THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Modernising Water Security: Advanced hazard detection in water sources. In Australia, incidents of drinking water contamination have increased over recent years in recognition of a growing number and diversity of water contaminants. Future-ready mitigation strategies are urgently needed to ensure safe potable water supply. This project aims to deliver a technology for rapid screening and identification of contaminant hazards in Australian potable water sources. In collaboration with the Australian water industry and QLD health department, the project expects to deliver a computational tool for enhanced water security of drinking water resources. Results are expected to impact public health protection, allow for significant costs reduction and support both urban and regional communities across Australia. Field of research: 3401 - Analytical Chemistry Provision of critical and safe drinking water to Australian communities requires ongoing and accurate monitoring of water supplies for effective decision-making. However, current monitoring relies on several disparate analytical methods that investigate only a small fraction of environmental contaminants. New hazard monitoring tools are urgently required to keep up with the comprehensive list of contaminants such as industrial chemicals, pesticides and disinfection by-products and respond to contamination events. This project aims to combine recent advancements in High Resolution Mass Spectrometry analysis of chemical contaminants and computational Machine Learning algorithms to create a first of its kind accurate, and robust technology for identification of chemical threats in drinking water systems, enabling the streamlined processing of large and complex datasets. The outcomes of this project will directly support the objectives of the National Water Policy and Water Laws and Water Regulations 2008 by strengthening our capacity to monitor and manage water quality at scale. Open-source tools from this project will be shared nationally, offering practical solutions for utilities and government. Through industry collaboration and targeted training, the project will build workforce capability and accelerate research translation. This innovation supports global water security efforts and strengthens Australia’s leadership in sustainable water management and public health.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Use plain carbon steels as high-performance alloy steels by 3D printing. This project aims to enhance properties of plain carbon steels by metal 3D printing through leveraging its features of sequential microscale melting and rapid cooling. Research outcomes enable to use such low-cost, the most common carbon steels as more expensive high-performance alloy steels without size limitations, while eliminating the long-standing part distortion and cracking issues related to conventional steel heat treatment. The research broadens the usability of carbon steels and expands applications of 3D printing. This should provide substantial benefits, including improved material sustainability and plainification, process simplification, and enhanced steel recyclability, leading to cost savings, and reduced carbon emissions. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Plain carbon steels are the most cost-effective and widely used metals worldwide, accounting for 70–80% of commercial steels. But, they are inherently hard to be strengthened, large parts in particular. Hence, alloy steels, of which the price is two to five times higher, must be used for high-strength applications. This project provides a solution to strengthen carbon steels using metal additive manufacturing (AM). By leveraging the typical features of AM, AM-fabricated carbon steel parts can be fully strengthened without size limitations. Consequently, low-cost carbon steels can serve as substitutes for more expensive alloy steels, expanding their applications. Research outcomes can be shared with steel parts manufacturers via press releases and/or presenting at industry events. This allows them to produce high-performance engineering parts with more affordable materials, thereby increasing profitability. Given that Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of carbon steel, increased use of carbon steels implies higher sales and greater income. Additionally, using more carbon steels reduces the demand for alloying elements such as nickel, cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum, which are scarce resources, and metallurgically extracting and adding them into steels are energy consuming. Thus, reducing their uses also contributes to energy savings. Furthermore, the outcomes expand applications of metal AM in the future, strengthening the nation’s manufacturing capabilities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Reconstructing climate and coral mortality in the Coral Sea Marine Park. This cost-effective project aims to use high-precision U-Th dating of dead coral rubbles (samples already collected) and geochemical proxies from Porites cores to reconstruct past coral mortality events and their links to climate and environmental conditions, such as sea surface temperature, in the northern Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP). Comparing timelines and causes of coral mortality and reef degradation with the Great Barrier Reef, where more is known from previous studies, will help identify and isolate global, regional, and local drivers of reef decline since European settlement in 1850s. Improved insights from the CSMP reefs with limited historical data will guide managers in developing targeted strategies for future reef protection. Field of research: 3705 - Geology The remote Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP) has experienced unprecedented climate-driven coral mortality and reef degradation in recent decades. Its geographic isolation makes traditional monitoring costly and ineffective, while within-reef coral recovery is vital, highlighting urgent risks posed by climate extremes. This project will enhance our capacity to understand and manage such changes, directly addressing Australia’s Science and Research Priority: Environmental Change. By reconstructing coral mortality events spanning the past 200 years—including the onset of rapid global industrialisation—using advanced high-precision U-Th dating, and linking them to long-term records of sea surface temperature, nutrients, and upwelling derived from coral chemistry, we will identify critical climate stress thresholds and resilience patterns. This will significantly improve our ability to predict future environmental impacts in the CSMP. Findings will be up taken by government organizations such as Australian Marine Parks, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and marine parks worldwide for better targeted conservation strategies and cost-effective management of Australia’s and global vulnerable reef ecosystems. Leveraging pre-existing samples and world-leading techniques, the project offers exceptional value for money. It will also support the development of future leaders in reef science by training students and early-career researchers.