Grants & Opportunities

Partnering with aged care providers to develop accessible outcome measures. This project aims to develop evidence-based tools designed for Aged Care organisations to drive inclusivity in self-reporting by older people as part of the National Mandatory Quality Indicator Program. Recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, it will allow Aged Care providers to include people with dementia themselves when assessing their quality of their care. Expected outcomes include accessible-communication versions of the validated person-centred quality assessment tools recently implemented as part of the National Mandatory Quality Indicator program (namely the Quality of Life Aged Care Consumers and Quality of Care Experience Aged Care Consumers Instruments). . Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4203 - Health Services and Systems. Lead: Dr Rachel Milte

Extraction of the critical rare earth elements from mine waste. The transition to a carbon-free economy requires substantial amounts of the critical rare earth elements, for which demand is likely to outstrip supply in coming decades. Vast amounts of rare earths are present in the mine waste of some copper-gold mines, but cannot be economically extracted. This project aims to use molten alkali salts to reprocess mine waste, and transform the rare earths to a readily exploitable form. This project expects to create a scalable industrial separation process to be implemented in existing mines, with the separated ore used as input for extraction. A benefit of this project is the unlocking of a previously inaccessible Australian rare earth resource, comparable in size to the largest deposits globally.. Scheme: Early Career Industry Fellowships. Field: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy. Lead: Dr Michael Anenburg

Molecular engineering and doping for efficient and affordable solar cells. The new perovskite-based solar cells, produced by low-cost coating technologies, have remarkable power-conversion efficiencies. The aim of this project is to make them more durable and therefore economically viable, using molecular engineering and doping techniques to maintain good photoactivity in the perovskite (a metal halide), and to replace gold electrodes with superior low-cost carbon alternatives that have well-tuned and highly efficient electronic and surface properties. Expected outcomes include a new generation of affordable, high-quality, long-lasting solar cells that can be manufactured at scale, advancing Australia’s position in a high-tech future-focused market likely to be worth billions of dollars to our economy by 2029.. Scheme: Australian Laureate Fellowships. Field: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry. Lead: Prof Hongxia Wang

Islands in the Ice: Interpreting the future of Antarctic ecosystems. This program aims to better understand polar regions by combining data from key locations around the Antarctic continent to determine how vegetation in ice-free, coastal areas has responded to recent climate change. It will improve spatial and temporal climate data for Antarctica’s coastline, thus enabling more accurate modelling of the rates of environmental change and how this is affecting Antarctica's unique biodiversity. Outcomes will impact on climate science, policy development and Antarctic decision-making. The innovative technologies developed will be applied in a new continent-wide terrestrial observing system, enabling Australia and other nations to better manage their obligations to protect Antarctic biodiversity.. Scheme: Australian Laureate Fellowships. Field: 4101 - Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation. Lead: Prof Sharon Robinson

Precursors for perovskite solar from an Australian minerals supply chain. The aim is to develop production processes for transforming Australian resources into photovoltaic (PV) perovskite precursor specialty materials for next generation solar cells. Expected outcomes of this project include: (1) sourcing Australian resources, including mine wastes, to secure supplies for precursor materials, (2) demonstrate at scale, using novel processing methods, the production of bespoke precursor materials, and (3) enhance knowledge in impurity impacts on perovskite efficiency and stability in order to develop capacity in building next generation PV perovskite solar cells. This research will develop significant sovereign capabilities to supply and produce new energy technologies to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy. Lead: Prof Sara Couperthwaite

High Performance Photoinitiators for 3D Laser Lithography. To overcome key challenges of 3D printing on the micrometer scale, this projects develops next generation photoresists for 3D laser lithography. Based on a precision photophysical analysis approach, a blue print will be derived that creates the missing link between the chemical structure of photoinitators and their ability to print in two photon absorption processes. Based on this blueprint, high performance initiators will be synthesised and embedded into photoresists that break two barriers in contemporary 3D laser lithography: (i) Resists that decouple photopolymerisation processes from the printing process to eliminate volume shrinking during printing. (ii) Resists that allow to print 3D structures in the presence of living cells.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry. Lead: Prof Christopher Barner-Kowollik

