ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Biomolecular engineering of bioinspired stimuli-responsive particle... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Enhancing Vision-Language Models with Game-Based Reasoning and... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Constraining the Standard Model with precision simulations of Kaon... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres (NCHCs) and Social Inclusion. This project aims to investigate the role of Australia’s Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres (NCHCs) in fostering social inclusion, reducing isolation, and building social capital to create more resilient communities. It builds on the CI’s previous research that established a successful community intergenerational arts program in NCHCs. Expected outcomes include identifying the underlying mechanisms associated with creating social capital and a framework to inform the nation’s 1,069 NCHCs to prioritise evidence-based and community-centred design, management, and operation. Expected benefits include fostering healthy, cohesive communities where creative practice strengthens societal resilience and government functionality. Field of research: 4702 - Cultural Studies The Australian Government’s Cultural Policy 2023-8, Revive, acknowledges that cultural institutions including Neighbourhood and Community Houses and Centres (NCHCs) play a vital role in developing national identity, social unity and economic success. The policy reaffirms the importance of cultural institutions and seeks to reposition them as central to Australia’s future. Despite their broad community reach, a significant knowledge gap remains; we do not know how NCHCs develop social capital or positively impact social cohesion and resilience. This project will fill this gap. This project will develop an empirically derived framework and resources to help NCHCs maximise their effectiveness and impact in locally appropriate ways, increasing social inclusion and reducing isolation, and will significantly benefit Australia across social, cultural, and environmental dimensions, focusing on fostering healthy, inclusive and cohesive communities. The project outcomes will have NCHCs better placed to play a direct and meaningful role in enabling all community members to participate in and actively contribute to society, social inclusion, and to economic wellbeing of the families and the nation. Outcomes will be communicated by direct community outreach including media, industry symposia, and a dedicated website to share key project recourses, facilitated by a formal communication strategy to influence national policy and operational standards in partnership with key stakeholders.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Unlocking the detrital feldspar archive. This project aims to address preservation and fertility bias in the detrital geochronological record by developing in-situ detrital feldspar Rb-Sr geochronology in tandem with Pb isotopic tracing. The integration of these novel in-situ isotopic systems, applied to the most common minerals on Earth, can revolutionize provenance studies and inform mineral exploration. The Rb-Sr-Pb method will be applied to feldspars stored in offshore sediments to probe into subglacial Antarctica and the Himalayas, and tested in the Australian regolith as a vector to mineral deposits. The project will thus use isotopic analysis to unlock geological history from areas that are difficult to access and provide direct benefits to mineral exploration under cover. Field of research: 3705 - Geology Feldspars, the most common minerals on the Earth`s surface, are time-capsules of the evolution of the Earth and its mineral resources. They are first-cycle minerals that provide a unique fingerprint of the evolution of landscapes and mineralisation processes, but that information cannot easily be accessed with current analytical methods. This project will develop a novel and rapid analytical method to unlock the feldspar archive for deep-time landscape and climate reconstructions and as a new tool for mineral exploration. The scientific outcomes that will be generated will contribute to Australia`s standing as a leader in geochronology and will enhance our fundamental understanding of the evolution of the Australian landscape. The project outcomes will also provide direct economic benefits to Australia through revealing geochemical signatures of regional background and fertile domains in the Australian regolith that may provide mineral vectoring information to reduce mineral exploration search space. Another economic/commercial benefit for the Australian community is the training of students in highly specialised skills (geochemical analysis, team work, critical thinking) that are transferable to the national mineral exploration job markets. The research team will make the analytical tools and research outcomes directly available to the Australian mineral exploration industry via open-access platforms, fostering collaboration to support uptake in exploration programs.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Is antigen design the missing link to broad and durable HCV immunity? Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Advancing the Integration of Greenery and Solar Energy for Buildings. Trees reduce urban heat but can block rooftop solar panels from direct sunlight, resulting in less electricity generated. This project aims to advance the integration of greenery and solar energy for buildings under different scenarios by employing urban analysis and building performance monitoring with simulations. This project expects to generate new knowledge in the interactions among urban greening, building energy consumption, and solar power generation. It will produce Australia’s first greenery-solar integrated utilisation guidelines for built environment. This should help governments in formulating better urban designs addressing greenery-solar trade-offs, improve thermal comfort and foster better living environment for Australians. Field of research: 3301 - Architecture Urban developments everywhere face a dilemma: the trade-off between urban greening and solar panels. While trees help mitigate the urban heat-island effect by shading buildings, this shade reduces the electricity generated from rooftop solar panels. We will