Grants & Opportunities

Educational re/engagement of marginalised youth via wellbeing and community. This Project aims to improve educational outcomes for vulnerable young people in rural, regional and remote [RRR] areas of Australia. It is well documented that health and wellbeing may be major impediments to schooling re/engagement; thus, the project expects to demonstrate the effectiveness of using community-based, interdisciplinary approaches to removing such barriers. Expected outcomes include the identification of key principles for models of support for the welfare needs of RRR youth before educational re/engagement can occur. The project's benefits align with Australian Government goals to improve educational access for youth in RRR contexts to improve lifelong prospects for employment, housing, health and civic participation. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3903 - Education Systems. Lead: A/Prof Glenda McGregor

Evidence-based interventions to improve working conditions for nurses. This project aims to investigate the processes by which hospitals implement an innovative new ‘toolkit’ of evidence-based procedures to reduce workplace exposures to hazards that affect risk of musculoskeletal disorders and chronic stress in nurses. Implementation science will inform the formulation of indicators of intervention quality. Impacts on hazard exposures will be quantified and likely cost-benefits for workplaces calculated. The anticipated outcomes will inform the development and dissemination of new resources and guidance that promote more widespread workplace use of cost-effective management methods, with expected future improvements in working conditions that promote increased workforce participation of nurses.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3505 - Human Resources and Industrial Relations. Lead: Prof Jodi Oakman

Swinging both ways – the genetic control of sex expression in hemp . Hemp is an emerging Australian crop that produces high-quality edible oils and plant-based protein from seeds. Hemp typically has separate male and female plants, with 50% of the crop being males that don’t produce seed, causing low and variable yields. This project will characterize novel sex-determining genetic factors in hemp, allowing us to modify male plants so they produce seed in addition to pollen. Project outcomes include new knowledge on hemp sex expression, novel hemp crop technologies and associated germplasm that will deliver significant increases to seed yields of up to 50%. The improved crop performance will speed up adoption of hemp, enhance profitability for farmers and reduce cost of hempseed products for consumers.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3004 - Crop and Pasture Production. Lead: Prof Tobias Kretzschmar

Advanced Microcarriers for Cell-Based Manufacturing . This project aims to advance the manufacturing process of biologics, that require cells for the manufacturing process. Traditional methods like roller bottles or multilayer culture systems face challenges, including limited scalability and high costs. In collaboration with Sydney-based Smart MCs, we will develop and test innovative biomaterials to build next-generation xeno-free microcarriers for large-scale adherent cell culture, streamlining production, reducing costs, and enhancing quality. This initiative will strengthen Australia’s biotech industry, positioning the country as a leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and ensuring independence, especially during critical times like pandemics.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering. Lead: A/Prof Christopher Marquis

Re-imagining concrete as a carbon sink. This project aims to revolutionize concrete - one of the most used construction materials worldwide - to make it a carbon sink and a significant contributor to climate change mitigation. Concrete production results in around 8-9% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This project expects to better understand the interaction between CO2 and concrete towards capture/storage of CO2 within concrete. Expected outcomes include a model for climate friendly concrete production, a pipeline for concrete research harnessing big data, and nurturing the future workforce of multi-disciplinary researchers. Significant benefits of the project include reducing the carbon footprint of the concrete industry towards the eco-friendly urban development.. Scheme: Australian Laureate Fellowships. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Wenhui Duan

Reforming Australia's work disability benefit systems. Being unable to work due to injury or illness (work disability) is very common. This project aims to transform Australia's outdated work disability support systems of employer leave entitlements, workers' compensation and social security. Integrating approaches from multiple disciplines, the project will develop a new evidence base for work disability system design and delivery. Expected outcomes include new participant centred tools for assessing system effectiveness; new policy and service delivery options based on community preferences; and new knowledge about long episodes of workplace absence. Contemporary, evidence-based systems will deliver more cost-effective services and supports to reduce work disability and enhance productivity.. Scheme: Australian Laureate Fellowships. Field: 4407 - Policy and Administration. Lead: Prof Alex Collie

