Grants & Opportunities

Catalyst design for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. This project aims to use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas that drives global climate change, into valuable chemicals via catalytic reduction. This project expects to facilitate the selective production of valuable ethylene from carbon dioxide reduction by developing novel cocatalyst materials derived from metal-oxo cluster molecules. Expected outcomes include fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship in new catalytic systems, and technological breakthroughs in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The success of this project will bring significant environmental and economic benefits, and position Australia at the frontier of global transition to a low-carbon economy.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Dr Haijiao Lu

Quantum sensing of magnetism in two dimensions. This project aims to use innovative quantum sensing technologies to investigate the novel emerging field of two-dimensional magnetism; imaging both static and dynamic forms of 2D magnetism. This project expects to generate new knowledge about magnetic van der Waals materials and their potential application to ultra-thin electronic and spintronic devices. Expected outcomes of this project are a deeper understanding of the formation and modulation of magnetic order in 2D, new fabrication methods for deliberate domain wall formation, production of near-zero energy gap spin-waves, and new encapsulation methods for ultra-stable 2D materials. This should provide significant benefits towards fundamental physics and future device engineering. . Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics. Lead: Dr David Broadway

Integrated models of learning and decision making in complex tasks. How do people learn to make decisions in complex work systems when assisted by automation? This project will develop computational models of human learning and decision making that explain and predict complex decisions relevant to industries such as aviation and defence. It will examine how humans learn to use automated advice, how learning affects remembering to perform planned (deferred) actions, and factors that pose a risk to learning and adaptation. The expected outcome is a significant theoretical advance in human factors and cognitive psychology, and a tool for informing work design (e.g., computer interface, task allocation) and training, with the potential to reduce human error in safety-critical workplaces.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology. Lead: Dr Luke Strickland

Glassy metal-organic framework membranes for CO2 separation and conversion. This project aims to develop a new class of glassy metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes for CO2 separation and conversion. By constructing membrane reactors, it is expected to simultaneously separate CO2 from gas mixture and subsequently convert it into value-added chemicals in a continuous single operating unit. The expected outcomes include fabrication techniques for ultrathin MOF glass membranes, cutting-edge knowledge in advanced MOF membrane design, a new generation of MOF devices, and efficient membrane reactors for CO2 conversion with mixed gas feed. This project expects to accelerate the development of low-carbon technologies and provide significant benefits in mitigating the adverse effects of anthropogenic CO2 emissions.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: Dr Rijia Lin

Illuminating the function and evolution of iridescence. This project seeks to reveal how dynamic colour signals enable effective communication by connecting the production, transmission, and perception of visual information through space and time. By integrating innovative analyses of behaviour, physiology, and optics, it will offer original insight into how information is encoded and fluidly exchanged under real-world conditions, and produce new tools for interrogating the subjective visual world of animals. This work promises benefits to our understanding of how the universal process of communication drives adaptation amidst environmental change, with significant scope for bio-inspired solutions to contemporary problems of vision and efficient information processing, including among humans.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology. Lead: Dr Thomas White

Anisotropic single-particle transducers. The project aims to tackle a major challenge in techniques that manipulate tiny particles – increasing the performance of transducer devices that convert magnetic forces to mechanical movement. It will centre on interactions on the surface of particular particles, bypassing a known scientific limit. Expected outcomes include a fundamental understanding of key factors that have recently been shown to enhance magnetic responsivity and efficient mechanical manipulation and sensing in a magnetic field. The project outcomes will benefit developers by, for example, advanced nanoscale devices for robotics, sensing and molecular bioassays; controlling biophysical processes; and fundamental mechanobiology research.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4018 - Nanotechnology. Lead: Dr Gungun Lin