develop Australia’s first guidelines for integrating greenery and solar utilisation in the built environment, by innovatively combining various simulations with real-world monitoring. This project will reveal, for the first time globally, the complex relationships among urban greening, indoor-outdoor thermal conditions, building energy consumption and electricity generation of solar panels. In Australia, about 35% of households have solar panels, and on average, 30% of urban areas are covered by tree canopies. This project enables Australians to benefit from the cooling effect of trees without compromising their rooftop PV performance, thereby maintaining low energy bills. It enables local councils nationwide to better select and place trees in public spaces, minimising the impact on residents’ solar panels. Globally, this research will position Australian cities at the forefront of liveable cities by showcasing how conflicting sustainability pathways can be effectively coordinated in urban developments. The guidelines will be shared with urban planners and developers, city councils, homeowners, architects, landscape architects, garden nurseries, and researchers to upskill relevant stakeholders and educate customers.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Buidling Generative Models for 3D Reconstruction and Visual Perception Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Metal Isotope Facility for Advanced Research. This project aims to establish a reaction cell multi-collector mass spectrometry facility to enable a step change in research focused on novel isotope tracing of metals in geological, biological and man-made materials and settings. Expected outcomes of this project include new analytical capabilities such as online separation of elemental and isotope interferences via a reaction cell technology, which helps to overcome current analytical limitations and challenges for high-precision metal isotope measurements, radionuclide tracing and geochronology applications. This should provide significant benefits pertinent to resource exploration, ore processing, environmental and agricultural studies, as well as nuclear sciences and radiation safety. Field of research: 3703 - Geochemistry This project aims to address a pressing need for advanced isotope analysis of metals via the next-generation mass spectrometry instrumentation with relevance to geological, environmental, biological, agricultural and nuclear sciences. The research gap that it addresses is the lack of equipment dedicated to high-precision and interference-free isotope analysis of metals and radionuclides in natural and human-made settings. Such innovative research approaches will benefit Australians in many ways including the priority science areas of national significance. Economically, novel analytical capabilities will allow for more advanced and de-risked strategies to discover critical mineral resources in Australia. Environmentally, the project will help to mitigate climate change via a new and metal-isotope based quantification of carbon sequestration through CO2 mineralization. Additionally, the development of new isotope techniques will facilitate improved monitoring of metal pollution and radionuclide detection in the environment. The project will also provide social benefits, related to food security, via novel isotope tracing of metal nutrients for plant growth and sustainable crop development in generally nutrient-poor Australian soils. The outcomes of this project will be promoted beyond academia through engagement with industry partners and stakeholders to showcase the benefits of next-generation mass spectrometry to encourage its adoption and future investment.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Exploring Rural Women's Needs for Creative Spaces Through Co-design Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Consoling the Self: Historical Grief Strategies and the Healing Arts Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Unravelling the bactericidal biomechanics of nanoengineered surfaces. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics could bring Australia back to the dark ages. The project aims to generate fundamental understanding of surface engineering technology that efficiently kills bacteria upon contact, through rationally designed interactions specifically devised for targeting bacterial weaknesses. This project is expected to discover novel pathways to tackle bacterial infections by preventing surface colonisation and revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms that make bacteria susceptible to antimicrobial compounds. This should provide new knowledge to inform the development of future antibacterial materials and treatments urgently needed in many areas of society, ranging from healthcare to water supply. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology Bacteria are microorganisms with an outstanding toolbox of adaptation mechanisms that allows them to survive and colonise surfaces, from which they can spread and infect individuals. The project will engineer new surface technologies specifically devised for efficiently killing bacteria upon contact, through a bactericidal effect. This project will result in: i) novel antibacterial coatings that prevent bacteria from colonising surfaces, ii) new fundamental understanding of how interactions between bacteria and surfaces can help us design nanostructures with superior killing efficiency through distinct mechanisms of action, and iii) discovery of synergistic bactericidal mechanisms between antibiotics and surfaces that instruct future antibacterial strategies. These technological advances will contribute to high-tech Australian manufacturing in surface technology, and benefit our broad society by providing new opportunities to translate fundamental advances into functional coatings to contain this emerging threat and reduce the economic and public health burden associated with bacterial infections. In the long term, our findings will directly impact applications such as food technology, healthcare, and water disinfection, and antibacterial treatments. To raise awareness about bacterial threat, our findings will be disseminated across the broad Australian society through distinct media platforms.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Advancing next-generation fast-charging and high-energy batteries. Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries are essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, but current anode materials limit charging speed and battery lifespan. This project will develop innovative interfacial engineering strategies to enhance lithium-ion transport and stability in commercial graphite, silicon, and lithium metal anodes. By regulating interfacial solvation structures and solid electrolyte interphase composition, this research aims to achieve safe and efficient fast charging while maintaining high energy density and long cycle life. The outcomes will advance battery technology, benefiting Australia’s energy sector and accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to solve the challenge in the development of lithium-ion batteries by making them faster to charge, with higher energy density, and longer life. The focus will be on improving the lithium ion transport speed at the electrode/electrolyte interface, aiming to enhance the fast-charging performance of graphite anodes and next-generation materials such as silicon and lithium metal. By designing optimised interfacial structure, the project aims to enable fast charging in batteries with energy densities over 350 Wh kg-1. This will benefit Australia by creating more sustainable energy storage solutions, essential for electric vehicles, and contribute to Australia’s net-zero emission goals. The project will also strengthen Australia’s position in the global battery market, creating new commercial opportunities for local industries. These advancements will foster economic growth, improve energy security, and support the transition to cleaner energy. To ensure the broadest impact, the findings will be shared with the energy sector, manufacturers, and policymakers through workshops, industry collaborations, and public outreach to promote our research. The project will help inform energy policies and improve industry standards for battery technologies. Results will be shared through open-access publications, media platforms, and partnerships to support the uptake of these innovations across Australia and internationally.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Constraining the Standard Model with precision simulations of Kaon decays. Recent discrepancies in determinations of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix element Vus challenge the consistency of the Standard Model of particle and nuclear physics. Resolving this tension requires a highly-precise theoretical calculation of the semi-leptonic Kaon to Pion form factor, a key input for extracting Vus from experimental data. This project will use Lattice QCD, a first-principles approach to simulating strong interactions, to achieve an unprecedented determination of this form factor which will have an immediate benefit by resolving the Vus puzzle and advancing our understanding of fundamental particle interactions, while enabling Australian scientists to take a leadership role in this area of fundamental science. Field of research: 5107 - Particle and High Energy Physics Fundamental research in particle physics has led to breakthrough discoveries in a wide range of areas, including energy production, medical applications, materials science, and nuclear safety. This project will further contribute to this important area by generating a greater understanding about the most successful theory invented by humankind – The Standard Model. The insights gained from this research will have far-reaching benefits, including advancements in fundamental particle physics, cosmological evolution, and advanced materials science. By gaining a deeper understanding of limits of this fundamental theory, scientists can build a foundation for future discoveries that can be adopted by national priority industries in the energy, security, and defense sectors. This project will also build national expertise in fundamental particle physics, maintaining the talent pipeline in Australia to contribute to the global effort and secure Australia’s reputation in this field. To promote research outcomes in fundamental science beyond academia, this project will actively engage with the public and key stakeholders. This will be achieved by communicating research findings through public lectures and outreach activities in combination with conference presentations and journal publications. By doing so, this proposal help bridge the gap between academic research and real-world impact, while also promoting public understanding and support for science.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Buidling Generative Models for 3D Reconstruction and Visual Perception Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A Nanoplatform for Lipopolysaccharide-independent Immune Hyperactivation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Higher order symmetry, prolongation, and parabolic geometry. The project addresses fundamental questions about higher symmetries of geometric spaces. Higher symmetries are not necessarily manifested in the shape of a space, but play important roles as symbols of invariant differential operators and, for example, when describing black holes. Our approach uses the process of prolongation and tools of parabolic geometry to obtain precise sought-after existence results for higher symmetries. In this way we will also develop the underlying geometric theory and contribute to the growing body of mathematical knowledge that underpins engineering and the physical sciences but also statistics and modelling. The success of the project will enhance Australia’s reputation in the global scientific community. