Discovery Program

Preparing ARC Grants

Research Office Mailing Lists

The Research-ARC mailing list is managed by the Research Office and used to communicate updates regarding grants and fellowships offered by the Australian Research Council (ARC). If you currently hold an ARC grant or fellowship, or intend applying for one, the Research Office strongly recommends subscribing to this list. Information about applying, changes to guidelines and conditions of award, progress report requirements etc. will be communicated via this list.

• Subscribe to the Research-ARC Mailing list (University staff and students only)

Documents

The ARC is required to publish Grant Guidelines and all associated scheme documents on GrantConnect, the Australian Government whole-of-government, web-based, grant information system. You will need to sign in or create a User Registration account in GrantConnect to access all relevant documentation for ARC applications.

Once you have signed in to GrantConnect, the essential documents can be found by searching for the relevant scheme under ‘grant opportunities’ (open schemes) or ‘forecast opportunities’ (upcoming schemes). As the ARC often updates documents after the scheme opens, it is highly recommended that you sign up for alerts by editing your profile.

If you encounter any problems accessing or downloading these documents please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone 4921 7733.

The University of Newcastle Documents

• University of Newcastle ARC Certification [Written Evidence] (DOC)
• External Grant Application Coversheet (includes ARC/NHMRC) (DOC)
• ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF)
• Partner Organisation Letter of Support Template (DOC)
• ARC Rejoinder Guide and Tips (PDF)

RMS Access

RMS allows researchers requesting funding under the ARC National Competitive Grants Program to prepare and submit proposals electronically via the internet.

Each proposal is completed by researchers and consists of an electronic document generated from a combination of data entered directly into the proposal form, and PDF documents attached to the proposal form in RMS.

Note: The Admin Organisation will be The University of Newcastle

The RMS Information Page contains links to key documents such as:

• RMS User Management Guide
• Submitting a Proposal in RMS

All new applications as well as final reports will need to be submitted to RMS.

RMS minimum system requirements

RMS is compatible with the latest versions of Google Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Compatibility with different browsers or older versions of Google Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer is not guaranteed.

Research Outputs/Publications

RMS auto-population of Research Outputs and ORCID

As part of the ARC’s commitment to integrating ORCID into RMS, it is now possible to auto-populate research output data into ARC RMS profiles and application forms.

• User Guide (PDF)

For more information on ORCID and your grant application, please see the below resources that the UON Library has kindly developed:

• Grant Applications and ORCID
• How to add your publications to your ORCID profile

Research Liaison Librarians

Research Liaison Librarians offer a number of specialist research services and resources, including advice and support for undertaking literature searches, systematic reviews, referencing, citation analysis, current awareness, promotion of research, and management of research data.

Contact your school’s Research Liaison Librarian to discuss your research needs.

Preparing ARC Budgets

Information on how to calculate salary costs for your budget can found on our Preparing Research Budgets page.

• 30% on-costs must be included in all salary requests.
• Indexation cannot be included.
• Salary increase due to increase in HEW step levels can be included.

Eligibility Matters

The ARC has developed an Eligibility Matters webpage which address some of the most common eligibility requirements for ARC schemes. It covers items including:

• Researcher Roles
• Fellowships/Awards
• Number of Applications, Funded Projects and Cross-Scheme Eligibility
• Organisational types
• Incomplete or Misleading Information
• Medical Research
• Submission of applications

Visit the ARC Eligibility Matters webpage for more details.

Eligibility and Compliance Checks

The Research Office uses an online booking process to manage optional Eligibility and Compliance Checks (E&C Checks) on applications for ARC Schemes.

In these checks, scientific content is not reviewed but rather, this check will look at your application to make sure it meets the grant guidelines and ensure that you won’t be ruled out due to an ineligible proposal. It is recommended that you also seek Peer Review of your application either via your College/School or through the UON Academy of Reviewers where available.

A booking must be made within the allocated E&C Check period for each scheme. Applicants are strongly encouraged to commence their application in RMS ASAP after the scheme opens so they can book their preferred day for an E&C Check. Bookings without a RMS Application ID will be cancelled.

Please note: To enable the allocation of appropriate resourcing, bookings must be made prior to the defined scheme E&C Check period. Access to book an E&C Check will no longer be available once the Check period has commenced. This does not apply for schemes with continuous rounds (i.e. ARC Linkage Projects and NHMRC Partnership Projects).