Signs on Screen: Language, Culture and Power in Sign Language Cinema. This project aims to discover how contemporary screens represent deafness and how sign language cinema filters Deaf and non-ableist perspectives. Partnering with Deaf Connect and the National Film and Sound Archive, this project expects to provide a transnational, transdisciplinary framework for analysing Deaf language and culture on screen in terms of completeness and empowerment. Expected outcomes include capacity building for emerging Deaf scholars, inclusive innovations in film and language studies and new opportunities for Deaf/hearing dialogue and cohesion. This should lead to diverse benefits such as increased Deaf wellbeing and enhanced capacity to harness screen cultures to support and reflect the diversity of Deaf experience.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4702 - Cultural Studies. Lead: Dr Gemma King

Navigating Uncertainty & Evidence: Teaching for Epistemic Cognition. We are facing an epistemological crisis, grounded in changing technologies, fake news, and a distrust of experts. Developing capability to navigate uncertainty, disagreement, and evidence is one of the most pressing social issues of our time in order to develop a sustainable society, ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Despite relevant research, little is known about the crucial practices of educators in supporting learning towards these capabilities. This project will bring classroom practice and a practical theory of epistemic cognition into synchrony, developing new knowledge and strategies for students to learn how to navigate uncertainty, disagreement, and evidence.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3904 - Specialist Studies In Education. Lead: A/Prof Simon Knight

Spectral estimates in the presence of a magnetic field. Estimates on eigenvalues of integral operators are at the core of numerous results in the study of quantum phenomena and in associated mathematical fields. This project aims to establish detailed spectral properties of the integral operators arising in quantum models incorporating magnetic fields. An anticipated goal is the generation of new and significant theoretical results in analysis that will open novel approaches to the use of magnetic differential operators. This is expected to benefit Australian science by invigorating collaboration between mathematics and theoretical physics, by providing research training relevant to emerging quantum science based technology and strengthening research collaborations with world leading scientists.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4904 - Pure Mathematics. Lead: Dr Galina Levitina

Transition of Indigenous people into, and graduating from, higher education. This research focuses on the learning experiences of Indigenous students in WA as they move from high school into university, and from university graduation to the workplace – key educational transition points. Most recent research on Indigenous academic persistence and outcomes (i.e, factors that enable or act as barriers to higher education), is quantitative. Hence this project will document, in-depth, qualitative understandings of students' learning journeys. This will provide an opportunity for them to have a voice about their experiences. The outcomes of this project will also provide important directions to the students and to universities to help improve the learning experiences, potentially leading to improved academic outcomes.. Scheme: Discovery Indigenous. Field: 4502 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education. Lead: A/Prof Graeme Gower

Governing Aboriginal self-determination in NSW: 1980-2025. This project aims to examine how Aboriginal affairs governance in NSW has operated in the era of self-determination since 1980 to today. Using an ethnographic approach to study political power through time, it can develop a new understanding of the real practice of self-determination as policy. It expects to investigate whether governance processes have enabled improvements in the lives of Aboriginal people in NSW. Today, as policymakers negotiate co-design and partnership in Aboriginal affairs, this project can create new knowledge on the potential of resetting relationships between government and Aboriginal people. This will provide a significant contribution to crucial debates on advancing Aboriginal self-determination today.. Scheme: Discovery Indigenous. Field: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History. Lead: Prof Heidi Norman

Fine Tuning: A Reconciliation of Indigenous and Western Musical Traditions. Focusing on central Australian song lines, the project strengthens our knowledge, understanding and application of the intricate tuning systems that underpin traditional Indigenous musical practices. Employing a unique methodology that combines Indigenous and contemporary Western musical performance practices with cutting-edge digital technologies, the project will show how the highly nuanced and sophisticated tunings at the heart of Indigenous music-making can be preserved when transposed to contemporary Western art music contexts. In so doing, the case is made for a more genuine, equitable dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous music-makers, to the mutual benefit of musicians, audiences, and society at large. . Scheme: Discovery Indigenous. Field: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History. Lead: Dr Dylan Crismani

ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Eliminating violence against women is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. Awareness of the problem has grown exponentially, but solutions to it have not. This Centre aims to transform our understanding of the problem by examining the structural drivers that cause and compound violence against women, and pioneering new, evidence-based approaches to radically improve policy and practice across Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The Centre mobilises survivor-centric and Indigenous methodologies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and Indo-Pacific partnerships to deliver scalable approaches to eliminate violence against women across the legal, security, economic, health, and political systems of Australia and the region.. Scheme: ARC Centres of Excellence. Field: 4408 - Political Science. Lead: Prof Jacqui True

