Discovery Projects
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Research Services Contact the research managers for faculty-specific processes Workshops and online resources about funding applications Macquarie research management system Pivot Research Professional (Pivot-RP)

Status: Closed

Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Discovery Projects.

Aim

The objectives of the ARC Discovery Projects scheme are to:

  • support excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research, and research training, across all disciplines excluding clinical and other medical research, that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money;
  • expand research capacity in Australia by supporting excellent researchers and teams;
  • foster national and international research collaboration;
  • create new knowledge with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia; and
  • enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas.

The minimum level of funding provided by the ARC is $30,000 per year, with a maximum of $500,000 per year. Projects may be applied for and awarded funding for up to five consecutive years. Direct costs may be applied for, including for example personnel, equipment, maintenance, teaching relief, and travel.
For funding commencing in 2026:
Full Applications
  • Anticipated announcement: 16 to 30 October 2025
For funding commencing in 2027:
Expressions of Interest
  • EOIs open: Monday 3 November 2025
  • MQ RNTA deadline: Friday 21 November 2025
  • ARC RNTA deadline: Friday 28 November 2025
  • Optional strategic review: Please contact your Faculty Research Office
  • Mandatory compliance and eligibility check: 26 November to 3 December 2025, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • EOIs close: Friday 12 December 2025
  • EOI outcomes: 25 to 27 February 2026
Full Applications

These are indicative dates from the ARC and are subject to change.
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.
Webinars for funding commencing in 2027
  • Developing your ROPE for 2027 ARC Discovery Project EOI applications
    About: The 2027 ARC Discovery Project scheme will have a two-stage application process, commencing with an Expression of Interest (EOI). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application. The Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) section of your DP27 EOI application is crucial in demonstrating the track record and performance of you and your team. This webinar will provide strategic advice on how to clearly articulate your career highlights, contributions to the field, collaborations, research training and mentoring, and the quantity, quality and impact of your research outputs. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar.
    Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Speakers: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Assoc Prof Morten Thaysen-Andersen (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Science and Engineering)
    Location: Zoom, Register
  • Developing your Project Description for 2027 ARC Discovery Project EOI applications
    About: This webinar will provide strategic advice and guidance on how to complete your DP27 EOI Project Description, with a focus on structure, content, pitch and format. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar.
    Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Speakers: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Assoc Prof Georgy Sofronov (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Science and Engineering)
    Location: Zoom, Register
  • Developing your 2027 ARC Discovery Project Full Application: Project Description
    About: This webinar will provide strategic advice and guidance on how to complete your DP27 Full Application Project Description, Capability Statement, and National Interest Test Statement, with a focus on structure, content, pitch and format. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar.
    Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Speakers: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Prof Bronwen Neil (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Arts)
    Location: Zoom, Register
  • Developing your 2027 ARC Discovery Project Full Application: Budget
    About: This webinar will provide strategic advice and guidance on how to build your DP27 Full Application budget and how to justify your funding requests. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar.
    Date: Monday 9 March 2026
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Speaker: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services)
    Location: Zoom, Register
ARC information for funding commencing in 2027
Macquarie EOI resources
Macquarie full application resources

Certification Form - this must be completed by participants at non-MQ organisations in Australia at the full application stage only (i.e. it does not need to be completed at the EOI stage). Overseas organisations do not need to complete the form. MQ CIs not in the same School or Department as the lead CI must also complete this form, as only the lead CI's HoS/HoD can sign off via Pure. Upload the completed form(s) to your Pure record by your full application mandatory compliance and eligibility check date.