Grants & Opportunities

Reverse Design of Tuneable 4D Printed Materials for Soft Robotics. This project aims to facilitate the design and manufacture of specialised objects that can change their shape over time. These types of objects are made from ‘tuneable metamaterials’, which can be made by 4D printing: 3D printing with an added dimension of time. These materials are becoming indispensable in many fields- including non-metallic soft robots used in medicine or the exploration of harsh environments like space- but are currently onerous to make. This project will develop a revolutionary new method for a user to work backward from defining the desired qualities to the manufacture of the object that satisfies their needs. It will also create a library that will allow users to quickly select a material that will be appropriate.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering. Lead: Dr Ali Zolfagharian

Haloalkaliphilic sulphur oxidising bacteria in dealkalising bauxite residue. This project aims to establish breakthrough technology for neutralising bauxite refinery wastes by creating new knowledge about the taxonomic composition and molecular metabolism of sulphur oxidising bacteria capable of oxidising low-cost element sulphur in extremely haloalkaline niches. The findings will be translated into field feasible ecological engineering technology in partnership with industry partners. This DECRA project will also contribute to the net zero waste strategy in Australia and could significantly contribute to global problems of mining waste, carbon emission, and soil depletion if implemented. The commercialisation of the technology package will increase economic advantages and employment in Australia.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4106 - Soil Sciences. Lead: Dr Jing Zhao

Hybrid Technologies for Tabletop Games . This project aims to develop design tools for hybrid games that combine technology with tabletop play. Through a detailed examination of successful hybrid boardgames and an iterative, human-centered design and evaluation process that explores embedding novel sensors and tools into boardgames, it will explore the design, use, and experience of hybrid games. Expected outcomes include design of innovative and reusable components, a framework for understanding technologies that enable hybrid play, and a theory-based design methodology. Benefits include innovation in the tabletop game sector, fostering social connections for distanced families, and new applications of games for simulations in health, defence, and logistics.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4608 - Human-Centred Computing. Lead: Dr Melissa Rogerson

Behind the barrier: using mathematics to understand the neuro-immune system. This project aims to develop new mathematical methods to study healthy immune cell regulation in the brain and movement across the Blood Brain Barrier. The project expects to develop novel deterministic and stochastic mathematics that captures the stochasticity of immune cells in the Central Nervous System (brain and spine) and form the foundation of a new field of mathematical research: mathematical neuroimmunology. Expected benefits of this project include new mathematical tools, biological insight, and strong interdisciplinary collaborations. From this project, Australia will be placed at the forefront of mathematical research in neuroimmunology, and there will be a complete understanding of homeostasis of the neuro-immune system. . Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4901 - Applied Mathematics. Lead: Dr Adrianne Jenner

Solving key issues in wearable thermoelectrics for practical applications. Wearable thermoelectrics can directly harvest electricity from body heat, offering a new technology to charge wearable electronics sustainably, but their unsatisfied performance and durability limit their applications. This project aims to design efficient and durable wearable thermoelectrics based on novel carbon/polymer/semiconductor (CPS) hybrid films. The key breakthrough is to develop advanced hybrid materials and devices with record-high thermoelectric performance, high stability, and high durability to tackle long-lasting practical application issues. The expected outcomes will lead to innovative technology for energy conversion and advanced manufacturing and place Australia at the forefront of energy and manufacturing.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Dr Xiaolei Shi

Digital sovereignty and colonialisms in the Russian-Ukrainian war. This project investigates how weaponisation of information and communication technologies affects territorial integrity of sovereign democratic states. Documenting and analysing the architectures, practices and discourses surrounding digital sovereignty in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied territories, it contributes a unique regional case to understanding how digital communication infrastructures can be used as tools of colonial expansion. Expected outcomes include a theoretical model of colonial techno-geopolitics and a suite of critical visual approaches to mapping the topographies of digital sovereignty. Benefits include a set of policy recommendations on building and preserving resilient information and communication ecosystems. . Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Dr Olga Boichak