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Unlock the Potentials of Low-grade Australian Iron Ores for Green Steel. Australia’s most valuable export is iron ore, but the future value of this industry is at risk because premium-grade Pilbara ore reserves are depleting, and miners will need to access ores with more impurities. This project aims to understand how iron ores with high concentrations of aluminium and phosphorus behave in H2 direct reduced iron (DRI) and electric smelting furnaces, which are key green steel technologies. We will combine experimental insights into DRI softening, melting, and slag-metal interactions with advanced models to develop new methods for removing alumina and phosphorus during green steel production. The project expects to generate crucial knowledge on low-grade DRI, helping the steel industry to reduce CO2 emissions. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy While hydrogen reduction of iron ores is acknowledged as a promising way for low-carbon steelmaking and is extensively researched, not enough attention is drawn to the post reduction processes, the melting of direct reduced iron and the subsequent impurity removal in an electric arc furnace. These two steps are critical during green steel production from the low-grade high-alumina and phosphorus-bearing Australia iron ores which prevails as Australian premium iron ores undergo depletion. This project aims to answer how the increased alumina and phosphorus contents affect the melting and how the chemistry and fluid dynamics of the molten system can be regulated to achieve best impurity removal efficiency. The project outcome offers a pathway to utilise low-grade iron ores in green steel production and formulates scientific solution to underpin the value uplifting of these ores, directly benefiting Australian export industry. The project results will also mitigate the carbon dioxide emission, contributing to the long-term sustainability of Australian iron ores. The close collaboration with industry ensures the industry’s deep knowledge is leveraged in the project, while the latest technologies and knowledge discovered from the project are applied to the steelworks. The partnership will advance Australia towards the net-zero carbon dioxide emissions.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Co-designing an Indigenous STEM learning model with Traditional Owners. Indigenous students are underperforming in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This trend causes economic and social justice issues for Australia as the STEM workforce minimises. This research aims to improve Indigenous student engagement in STEM through co-designing with Traditional Owners & community members a learning model, curriculum and place based resources underpinned by Indigenous knowledges. It expects to produce new knowledge about the co-design process with Traditional Owners & community members in Indigenous STEM education and best practice for engaging Indigenous students in STEM. This new knowledge will directly benefit Indigenous peoples, schools, educators, students, policy makers, and governments. Field of research: 4502 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Indigenous students’ achievement and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is either unchanged or declining. Poor educational outcomes for young people lead to social justice and economic issues for Australia. Currently, there are alarmingly only 0.5% of Indigenous people that hold a university qualification in STEM. This Indigenous-led research project aims to offer new and innovative ways of investigating a persistent problem and disrupt past approaches to STEM teaching and learning in primary school. We will privilege the voices of Traditional Owners and Indigenous community members as the knowers and doers of STEM to co-design an Indigenous learning model, curriculum and place based resources underpinned by Indigenous knowledges to support the implementation of STEM in the classroom. There is minimal evidence about Indigenous learning models that forefront Indigenous voices in co-designing STEM curriculum and resources and how it is implemented in schools. This research will provide evidence to support educators on culturally safe and engaging STEM learning model and provide new ways of thinking about the practice of STEM including hearing about the experiences of Traditional Owners and community members in co-designing and how this is done successfully. We will contribute to providing an evidence base on how to engage Indigenous students in STEM and whether co-designing is mutually beneficial for Indigenous peoples and students.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Small-Scale CO2 Methanation Process for Decarbonising Australian Gas Supply. This project will use biomass-derived gas mixtures to produce pipeline-grade methane, accelerating the decarbonisation of gas networks. It focuses on improving the Sabatier process, which converts carbon dioxide into synthetic natural gas - a key method for recycling carbon dioxide, storing renewable energy, and transporting hydrogen. Traditional Sabatier reactors struggle with heat management, demanding costly equipment and large space. To address this, the project will develop ultra-compact reactors using 3D printing and process modelling. This innovation will enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and position Australia at the forefront of carbon capture and utilisation technologies. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering In 2021- 22, Australia consumed 1,528 petajoules (PJ) of gas - critical for power generation (33%) as firming support for renewables; mining and industry (50%) for high-temperature processes and feedstocks; and homes and businesses (14%) for heating and cooking. Yet in 2022, gas use and supply produced 103 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂-eqv., which equates to 24% of national emissions, including 22 Mt from fugitive methane alone. Renewable methane is a strategic enabler of decarbonisation - offering a drop-in, low-carbon alternative that aligns with existing gas infrastructure while supporting hydrogen integration. Our project advances this solution by converting biomass-derived gas mixtures into renewable methane using improved Sabatier process. Current reactors, however, are inefficient and commercially unviable due to poor heat and flow management. We aim to transform this by integrating advanced process modelling with additive manufacturing to create ultra-compact, optimised reactors. This innovation will enable efficient, scalable production of pipeline-grade renewable methane - accelerating gas network decarbonisation and driving Australia’s transition to net zero by 2050, while creating local jobs and industrial capability.

