Grants & Opportunities

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

Radar Integrated Body Area Networks. This project aims to unlock the potential of incorporating radar sensing into wireless body area network systems, thereby initiating a new era of transformative applications focused on human-centric needs. The project will generate AI-powered, radar-based sensing techniques integrated into wireless signal transmission within a body area network system. Anticipated outcomes include a suite of technological solutions that seamlessly integrate radar into body area networks, enhancing environmental perception and interaction capabilities. Integrating sensing capabilities through radar technology can facilitate the development of new technologies in healthcare, sports, the military, security, and safety applications.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware. Lead: Prof Mehmet Yuce

Efficient Bayesian analysis by exploiting fast approximate models. This project will develop novel methods for efficient statistical analysis of complex stochastic models. It will generate new knowledge in the area of statistics by exploiting and correcting fast model approximations to accelerate parameter estimation. The expected outcome of the project is the ability to process a much wider class of statistical models that are very computationally intensive to simulate on a computer. The methods are motivated by important problems in systems biology and epidemiology, but will be widely applicable, enabling discoveries in many fields. Other benefits include reduced reliance on supercomputing resources and training of the next generation of statistical data scientists.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4905 - Statistics. Lead: Prof Christopher Drovandi

Does metamorphosis facilitate or constrain adaptation to new environments? Improved understanding of what facilitates and constrains rapid evolution is essential to predict how organisms will respond to environmental change. This project investigates how evolution is influenced by genomic conflict occurring between life-stages in animals that undergo metamorphosis. It uses an ecologically important group of Australian beetles to measure larval and adult traits that are key in adapting to climate change. This project will lead to an improved ability to predict how insects and other animals with metamorphosis will adapt to climate change. Further, this project will provide fundamental knowledge that will impact how we manage of a wide range of economically important insects.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology. Lead: A/Prof Megan Head

News and Australian Teens: Enablers and Barriers to Digital Citizenship. With debates surrounding teens' social media use reaching new heights, this project addresses the critical yet underexplored role of news engagement in shaping Australian teenagers’ digital citizenship. While teens (aged 13-17) primarily access news and engage with current events via social media, little is known about how this shapes their online civic participation. Using a youth-centred, participatory approach, this project investigates barriers and enablers to equitable inclusive youth participation in society. It develops an evidence-based framework to support teens’ news engagement and digital citizenship practices. Findings will inform policies that aim to increase youth agency to address generational shifts in democratic practices. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Dr Jee Young Lee

Unveiling Human Hypoblast Specification and Differentiation. This research aims to deepen our understanding of early human development by focusing on the hypoblast, a vital cell type that contributes to the formation of the yolk sac, a structure essential for early embryonic growth and development. Using innovative laboratory-grown embryo models and advanced molecular techniques, this study will explore how hypoblast cells form, maintain their identity, and interact with other embryonic cell types. By addressing fundamental questions about the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying early human development, this research will contribute to advancing the global understanding of developmental biology and reinforce Australia's leadership in cutting-edge scientific discovery.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3109 - Zoology. Lead: Prof Jose Polo

Enhancing Vision-Language Models with Game-Based Reasoning and Evaluation. This project aims to enhance Large Vision-Language Models by developing innovative evaluation tools and training methods that focus on complex reasoning, decision-making, and adaptability. Current evaluation methods lack the ability to test these advanced skills comprehensively. By addressing this gap, the project will improve Large Vision-Language Models ability to understand and solve intricate, real-world problems. The outcomes will not only enhance AI's capabilities in specific tasks but also provide transferable skills applicable to various domains, benefiting industries such as healthcare, business, and education, while supporting Australia's leadership in AI research and applications.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4603 - Computer Vision and Multimedia Computation. Lead: A/Prof Qi Wu

Enabling low noise offshore foundation installation for renewable energy. This project aims to develop methods to confidently predict foundation installation for offshore renewable energy, a must for safe reliable operation. This is significant for these large infrastructure developments with each project costing tens of billions of dollars and hundreds of foundations accounting for a quarter of the cost. This project expects to directly link seabed information obtained offshore with fundamental new geotechnical insights to provide robust tools for a priori prediction. Expected outcomes include significantly reduced uncertainties of low noise foundation installation. This research should therefore lead to significant environmental, economic and societal benefits of affordable clean energy and generation of jobs.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Britta Bienen

The transgenerational nature of microplastic toxicity in mammals. A leading global concern is the upsurgence of degrading plastic in nature. Microplastic toxicity impairs fertility in the exposed generation, but it is not yet known whether these negative impacts linger from one generation to the next. Transgenerational microplastic toxicity is set to have far-reaching repercussions for population persistence. It is essential that this threat is examined and documented. This project includes a series of innovative investigations to fulfil this research gap. This research will be extremely beneficial to Australia. It will generate new knowledge on how degrading plastic waste will affect mammals, which is relevant to two critical areas (i) the conservation of threatened species and (ii) human health.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3103 - Ecology. Lead: Dr Renee Firman

Linking Ecology and Evolution to Protect Australian Frogs. This project will inform Australian frog conservation planning for the next 25 years. The project leverages accumulated data on Australian frogs, and adds critical new data, to link macroevolutionary patterns across all Australian species to dispersal capabilities and genetic structure of individual species. The project will identify the specific factors that are most impacting every individual Australian frog species right now and provide this same information for species that are not currently threatened but are predicted to be threatened in the future. This project is complementary to existing conservation efforts and will deliver science-driven conservation planning advice that will take future climate projections into account. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4104 - Environmental Management. Lead: Prof J. Scott Keogh