THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mould exposure in Australian homes: from remediation to prevention. Mould is a widespread and life-threatening problem, affecting one in three Australian homes. This project aims to develop an early detection strategy using artificial intelligence and low-cost sensors. It will establish how prevalent mould is in different housing types and how it is affected by indoor air quality and construction factors, such as interior materials. The outcomes include a clear understanding of where mould occurs, indicators for its early detection, and recommendations for healthier indoor environments that can inform policy. Benefits will include more efficient and mould-resilient indoor environments and potential savings of $200 million in avoided treatment. Field of research: 3301 - Architecture One in three Australian homes experiences mould. As mould proliferates, it degrades building materials and releases spores and biotoxins, leading to potentially lethal health threats. Efforts to address it have focused on mould reparation, but by the time mould has become visible it is often too late to apply effective mitigation measures. This project proposes to fundamentally change how mould exposure in Australian homes is addressed, by shifting the paradigm to prediction and prevention. It will provide the evidence to inform policy and guidelines for mould management and create an open-access tool to predict mould occurrence and generate a risk profile for dwellings based on features such as locations, year of construction, type of occupancy and materials. These outcomes will help reduce the enormous economic impact of mould, which in the next 20 years is expected to cost Australia $1.9B in treating mould-induced health conditions, over $200M in remediating damaged buildings, and $2.4B in lost productivity. Ultimately, they will enable healthier housing for all Australians, especially benefiting those with low-income or chronic diseases living in poor quality housing. The new evidence-based data will be shared with policy-makers through existing collaborations with relevant stakeholders. The open-access tool will be made available to all and promoted via public forums, news articles and social-media campaigns, to, ultimately, benefit the Australian housing sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Mathematics for Quantum Era Security and Trust (MathQuEST) strives to build critical expertise to protect against the expected breakdown of cybersecurity protocols on quantum computers and build trust in artifical intelligence. Deep, untapped reservoirs of mathematical problems and structures will be mined to establish complexity foundations for security and create accelerated methods for AI. MathQuEST will assemble leading researchers from diverse disciplines to deliver a mathematically trained, technologically agile workforce, ensuring Australia’s preparedness for grand challenges arising from future quantum computers with dual-use impact across agriculture, defence, health and industry. Field of research: 4613 - Theory of Computation Quantum computing is an era-defining technology, with such extraordinary promise of impact on agriculture, banking, defence, health, industry and national intelligence that the Australian government has invested almost $1B and predicts that this sector will add $48B to GDP and 240,000 new jobs by 2040. The prospect of discovering unforeseen new medicines or surprisingly efficient materials for sustainable batteries has resulted in significant investments in quantum computing and AI across the world. However, the quantum-computing era presents two diabolical challenges, arising from the expected break-down of widely used public-key cryptographic protocols and unexpected difficulties in designing algorithms at the scales and speed necessary to make trailblazing discoveries on quantum computers. This Centre of Excellence aims to counter both challenges. The Centre's program is deeply aligned with the Australian Cybersecurity 2023-2030 strategy. It will deliver novel algorithms for Australian industry to take early advantage of the benefits of quantum computing and train industry to accelerate the adoption of post-quantum cryptographic recommendations to meet the 2030 deadline set by the Australian Signals Directorate.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Novel role of RNA splicing and modification in white blood cell formation. This project aims to address how ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulates white blood cell formation. This project expects to gain new insights into the mechanism and conservation of molecular processes governing white blood cell development using advanced molecular, cell biology and biochemical assays coupled with innovative RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Expected outcomes of the project include enhancing knowledge on how white blood cells are continuously replenished for the well-being of vertebrates and promoting international collaboration in the RNA sector. This should provide significant benefit in sustaining food production via knowledge to maintain health and combat blood disease in animals and advance Australia's RNA research. Field of research: 3105 - Genetics White blood cells are critical to protect vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish) from infections. These cells are short-lived and need to be replenished regularly. However, the biological processes that ensure the proper development and maintenance of white blood cells are not fully understood. This project will significantly enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying white blood cell development using cutting-edge molecular, cell biology, and biochemical assays, along with innovative RNA sequencing and bioinformatics techniques. This knowledge will enable the future development of synthetic molecules that can be introduced to maintain and increase white blood cell numbers for health benefits in humans and animals. This project will lead to significant long-term economic and environmental benefits to Australians by contributing to knowledge that can be useful to manage disease in humans and livestock, increasing productivity and domestic food security. It will expand Australia's capacity in the RNA biotechnology sector, in alignment with a priority of the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund. Fundamental findings will be disseminated through the NSW RNA Production and Research Network and partnership will be established with commercial entities (e.g. RNA Australia and Elanco Animal Health) to achieve potential translational outcomes in the future.