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

Building the world’s largest bipolar Stem Cell resource to elucidate... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Accelerating (epi)genetic gain in vegetables. Considering the economic, societal and health benefits arising from the 51 billion serves of vegetables consumed in Australia every year, this project aims to generate new solutions to genetic mysteries impeding the development of better vegetables. Through implementation of ground-breaking new epigenomic technologies, the project will produce transformational insight into the molecular basis of vegetable misbehaviours that cause significant economic loss. Outputs will be applied to generate cost-saving methodologies that accelerate vegetable improvement and (epi)genetic gain. Expected benefits include capacity to access hidden molecular information to improve crop production and open the potential of epigenomic research more broadly. Field of research: 3004 - Crop and Pasture Production Australian horticultural production reached $17 billion in 2024, including $5.7 billion from vegetables. This value has notable growth potential as vegetables have relatively high prevalence for problematic phenomena that cannot be explained by conventional genetics. Conducting work alongside global vegetable breeding powerhouse, Enza Zaden, and a national commercial multi-omics service provider, AGRF, this project will apply a world-first Australian-innovated technology to investigate if the chemical structure of DNA can explain differences between vegetable varieties. This is akin to understanding that changing only the grammar in a sentence can dramatically alter its meaning. By rewriting the rules for vegetable improvement, and developing new diagnostic tools, this project expects to uncover novel understanding about how vegetables produce the seeds that are supplied to farmers to grow our crops. The project will enable industry adoption for more efficient production processes and the development of improved vegetable varieties. The approaches developed in this project could have broad applicability to the seeds supplied to the ~3,600 vegetable growing businesses across the country—mostly multi-generational, family-owned enterprises—that produce the 3.8 million tonnes of vegetables every year (98% for the domestic market), critical to the health and well-being of the Australian population. The project will cement strategic partnerships that promote national food security.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Droplet-Engineered Hydrogel Microparticles for Scalable Biofabrication. This project will develop a scalable, surfactant-enabled microgel technology using our patented fluorinated surfactants to overcome key barriers in microgel fabrication—namely, droplet instability, toxicity, and poor scalability. By engineering monodisperse, biocompatible microgels through solvent-free emulsification, the project will enable high-throughput production for applications in drug delivery, cosmetics, food technology, and pharmaceutical science. In partnership with industry, we will optimise formulation conditions, scale up production, and translate this platform into next-generation materials manufacturing, supporting Australian innovation in advanced and sustainable processing. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering This project aims to establish advanced microgel fabrication technologies using a patented platform, delivering scalable, uniform, and environmentally friendly production methods. Hydrogel microparticles are critical in a wide range of sectors including biomedical devices, food and cosmetic formulations, and soft materials manufacturing. However, current fabrication approaches are limited by poor reproducibility, reliance on toxic solvents, and lack of scalability. Our smart surfactant-enabled approach will overcome these limitations, enabling biocompatible, and high-throughput production of monodisperse microgels. The project aligns with national research priorities in advanced manufacturing and sustainable technologies. It will strengthen Australia’s sovereign capability in precision soft materials engineering and support industry-led innovation through close collaboration with commercial partners. Importantly, the environmentally conscious design of this technology supports Australia’s transition to greener manufacturing practices, reducing reliance on hazardous solvents and improving process safety. Outcomes from this work will enhance Australia’s global competitiveness in high-value manufacturing and underpin the development of new market-ready technologies with long-term economic, health, and societal benefits.