Resolving bottlenecks in natural product biomanufacturing. Biochemicals that cannot be produced through synthetic chemistry are often amenable to biotechnological production, but industrialisation is hindered by inefficient enzymes at key steps. This synthetic biology project aims to address this important problem by combining ancestral protein reconstruction, machine learning for prediction of enzyme function, and multiplexed in vitro metabolic pathway prototyping. The power of this approach will be demonstrated by enhancing cytochrome P450 enzymes and prenyltransferases for biosynthesis of alkaloids and flavones. We expect that the project outcomes will reduce research and development costs associated with biotechnological manufacturing of high-value natural product biochemicals.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Dr James Behrendorff

Biorefining of Brewer's Spent Grain into Novel Dietary Fibres. Dietary fibres have a market value of multi-billion dollars. This project aims to produce novel dietary fibres from a food industry waste, brewer’s spent grain, using low-cost green alcohol solvents and novel enzymes. The expected outcomes include two types of novel dietary fibres, new knowledge in understanding of property-functionality relationships of the dietary fibres as well as improved process sustainability and economics achieved with the use of innovative biorefinery technologies. The biorefinery technologies are applicable to other cereal grains and grain processing by-products, such as wheat bran, accelerating the development of a new multi-billion-dollar nutraceutical manufacturing industry in Australia.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3106 - Industrial Biotechnology. Lead: Prof Zhanying Zhang

Bandgap engineered bismuth chalcogenides for uncooled infrared detectors. Uncooled infrared detectors are core enabling technologies in civilian and defense applications such as night vision, surveillance, automated driving, and firefighting. However, the industry application of two-dimensional materials in uncooled infrared detectors is hindered by their low device performance and poor fabrication scalability. This project aims to develop low-cost, high performance uncooled infrared detectors with high fabrication scalability by growing bandgap engineered two-dimensional bismuth chalcogenides with controlled doping and enhanced light absorption. This will place Australia in a very competitive position in the billion-dollar uncooled infrared detector market whilst benefit relevant Australian industry sectors.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Wen Lei

Scalable fabrication of diamond quantum microprocessors . Quantum computing is rapidly emerging, bearing transformative economic and security implications for Australia. This project leverages expertise in diamond materials science and x-ray science to develop a scalable manufacturing process for a distinctive diamond quantum technology that will expand quantum computing to efficiency-critical edge computing applications. Expected outcomes include new capabilities for fabricating the fundamental components of quantum computers using light and plasma to manipulate the surface of diamond. This will provide significant benefits, enhancing Australia’s sovereign quantum capabilities and strategically positioning Australia to capitalise on the anticipated $106B global quantum computing market in 2040.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics. Lead: A/Prof Grant Van Riessen

Superior Cold-formed Steel Floor Truss Systems to Modernize Construction. This project aims to develop new and improved high strength cold-formed steel (CFS) floor truss systems for use in mid-rise CFS buildings worldwide. It will generate new knowledge of the true behaviour and capacity of various CFS truss systems using extensive experimental and numerical studies. Expected outcomes are improved truss systems through simple strengthening techniques, new connections and built-up sections with reliable design methods. New lightweight CFS floor truss systems made of optimised sections and truss configurations will also be developed. These outcomes will enable modernized off-site construction to produce faster, safer, sustainable, and low-cost mid-rise building solutions, thus addressing the current housing crisis.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Mahen Mahendran

One-step separation and collection for pharmaceutical industry. This project aims to design and manufacturing large-scale separation and collection membranes with tuneable surface properties to achieve effective oil/emulsion/microparticles separation and collection performance by learning from natural one-step separation and collection functionalities. The outcomes will provide a realistic solution to the key challenges in separation and separation demands in current pharmaceutical industries, including high contamination, easy blocking, low-efficiency, and lacking sustainability. This project will advance the knowledge base of sustainable separation technologies and brings technological breakthroughs to industry partners, pharmaceutical industries, and separation end-users.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4016 - Materials Engineering. Lead: Prof Ziqi Sun

Novel decarbonisation via producing lithium carbonate with carbon emissions. As a critical metal, lithium will play a pivotal role in energy transition. Tianqi Lithium Kwinana is the first to produce battery-grade lithium in Australia in commercial quantities in May 2022. This project aims to make its refining process greener through effective decarbonisation and waste management. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of decarbonising the refining processes of critical minerals. Expected outcomes include a new technology for locking carbon dioxide into lithium products, and a novel approach for managing refinery waste. This should provide significant benefits, such as a boosted lithium production capacity for Australia’s exports, and invented leading technologies for critical minerals industry.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4004 - Chemical Engineering. Lead: Prof Hongqi Sun