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

NextGen Digital Health Literacy: a unique Australian platform to make... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mapping the neural architecture of human memory with advanced neuroimaging. This project aims to provide the first integrated model of age-related changes in the memory systems of the human brain. Core memory brain structures have been identified but how these structures are connected, their specific roles, and how they change as we age is lacking in humans. Our team has developed ground-breaking neuroimaging analysis methods that will rectify this important knowledge gap. This model will provide the benchmark against which to measure changes in memory functions during life and will provide a framework to understand how disruption in this memory system affects memory capacity. This project will enable human memory research to be integrated and biologically grounded. Field of research: 5202 - Biological Psychology How memories are created in the human brain, and how they change as people get older remains poorly understood. This is despite the fact that changes in memory capacity is the most common complaint as people get older. The benefits of this project will be seen through a better understanding of how human memory systems are organised, by focusing on a set of highly inter-connected brain regions called the medial temporal lobe, and by understanding how memories are processed within these brain regions, and how these changes with age. This project will contribute to the scientific profile of Australia by supporting and enhancing the competitiveness of local researchers in memory research, a fast-evolving field. Findings arising from this research will be relevant to education providers by providing information relevant to teaching methods. Dissemination of the research outcomes to the general public will also increase understanding about how, and why, memory function changes as people get older. Additional downstream benefits will be to the Australian social fabric by providing a benchmark for future evidence-based interventions for individuals experiencing memory difficulties, thereby reducing potential financial burden associated with loss of independence.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

High-damping Multiscale Polymer Composites for Vibration Mitigation. The project aims to develop technologies to enhance damping capacity of fibre-reinforced polymer composites for diverse structural applications such as aircraft and spacecraft. The project expects to generate new knowledge of passive piezoelectric damping enabled by binary piezoelectric and conductive micro/nanofillers. Expected outcomes include new understanding of the energy dissipation mechanism and new techniques to enhance damping of the composite structures to mitigate vibrations and extend lifespan. The project will bridge the critical technological gap for developing lightweight high-damping composites, enabling Australian companies to produce and export high-performance composites products. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are widely used in diverse sectors such as aerospace, automotive, renewable energy due to their high strength and lightweight properties. However, these structures are consistently exposed to unwanted vibration during use, accelerating structural failure and degrading their performance. Therefore, it is pivotal to enhance their damping properties, which remains largely unsolved. This project aims to enhance the damping properties of FRP composites by developing a new approach using binary piezoelectric and conductive micro/nanofillers. This method mimics conventional bulky passive piezoelectric shunt damping systems but with much higher damping efficiency and lighter weight due to the integration of micro/nanofillers into composites. Expected outcome includes fundamental understanding and new knowledge of piezoelectric damping, which will guide future design of high-damping lightweight composites. The ability to more effectively reduce undesirable vibration will represent a game-changing technology to extend lifespan of a composite structure for broad applications where lightweight strong composites play an increasingly important role. To maximise the impacts of the research beyond academia, findings will be disseminated through various media channels and industry conferences. Collaborations with composite manufacturing firms will be sought to ensure practical application of the new knowledge.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Unravelling nocebo effects: the role of personal and social experiences. Nocebo effects - where negative expectations trigger adverse outcomes - cause significant personal, societal, and economic harm. This fundamental science project aims to use novel experimental methods to uncover the psychological mechanisms underlying nocebo effects acquired via social observation and direct experience, namely social dynamics, attention, and learning processes. Outcomes include a new evidence-based model of the nocebo effect, leading to improved identification of when and why these effects occur. Results will significantly advance scientific understanding of the nocebo effect, providing enormous benefit to the Australian community by paving the way for future translational research, reducing the cost of nocebo effects. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology Nocebo effects occur when negative expectations cause harmful outcomes. As everyone can hold these negative expectations, nocebo effects can impact all Australians. Nocebo effects can significantly reduce treatment adherence and delay recovery. On a societal level, they can lead to mass ‘communicated’ illnesses, resistance to new technologies (e.g., 5G wireless and wind turbines), and refusal of life-saving treatments like vaccines. When treatment non-adherence is considered, nocebo effects are estimated to cost Australia over $900 million annually (Cutler et al., 2017, Howard et al., 2021). However, nocebo effects cause a multitude of additional costly harms. Observing others undergo treatment - in hospitals, clinics, or on social media - can trigger nocebo effects. Despite their broad societal impact, the mechanisms driving these socially acquired nocebo effects are poorly understood. This project addresses how nocebo effects acquired through social observation differ from direct experience, examining interpersonal dynamics, attention, and learning processes. Outcomes include an evidence-based model addressing socially and directly learned nocebo effects, outlining how and when they arise. Results will significantly increase our understanding of the nocebo effect, enhancing Australia’s global leadership in nocebo-related research. This understanding will support future targeted interventions that reduce the personal and societal harm caused by the nocebo effect.

