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Status: Open

Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Future Fellowships scheme.

Aim

The objectives of the Future Fellowships scheme are to:

  • support outstanding mid-career researchers, with demonstrated capacity for high-quality research, leadership, research training and mentoring;
  • support excellent basic and applied research by outstanding mid-career researchers to be recruited and retained by universities in continuing academic positions;
  • foster national and international research collaboration;
  • support excellent and innovative research that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money;
  • create new or advanced knowledge resulting from the outcomes of the research with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia, and enhances the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas.

A Future Fellowship may be requested and/or awarded at one of three salary levels and salary-related (on-cost) funding, and will be funded for four years on a full-time basis.

An Administering Organisation may be awarded up to $60,000 of non-salary funding per annum which may be used for personnel, equipment, consumables, travel, and field research directly related to the Future Fellow's research.
Expected eligibility criteria for the 2027 Future Fellowship scheme:
  • The PhD award date must be on or between 1 March 2012 and 1 March 2022. If a candidate's PhD was awarded earlier than this, they must complete an Eligibility exemption request form to check their eligibility.
  • Candidates can only apply 3 times in the period in which they are eligible.
  • An individual must not be nominated for more than one Future Fellowship in a grant opportunity.
  • A previous recipient of a Future Fellowship is not eligible to apply for another Future Fellowship.
  • At least 80% of your time must be dedicated to the Future Fellowship research.
  • You must spend at least 50% of your time during the completion of the Future Fellowship in Australia.
  • Candidates must adhere to the ARC project limits.
  • Your project must be eligible according to the ARC Medical Research Policy.
For funding commencing in 2027:
  • Macquarie University EOI open: Thursday 21 May 2026
  • Macquarie University EOI deadline: 12 pm (AEST) Wednesday 26 August 2026
  • ARC Grant Guidelines released: Wednesday 16 September 2026
  • ARC opening date in RMS: Wednesday 23 September 2026
  • Strategic review (optional): 7 to 9 October 2026, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • MQ request not to assess deadline: Friday 16 October 2026
  • Compliance and eligibility check (mandatory): 21 to 23 October 2026, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • ARC request not to assess close: Friday 23 October 2026
  • Research Services submission to ARC: Friday 6 November 2026
  • Rejoinder period: 15 March to 5 April 2027
  • Outcomes expected:  26 October to 9 November 2027

ARC dates are indicative and are subject to change
Future Fellowship Expression of Interest (EOI) for funding commencing in 2027
  • Future Fellowship EOI form for funding commencing in 2027
    Due by 12 pm (AEST) Wednesday 26 August 2026
  • Submit your EOI via email to grant.development@mq.edu.au
  • EOIs will be assessed within faculties and those deemed competitive will advance to the full application stage
  • Applicants who are not currently on a continuing appointment at Macquarie University may be required to sit for an interview. In the Faculty of Science and Engineering, all external applicants and internal applicants on fixed-term contracts, will need to sit for an interview as part of the EOI process. Such applicants will proceed to the full application stage should their interview be successful and their EOI be approved.
  • Note: Although the EOI deadline has now passed, if you wish to be considered as a Future Fellowship candidate through Macquarie University in the 2027 round, please discuss your project with your Macquarie academic contact, Faculty contact or the Grant Development Team who may be able to advise you on the late EOI submission process.
ARC information for FT27
Macquarie information webinar for FT27
  • Strategic Advice for Developing your 2027 ARC Future Fellowship Application
    25 September 2026
    Dr Ross Hill (Research Services)
    Slides
    Recording
Macquarie resources for FT27