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

Advanced Flow Battery for Synergetic Carbon Capture and Energy Storage Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Strengthening Relationships to Break the Cycle of Long-Term Unemployment. Long-term unemployment perpetuates a self-reinforcing cycle of joblessness that stems not just from individual challenges but from deep structural failures within the Australian employment services system. Yet, existing approaches often overlook how fragmented relationships between job seekers, employment consultants, and employers create persistent barriers to employment. In partnership with Workways Australia, this project investigates these systemic disconnects and develops interventions to bridge the gap between labour supply and demand. This research will provide a foundation for more responsive, connected, and impactful employment services that can help break the cycle of long-term joblessness and unlock economic and social value. Field of research: 4407 - Policy and Administration Australia will commit over $5 billion towards funding employment services between 2022-2028. Despite the scale of this investment, long-term unemployment remains persistent, critical job vacancies go unfilled, and misalignment continues between job seekers, employers and employment consultants. Strikingly, there is a lack of empirical evidence on how to effectively strengthen these relationships. This project directly responds to this gap through an innovative project, partnering with Workways Australia, a provider with 35 years’ experience in supporting disadvantaged Australians. The project uncovers why relationships break down and it aims to foster greater alignment between job seekers, employers and employment consultants. Through the integration of administrative data analysis, interviews and field experiments, the project will develop and trial training models for employment consultants addressing employer hiring bias and tailored referrals to job seekers' needs. Expected benefits include reduced unemployment, improved job matching, enhanced individual wellbeing and economic productvity. Findings will be disseminated through policy briefs and industry conferences. The training modules have the potential to be scaled across the employment services industry. Findings will inform the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations policy development, leading to improved return on public investment and lasting economic and social benefits for all Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Plastic Waste to High-Value Graphene Composites. This project aims to upcycle post-consumer plastic waste into graphene and integrate it into recycled polymer-based composites for high-performance aerospace, automotive, construction and defence applications. This approach enables fully waste-derived, high-value materials free of inorganic additives, while preserving recyclability. Expected outcomes include optimised microwave-assisted graphene synthesis, graphene-enhanced protective coatings for engineered substrates, and tunable filler–matrix interfaces in high-strength recyclable composites. The project should benefit sustainable manufacturing by elevating plastic waste value, advancing domestic clean-tech capability, and reducing landfill through closed-loop materials reusability. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia's plastics sector faces critical challenges in advancing material circularity and diverting end-of-life plastics from landfill. Despite rising recovery rates, substantial volumes of plastic waste are rejected or downcycled due to contamination and inconsistent quality. This project responds by converting post-consumer mixed plastics into high-value graphene using it in high-performance composites and coatings made from recycled polymers, establishing a unified platform where waste serves as both carbon source and polymer feedstock. By avoiding foreign additives and adopting self-reinforced designs, the resulting materials remain fully recyclable, supporting closed-loop manufacturing. The process is energy-efficient, enabling the scalable production of advanced carbon materials from domestic waste streams. Aligned with national priorities such as "A Future Made in Australia (2024)" and the "National Plastics Plan", the project supports decarbonisation, innovation and national manufacturing capability. Expected outcomes include driving industry uptake through strong collaboration with Australian manufacturers and recyclers, delivering benefits such as reduced reliance on imports, improved recycling economics and lower environmental impact. The project will also enhance workforce capacity in sustainable materials engineering and create new pathways for value-added manufacturing from waste, reinforcing Australia's leadership in the circular economy transition.