Diversity Oriented Clicking - Streamlined Synthesis of Molecular Frameworks. Innovation in synthetic chemistry drives the discovery of new life-changing drugs, agrochemicals and functional materials. This project aims to use a novel chemical concept, termed Diversity Oriented Clicking, for new sustainable and streamlined synthetic transformations. The new chemical processes are expected to deliver improved economy, efficiency and precision in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and functional materials that are inaccessible or challenging to prepare with existing technologies. The conceptual and practical outcomes of this project are expected to benefit both academia and industry as the synthetic routes to diverse complex molecules can be greatly streamlined, and reducing chemical waste and required purification.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3405 - Organic Chemistry. Lead: Dr Christopher Smedley

The geometry of braids and triangulated categories. Triangulated categories play a central role in geometry, algebra, and topology. Their study can uncover deep structure connecting different areas of mathematics. This project aims to use novel approaches to answer fundamental questions about triangulated categories and their symmetries. These symmetries are encoded by braids, which are important objects with many applications across science. The project is expected to benefit Australia by stimulating research in mathematics and computer science. It will invite connections with leading experts and students around the world and encourage overseas collaboration. There is a potential long-term benefit to cybersecurity, towards the development of new encryption schemes based on braids.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4904 - Pure Mathematics. Lead: Dr Asilata Bapat

Geothermal heat recovery and energy storage from underground mines. This project aims to investigate the technological aspects of re-using underground mines as a source for low-carbon heat extraction and storage – while simultaneously providing sustainable solutions for mine rehabilitation. Expected outcomes of this project include a framework to evaluate the viability of a mine-water system as a geothermal heat source; experimental and field exploration of the proposed technology; and strategies to optimise the heat extraction process. Overall, the research provides significant benefits for renewable-based energy transformation while minimising the adverse impacts of post-mining landscapes.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy. Lead: Dr Wanniarachchige Pabasara Kumari

On the wealth of First Nations: Examining the Indigenous-settler wealth gap. This project aims to revise understandings of First Nations economic circumstances by investigating disparities between First Nations and non-Indigenous financial wealth. It expects to generate knowledge of the size of the ‘wealth gap’ and identify the structures that cause its contemporary reproduction and analyse policy options to address these disparities. Expected outcomes of the project include new knowledge about the Indigenous-settler wealth gap and the development of a research literature on approaches to addressing the wealth gap in Australia. This should provide significant benefits including a clearer understanding of the nature and causes of economic disparities between First Nations and non-Indigenous people in Australia.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4406 - Human Geography. Lead: Dr Francis Markham

Evaluating the Impact and Efficiency of Engineering the Ocean to Remove CO2. This project aims to evaluate the viability of engineering the ocean to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by simulating a suite of climate intervention and baseline scenarios. To better predict changes in marine carbon cycling, I will first make novel observations of zooplankton grazing dynamics, then use them to improve, validate and constrain a new marine biogeochemical model. Using this model, coupled to an ocean, atmosphere and fisheries model, I will quantify the long-term efficiency with which marine carbon dioxide removal strategies sequester carbon along with their impact on fisheries catch. These projections will help scientists, policy-makers, and industry leaders decide if, when, and how we should geoengineer the ocean. . Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3708 - Oceanography. Lead: Dr Tyler Rohr

Hybrid optimisation for coordinating autonomous trucks and drones. This project aims to build analytics for controlling a fleet of autonomous trucks and drones working in tandem to deliver retail goods and disaster relief. This project expects to develop new mathematical and artificial intelligence algorithms for routing and scheduling the vehicles and for directing the multi-modal transfer of goods between vehicles in real-time as traffic conditions change. Expected outcomes of this project include new theories and technologies that enable a central computer to remotely control the autonomous fleet for maximum efficiency. Benefits in transport and logistics include improved freight productivity through reducing costs and delivery times.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 4903 - Numerical and Computational Mathematics. Lead: Dr Edward Lam