• Make an E&C Check booking

Written Evidence for ARC Projects - Certification

The University of Newcastle is required to obtain written evidence of all Other Eligible organisations included on applications under the relevant Grant Guidelines. Certification for individual participants is now requested in RMS as part of the application.

Download the Certification Proforma (DOC) and follow the guidelines on the first page for submission.

The completed ARC Certification Proforma is required for ALL Eligible Organisations listed in an ARC application.

Please attach and send ALL responses in ONE (1) email to research-applications@newcastle.edu.au by the University deadline for final application (at least 1 week prior to submission date).

Participation on externally-led ARC applications

If you are participating on an ARC application being led by another university, you will need to provide the Project Leader (CIA) with a Certification form signed by the DVCRI delegate from the University of Newcastle. Many universities will have their own form, based on the ARC proforma. Please ask the CIA to provide this to you in advance with a deadline for its return. The University of Newcastle ARC Certification form can be used if the lead university does not have their own form.

In addition, you will need to complete and then seek the signature of your Head of School (HoS) and College Assistant Dean of Research (ADR) on the Application Coversheet. Once approved, the signed Coversheet and the submission-ready application should be emailed to research-applications@newcastle.edu.au by the Internal Deadline to allow review and approval of your participation.

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy

The ARC Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy outlines the obligations that apply to individuals involved in ARC business including. Researchers are requested to provide this information as a named participant for ARC research funding (both CIs and PIs).

Confidentiality and IP

We recommend that if submitting a research project with potential IP which could be patented/exploited or involves an Industry Partner which requires confidentiality, applicants should clearly identify the information as confidential or commercially sensitive within the application.

Applicants should insert the following sentence at the start of the Project Description within their application: "The following project is disclosed to the ARC in confidence for the purpose only of applying for ARC Funding."

National Interest Test (NIT) Statement

All ARC applications require a National Interest Test (NIT) Statement. The purpose of the NIT is to explain the societal benefits (economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural) of the proposed research beyond the academic community. The audience of the NIT is the general public - a different audience than the Application Project Summary, which is addressed to the applicant’s peers. Further information is in the Guidelines and Instructions to Applicants for each scheme.

The NIT is assessed by the ARC Chief Executive Officer prior to recommendation to the Minister. It will not be visible to Assessors or within the application PDF.

Please see the ARC webpage Articulating National Interest in grant applications for more details.

Submission Process

Please see the ARC Submission Procedure on the ARC Grants webpage and the Online Booking System User Guide for instructions on how to make a booking for an Eligibility and Compliance Check.

Once complete, the CI submit the final, submission ready application in RMS via the 'Submit to Research Office' button and forward all associated documentation (e.g Cover Sheet and Organisation Certifications) to research-applications@newcastle.edu.au.

ARC Reporting and Eligibility

If you have a current ARC grant with outstanding reports, this may affect your eligibility for current ARC applications. Please see the ARC Reporting Requirements webpage.

RMS now has improved functionality to detect and prevent applications from being submitted where any participant has not met their ARC reporting requirements or where project or application limits have been breached.

Please see the scheme-specific Grant Guidelines and the ARC Reporting Requirements webpage.

Requirement for Acknowledgement of ARC Funding

For all research projects that are either partially or fully supported by ARC funding, the ARC Grant/Funding Agreements require that the ARC contribution to research and other activities must be appropriately acknowledged. The acknowledgement should include mention of the ARC as a funding body and where the Research Output is a publication, in addition to acknowledging ARC support, the relevant Project ID must be included.

Whilst this acknowledgement most often occurs within research outputs, such as journal publications, efforts should also be made if participating in dissemination activities such as conferences or interviews with media outlets.

The ARC provides further details on the acceptable forms for acknowledgement of ARC funding on their website, including advice on use of the ARC logo and recommended wording.

Access to Successful Applications

Research Services can provide researchers with access to view successful applications where the lead Chief Investigator has provided consent.

Applications must be viewed in hard copy in the Research Services office or by arrangement at HMRI.

How to Arrange to View a Successful Application

Contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au to request access to view successful applications for a specific scheme. Please include preferred date(s), time(s) and location.

Confirmation of the date, time and venue will be provided to you by Research Services staff.

Presentations

The Research Advantage team have developed a Resources Hub which provides recordings and slides of recent presentations.

Research Office contact:
research-applications@newcastle.edu.au

The Discovery Projects scheme provides funding for research projects that can be undertaken by individual researchers or research teams.

