The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced over $370 million in funding for more than 520 new projects through the 2026 Discovery Projects scheme. This significant investment reinforces the ARC’s dedication to supporting bold ideas, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and long-term national benefit. ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor Ute Roessner emphasized that the selected projects reflect the breadth and ambition of Australia’s research community, spanning science, technology, social sciences, and the humanities.
The funded projects will generate new knowledge and deliver wide-ranging cultural and social benefits. In the humanities and social sciences, research will explore Australia’s national history of disability using inclusive and co-produced methods, examine how Australians engage with history in a digital era, and document Indigenous histories and cultures. Projects include studying the deep history of the Meriam people and the contributions of Aboriginal Elders in Arnhem Land, as well as initiatives to support rural wellbeing through creative spaces for women and enhance understanding of Australia’s diverse communities.
In science and technology, the projects will focus on advancing clean energy and environmental solutions, such as improving solar technology stability and developing art-science collaborations for kelp restoration. Other studies aim to tackle agricultural and health challenges, including an oral anti-fertility vaccine for invasive rabbits and innovative bismuth-powered peptides for drug discovery. Researchers will also address workplace fatigue in the AI era, promoting better health outcomes and technology design.
These initiatives highlight the ARC’s ongoing commitment to fostering research excellence that drives real-world impact—economic, social, environmental, and cultural. The funding also supports fundamental discoveries, cultivates the next generation of research leaders, and strengthens Australia’s position in the global research landscape.