Integrated Resource-Energy-Industry Framework for Net-Zero Australia. This project develops an integrated framework to optimize Australia's transition to clean energy, industry and green exports. By connecting separate analyses of mineral resources, renewable energy, electricity networks and industrial development, we will create tools to evaluate pathways that maximize sector synergies, promote common infrastructures and align with trade partner demands. Working with The Superpower Institute and Geoscience Australia, we will help industry and government make better infrastructure investment and industrial development decisions. The open-source approach ensures broad access to these tools. The framework will help Australia maximize economic opportunities while supporting regional development in net zeros.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4008 - Electrical Engineering. Lead: Dr Changlong Wang

AI-Empowered ESG Data Analytics in Responsible Investment. This project aims to enhance the effectiveness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis by leveraging advanced AI and data management to improve risk assessment, performance forecasting, and report generation in responsible investment. By addressing challenges such as complex data and evolving ESG demands, this project will empower investors to make more sustainable choices. Expected outcomes include innovative AI and data management tools that provide more accurate and timely ESG analysis, fostering sustainable development and social responsibility. Additionally, the project will promote global knowledge exchange, talent development, and public awareness of the importance of responsible and transparent business practices.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science. Lead: Dr Zhengyi Yang

Network-wide quantification and mitigation of methane emissions from sewers. Substantial methane emissions from sewer networks have been reported by water utilities worldwide, yet effective control approaches remain unexplored. This project aims to fill critical knowledge and technology gaps in quantifying and mitigating sewer methane emissions. Expected outcomes include swift mathematical models for predicting temporal-spatial variations in methane production, real-time control algorithms of chemical dosing for network-wide cost-effective reduction of methane emissions, and a standardised guideline for reporting city-wide emissions from sewer systems. This project will deliver timely technologies to empower Australian water utilities to minimise carbon footprint, supporting the goal of Net Zero emissions by 2050.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: Dr Jiuling Li

New directions in geometric flows. A geometric flow describes how an object's shape evolves under applied forces, such as a bubble floating through air or a rubber band returning to its natural shape by releasing bending energy. In this process, factors like area, volume, and curvature are optimised within given constraints. This project will explore two groundbreaking geometric flows: Sobolev curvature flow and the target flow, both specifically designed to build on the candidate's recent breakthroughs. Now is the perfect moment to drive forward transformative progress on two renowned open mathematical problems: the Cartan-Hadamard conjecture and a challenge posed by Fields Medallist S. T. Yau. Key benefits include new knowledge and research capacity building.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4904 - Pure Mathematics. Lead: Dr Glen Wheeler

Biomimetic Design and Optimisation of Gradient Interfacial Structure. This project aims to develop a new approach for creating strong, durable interfacial structures by mimicking natural strategies. It will establish an integrated framework combining recent advances in correlative imaging (lab-based and at synchrotron), multiscale computational modelling, design optimisation, and additive manufacturing. It uses kangaroo joints as a study system, which endure repeated extreme impacts throughout life and are unique to Australia. The project will uncover quantitative principles and deliver tuneable templates to design and optimise bioinspired interfacial structures, for high-performance applications in many areas including transportation, robotics, and wearable technologies.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering. Lead: A/Prof Junning Chen

Solving the mysteries of warped discs. The last decade has seen a revolution in observations of planet forming discs including the unexpected discovery of warped discs, which deeply challenge our understanding of disc evolution. The project will identify the origin of these mysterious discs and quantify their role in how planets are born. Using an innovative approach, the project expects to generate new knowledge in our fundamental understanding of star and planet formation. Expected outcomes of this project include new numerical techniques with wide applicability across astronomy and expansion of fundamental knowledge. Economic benefits will be created through the training of early career researchers, collaborations and social benefits through associated outreach events.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences. Lead: Dr Rebecca Nealon