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics The mathematical notions of space and symmetry are fundamental for applications in science and technology. The project addresses a knowledge gap in our understanding of higher order and hidden symmetries. Similarly to the usual symmetries, both are extremely important in the analysis of differential equations and consequently for real world applications. The project will lead to a fundamental classification for higher order symmetries. By carrying out such fundamental research in geometry, the project will significantly add to major transformation advances in knowledge and technology that will help Australia to remain at the forefront of technological progress. New techniques in geometry will be developed and the outcomes will enhance our geometric understanding and contribute to the growing body of mathematical knowledge that underpins modern developments in engineering, science, statistics and modelling. The project involves world leading experts as collaborators, it will strengthen the ties to the international research community, enhance Australia’s global scientific reputation, and will provide training and collaboration opportunities for the next generation of young Australian scientists. It is crucial for Australia's education and security to be involved in the development and sharing of this knowledge. The project will lead to a better understanding of geometry as a tool, and the outcomes will be communicated beyond academia via public lectures and survey articles.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Exploring Rural Women's Needs for Creative Spaces Through Co-design. Rural women make up a third of the nation’s female population but have more limited access to support services than urban counterparts. To help overcome this they crave women-only spaces for creative and social connection to combat social isolation. Through a series of co-design workshops and interviews with rural women the project will develop models for culturally diverse creative spaces that are unique to living in rural Australia. Based on robust evidence and successfully piloted approaches, expected outcomes from the project will directly address National Research Priorities providing models for rural women’s creative spaces. Benefits from the project include reduced social isolation and stronger individual and community wellbeing. Field of research: 4405 - Gender Studies Rural women make up a third of Australia’s female population and experience higher rates of mental illness and chronic health conditions than men but have limited access to support services. Our pilot research identified that women in agricultural regions are seeking connections and dedicated spaces for engaging in ongoing creative pursuits to combat social isolation and cultivate networks outside of traditionally masculinised spaces such as pubs, sporting activities, or Men’s Sheds. There is a large body of work about Men’s Sheds and how these foster safe spaces for men, whereas research on creative spaces for rural women remains scant. Employing a proven and impactful co-design approach, this project will work with women in three rural Australian communities to collectively design more inclusive and relevant creative spaces and practices to increase social connections and greater wellbeing. The project will deliver an evidence base for rural creative programs co-designed with and for diverse groups of rural Australian women, directly addressing National Research Priorities. Research outcomes will be shared with key stakeholders through iterative creative workshops, a National Summit and a subsequent public policy paper which will be available on Australian Policy Online will test and outline sustainable models delivering cultural and social benefits to Australia.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Buidling Generative Models for 3D Reconstruction and Visual Perception Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Higher order symmetry, prolongation, and parabolic geometry Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Sustainable Residential Framing Systems using Recycled Plastics and... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Lanthanides and actinides in copper ores, a pas de deux in geological... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Sustainable Residential Framing Systems using Recycled Plastics and Fibres. The project aims to develop pultruded recycled plastic composite (PRPC)-based residential framing systems that incorporate waste plastics and recycled plastic fibres. The PRPC materials will initially be developed. Structural members that employ PRPC will then be developed using pultrusion technology, followed by the development of residential framing systems. The expected outcomes include sustainable and durable PRPC, structural members and framing systems through experimental validation, numerical and analytical prediction models, design guidance and field investigation. The project promotes sustainable infrastructure by increasing Australia's plastic recycling capacity and easing the current disruption to the residential housing sector. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Disruption to the construction industry due to shortages in materials, price increases, and labour delays, is causing tremendous strain on society. The strain is being particularly felt in the housing sector, and such disruption can be a factor that is exacerbating the housing crisis. This disruption, however, presents an opportunity to innovate in the sector and also incorporate sustainability and circularity into the solution. In collaboration with Partner Organisations Forte Frame Technology and Studio Kite, the project aims to develop a sustainable and durable residential framing system utilising waste plastics and recycled fibres, whilst adhering to the principles of circularity. The project will develop appropriate pultruded recycled plastic composite (PRPC) materials and members as an alternative to timber and steel, with accompanying design guidelines. All research will be underpinned by extensive experimental testing, along with numerical and analytical studies and a full-scale field application. This technology is also expected to be applicable to commercial and industrial construction applications. The project will produce economic, social and environmental advantages by lessening dependence on in-demand construction materials and increasing the use of waste plastics. Beyond academia, research outcomes will be promoted through industry forums such as Trade Shows and training programs. Non-academic interest groups will be informed through online and print media.

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A Nanoplatform for Lipopolysaccharide-independent Immune Hyperactivation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Sustainable Residential Framing Systems using Recycled Plastics and... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research