Deadline: 05-Nov-2025
Applications are now open for the Discovery Program Fellowships to contribute to the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity by supporting outstanding mid-career researchers in delivering high-quality, impactful projects.
The Future Fellowships scheme aims to support outstanding mid-career researchers who demonstrate excellence in research, leadership, training, and mentoring; strengthen both basic and applied research by enabling universities to recruit and retain exceptional talent in continuing academic positions; foster collaboration at national and international levels; encourage innovative research that tackles significant knowledge gaps and delivers value for money; and generate new or advanced knowledge with economic, commercial, environmental, social, and cultural benefits for Australia, while enhancing the scale and focus of research in priority areas identified by the Australian Government.
The intended outcome of the Discovery Program is to contribute to the growth of Australia’s research and innovation capacity. Increasing Australia’s research and innovation capacity generates new knowledge and results in the development of new technologies, products and ideas, the creation of jobs, economic growth and an enhanced quality of life in Australia.
The estimated grant value ranges from AUD $766,904.00 to $1,329,808.00. Each fellowship provides a salary awarded at one of three salary levels, in addition to up to $60,000 per annum in project funding for a four-year duration. Project funding may be used for personnel, access to facilities, essential field research, expert third-party services, equipment and consumables, dissemination of research outputs, specialised software, essential travel, web hosting, workshops, and reasonable essential costs for researchers who are carers or require care.
Eligibility criteria stipulate that applicants must hold a PhD awarded on, or between, 1 March 2011 and 1 March 2021, or hold a PhD with allowable career interruptions equivalent to this timeframe. Previous recipients, or those who have been nominated for a Future Fellowship on three occasions, are not eligible to apply. Participants may be concurrently funded through the Discovery Program under specific project and role limits, with adjustments required before commencement if limits are exceeded.
Future Fellowship funding must be undertaken for four consecutive years on a full-time basis, although part-time arrangements may be approved in line with administering organisation conditions, provided the fellowship does not extend beyond eight years from the start date. Applications must be submitted as mature research plans through the Research Management System, adhering to format and content requirements, including certification, as outlined by the Australian Research Council. Application closes on 5 November 2025.
For more information, visit Australian Research Council.