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

Generation Mental Wealth: A new paradigm for fostering youth mental... Category: Medical Research

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

A mechanistic approach to developing precision therapies for... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Stabilising perovskite photovoltaics by (A,B)-site co-doping. This project aims to experimentally identify the optimal (A,B)-site co-doping recipe to achieve highly stable and efficient FAPbI3-based solar cells, leveraging on the team’s recent discovery that (A,B)-site co-doping is effective in stabilising FAPbI3 and solving the instability of perovskite solar cells. Improving the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells is a major hurdle to commercialise perovskite solar cells and to minimise climate change. Expected outcomes are new knowledge on FAPbI3 phase transformation, A-/B-site mixed doping method and recipe, and more stable FAPbI3 and FAPbI3-based solar cells. These advances are expected to deliver substantial benefits to green-energy technologies, the environment, and the economy. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have the potential to generate more electricity at a lower cost than traditional silicon-based solar cells. However, their instability remains a major barrier to commercialisation. This project will develop a novel (A,B)-site co-doping strategy to enhance PSC stability and efficiency, paving the way for widespread adoption. By addressing a critical research gap, this work will provide new insights into perovskite material stability and deliver a practical doping method to improve solar cell performance. Economically, more stable PSCs could transform the solar industry, creating jobs and export opportunities in clean energy technology. Environmentally, they offer a scalable, low-cost solution to reduce carbon emissions and accelerate Australia’s transition to renewable energy. Socially, affordable and durable solar cells will improve energy access, particularly in remote areas, reducing electricity costs and enhancing sustainability. To maximise impact, the research findings will be shared through publications, conferences, and industry collaborations. Engaging with policymakers, businesses, and the public via media and outreach activities will drive awareness and adoption. By strengthening Australia’s leadership in solar innovation, this research supports national priorities in energy, advanced manufacturing, and environmental sustainability.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Modern sufficient dimension reduction methods for complex dependent data. This project aims to develop a suite of modern statistical theory and methods for sufficient dimension reduction in data exhibiting complex dependence structures. In doing so, it will address a pressing need for statistical tools that can accurately distil high-dimensional regression and classification relationships, with little to no loss of information, into results readily understood by domain experts. The project is expected to unlock valuable insights into how various spatial, temporal, and sampling processes operate together to drive dynamics in bioinformatics and social network data. This will provide important long-term benefits to enhance biological discovery and combat the spread of misinformation in online digital environments. Field of research: 4905 - Statistics As the collection of high-dimensional datasets with complex dependencies in structure, space, and time becomes increasingly common, there is a critical need for statistical methods that can distil the most relevant information from data into readily interpretable and actionable results, and at the same time preserve the ability to make reliable predictions. This project will develop a suite of cutting-edge statistical dimension reduction methods capable of accurately capturing complex relationships within data that evolve with spatial location, time, and data collection design. By translating these methods into software and collaborating with scientists to accelerate their timely adoption, the project will drive breakthroughs in understanding how complex biological mechanisms contribute to disease pathogenesis, and enhance governance of online digital environments through a greater understanding of social network dynamics. Ultimately, the project will deliver an evidence-based, robust decision-making framework for building a healthier and better-informed Australian society.

