the evolutionary implications of haploid selection. Benefits will be relevant across a range of sectors, from assisted reproduction, fertility, and the resilience of populations to environmental change.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology. Lead: Prof Jonathan Evans

Advancing synthetic photochemistry: online photoreactor mass spectrometry. The rapid and comprehensive profiling of photochemistry is required to expedite the development of next generation photoactivated processes, including LED-optimised photocatalysis. As such, this project will develop new photoreactor mass spectrometry tools to probe photochemistry online and evaluate the early stages of photocatalysis - including the interception of intermediates relevant to organic synthesis. With a tunable light source, photochemical action plots will be routinely attainable, revealing the wavelength with maximum photochemical potency, and facilitating innovative chromoselective reaction design. The project outcomes include new technologies and workflows, new photochemical knowledge and broad applications in synthesis.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3401 - Analytical Chemistry. Lead: Dr Sinead Keaveney

In Silico Design of New Catalysts for Nitrate Reduction to Green Ammonia. Sophisticated new catalysts will be vital in the transition to environmentally responsible energy and production industries. Through engineering catalyst microenvironment, this project will determine novel theoretical principles on the catalyst design, yielding significant insights for translation into sustainable new catalytic processing in nitrate reduction. Expected outcomes include new sustainable catalysts for nitrate reduction to ammonia, help minimise carbon emissions, reduce energy consumption, and remove nitrate contaminants from wastewater. These outcomes should benefit the Australian economy with potential for new knowledge-based energy and environmental industries and safer generation of energy and production of commodities.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Dr Aijun Du

Dynamic cell membrane remodelling regulates nutrient homeostasis. The cell surface provides a major barrier to all external molecules. We propose that eukaryotic cells have evolved a mechanism to transiently modify its protein composition by regulating the entry and/or exit of nutrient regulatory molecules to this barrier. This serves as a major mechanism by which cells make decisions about the choice of nutrient entry to maintain nutrient homeostasis in the face of a changing environment. In this proposal we will examine the full repertoire of the regulated cell surface nutrient regulatory mechanism by identifying regulated membrane proteins and the mechanism by which they undergo regulated transport to and from the cell surface. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Prof David James

Contextualised Commonsense Reasoning for Human Behaviour Analysis. Commonsense reasoning has long been a fundamental challenge in artificial intelligence (AI). One of the major lessons from 70 years of research in AI is that context matters. A more important lesson is that precise reasoning is an infeasible and unrealistic goal. This project pioneers a contextualised approach to commonsense reasoning; plans and contexts are tailored to specific behaviours and individuals and updated dynamically over time. Applications include care of elderly people in their homes where the number of Australians over 65 is expected to double by 2057. Detecting strange behaviour for ensuring security, enhancing workplace safety and assisting education are other applications where significant impact can be achieved.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence. Lead: Prof Maurice Pagnucco

Lighting the Path to Recovery: Addressing Delirium Risks in ICU Design. Access to circadian lighting significantly improves quality of life, particularly for critically ill patients in ICUs, who often experience disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep deprivation, increasing their risk of delirium. Current ICU lighting often fails to meet melanopic equivalent daylight illumination (m-EDI) thresholds needed to promote circadian entrainment. This project addresses these gaps by engineering dynamic lighting solutions tailored to critically ill patients’ needs for sleep, and recovery. By establishing patient-centered, evidence-based m-EDI recommendations and evaluating energy-efficient, tunable lighting systems, the research aims to enhance ICU luminous environment, fostering better sleep to reduce delirium risks.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3302 - Building. Lead: A/Prof Veronica Garcia Hansen

Consoling the Self: Historical Grief Strategies and the Healing Arts. This project studies the rich store of Greek and Roman writings on how to cope with grief, caused by the death of family or a friend, but also the result from any significant loss, such as respect, honour, job, pet, or one’s country. By using a novel, interdisciplinary approach in line with the burgeoning fields of the history of emotions and the healing arts (writing, bibliotherapy, music, etc.) and building on my earlier grief studies in antiquity (2009-2018), it will use modern grief theory as a lens to exploit the sophisticated strategies of Greece and Rome and extract coping mechanisms for modern times. With the many real and potential losses facing humanity today the project aims to benefit from ancient wisdom.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4303 - Historical Studies. Lead: Prof Han (Johannes) Baltussen