Discovery Projects
Research Office contact:
research-applications@newcastle.edu.au
This scheme is CLOSED Expressions of Interest for the 2027 round of Discovery Projects is expected to open on Monday 3 November 2025 and close Friday 12 December 2025. Full applications for the 2027 round of Discovery Projects is expected to open on Monday 2 March 2026 and close Wednesday 22 April 2026. |
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.
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 2027
These dates are indicative only and may be subject to change
| Expressions of Interest (EOI) | |
|---|---|
| EOI Opens in RMS | Monday 3 November 2025 |
| University Eligibility and Compliance Check Period | Wednesday 5 - Friday 21 November 2025 |
| Request Not to Assess due to Research Office | Friday 21 November 2025 |
| Request Not to Assess due to ARC | Friday 28 November 2025 |
| Internal Deadline for Final EOI | 9am Wednesday 3 December 2025 |
| ARC EOI submission deadline | Friday 12 December 2025 |
| EOI Outcomes announced | 25 February to 27 February 2026 |
| Full Application | |
| Full Application Open in RMS | Monday 2 March 2026 |
| University Eligibility and Compliance Check Period | Thursday 19 March - Wednesday 1 April 2026 |
| Internal deadline for final application | 9am Wednesday 8 April 2026 |
| ARC Applications Close | 5pm Wednesday 22 April 2026 |
| Rejoinders | 23 June to 6 July 2026 |
| Anticipated Announcement | 19 October to 30 October 2026 |
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.
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.
If you have any questions about this scheme, please contact the Research Grants team.
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