Status: Closed
Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Collaborate scheme.
Aim
The Collaborate scheme will foster the establishment and strengthening of research alliances across the research ecosystem, including Australian and international research institutions, industry and the broad range of research end users.
Collaborate is expected to open in Q1 2028.
This information is indicative and is subject to consultation and information sessions which will inform design of the scheme in the final grant opportunity guidelines.
The scheme will fund multi-institutional programs of early-stage research to advance knowledge with academic, economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia.
The large scale of this scheme will require significant cash contribution from collaborating organisations, with appropriate considerations taken for comparable in-kind contributions for not-for-profit and community partners.
The proposed objectives of the Collaborate scheme:
- Excellence: Support excellent, innovative, multi-institutional and interdisciplinary research programs that address significant problems or advance knowledge.
- Benefit: Support research that provides value with money and serves the national interest in diverse ways, in particular addressing challenges or opportunities of relevance to local and international partners.
- Capacity: Support collaborative research projects that enable researchers to establish sustainable, productive partnerships that support knowledge transfer and maximise research impact.
- Collaboration: Support and expand mutually beneficial and significant research collaboration within and between Australian institutions, industry and other users of research as well as international partners.
Projects of up to 5 years in duration may request between $1m and $2m per year. Direct costs may be applied for, including for example personnel, equipment, maintenance, teaching relief, and travel.
Multi-institutional teams of researchers, including at least one Partner Organisation, are eligible to apply.
ARC Research Points have been introduced to support broader participation in research projects and collaboration across grant opportunities, and these limits apply to this scheme.
Of your 13 Research Points, the following will be used for applications in the Collaborate scheme:
- Lead CI/Director: 7
- Node Lead CI/Director: 5
- CI: 3
- SCI - ECR (salaried CI): 8
A Salaried Chief Investigator (SCI) may apply for another SCI role but can only hold one salary at a time.
NCGP legacy scheme grants will not be counted in the ARC Research Points limit.
Further eligibility requirements will be provided in the forthcoming grant guidelines.
Collaborate is expected to open in Q1 2028.
The scheme is expected to run every 2 years, alternating with the Prioritise scheme.
Specific dates are yet to be released by the ARC.
Notification of Intent (NOI)
Complete a Notification of Intent to inform your Faculty and the University teams of your intention to submit an application. After completing this NOI, you will be provided with regular updates about your funding scheme and sent valuable resources that will assist you in developing a highly competitive research grant application.