The Great Exhibitions and their Lost Indigenous Objects . This project will rediscover the Australian Indigenous objects sent overseas to the Great Exhibitions of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Such objects acted as powerful forms of cultural, political and economic display, and a form of imperial and colonial projection. It will excavate the hidden histories of Indigenous people involved in these events and the many objects lost to Australia. Through collaborative work at community dialogues, the project will repatriate knowledge and remake connections between objects, museums, and Indigenous people. In doing so, it will bring contemporary Indigenous perspectives to global attention, generate new exhibition possibilities and influence international museum practice.. Scheme: Discovery Indigenous. Field: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History. Lead: Prof Gaye Sculthorpe

Where we belong: Connecting Indigenous identity and well-being in the city. This project aims to address a critical knowledge gap about the lived experience of well-being for urban/sub-urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This project intends to provide an empirical understanding of the importance of identity and belonging for well-being from an Indigenous standpoint. Expected outcomes of this project include an in-depth, holistic, and place-based understanding of Indigenous-determined pathways to living well in the city and identifying community-based policy opportunities. This project has the potential to contribute to significant social and cultural benefits, such as improving Indigenous community well-being, healing intergenerational trauma, and promoting social cohesion and reconciliation.. Scheme: Discovery Indigenous. Field: 4504 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing. Lead: Dr Sarah Bourke

Advancing plant synthetic gene circuit capability, robustness, and use. This project aims to advance our ability to control gene expression in plants using synthetic gene circuits. By expanding the toolkit and optimizing circuit components, we aim to achieve more complex capabilities and robust implementation. Furthermore, we will apply gene circuit technologies to enhance plant frost tolerance. The expected project outcomes include a significant advance in gene circuit capabilities, a better understanding of their behavior in plant cells, and the ability to use them to confer advantageous traits. The benefits of this research include new plant biotechnology tools that will underpin future crop yield improvements, and advances in plant-based pharmaceuticals and materials.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Prof Ryan Lister

Digitally-Integrated Smart Sensing of Diverse Airborne Grass Pollen Sources. Grass pollen is the main outdoor allergen source globally, triggering hayfever and asthma in up to 500 million people. With over 10,000 species, the influence of grass type, location and climate on pollen in the air is not yet known. This is a key issue since subtropical and temperate grasses differ in response to environmental factors. The project aims to use artificial intelligence on digital camera images to learn to see local grass flowers and integrate this with air sensors trained to detect grass pollen types. The expected outcomes are new capacities to track airborne grass pollen types. These outcomes can transform how pollen can be monitored to reduce the burden of allergies, and provide evidence of changing airborne pollen loads. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4104 - Environmental Management. Lead: Prof Janet Davies

Learning to Reason in Reinforcement Learning. Deep Reinforcement Learning (RL) uses deep neural networks to represent and learn optimal decision-making policies for intelligent agents in complex environments. However, most RL approaches require millions of episodes to converge to good policies, making it difficult for RL to be applied in real-world scenarios taking significant resources. This project aims to equip RL with capabilities such as counterfactual reasoning and outcome anticipation to significantly reduce the number of interactions required, improve generalisation, and provide the agent with the capability to consider the cause-effects. These improvements would narrow the gap between AI and human capabilities and broaden the adoption of RL in real-world applications.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4611 - Machine Learning. Lead: A/Prof Ehsan Abbasnejad

What is the role of striatal dopamine in value-based decision-making? The aim of this project is to understand the role of dopamine in the brain circuits controlling goal-directed action. Its significance lies in our use of newly developed tools to measure dopamine release and cellular activity concurrently to assess the causal role of this interaction in choice and decision-making. The expected outcome of this project is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of dopamine release in striatal cellular activity and in the psychological processes mediating goal-directed decision-making. This outcome will have the benefit of filling a gap in our knowledge of the brain processes mediating decision-making, a fundamental capacity that contributes to our physical and psychological wellbeing (wellness). . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5202 - Biological Psychology. Lead: Prof Bernard Balleine

(Re)Designing Digital Justice. This project aims to address the challenge of (re)designing novel online court systems by introducing a human-centred design process to the legal process. This project will generate fundamental new knowledge in respect of how to effectively design an inclusive justice system, bridging the gap between the legal system and human-computer interaction. Expected outcomes include how to use technology to implement a more just, efficient, and fair legal system, which is accessible to all Australians. This should provide significant benefits for both Australian society and the legal system.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4608 - Human-Centred Computing. Lead: Prof Patrick Olivier

