The University of Newcastle remains in the top 10 research universities in Australia following today's announcement of more than $9 million in new funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Twenty-four new projects have received funding, including investigations into improving the performance of the mobile telecommunications network, unexplained chronic pain, the culture of excessive alcohol consumption in sporting clubs, and steel corrosion.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Barney Glover, said the ARC funding rounds were highly competitive.

"I am particularly pleased that the University of Newcastle secured the only Indigenous Researchers Development (IRD) grant in NSW," Professor Glover said.

The IRD grant provides funding to investigate the success of workplace programs for Indigenous people and develop a benchmark for improving these programs across the labour market.

"Applications for funding are subject to a rigorous, independent review process and those projects that attract funding are at the cutting edge of research in Australia," Professor Glover said.

"The overwhelming majority of the projects are in the engineering and science disciplines, acknowledging the strength of the University in those fields."

"Many of the projects fall within the University's Priority Research Centres and align with National Research Priority Areas."