ARC Research Hub in the Internet of Things for Water. The ARC Research Hub in the Internet of Things for Water aims to position Australia as a global leader in digital technologies for the water sector. The Hub expects to transform Australian capabilities by delivering cutting-edge technologies, and novel visualisation and analytics methods, supported by new business models. Expected outcomes include enhanced capabilities to secure water for industry, society and the environment, and improve our productivity through new water management techniques. The Hub will benefit Australia by opening up market opportunities for technology developers, manufacturers, and service providers, ensuring cost-efficiencies, improved equity, and heightened environmental protection for Australian water resources.. Scheme: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Yang Liu

ARC Research Hub for Infrastructure Net Zero. The NetZero Hub aims to transform Australia's construction sector through digitalising the infrastructure lifecycle for net-zero, targeting challenges like excessive carbon emissions and outdated practices, which currently impede sustainability. In line with Australia's 2030 Digital Economy Strategy, the Hub utilises infrastructure digital twins, integrated with low-carbon materials, eco-friendly structural designs, and state-of-the-art operation and maintenance methods to reinvent the performance and profitability of the infrastructure industry, a critical national economic and employment sector. It will help Australia meet its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, and drive a data-driven sustainable industrial revolution. . Scheme: Industrial Transformation Research Hubs. Field: 4005 - Civil Engineering. Lead: Prof Wenhui Duan

Attracting and retaining a culturally diverse teacher workforce. This Deakin partnership with teacher, parent, and principal organisations investigates factors impacting the attraction and retention of a culturally diverse teacher workforce in public schools. Through co-designed national surveys, policy workshops, and case studies, our project examines, from sociocultural, postcolonial, and Indigenous perspectives, three teacher career transitions: from school student aspirations to initial teacher education and into schools. This interrogation of workforce supply and demand will yield significant evidence to inform policies and planning for partners, universities, and governments, and identify strategies for creating interculturally capable and culturally safe school and teacher education systems.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3903 - Education Systems. Lead: Dr Ben Arnold

Evaluation of shedder phenomenon in forensic science . This project aims to deliver the first standardised shedder test and categorisation, population datasets on shedder types and self/non-self DNA contributions; for casework implementation. This project is expected to generate data on factors affecting individual’s propensity to transfer DNA during a contact event (shedder status) which is currently poorly understood. Generated data will be of significant benefit in provision of justice as breakthroughs are urgently needed to bolster forensic DNA expertise in courts. DNA from touch evidence is central to most criminal court cases, yet these data and supporting methods are lacking. New robust methodology and suitable population datasets will pivotally benefit quality of evidence provision.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3199 - Other Biological Sciences. Lead: Dr Mariya Goray

Culture for Climate: the performing arts and eco-creative sustainability . This project will fill an urgent knowledge gap that is stalling the transition of Australia’s performing arts to environmental sustainability. We will determine how performing arts organisations can respond to the climate crisis using creative sustainability approaches in production and operational processes. Our project will deliver creative sustainability strategies that have been tested and proven in Australia’s performing arts sector, plus a framework for embedding sustainability goals in the National Cultural Policy. Australia’s performing arts sector has an appetite to transition to sustainability and to be leaders in meeting the challenges of climate change. This project will deliver tangible tools to fast-track this transition. . Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 3604 - Performing Arts. Lead: Dr Tanja Beer

Identifying sources of contaminants of concern entering Australian sewers. This project aims to identify and quantify sources of contaminants of concern entering Australian sewer systems by mapping industrial inputs into catchments. A world-first systematic sampling and archiving program will be established for trade waste, combined with an ongoing analytical program to profile chemical contaminants linked to industry. The project will also determine baselines for domestic inputs and associated chemical fingerprints. Comparing domestic and industrial inputs will aid in identifying the main polluters in a catchment that is critical to designing the best source control options. This forms the basis for effectively reducing releases of chemical contaminants into wastewater treatment plants and receiving environments.. Scheme: Linkage Projects. Field: 4011 - Environmental Engineering. Lead: Prof Jochen Mueller