Cryogenic Near-Field Imaging and Spectroscopy Facility at the 10-nm-Scale. Cryogenic near-field imaging and spectroscopy impacts a wide range of next-generation technologies including non-invasive medical instruments, wearable devices, communication, quantum information systems and energy storage solutions. This project aims to build a cryogenic near-field imaging and spectroscopy platform at the nanometre scale for characterising nanomaterials and micro/nano-scale devices. The facility expects to provide rich and unique characterisation capabilities for hybrid devices at low temperatures and in a high vacuum environment. Such a platform enables multidisciplinary collaborations alongside local design and construction of hybrid devices, advancing the growth of local high-technology industries.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 4018 - Nanotechnology. Lead: Prof Yuerui Lu

Photonic Computing Architecture Validator. Photonic Computing Architecture Validator will be the first Australian facility - a testbed for accelerated development and validation of photonic implementation of machine learning architectures. This will enable rapid testing of ultrafast machine learning algorithms and applications to solve challenging problems with high-speed spatio-temporal data streams. This photonic computing architecture validator will be a critical enabler for many innovative and diverse research activities including protection of high-speed internet links against cyber-attacks, photonic radars with cognitive processing, biomedical imaging and sensing with parallel data streams, and analysis of high frequency trading in financial markets.. Scheme: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities. Field: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware. Lead: Prof Christina Lim

Graded Symmetry in Algebra and Analysis. This project will study graded symmetries in mathematics by modelling them as groupoids and inverse semigroups. Groupoids have been at the centre of mathematical interest for a long time, but have gained special prominence in recent years as a focal point for algebra, analysis and dynamics. The majority of groupoids can be naturally graded. The project introduces graded combinatorial invariants for groupoids (such as graded homology) and relates them to their Steinberg and C*-algebra counterparts (such as graded K-theory). The outcome is to give sought-after unified invariants bridging algebra and analysis, and to exhaust the class of groupoids for which these much richer invariants will furnish a complete classification. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4904 - Pure Mathematics. Lead: Prof Roozbeh Hazrat

Social buffering of fear inhibition in adolescent rats. Adolescence is an important time when individuals learn to manage stress-related emotions like fear. Peers can help, or hinder, individuals to regulate fear. This project aims to understand how, when, and for whom social buffering of fear regulation occurs during adolescence. It uses a behavioural, pharmacological, and neural approach to explore these issues. The project aims to close the gap in understanding of how social companions affect basic learning and memory processes in an understudied population of adolescents. The expected outcomes of this project include a richer knowledge of how peers shape emotional regulation during development, which will ultimately inform social-based approaches for improving emotion regulation in youth. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5202 - Biological Psychology. Lead: Dr Kathryn Baker

Imaging mammalian organogenesis with adaptive optics. Optical and computational barriers to analysing cell movement have limited our understanding of mammalian organogenesis. We have built a super-resolution spinning disk confocal microscope with adaptive optics and developed machine learning-based image processing and cell segmentation workflows to overcome these long-standing barriers. We propose to combine these cutting-edge live imaging and analysis approaches to characterise the role of cell movement in mammalian organ formation and develop advanced cell segmentation and tracking methods for use in the scientific community. We anticipate this project will generate fundamental insights into how cells interact to build complex organs.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3105 - Genetics. Lead: Dr Alexander Combes

Discovery and directed evolution of small molecule biosensors. This project aims to address the need for novel small molecule biosensing capability in diverse fields including food and wine production, environmental monitoring, biocatalysis, and diagnostics using a synthetic biology approach. The significance of this work is the development of new biosensors by a strong interdisciplinary team contributing bioinformatics to identify new biosensors, innovative protein engineering approaches, and cutting-edge directed evolution methodologies. Intended outcomes include enhanced institutional capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration; discovery of fundamentally important bacterial sensors; and development of synthetic regulatory circuits enabling outgrowth of non-biological biocatalysis industries.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Dr Fiona Whelan