Enhancing the Characterisation of Industry Designed Arrays of Spin Qubits. This project aims to develop a highly sensitive tool for characterizing silicon quantum chips, addressing a key challenge in building scalable quantum computers. This new characterisation tool will help Australian company Diraq Pty Ltd advance from prototype devices to large-scale quantum processors by improving the ability to detect and understand material imperfections at the atomic level. The outcomes of this project will support the development of commercial quantum technology in Australia, strengthen the nation’s competitive edge in a rapidly growing industry, and contribute to training a skilled quantum workforce essential for the future of technology.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 5108 - Quantum Physics. Lead: Dr Scott Liles

Capacity building for nature-based coastal protection. This project aims to build capacity for implementation of nature-based solutions for coastal protection. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the suitability of shorelines for different designs of nature-based coastal protection. Expected outcomes of this project include new technical guidance that will inform management actions to increase resilience of built, natural and cultural assets to current and future coastal hazards. This should provide significant socio-economic and environmental benefits through improving Australia’s ability to manage coastal hazard risk sustainably. . Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 3103 - Ecology. Lead: Dr Rebecca Morris

A study of Torres Strait Islander mobility amid climate change. This project aims to investigate the mobility of Torres Strait Islanders in response to climate change, focusing on how potential relocation impacts their environment, health, and connection to their land and seas. By using innovative participatory methods, the project expects to generate new insights into climate migration. Key outcomes include informed national climate policies and adaptive strategies that enhance community resilience, prioritising the voices and experiences of Torres Strait Islanders. The benefits include a better understanding of human adaptation that integrates Indigenous knowledge, resulting in more effective and inclusive national climate change policies. . Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4505 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Society and Community. Lead: A/Prof Felecia Watkin Lui

Digital transformation of greener concrete rail sleeper with local resource. This project aims to develop a low-carbon concrete sleeper solution that offers a swift and sustainable remedy to the urgent need for replacing aging timber units in rail infrastructure. It expects to generate new knowledge in producing limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) with diverse regional clay resources via numerical innovations, also pioneering a novel framework for long-term performance predictions. Expected outcomes include a low-carbon LC3 concrete sleeper and a scientifically robust numerical method for its design optimisation and smart maintenance planning. This should provide substantial benefits for Australia by enhancing the resilience and cost efficiency of next-generation rail infrastructure towards net-zero goal by 2050.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Dr Yuguo Yu

Energy-Aware Routing for Electrified Fleets: Towards Zero-Carbon Transport. This project aims to investigate the efficient integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) within corporate fleets by advancing energy-aware route planning technologies, accelerating the transition towards a net-zero carbon future. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of fleet electrification using interdisciplinary approaches that combine engineering principles with advanced AI techniques. Expected outcomes of this project include theory development for energy-aware, flexible EV routing, integrated with sustainable charging solutions. This should provide significant benefits, such as lowering operational and infrastructure costs related to electrification, while enhancing grid stability and optimising asset utilisation.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence. Lead: Dr Saman Ahmadi

4D compact infrared hyperspectral camera. This project aims to develop the world’s first portable four-dimensional (4D) infrared (IR) camera, capable of recording three-dimensional spatial data for object localization, and hyperspectral data for object identification in a single snapshot. The 4D IR camera is expected to play a crucial role in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, industry, and autonomous driving. Expected outcomes of this project include a significant breakthrough in 4D imaging principles and the creation of a portable 4D IR camera. This should provide significant benefits by unlocking a market valued in the billions of AUD, generating substantial commercial opportunities innovation, and fostering domestic and international collaborations.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Dr Guiyuan Cao

From Titan's haze to Earth's labs: predicting organic crystal growth. This project aims to model organic mineral formation on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, whose atmosphere functions like a natural laboratory for prebiotic chemistry. By developing new computational methods, we will uncover which minerals are likely, their formation, and properties. Expected outcomes of this research are new computational techniques for the prediction of crystals and their properties, an enhanced understanding of geological processes on Titan and the formation of new interdisciplinary collaborations. This should provide significant benefits across wide-ranging applications, from supporting future missions like NASA's Dragonfly to from pharmaceutical design here on Earth, enabling new approaches for materials design and beyond.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 3407 - Theoretical and Computational Chemistry. Lead: Dr Peter Spackman