From 2024, the Discovery Projects scheme has a two-stage application process, commencing with an Expression of Interest (EOI). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

The objectives of the 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 Discovery Projects scheme provides project funding of between $30,000 and $500,000 per year for up to five consecutive years.

For more information, please visit the Discovery Projects page on the ARC website.

Please note: It is strongly recommended all applicants subscribe to the Research Office ARC mailing list for up to date information on this scheme.

Key Dates

Please subscribe to the Research Office ARC mailing list to receive up to date information on ARC funding opportunities.

For funding commencing in 2025

* The ARC has provided the template for the EOI form. Applicants are strongly encouraged to commence their application offline so they can complete the application as soon as the scheme opens in RMS and book their preferred day for the Eligibility and Compliance check. To enable the allocation of appropriate resourcing, bookings must be made prior to the defined scheme Eligibility and Compliance Check period. Access to book an Eligibility and Compliance Check will no longer be available once the Eligibility and Compliance Check period has commenced.

**Researchers will need to submit a final EOI five days before the ARC deadline and the full application 10 working days before the ARC submission deadline.

Please note: A final EOI/Application includes a final submission-ready EOI/Application submitted to the Research Office in RMS 2.0, a complete and fully signed External Application Cover Sheet and any Other Organisation Certifications (Written Evidence) emailed to research-applications@newcastle.edu.au.

Please review our ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF) for essential information regarding application submission under this scheme.

ARC Supporting Documents

The ARC is required to publish Grant Guidelines and associated documents on GrantConnect, the Australian Government whole-of-government, centralised, web-based, grant information system. You will need to sign in or create a User Registration account in GrantConnect to access all relevant documentation for ARC Discovery Projects including the Discovery Program Grant Guidelines, Instructions to Applicants and Sample Application Form.

If you encounter any problems using Grant Connect or accessing any of the relevant documentation, please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 492 17733.

The University of Newcastle Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

The Research Grants office has received some common questions related to EOI submission for Discovery Projects for funding commencing in 2025. These questions are addressed in a Frequently Asked Questions Document (PDF). Questions that are addressed include ARC requirements and the Research Grants office advice. Please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au before the internal deadline if you would like additional advice.

• ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF)
• External Application Coversheet (includes ARC/NHMRC) (DOC)
• Certification Proforma (PDF)
• Rejoinder Guide and Tips (PDF)

ARC Webinar Recording - How to Pitch an EOI

On 29 November 2023, the ARC hosted a Webinar: “How to Pitch an EOI” to support the introduction of the EOI process for Discovery Projects 25.

Access the webinar recording

Research Office contact:
research-applications@newcastle.edu.au

Please subscribe to the Research Office ARC mailing list to receive updates for this scheme.

To be eligible for DECRA, applicants must have an award of PhD date on, or after 1 March 2019 unless non-overlapping eligible career disruption(s) exist.

For more information, visit the ARC DECRA page.

Key Dates

For Funding Commencing in 2025

Please subscribe to the Research Office ARC mailing list to receive updates for this scheme.

*Please note:

• To enable the allocation of appropriate resourcing, bookings must be made prior to the defined scheme Eligibility and Compliance Check period. Access to book an Eligibility and Compliance Check will no longer be available once the Eligibility and Compliance Check period has commenced. This does not apply for schemes with continuous rounds (i.e. ARC Linkage Projects and NHMRC Partnership Projects).
• The University deadline for final applications is one (2) weeks prior to the ARC closing date and requires provision of a final, submission-ready proposal and all associated documentation including a fully signed External Application Coversheet (DOC).
• Schools and Colleges have their own internal dates for the purpose of peer review and approval. Please contact your School Executive Officer and College Research and Innovation Officer for further information on School/College internal processes.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to commence their application ASAP after the scheme opens in RMS so that they can:
• book their preferred day for an Eligibility and Compliance Check
• receive a copy of the scheme specific Essential Instructions developed by the Research Grants office to assist you with the completion of your application

Please review our ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF) for essential information regarding application submission under this scheme.

Documents

ARC Supporting Documents

The ARC is now required to publish Grant Guidelines and associated documents on GrantConnect, the Australian Government whole-of-government, centralised, web-based, grant information system. You will need to sign in or create a User Registration account in GrantConnect to access all relevant documentation including the Discovery Program Grant Guidelines, Instructions to Applicants and the Sample Application Form

If you encounter any problems using Grant Connect or accessing any of the relevant documentation, please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 492 17733.