Pile foundations in unsaturated soils: a mechanistic framework. This project will develop a mechanistic approach to pile foundation design in variably saturated soils through integrated expertise in the fields of unsaturated soil mechanics, material nonlinearity, numerical modelling, limit analysis and experimental investigation. It will achieve a rigorous understanding of pile behaviour in unsaturated soils subjected to monotonic loading through a comprehensive program of scaled laboratory testing, numerical and theoretical analyses. The models, theories, mechanics and predictive tools arising from this research will have direct and immediate impact on the planning, design, construction and management of many types of infrastructure involving pile foundations in industrial and residential developments.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Nasser Khalili

Small Scalable Natural Language Models using Explicit Memory. Deep neural networks have had spectacular success in natural language processing, seeing wide-spread deployment as part of automatic assistant devices in homes and cars, and across many valuable industries including finance, medicine and law. Fueling this success is the use of ever larger models, with exponentially increasing training resources, accompanying hardware and energy demands. This project aims to develop more compact models, based on the incorporation of an explicit searchable memory, which will dramatically reduce model size, hardware requirements and energy usage. This will make modern natural language processing more accessible, while also providing greater flexibility, allowing for more adaptable and portable technologies.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence. Lead: Prof Tom Drummond

Global Governance, Eco-Justice, and International Grievance Mechanisms. Despite their global use, there is no evidence that grievance mechanisms provide remedies for people and ecosystems harmed by international development projects. This project aims to investigate whether grievance mechanisms provide eco-justice, where communities seek to be recognised and participate, can lead full lives safe from undue environmental risk, in ecosystems that can regenerate and repair. This is significant given increasing environmental conflict and deaths at project sites around the world. Examining over 430 original claims to the Multilateral Development Banks’ mechanisms over 25 years, and four case studies, the project aims to determine whether the mechanisms deliver eco-justice, and can improve global rules for remedy.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4408 - Political Science. Lead: Prof Susan Park

Enabling technology unlocking full potential of high bandgap chalcopyrite . This project is aimed at solving the fundamental challenges of high bandgap chalcopyrite light-harvesting material to unlock its full potential as the top cell for photovoltaic tandem cell and the photocathode for photoelectrochemical applications. This will be realised by dynamic optimisation of its performance in photovoltaic solar cell device through understanding of its defects origins, enabling defects controlling technologies, and microscopic carrier loss mechanism analysis via systematic macro-to-micro characterisations combined with 3D device simulation. The project completion will reinforce the next-generation tandem cell and photoelectrochemical technologies with the efficient, stable, RoHS-compliant and thin chalcopyrite devices.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Xiaojing Hao

From me to you and beyond: understanding socially-induced nocebo effects. Nocebo effects – when negative expectancies trigger adverse outcomes – cause enormous personal and societal harm. We have made great progress understanding how instruction and conditioning contribute to nocebo effects. Yet, the role of social learning – what we learn by observing others – has received surprisingly little attention despite its relevance to many prominent societal-level nocebo effects. The current project uses novel experimental methods to understand how social learning contributes to nocebo effects and which strategies inhibit these effects. The results will significantly advance scientific understanding of socially-induced nocebo effects and pave the way for translational research to reduce the substantial harm they cause.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology. Lead: Prof Ben Colagiuri

Integrated nonmetal-metal single-atom catalysis for selective synthesis. Single atom catalysts can achieve the maximum efficiency of active sites for a reaction. This project will develop integrated nonmetal and metal single atom-based catalysts for selective oxidation towards clean production and organic waste conversion to value-added polymers for carbon recycle. The project will result in new functional materials and green catalytic processes for chemical synthesis and waste reduction, and advance fundamental understanding of molecular structure of materials for catalyst design and process engineering for industrial applications. The outcomes will promote the development of chemical industry, waste recycle and green environment in Australia, making significant benefits to economics and society.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Xiaoguang Duan