Understanding mosquito smell system: a new frontier in mosquito control. This project aims to identify and functionally investigate mosquito smell receptors, which are critical in detecting volatile compounds and locating their hosts from a considerable distance away. Mosquitoes display preferences for certain hosts over others, primarily determined by volatile chemicals produced by hosts. This study builds on recently discovered, novel, host-derived volatile compounds, which can elicit robust responses and attractiveness from mosquitoes. Expected outcomes of the project are enhanced understanding of mosquito smell system and behaviours. This could provide significant benefits to how we can fight mosquitoes and mosquito-transmitted diseases in a more efficient and environmentally responsible way.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3109 - Zoology. Lead: Dr Wei Xu

How lipid binding proteins shape the activity of nuclear hormone receptors. This project aims to explore how a family of lipid binding proteins control organ specific activation of nuclear receptors – receptors that play a key role in generating energy and are critical for life. The project will employ chemical, molecular, cell biology approaches to generate new knowledge about lipid binding protein-receptor interactions and how these complexes dictate receptor activation. The outcomes could provide a roadmap to design drugs that interact with the right protein in the right tissue and in doing so dramatically enhance drug specificity. This will benefit the success of drug treatments which require stimulation of a therapeutic response at a target site, and avoidance of potentially toxic activity at other locations.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3214 - Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Lead: A/Prof Michelle Halls

Impact of roughness on adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers. This project aims to develop a novel technique for measuring time-resolved fluid velocity vector fields in high-speed flows to investigate rough wall turbulence in adverse pressure gradient environments in unprecedented detail. By using this innovative instrument to study these widespread but poorly understood turbulent flows in power generation and transport, the project seeks to generate new knowledge. Expected outcomes include the development of a new instrument and fundamental knowledge leading to improved designs with higher efficiencies in power generation and transport, resulting in significant benefits such as increased energy security, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved quality of life for individuals and society.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4012 - Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering. Lead: Prof Julio Soria

Australian Experiences of Algorithmic Culture on TikTok. This project is the first to systematically investigate how algorithmic content recommendation is shaping everyday Australian cultural experience over time, in the particular context of TikTok—the digital platform where Australians spend the most time online. The project provides critical evidence to support the government's ongoing policy initiatives intended to regulate the activities of digital platforms. Its methodological innovations directly address the challenges of studying commercial platforms' recommender systems through a mixed-method research design combining computational and qualitative analysis, bridging universal and individual perspectives and introducing ‘citizen science’ approaches to the field of platform studies.. Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4701 - Communication and Media Studies. Lead: Prof Patrik Wikstrom

Co-designing Innovations in Digital Storytelling with Older Adults. This project aims to investigate how emerging technologies can be leveraged to provide innovative ways for older adults to create and share their life stories to foster social wellbeing. Later life can be a time of considerable change, leaving people feeling disconnected from the people, places, and life events that are important to them. Autobiographical storytelling can help create links with one's past, but little is known about how technologies such as digital games and virtual reality can be used to enable older adults to share stories about their lives in a way that supports ongoing social interactions. This project is expected to co-design new forms of digital storytelling to improve social wellbeing of older adults. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 4608 - Human-Centred Computing. Lead: Prof Jennifer Waycott

Unravelling Efficient Nucleic Acid Delivery Using Multilayer Nanoparticles. Developing smarter nanoparticles is critical for maximising the potential of biological therapeutics such as nucleic acids. Currently, the efficiency of nanoparticle delivery remains low due to the inability of carriers to migrate different biological regions. The aim of this project is to develop responsive polymer nanoparticles that can more effectively migrate cell barriers by a two-staged release based on the combination of different self-immolative polymers. This project will allow the development of design rules for understanding how nanoparticle structure can be optimised to improve nucleic acid delivery. This work will have important benefits such as developing new nanotechnology industry and skilled graduates for Australia. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry. Lead: Prof Georgina Such