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

A mechanistic approach to developing precision therapies for... Category: Medical Research

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

Are histones or transcription factors the codemasters in gene... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Frozen frontiers: Exploring Australia's oldest high-altitude occupation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Targeting an essential bridge between bacterial membranes. This project aims to reveal the function of a protein bridge that is found prevalently across bacteria. These bridges allow bacteria to transport molecules that they use to build membrane barriers which stop antibiotics from working, and appendages that they use to cause infections. The project expects to leverage networks between USA and Australia to structurally and biochemically observe how these bridges form and to invent innovative ways to block the formation and function of these bridges inside bacterial cells. The knowledge gained from this project will improve our understanding of how bacteria generate their cell surfaces and will likely benefit the future development of antibiotics that target these bridges to kill superbugs. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology The bridges investigated in this project allow bacteria to transport molecules to their cell surfaces. The consequence of this process is that bacteria can grow, persist on surfaces and in the environment, and establish infections in Australians and people globally (e.g. E. coli “food poisoning”). These protein bridges also assist bacteria to create membrane barriers around their surfaces to resist antibiotic treatment. The goal of this project is to uncover how these bridges transport molecules at the molecular level inside bacteria. Aligning with the Australian Government’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy, this analysis may uncover new avenues to make better antibiotics in the future. This project also expects to use more advanced methods to target cell surface structures which will increase national capability. This project will also enable the transfer of scientific resources and technologies from the USA to Australia, help maintain a strong international profile for Australian research in this highly competitive field, and support research student training in advanced technologies. The project is also cost efficient for the ARC given in-kind contributions from the University of Sydney, the Australian National University, and by a collaborating US institution.

