Status: Closed
Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Indigenous Excellence scheme.
Aim
Indigenous Excellence will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers to establish, advance and sustain research careers and research leadership across all disciplines.
Indigenous Excellence scheme is expected to open in Q4 2027. The scheme will run annually.
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 grant opportunity provides dedicated opportunities for Indigenous researchers, with full salaries available for early-career and mid-career researchers as part of a project budget if required. The scheme aims to strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research workforce across all fields of research.
While Indigenous researchers can also apply or contribute to other National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) schemes, only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers will be eligible for funding in the Indigenous Excellence Grant Opportunity.
The proposed objectives of the Indigenous Excellence scheme:
- Excellence: Support excellent and innovative research that addresses a significant problem or advances knowledge.
- Benefit: Support research that provides value for money and serves the national interest in diverse ways, including fundamental knowledge creation; commercial, cultural, economic, environmental, or social benefits; and/or alignment with Australian government priority areas.
- Capacity: Strengthen and sustain the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research workforce across career stages by supporting research leadership, capability, mentoring, career development and generational continuity across all disciplines.
- Collaboration: Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers to establish and lead mutually beneficial local, national and/or international collaborations where these strengthen the research and are appropriate to the project.
Projects of up to 5 years in duration may request between $50,000 and $500,000 per year. Direct costs may be applied for, including for example personnel, equipment, maintenance, teaching relief, and travel.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers 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 Indigenous Excellence scheme:
- Lead CI: 5
- CI: 3
- SCI - ECR (salaried CI): 8
- SCI - MCR (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.
Indigenous Excellence is expected to open in Q4 2027.
The scheme will run annually.
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 Research Services 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.