Resilience and Relocation: Unravelling the end of Angkor. This project addresses the unresolved issue of Angkor's decline, among the largest pre-industrial cities on Earth, by examining human settlement, landscape management, and resilience to climatic and demographic changes. Employing novel methods in archaeology, geoscience, and history, and building upon twenty-five years of Australian-led research in Cambodia, I will lead a team to interpret Angkor's decline as a distinct socio-cultural event, rather than a simple 'collapse.' The focus is on Srei Santhor, a pivotal site where Angkor's elites sought to ensure food security and maintain political authority amidst an agricultural crisis. Our findings will reveal key insights into societal evolution, modelling long-term socioeconomic trends.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4301 - Archaeology. Lead: A/Prof Martin Polkinghorne

Understanding cytokine-modulated antigen processing and presentation. This project aims to investigate the molecular basis of cytokine-modulated antigen processing and presentation using both cutting-edge experimental and computational approaches, thereby providing novel knowledge in cytokine-modulated cellular biology and immunology. This project leverages transcriptomics, functional proteomics, immunopeptidomics, and computational biology techniques to investigate multiomic level molecular mechanisms and their contributions to remoulding antigen processing and presentation upon cytokine stimulation. This project is also expected to construct innovative experimental and computational pipelines for multiomic data generation and analysis, to push forward Australia’s innovative life science research.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Lead: Dr Chen Li

Novel Hybrid Droop and Model Predictive Control for Community Microgrids. This project aims to increase energy resilience and efficiency by utilising next-generation community microgrids, in which power shortfall in one household can be compensated by the excess power available from its neighbours. It expects to generate significant new knowledge in grid integration of power electronics interfaced distributed energy resources. Expected outcomes include new network architectures and innovative power converter control methods to utilise local energy sources. This project will unlock the full potential of community energy to generate reliable electricity independently during bushfires and extreme weather events. It will also help in meeting emission reduction targets by facilitating renewable energy uptakes. . Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4007 - Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics. Lead: Prof Jiefeng Hu

Carbon negative freshwater wetlands: novel pathways of carbon sequestration. Freshwater wetlands are a substantial source of methane emissions, contributing significantly to climate change. Under my leadership, it was discovered that contrary to expectations, freshwater wetlands dominated by “paperbark” trees (Melaleuca spp.) act as methane sinks rather than emissions sources.  This study will explore the hydrology, ecology and microbial communities that drive this unusual carbon pathway. The implications of these investigations are immense; the results will inform new Blue Carbon methodologies that could include low-emission freshwater wetlands. Additionally, it will support the discovery of methane-consuming microbes with the potential to create biotechnological solutions to reduce global methane emissions. . Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4105 - Pollution and Contamination. Lead: Dr Maria Fernanda Adame

Unravelling the psychological foundations of reactionary social movements . Research into how and why people mobilise in favour of progressive social change is flourishing; but research on why people act collectively to oppose equality and inclusion is rare. Using new conceptual and methodological approaches, this project aims to understand when, how, and why people organise collectively to oppose the inclusion of migrants and transgender people; what prompts some people to escalate to political or physical violence; and how online platforms enable engagement. Expected outcomes defining the social psychology of actors, and trajectories of engagement and extremism, will support a growing collaboration with end-users in the national intelligence community to bolster social cohesion and inform de-escalation tactics.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 5205 - Social and Personality Psychology. Lead: Prof Emma Thomas

Multicultural frontiers and human histories on the fringe of tropical Sahul. This project aims to transform our understanding of deep-time human histories on the fringe of eastern Papua New Guinea that contributed to the peopling of Oceania, the Australia-New Guinea continent of Sahul, and the region as a global diversity hotspot. It expects to generate new knowledge about the role of cross-cultural interaction in this process by linking interdisciplinary archaeological and traditional data in preserved coastal landscapes that were key corridors of mobility. Expected outcomes include reframing New Guinea in human history models and development of novel interpretive frameworks. Benefits include enhancing Australia's capacity to manage a shared multi-cultural heritage, and strengthening inclusive Pacific partnerships.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 4513 - Pacific Peoples Culture, Language and History. Lead: Dr Ben Shaw