Grants & Opportunities

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

Processes & responses of nitrous oxide production in marine invertebrates . This project aims to investigate how marine sponges and ascidian produce the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. Using environmental surveys, microbiome analyses and experimental ecology, this project will reveal how microbial symbionts in sponges and ascidian produce nitrous oxide and how this production responds to environmental change. It is anticipated that increases in nutrients and temperature will increase nitrous oxide production and raises the number of sponges and ascidians in our oceans. This research is expected to significantly enhance our understanding of how our marine environment contributes to the global production of an important greenhouse gas and will enable more accurate predictions of future nitrous oxide emissions.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3107 - Microbiology. Lead: Prof Torsten Thomas

The Mismatch between Photochemical Reactivity and Molecular Absorptivity. It was a long-held belief in photochemistry that the color of a photoactive compound was the best guide to achieve the most efficient photochemical reaction. For example, if a molecule appeared blue, then complementary orange light was the optimum excitation source. Recently, our team has upended this paradigm. Our findings that maximum absorptivity (color) and maximum reaction efficiency are not necessarily congruent has far-reaching consequences for all production process that involve photochemical reactions, from 3D printing to surface curing, as much milder light sources can be used than previously thought. This project will investigate the underpinning cause of the mismatch and enable us to predict photochemical reactivity.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3406 - Physical Chemistry. Lead: Prof Christopher Barner-Kowollik

Mapping dark matter and testing gravity with galaxy surveys. This project aims to map the motions of vast numbers of galaxies to precisely measure the amount and distribution of dark matter and test Einstein’s theory of gravity. It will apply an innovative analysis to a major new galaxy survey using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and to other ongoing surveys. The outcome will be the most comprehensive and precise map to date of galaxies and their motions over most of the sky, tracing the growth of massive structures in the Universe and probing how gravity works on a cosmic scale. The project will leverage Australia’s investment in radio telescopes, address key priorities of the Astronomy Decadal Plan, train young researchers in data science, and enhance scientific links with Europe.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences. Lead: Prof Matthew Colless

Integrating Communication and Sensing: Connecting the Cyber-Physical World . Integrating sensing and communications (ISAC) is crucial to unlock the full capabilities of future cyber-physical fusion, yet is challenged by limited network resources and diverse user requirements. The project will tackle these challenges by devising new ISAC techniques offering robust performance in both functions. Anchoring theory with practical requirements, the project expects to develop new methods leveraging advanced mathematical tools and machine learning techniques. The outcomes will break through the bottleneck of ISAC under stringent application requirements of high accuracy and high rates. The project will benefit Australia in advancing knowledge base in key wireless technologies and supporting future critical infrastructures.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4006 - Communications Engineering. Lead: Prof Emanuele Viterbo

From Noise to Signal. The project will investigate how sound works are installed within art exhibitions in the increasingly noisy art museum and gallery sector. It combines cross-cultural curatorial research with visitor experience testing using emerging technologies for non-intrusive surveying to better understand the significance of sound on the visitor experience. Expected outcomes include strategies to transform institutional paradigms concerning sound, improved experiences for the public within art institutions and potential benefits for the future development of analogous public spaces. The project will contribute tangible cultural benefits for Australian cultural sector by providing actionable recommendations to enhance exhibition environments.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3605 - Screen and Digital Media. Lead: A/Prof Caleb Kelly

Deciphering electrokinetic nanoparticle separation in elasto-inertial flows. This project aims to develop innovative methods for gentle and versatile separation of nanoparticles. This project expects to generate new knowledge in nanoparticle separation by leveraging electrokinetics in the unexploited viscoelastic and inertial flow region to enable nanoparticle use for a wide range of applications. The expected outcomes include a proof-of-concept microfluidic platform technology and a foundational understanding of the interplay between electric field, fluid property, flow condition and particle properties. This should provide significant benefits to Australia’s biomedical and pharmaceutical industries by offering a cost-effective, efficient and versatile nanoparticle separation technique.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering. Lead: Dr Jun Zhang