University Supporting Documents

• UON Eligibility Exemption Research Form (DOC) - required if claiming a career interruption to meet the PhD timing eligibility requirements
• DE25 Administering Organisation Letter of Support (DOC) - Note that candidates from the College of Human and Social Futures (CHSF) are asked to liaise directly with your College Senior Research Manager , catherine.oddie@newcastle.edu.au  rather than using this template.
• External Application Coversheet (includes ARC/NHMRC) (DOC)
• Rejoinder Guide and Tips (PDF)

College Contacts

Please contact the following key staff within your College regarding your interest in the DECRA. Colleges can also assist with preparing your Statement by the Administering Organisation (SAO). It is recommended you inform the College contact as soon as possible regarding your intention to apply, as each College may have their own deadlines for aspects of the application process including preparation of the Letter of Support.

Eligibility Exemption Requests

A DECRA Candidate must have been awarded a PhD on or 1 March 2019, unless non-overlapping career interruption(s) exist in order to be eligible to apply.

Career Interruptions

All ARC Fellowship candidates who claim career interruption to meet the eligibility criteria must have an Eligibility Exemption Request approved by the DVCRI. See Key Dates for submission deadlines. The allowable career interruptions, and the period allowed for each are in Table 6 of the Grant Guidelines for the Discovery Program (2023 edition).

The ARC accepts the following types of career interruptions:

• disruption due to international relocation
• caring responsibilities
• Disability
• Disaster management and recovery
• Limited or no access to facilities and resources – such as through workplace interruptions
• Medical conditions
• Non-research positions, not concurrent with research employment
• Parental leave
• Unemployment

Please contact the Research Office for further information and timing of Eligibility Exemption Requests.

Presentations

The Research Advantage team have developed a Resources Hub which provides recordings and slides of recent presentations.

Further Information

For further information, please research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone (02) 4921 7733

Research Office contact:

research-applications@newcastle.edu.au

The ARC Future Fellowships scheme supports excellence in research by supporting excellent mid-career researchers to undertake high quality research in areas of national and international benefit.

At present many highly qualified mid-career researchers choose to work overseas to further their careers due to lack of opportunities in Australia. The Future Fellowships scheme aims to address this problem and expand knowledge base and research capacity in Australia.

Future Fellowships provides four-year fellowships to outstanding Australian mid-career researchers. In addition, the ARC may award the Administering Organisation up to $60 000 of non-salary funding per annum which may be used for personnel, equipment, travel and field research costs directly related to the Future Fellow's research.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

• Support excellent basic and applied research and research training by outstanding mid-career researchers to be recruited and retained by universities in continuing academic positions
• Support national and international research collaboration
• Enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas

To be eligible, the Future Fellowship candidate must, as at the grant opportunity closing date:

• Have an award of PhD date on or between 1 March 2009 and 1 March 2019; or
• Have a PhD award date with an allowable period of career interruptions that would be commensurate with an award of PhD date on or between 1 March 2009 and 1 March 2019.

Future Fellowships will encourage proposals from researchers working in areas of national priority. Preference will be given to Australian researchers.

For further information, please visit the ARC Future Fellowships page.

Please subscribe to the ARC mailing list to receive up to date information on  this scheme if advised throughout the application period by the ARC and for other ARC funding opportunities.

Key Dates

For Funding Commencing in 2024

Please subscribe to the Research Office ARC mailing list to receive updates for this scheme.

Please note:

• To enable the allocation of appropriate resourcing, bookings must be made prior to the defined scheme Eligibility and Compliance Check period. Access to book an Eligibility and Compliance Check will no longer be available once the Eligibility and Compliance Check period has commenced.
• The University deadline for final applications is 9:00am two (2) weeks prior to the ARC closing date and requires provision of a final, submission-ready application and all associated documentation including a fully signed External Application Coversheet (DOC).
• Schools and Colleges have their own internal dates for the purpose of peer review/Head of School and Assistant Dean (Research) approval etc. Please contact your School Executive Officer and College Research Officer for further information on School/College internal processes.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to commence their application ASAP after the scheme opens in RMS so that they can:
• book their preferred day for an Eligibility and Compliance Check
• receive a copy of the scheme specific Essential Instructions developed by the Research Grants office to assist you with the completion of your application.

