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  4. Funding and grants
  5. ARC schemes
  6. Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
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Status: Closed

Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme.

Aim

The ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme provides funding for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities to eligible organisations.

The scheme enables higher education researchers to participate in cooperative initiatives so that expensive infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared between higher education organisations and also with industry.

The scheme also fosters collaboration through its support of the cooperative use of international or national research facilities.

The LIEF scheme objectives are to:

  • support excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research and research training, across all disciplines excluding clinical and other medical research, through the acquisition (purchase, upgrade, construction, transportation, installation, and/or maintenance) of research equipment and infrastructure and access to national and international research facilities;
  • encourage Eligible Organisations to develop collaborative arrangements with other Eligible Organisations and/or Partner Organisations for the acquisition and use of research equipment and infrastructure or access to national and international facilities;
  • enhance the scale and focus of research in areas of existing and/or emerging research strength; and
  • expand the availability of research infrastructure for the broader research community.

The minimum level of funding provided by the ARC under LIEF is $150,000 per year. The maximum level of funding provided by the ARC for a project under LIEF is up to 75% of the total direct cost of the eligible budget items.

A project may be applied for and awarded funding for one year, or, in the case of construction of research infrastructure, or subscription or coordinated access to international facilities and major national facilities, up to five years.
Macquarie University Expression of Interest (EOI) form for LE27

Applicants intending to submit a Macquarie-led LIEF application or who intend to participate on an externally led bid are asked to complete this EOI form.

EOI forms must be emailed to grant.development@mq.edu.au (and cc your Faculty Research Office) by 9am Monday 9 February 2026.

For funding commencing in 2027:
  • Release of ARC Grant Guidelines: Thursday 15 January 2026
  • ARC opening date in RMS: Thursday 22 January 2026
  • EOI Submissions to MQ: 9am Monday 9 February 2026
  • Strategic review (optional): select a day and time in this booking calendar on or before Thursday 12 March 2026
  • Compliance and eligibility check (mandatory): select a day and time in this booking calendar on or before Thursday 26 March 2026
  • ARC request not to assess close: Thursday 26 March 2026
  • Research Services submission to ARC: Thursday 9 April 2026
  • Rejoinder period: 17 to 30 June 2026
  • Outcomes expected: 22 December 2026 to 13 January 2027

These are indicative dates from the ARC and are subject to change.
LIEF Information for Funding Commencing in 2027