Australians and the Past Revisited. Twenty-five years ago, researchers carried out an ARC-funded survey about how Australians discover, think about and use the past in their lives. The digital revolution has since transformed the ways that people access historical knowledge and understanding. Using online surveys, focus groups and interviews with diverse Australians this project aims to investigate how Australians learn about, value and respond to their history and use it to address today’s social issues. Expected outcomes include better understanding of the value and significance of history and heritage for all Australians. This will benefit the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museum sector, teachers, the media and policy makers and help foster social inclusion.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4303 - Historical Studies. Lead: Prof Laurajane Smith

Observer design for complex systems: robust convergence and performance. Estimation algorithms can estimate unmeasured variables using sensor measurements and the mathematical model of the system. This project aims to develop a novel estimation design methodology for systems characterised by complex dynamics and complex networked structure. Expected outcomes include novel estimation algorithms and novel methodologies for tuning the existing algorithms for the purpose of enhancing their convergence and robustness properties. As estimation is a critical enabling technology spanning all sectors, significant benefits are expected, including enhanced monitoring, control and optimisation for important classes of complex systems, including those arising in collaborative robotics and energy storage.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4007 - Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics. Lead: Prof Dragan Nesic

Improving the accuracy of the justice system with systematic reviews. This project aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the legal system by making the scientific knowledge it relies on more accessible, understandable, and current. To do so, we will create fully transparent systematic reviews of commonly used forensic practices and topics, such as fingerprint analysis, and consult with lawyers, judges, and the public to build evidence-based strategies for effectively communicating these reviews. Long-term impact is ensured through training forensic scientists to produce future systematic reviews and by building a library of reviews hosted by the Australian Academy of Science. These tools will help prevent wrongful convictions, bring knowledge into courts more efficiently, and foster public trust. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4804 - Law In Context. Lead: Dr Jason Chin

Sustainable Residential Framing Systems using Recycled Plastics and Fibres. The project aims to develop pultruded recycled plastic composite (PRPC)-based residential framing systems that incorporate waste plastics and recycled plastic fibres. The PRPC materials will initially be developed. Structural members that employ PRPC will then be developed using pultrusion technology, followed by the development of residential framing systems. The expected outcomes include sustainable and durable PRPC, structural members and framing systems through experimental validation, numerical and analytical prediction models, design guidance and field investigation. The project promotes sustainable infrastructure by increasing Australia's plastic recycling capacity and easing the current disruption to the residential housing sector.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Scott Smith

An advanced and sustainable precursor for biofuels and plastics from agave. This project aims to advance Australia’s positioning in the global transition to a net zero economy by leveraging potential from the high-biomass, climate-resistant plant, agave. Using the transformational 3 -methylanisole technology from VIA BioFuels, the project will develop yeasts that are effective and efficient in converting plant juice into sustainable biofuels and green materials. Expected outcomes include optimised and validated technologies and capacity for a valuable Australian-grown agave-for-biomaterials industry. The project should provide significant benefits, such as improved use and productivity of otherwise non-arable land, and renewable feedstocks to suit a range of applications for Australia’s carbon-neutral future. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3106 - Industrial Biotechnology. Lead: Prof Rachel Burton

Additive Manufacturing of Silica-based Extraction Phases for Nutraceuticals. The project's overarching aim is to explore advanced manufacturing of highly defined, porous and chemically functionalised substrates for improved extraction and isolation efficiency of target high-value biomolecules and nutraceuticals within natural-product-based production processes. This new capability will be realised via the application of new in-house developed state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, enabling controlled porosity ceramic hybrid size exclusion and affinity/ion-exchange chromatography extraction phases and membranes. These new sustainable separation technologies will be tested from bench to pilot scale, using direct isolation of metalloproteins from milk and precision fermentation broths as two key industry use cases. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3401 - Analytical Chemistry. Lead: Prof Brett Paull

Addressing Water Security Challenges in the Murray-Darling Basin. Known as the driest inhabited continent on Earth, Australia faces ongoing water security issues, particularly within the Murray-Darling Basin. Water challenges can be too much, too little, or too dirty, invoking the need for robust but highly adaptable policy. In partnership with key local and national end-users, this project aims to advance understanding of freshwater security issues via state-of-the-art economic research to develop novel tools that significantly advance water demand/supply planning and implementation by government and stakeholders. This new capability will enhance collaboration between policy-makers who will be better positioned to deliver against contemporary water challenges, and meet water security for all.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3899 - Other Economics. Lead: Prof Sarah Wheeler