Engineering perovskite crystals for next-generation X-ray detectors. This project aims to develop highly sensitive X-ray detectors enabling high spatial resolution imaging using low radiation dosages through advancement of new fabrication and engineering strategies of novel semiconductor perovskite crystals. The revolutionary X-ray detectors developed in this project will surpass the limitations of conventional detectors in terms of sensitivity, radiation risks and cost. Expected outcomes will generate new fundamental knowledge on the structure-property-performance relationships in next-generation perovskite X-ray detectors. This project will place Australia at the forefront of research in the fields of materials science and nanotechnology – through the establishment of strong international collaborations.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Dr Munkhbayar Batmunkh

Smart Building Solution: AI-Driven Interlocking Prefab Masonry System. This project aims to address climate change, labour and housing shortages by creating smart building solutions using prefab masonry system. An optimised interlocking block design will be created through Artificial Intelligence (AI), which will be used in making an easy to install and sustainable prefab masonry walling system, for helping the Australian masonry and construction industries. Expected outcomes include an efficient prefab masonry system, not reliant on formwork and skilled labours, with optimal interlocking block design to commercialise and adopt in buildings. This will significantly benefit the Australian community by reducing construction delays, housing cost and carbon emissions through sustainable construction practices. . Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Dr Tatheer Zahra

Advanced Membrane Engineering for Direct Lithium Extraction from Salt Lakes. This project aims to advance the development of innovative, loose-structured nanofiltration membranes using state-of-the-art fabrication techniques to enhance lithium and magnesium extraction from salt lakes. It is expected to generate valuable knowledge for advanced membrane development, focusing on membrane material design and ion transport theory within tailored polymer frameworks. The anticipated outcomes include improved direct lithium extraction technologies and integrated strategies for resource utilisation in salt lakes. This should provide significant benefits to our society by positioning Australia as a leader in lithium production, minimising environmental impact, maximising resource utilisation, and boosting economic prosperity.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Dr Zhikao Li

Rehabilitating Mines Through Ecosystem-based Approaches to Biodiversity. This project aims to develop best practice standards for the transformation of Australia's over 80,000 abandoned mines to transform them from sites of environmental degradation to functional ecosystems. This project will generate new knowledge on how to recreate habitats to allow animals to live and persist in rehabilitated mining landscapes. Expected outcomes include the development of national standards for creating fauna habitat based on co-design with academia, industry, regulators, and Traditional Custodians. Benefits for Australia will be significant as the project will provide models and standards for future mine site rehabilitation grounded in entire ecosystem re-creation.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 3103 - Ecology. Lead: Dr Holly Bradley

Environmental Communication for Whales, Dolphins, and Restorative Futures. This project aims to uncover the communication dimensions of globally popular whale and dolphin watching to advance effective strategies for sustainability awareness. It expects to produce vital insights into why nature tourism often falls short of its potential to increase environmental understanding. Using comparative multi-sited ethnographic methods, it will generate new knowledge about environmental discourses and modes of identification that allow threats to species and ecosystems to be normalised or overcome. Outcomes will be amplified through national best-practice guidelines and interdisciplinary researcher and industry, government, and stakeholder engagement to deliver significant environmental, social, and economic benefits.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Prof Tema Milstein

Safe and environmentally friendly perovskite photovoltaic technology. This project aims to counter the toxicity, environmental harmfulness, and instability of metal halide perovskite materials so they can be used as the core material in next-generation solar cells – by developing lead-free formulations and synthesis with safe, green, bio-sourced solvents. Expected outcomes include new knowledge about the solution chemistry of perovskite precursors, efficient fabrication processes for cost-effective industrial production, and new pathways for the full-scale manufacture of non-toxic, high-performance, long-lasting perovskite solar cells – with environmental and socioeconomic benefits from adopting a breakthrough world-leading technology to make optimal use of Australia’s inexhaustible abundance of solar energy.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Dr Minh Tam Hoang