Discovery Projects

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