Disaster Ready Schools: Strengthening Australia's Education Sector. "Disaster Ready Schools" seeks to address the significant learning disruptions experienced by children and young people due to climate-induced disasters, which have affected over 242 million students globally. This national project aims to deepen our understanding of how these disasters impact Australia’s education system. Collaborating with key partners, including UNICEF Australia and the Queensland Department of Education, the project will co-design a disaster-ready education framework and supportive resources. Critical to the UN SDGs, it will investigate critical questions regarding the nature of these impacts, stakeholder adaptations, and strategies for enhancing resilience, ultimately fostering robust support systems for young people.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3901 - Curriculum and Pedagogy. Lead: Prof Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles

Investigating unconventional spaces for student wellbeing self-management. Student wellbeing at school is an urgent priority, that needs collaborative consideration. This project will investigate with students how and where they already self-manage their wellbeing at school, with a focus on unconventional spaces. The mixed methods study led by an inter-disciplinary research team will enable students, alongside partners from education, architecture, and wellbeing to deeply explore under-represented everyday wellbeing experiences. New concepts, practices and methods will capitalise on the ways that students self-manage their wellbeing for practical, industry-relevant solutions.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3904 - Specialist Studies In Education. Lead: Prof Jenna Gillett-Swan

Maximising success in analysing organometallics by MALDI mass spectrometry. This project pairs inert-sampling capability with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to enable precision detection and identification of organometallic species. The bespoke coupling of a fully equipped Jacomex PureSmart glovebox to a NeofleX MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer will enable intact and in situ measurement of air and moisture sensitive metal-coordinated molecules. This infrastructure will serve the research community of two ARC-funded ITTCs focussed on the development of advanced radiochemical technologies and advanced chemical manufacturing. Uncovering new reactivity modes can change how chemists make molecules, uncover hidden reactivity to inform future drug design, and provide safer products to avoid metal contamination.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 3402 - Inorganic Chemistry. Lead: Prof Andrea Robinson

Harnessing animal intelligence to repair Australian mammal communities . This project aims to address Australia’s extinction crisis by testing how predation shapes prey intelligence and using this new information to restore threatened mammal populations. This project aspires to determine which cognitive traits influence the development of antipredator behaviour and hence promote survival alongside predators. By exploring the role of predation in shaping learning and memory, this project will return only the most ‘predator smart’ prey to the wild, testing a model that could facilitate the co-existence of native prey alongside introduced predators. Expected outcomes include a new understanding of how predation shapes the brain and practical cognition-based conservation tools to reduce extinction risk.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4104 - Environmental Management. Lead: Dr Eamonn Wooster

Real Time Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for Sustainable Technologies. This project aims to enable ground-breaking research in sustainable technologies by establishing high-end Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility with the capability of operando analysis. This will eliminate a major gap in Australian research infrastructure and will support innovation such as CO2 valorisation, sustainable fertilisers, high end polymer manufacturing and related fields through high-throughput analysis of dynamic systems in action at currently unavailable level of detail. The aspiration is to generate new knowledge in catalysis, electrochemistry and materials science, and thereby strengthen competitiveness for Australia's manufacturing industry and secure internal supply chains that reduce impact on the environment.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 3406 - Physical Chemistry. Lead: Prof Philip Chan

Future-proofing Australia's Great Southern Reef. Climate change threatens Australia’s valuable temperate seaweed forests. This project aims to describe the responses of seaweed to warming and marine heatwaves and provide the best genetic management strategies for long-term survival for vulnerable seaweed populations. By integrating cutting-edge genomics, ecological forecasting, and biophysical models, the project will generate the knowledge required to develop tools and technologies that help prioritise and guide effective proactive management strategies to enhance seaweed forest resilience. Expected outcomes include improved capacity to safeguard these vital ecosystems and their essential functions and services, benefiting Australia’s government, marine managers, and coastal communities.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3108 - Plant Biology. Lead: Dr Georgina Wood