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

Adaptive Long-Range WiFi For Large-Scale Underground Mining Applications Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Uncovering the biochemical basis for age-dependent myelin loss. Myelin is a fatty substance wrapped tightly around our nerves, providing electrical insulation and metabolic support that are essential for nervous system function. Myelin is a pillar of humans’ advanced cognitive abilities but is lost with ageing, causing a decline in cognitive and physical abilities. This project aims to solve the mystery of why vertebrates lose myelin with ageing, using innovative mass spectrometry methods. Specifically, the project will determine if the generation of new myelin decreases and break-down of existing myelin increases with ageing, and identify the cell types mediating normal myelin turnover with ageing. This will create a technical and knowledge platform to fuel advances in healthy and productive lifespan. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Australia’s population is ageing, increasing the need for aged and health care services while decreasing government revenue. Ageing is associated with a deterioration in nervous system function that reduces our cognitive and physical capabilities. This project employs advanced cell and molecular science to understand why the function of our nervous system declines with ageing, resulting in reduced cognitive and physical capability. Specifically, it will explain why myelin, the fatty substance that provides electrical insulation for our nervous system, deteriorates with ageing. Myelin controls cognition, emotion, and movement, and its deterioration is almost certainly a key cause of declining capability with ageing. Future benefits will include the development of interventions to preserve or restore myelin, thereby improving Australians’ productivity and quality of life as we age, and preventing age-related dementia. Outcomes will be highlighted through social media, media releases, and international conferences attended by industry partners and aged care professionals. Australia must maintain its competitive position in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary brain science to keep pace internationally and create opportunities in the AU$1 trillion neuroscience market. The technological innovation in this project will fuel collaborations with biotechnology partners, and students will receive training in interdisciplinary skills that are highly valued in the biotechnology industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Are histones or transcription factors the codemasters in gene regulation? All organisms switch thousands of genes on and off in a precisely orchestrated manner, but through mechanisms that are still mysterious in many ways. This project aims to redefine our understanding of the regulation of gene expression in complex organisms by defining the molecular choreography executed by three essential classes of proteins working in concert. The project will leverage our recent discoveries and use advanced approaches in cellular, molecular and structural biology to challenge existing dogma. The outcome will be a deeper understanding of a process conserved over hundreds of millions of years, which will significantly benefit future efforts to modulate gene activity in fields such as agriculture and medicine. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This application investigates one of the most fundamental and long-standing questions in biology – how does an organism ‘read’ the right parts of its genome at the right times and in the right places to develop and thrive? The answers to this question are largely shared by all complex organisms, ranging from fungi to plants and animals and beyond. The delineation of the mechanisms by which the genome is interpreted will have significant implications across medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. As well as providing a deeper understanding of life on earth, determination of these mechanisms will potentially enable the Australian agricultural industry to deliver more efficient and higher-quality agricultural production and provide new avenues for the Australian biotechnology sector to develop innovative approaches for the treatment for a range of human disorders. Important examples already exist of such applications and a stronger grasp of the underlying mechanisms will significantly expand opportunities to have economic, therapeutic and agricultural impact. As one example, the outcomes of this project will be used as the foundation for translational research projects aimed at modulating gene expression patterns in agricultural pests, through engagement with Rural Development Corporations and their stakeholders.

