The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced updates to its National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), outlining upcoming funding opportunities as part of its continued effort to maintain stability and planning certainty for the research sector. The announcement follows ongoing review processes of the NCGP framework and reflects the ARC’s intention to progressively update its scheme calendar for 2026 and beyond.
As part of these updates, the ARC confirmed the addition of two major future funding schemes to the NCGP calendar. These include the Australian Laureate Fellowships 2027, expected to open in March 2026, and the Discovery Indigenous 2027 scheme, expected to open in June 2026. Both programs are designed to support high-impact research excellence and strengthen inclusion of Indigenous-led research initiatives within Australia’s national research ecosystem.
The ARC noted that these new opportunities are part of its broader commitment to excellence, equity, and leadership in research funding. The updates are intended to help researchers and institutions better prepare for upcoming application cycles while ensuring alignment with national priorities and long-term research development goals.
The National Competitive Grants Program continues to undergo policy refinement, with several schemes being reviewed or restructured to improve efficiency, simplify processes, and better support collaboration between universities, industry, and other research end-users. The ARC has emphasized that further details, including final guidelines and key dates, will be released progressively as the updated framework is finalized.
