Status: Closed
Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Initiate Fellowships.
Aim
Initiate Fellowships invest in the next generation of researchers to undertake a research project and develop the skills, experience and professional versatility required to build sustainable research careers that contribute to a high-performing research system, both inside and outside of academia.
Fellows may undertake collaborative activities, placements, secondments, mentoring arrangements or other opportunities that strengthen their professional networks and career pathways.
Initiate Fellowships is expected to open in Q2 2027 and will run annually.
The information on this webpage is indicative and is subject to consultation and information sessions which will inform design of the scheme in the final grant opportunity guidelines.
The Initiate Fellowships grant opportunity supports early-career researchers to:
- pursue innovative research
- strengthen research capability and independence
- develop leadership skills and professional experience
- broaden collaboration and professional networks
- enhance employability through diverse career pathways, both within and beyond academia.
Career-stage cohorts
Applications will be assessed in two career-stage cohorts:
- Cohort 1: Up to 2 years since award of PhD
- Cohort 2: More than 2 years and up to 5 years since award of PhD
This approach recognises the different career stages, including the types of opportunities available, for both cohorts.
Career development plan
Applications will require a career development plan outlining the candidate’s development goals and the support to be provided by the Administering Organisation to strengthen research capability, employability and adaptable skills. Fellowships may include engagement activities such as placements with Australian or international universities, industry or other research end-users. This will be assessed as part of the ‘WHO’ assessment criterion.
Objectives
The proposed objectives of the Initiate Fellowships 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: Support the development of the research workforce in Australia by providing opportunities for early-career researchers to strengthen their research and leadership experience and build transferable skills for career pathways within and beyond academia.
- Collaboration: Support the development of mutually beneficial collaboration between early-career researchers and local and/or international partners, where appropriate for an individual research project.
Projects of up to 3 years in duration may request up to $50,000 per year in project funding (plus salary and on-costs). Direct costs may be applied for, including for example personnel, equipment, maintenance, teaching relief, and travel.
Early-career researchers within 5 years of PhD award (subject to allowable career interruptions) 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, 8 will be used for applications in the Initiate Fellowships scheme.
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.
Initiate Fellowships is expected to open in Q2 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.