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

Catalytic Air-gap Electrochemistry - a New Way to Fix Nitrogen Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Cellular targets and mechanisms of action of C. barnesi Irukandji venom. This project investigates the cellular targets and mechanisms of action of Carukia barnesi venom, the cause of Irukandji Syndrome, a life-threatening condition linked to severe pain and autonomic dysfunction. With warming waters expanding the habitat of C. barnesi toward populated areas, understanding its venom is crucial. Using cutting-edge functional genomic and CRISPR screening technologies, we aim to identify bioactive peptides in the venom and their mammalian targets. This globally unique research combines expertise in venom biology, genomics, and toxin biology to address a critical knowledge gap, advancing venom science and informing strategies to manage and mitigate the impacts of Irukandji Syndrome. Field of research: 4103 - Environmental Biotechnology This project will uncover how the venom of Carukia barnesi—a jellyfish responsible for Irukandji syndrome—affects the human body. This venom triggers intense physiological and psychological symptoms, including extreme pain and a sense of impending doom, yet no specific treatments exist. As ocean temperatures rise, the geographic range of this species is expanding toward densely populated coastlines, increasing the risk to Australians. Using globally unique genomic technologies developed by the research team, this project will identify the biologically active toxins in C. barnesi venom and determine their effects on human cells. It will also identify the specific human genes targeted by the venom, providing the molecular insight needed to guide antivenom development or the creation of new bioactive tools. The research addresses an urgent national need in environmental health and marine toxinology. Findings will support Australia’s emergency medicine and public health preparedness and may also create commercial opportunities in drug discovery. Outcomes will be disseminated via high-impact publications, international conferences, public media, and open-access platforms. Key tools and data will be made available to researchers and industry worldwide, ensuring broad translation, uptake, and long-term benefit.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A Novel Platform for the Discovery of High Affinity Mirror Image Peptides. Virtually all biomolecules on our planet are homochiral, including human proteins that bear amino acids with the same ‘L-handedness.’ Peptides possess exquisite biological activity but their use in medicinal chemistry is limited by cleavage of these L-molecules into inactive fragments by protease enzymes. This project aims to use our innovative methods for the synthesis of ‘mirror image proteins’ made entirely of D-amino acids. These will be used in a novel peptide display platform for the discovery of structurally diverse D-peptides with high affinity for natural L-proteins and stability to proteases. This project has the potential to revolutionise future medicinal chemistry efforts by overcoming a key limitation of peptide therapeutics. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Peptides and proteins are nature’s functional molecules essential for all life on our planet. Despite their exquisite activities, they are susceptible to degradation and inactivation by natural enzymes called proteases, which limits their practical use in biological systems and in medicinal chemistry. This proposal will path-find a solution to the problem by creating a breakthrough technology called mirror image display to enable the discovery of peptides with non-natural, mirrored structures (“D-peptides”) that possess remarkable activity and stability. D-peptides have the potential to unlock an entirely new area of medicinal chemistry. The display technology this project will develop—leveraging innovative protein synthesis and driving rapid discovery of modified, topologically distinct molecules—will catalyse the discovery of novel classes of D-peptides with exceptional biological activity, high selectivity and excellent degradation resistance. Project success will not only advance scientific knowledge but may stimulate the growth of a new, high-impact industry in peptide-based therapeutics in the future. Dissemination of research findings will span diverse audiences of wide reach (research, industry and popular science), reflecting the ground-breaking mirror image display platform and D-peptide scaffolds this project will advance. There is also strong potential for commercially valuable IP, which will be protected to maximise future benefits to Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Understanding the interplay between chromatin architecture and DNA repair. Chromatin architecture is crucial for many biological processes, the most well described being transcriptional regulation; however, the interplay between 3D chromatin organisation and DNA repair pathway engagement remains to be characterised. The overarching aim of this project is to investigate how chromatin architecture regulates DNA repair. We will focus on the role ATR-activating proteins play in recruiting the nucleosome remodelling and deacetylase (NuRD) chromatin remodelling complex to promote long-range chromatin interactions and homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair. This project will create new knowledge of how DNA repair pathways are activated, and characterise a level of DNA repair regulation not previously comprehended. Field of research: 3105 - Genetics Accurate DNA repair is of central importance to biology across all domains of life. Cells constantly face endogenous and exogenous threats that can cause DNA damage. To counteract these threats, cells activate a comprehensive and multifaceted DNA damage response. Ineffective or mismanaged DNA repair leads to genome instability. Enacting the DNA damage response requires cells to modify the complex highly-ordered three-dimensional structure of DNA. While we know these modifications occur, we know little about the chromatin remodelling complexes involved. This project will address this critical gap in knowledge through investigating the role of the NuRD chromatin remodelling complex in the DNA damage response. The outcomes of this project will significantly advance our fundamental understanding of the genome repair mechanisms that are essential for maintaining cellular health. This knowledge has wide-ranging benefits, with particular utility in cellular biotechnology and manufacturing, including agriculture, precision fermentation, recombinant DNA, DNA-based data storage, and cellular systems for food manufacturing. Additionally, accumulated DNA damage can impact normal cell function, tissue health, and cellular aging. Knowledge advancement of DNA repair mechanisms is therefore important for understanding how cells preserve genome integrity, and will support healthy aging, longevity, and overall cellular resilience throughout life.