Please review our ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF) for essential information regarding application submission under this scheme

Documents

ARC Supporting Documents

The ARC is now required to publish Funding Guidelines and associated documents on GrantConnect, the Australian Government whole-of-government, centralised, web-based, grant information system. You will need to sign in or create a User Registration account in GrantConnect to access all relevant documentation for ARC Future Fellowships including Discovery Program Grant Guidelines, Instructions to Applicants and the Sample Application Form.

If you encounter any problems using Grant Connect or accessing any of the relevant documentation, please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 4921 7733

University of Newcastle

• UON Eligibility Exemption Request (DOC) - required if claiming a career interruption to meet the PhD timing eligibility requirements
• FT Administering Organisation Letter of Support (DOC) - Note that candidates from the College of Human and Social Futures (CHSF) are asked to liaise directly with your College Senior Research Manager , catherine.oddie@newcastle.edu.au  rather than using this template.
• ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF)
• External Application Coversheet (including ARC/NHMRC) (DOC)
• Rejoinder Guide and Tips (PDF)

College Contacts

Please contact the following key staff within your College regarding your interest in the Future Fellowship. Colleges can also assist with preparing your Statement by the Administering Organisation (SAO). It is recommended you inform the College contact as soon as possible regarding your intention to apply, as each College may have their own deadline for aspects of the application process including preparation of the SAO.

Eligibility Exemption Requests

Career Interruptions

All ARC Fellowship candidates who claim career interruption to meet the eligibility criteria must have an Eligibility Exemption Request approved by the DVCRI. See Key Dates for submission deadlines. The allowable career interruptions set out, and the period allowed for each are in Table 5 of the Discovery Program Grant Guidelines - Fellowships (2023 edition).

The ARC accepts the following types of career interruptions:

• Disruption due to international relocation
• Caring responsibilities
• Disability
• Disaster management and recovery
• Limited or no access to facilities and resources – such as through workplace interruptions
• Medical conditions
• Non-research positions, not concurrent with research employment
• Parental leave
• Unemployment
• Primary carer of a dependent child

Please contact the Research Office for further information and timing of Eligibility Exemption Requests.

Further Information

For further information regarding the Future Fellowships, please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 4921 7733.

Research Grants contact:
research-applications@newcastle.edu.au

The Discovery Indigenous scheme supports research projects led by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researcher, and builds capacity for higher degree research and early career researchers.

The objectives of the Discovery Indigenous scheme are to:

• support excellent basic and applied research and research training by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers as individuals and as teams;
• support national and international research collaboration;
• enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas; and
• support and retain established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in higher education institutions.

For more information, please visit the Discovery Indigenous Scheme page on the ARC website.

Key Dates

For funding commencing in 2025

Please subscribe to the Research Office ARC mailing list to receive updates for this scheme.

* Applicants are strongly encouraged to commence their application ASAP after the scheme opens in RMS so that they can book their preferred day for an Eligibility and Compliance Check.

To enable the allocation of appropriate resourcing, bookings must be made prior to the defined scheme Eligibility and Compliance Check period. Access to book an Eligibility and Compliance Check will no longer be available once the Eligibility and Compliance Check period has commenced. This does not apply for schemes with continuous rounds (i.e. ARC Linkage Projects and NHMRC Partnership Projects).

Please note: A Final Application comprises of a final submission-ready application submitted to the Research Office in RMS, a complete and fully signed External Application Cover Sheet and all CI/PI and Partner Organisation Certifications (Written Evidence) emailed to research-applications@newcastle.edu.au.

Please review our ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF) for essential information regarding application submission under this scheme.

Documents

ARC Supporting Documents

The ARC is now required to publish Funding Rules and associated documents on GrantConnect, the Australian Government whole-of-government, centralised, web-based, grant information system. You will need to sign in or create a User Registration account in GrantConnect to access all relevant documentation for ARC Future Fellowships. Once you have signed in to Grant Connect you should download and review all the relevant documents including the Discovery Program Grant Guidelines, Instructions to Applicants and the Sample Application Form.

If you encounter any problems using Grant Connect or accessing any of the relevant documentation, please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 492 17733.

UON

• ARC/NHMRC Grant Rounds Submission Procedures (PDF)
• External Application Coversheet (includes ARC/NHMRC) (DOC)
• Rejoinder Guide and Tips (PDF)

Research Services holds copies of successful ARC Discovery Indigenous grant applications. If you would like to make an appointment to view these please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 4921 7733.

Further Information

For further information regarding the ARC Discovery Program, including the Discovery Indigenous Scheme, please contact research-applications@newcastle.edu.au or phone on (02) 4921 7733.