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Toxic Living: Exposure and Immunity in the Time of ‘Forever Chemicals’. This project aims to develop new sociological understanding of exposure and immunity in the time of ‘forever chemicals’. Using innovative qualitative methods and research translation strategies, it will adopt a person- and community-centred approach to investigate experiences of a) living with forever chemicals, and; b) the various forms of autoimmunity with which they have been linked. This will generate foundational knowledge, leading the international scholarship in health sociology. The project will create significant benefit through improved understandings, publicly accessibly resources and targeted policy advice to reduce the inequities and harms of living with pervasive chemical risk in the often toxic conditions of late capitalism. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology ‘Forever chemicals’ – a class of >14,000 synthetic compounds that have been used extensively in industry, textiles, food packaging and consumer products since the 1940s – are now a durable and pervasive part of our world. Because they do not break down in the body or in nature, forever chemicals have been found to contaminate virtually every natural environment worldwide and virtually every bodily system, too. Up to 98% of the world's population are thought to have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. Yet very little is known about how people understand or experience exposure to forever chemicals or the many negative health effects which with they have been linked. Using innovative qualitative methods, stakeholder engagement and research translation strategies, this project will develop urgently needed person- and community-centred understandings of the growing problem of living with forever chemicals to inform policy improvements, advance health equity and environmental justice and promote wellbeing. Project findings will be widely disseminated among scholarly networks, positioning Australia as a research leader in the field, and among public audiences and policy stakeholders via a public exhibit, informational and advocacy resources, and policy reports. This will yield considerable social and environmental benefits aligned with Australian Government priorities areas supporting healthy and thriving communities and restoring and protecting Australian Environments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Catalytic Air-gap Electrochemistry - a New Way to Fix Nitrogen. Synthetic nitrogen fixation markets have a global value of AUD 400 B/yr and focus predominantly on fertilisers. This project combines catalysis with air-gap electrochemistry [AGE] to pioneer electrified solutions that enable nitrogen fixation directly from air and water. It targets distributed production methods, at ambient conditions, of nitrogenous chemicals in a significantly more sustainable manner, compared to those generated by the industrial Haber-Bosch process. The research will pioneer the fundamental science required to enable catalytic AGE to deliver these nitrogenous compounds efficiently and effectively, to benefit Australia’s agricultural productivity and sustainable chemical production towards a net-zero economy. Field of research: 3406 - Physical Chemistry As it is critical for society to increasingly transition to a net-zero future, its fundamental chemical building blocks will need to be sourced from non-petrochemical feedstocks and manufactured using renewable energy. Fertilizers underpin contemporary agriculture and food security – 50% of the nitrogen in human bodies is derived from synthetic, fossil-based nitrogen fertilizers, releasing more than 2% of all anthropogenic CO2. The project proposed employs electricity (inherently a renewable option) to mimic elements of lightning to activate nitrogen. This electrochemical approach to 'fixing' nitrogen from the air avoids the use of fossil methane as a necessary input and, compared with current industrial and other proposed experimental methods, dramatically lowers the amount of CO2 produced as a by-product. This project will not only expand knowledge in the field of electrochemistry, but potentially enable new approaches for the sustainable manufacture of other commodity chemicals. Beyond the timeline of this project, this approach may lessen Australia's reliance on synthetic ammonia and mitigate the effect of Australian agriculture's contribution to climate change. The results of this research will not only be widely disseminated in the academic sphere, conferences and through student outreach programs, but also shared at policy round table meetings and with industry partners using the team’s domestic and international networks.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Novel reconstructive microwave photonics for on-chip sensing. This project pioneers the development of reconstructive microwave photonics, a novel and fundamental approach for creating compact, high-performance on-chip sensors. By overcoming critical challenges in system-on-chip integration, the project delivers ultra high-resolution sensing techniques. It lays the groundwork for portable and scalable microwave photonic sensors, unlocking capabilities in precision sensing and enabling applications that were previously unattainable. The project will redefine smart sensing technologies, supporting emerging applications in environmental monitoring, robotics and next-generation Internet of Things. The outcomes strengthen advanced manufacturing, delivering substantial economic and societal benefits. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware This project will develop a new class of on-chip sensors using reconstructive microwave photonics (RMWP), a breakthrough technology that enables ultra-high-resolution sensing. These small and high-speed sensors can detect subtle measurands, such as trace gas leaks and environmental hazards in real time, enabling applications that were previously unattainable. The RMWP platform is both fundamental and versatile, supporting next-generation capabilities in the Internet of Things, robotics, environmental monitoring, clean energy, and autonomous systems. Its compact, low-power, and scalable nature makes it ideal for developing portable, high-performance sensors that meet the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). Aligned with Australia’s national priorities in advanced manufacturing and sovereign semiconductor capability, this research will advance local manufacturing, foster commercialisation and create startup opportunities in deep-tech innovation. This research is particularly timely as Australia strengthens its position at the forefront of Industry 4.0 and future digital infrastructure.