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

Addressing the critical questions in chronic pain Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Precision Functional Dissection of a Cellular Stress Sensing Organelle. Cells must protect themselves from stress and sense their environment. This depends on the ability of the cell surface, or plasma membrane, to detect changes and translate them into a cellular signal. The project aims to use powerful new methods to study the structure of the plasma membrane and precise protein engineering tools to control and dissect how the plasma membrane responds to external signals. The expected outcomes of this Project include a new understanding of how cells respond to their environment and novel techniques for studying cell function. This will provide significant benefits by generating new knowledge in fundamental cell biology and through the development of powerful innovative systems to understand cellular function. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology This project seeks to position Australian science at the forefront of research aimed at understanding the functioning of the cell, the fundamental unit of life. The project focuses on a cellular surface structure of unknown function and aims to bring a new textbook understanding of how the proteins and lipids of this structure work together allowing cells to cope with stress. The novel systems and methods applied in the project, which will enable researchers to switch off proteins or to precisely change their properties in situ, will be of universal value to all cell biologists, developmental biologists and will have long-term commercialisation potential. These methods will be used to provide a new understanding of how the individual cell functions and responds in the face of environmental challenges. The project will provide an excellent research training environment to nurture early-career researchers and aims to bolster Australia's international standing in the field. The proposed studies will benefit Australia socially through the promotion of science through school visits, public lectures, social media, and the mainstream media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Next-Gen Floating Platform with Porous Edges for Wave Impact Mitigation. This project aims to develop a cost-effective and robust solution for building stronger, lighter, multipurpose large floating platforms in Australian waters. The innovation lies in the use of graded porous breakwaters to form the edges of platforms for markedly mitigating wave impacts. These superior platforms, capable of supporting various superstructures, are essential for ocean economy growth. Current designs, however, are costly and prone to wave damage. By generating new knowledge in floating structures and porous media, this project will unlock Australia’s vast, untapped ocean resources, and enhance its capabilities in offshore construction, aquaculture, renewable energy production with significant economic and sustainable benefits. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Large floating platforms are essential for unlocking Australia’s ocean resources, especially offshore aquaculture and renewable energy production. However, constructing such platforms is challenging and expensive due to the harsh marine environment. This project aims to develop next-generation, lightweight yet highly durable floating platforms featuring world-first graded porous perimeter edges. These innovative edges will dissipate wave energy and minimise platform motion, significantly reducing construction costs. The project’s outcomes will enable the cost-effective construction of robust floating platforms for diverse applications, including offshore fish farming (providing sustainable, high-quality, and affordable seafood), renewable energy production and storage (including green hydrogen), transshipment port operations, emergency response bases, and floating industrial and residential hubs. These ocean developments will support the government’s Net Zero Plan, strengthen Australia’s food and energy security, safeguard sovereignty, and create new job opportunities in ocean-related industries. To maximise impact, the project will focus on licensing new intellectual property, developing in-house software for end users, and implementing strategic outreach initiatives. Findings will be disseminated through conferences, media engagement, and collaboration with academia, industry, and government stakeholders.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Engineering synthetic methanotrophs for methane to protein production. This project aims to engineer synthetic methanotrophs for scalable methane-to-protein conversion by integrating computational enzyme design, high throughput screening and directed evolution. This project expects to generate new knowledge of how biological systems activate inert C-H bonds and new platform for converting methane waste into single cell proteins. Expected outcomes include new methane monooxygenase with improved catalytic efficiency and engineered microbial hosts for methane biotransformation. This should provide benefits such as reducing industrial methane emissions, creating a sustainable local protein supply for Australian agriculture, and strengthening Australia’s leadership in low carbon biomanufacturing technologies. Field of research: 3106 - Industrial Biotechnology Microbial methane oxidation – the biological conversion of methane into methanol under ambient conditions – offers a sustainable solution to mitigate methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) over 25 times more potent than CO2. However, large-scale deployment is hindered by the low catalytic activity of methane monooxygenase, the key enzyme responsible for catalysing this reaction. Australia, with its extensive fossil fuel and agricultural sectors, ranks among the world’s top methane emitters per capita and urgently requires scalable solutions to reduce emissions. This project addresses this national need by engineering enzymes and microbes that could efficiently transform methane into single cell protein, creating a locally produced alternative to imported feed proteins and a technology-driven solution to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. The project is expected to yield valuable IP in new enzymes and microbial strains which will be licensed to industry partner Woodside Energy for pilot scale trial of methane gas emission reduction. Outcomes will support national GHG reduction targets and advance Australia’s capabilities in climate mitigation, biomanufacturing and alternative protein production. This project will lay the foundation for a new methane-to-protein platform, positioning Australia as global leader in clean technologies and low-carbon innovation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

AI-Powered Design Co-Pilot for Reimagining Australian Single-Family Homes. Australia is in housing crisis, with current design tools lacking intelligence to support timely, supply chain and environmentally informed design. This project develops an AI-powered generative design co-pilot for single-family homes, tailored to the Australian context. By advancing architectural foundation models, multi-objective recommendation systems, and human-in-the-loop multi-agent frameworks, it enables streamlined workflows, supply-aware material choices, and real-time sustainability advice. The outcomes will help architects, suppliers, and builders deliver faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable housing, positioning Australia as a global leader in AI driven housing innovations. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science Australia is facing a profound housing crisis and is significantly behind schedule in achieving its target of delivering 1.2 million new homes by 2029. Prolonged design and approval processes, combined with high interest rates, soaring construction costs, and widespread supply chain disruptions, have undermined industry profitability and reduced both the volume and quality of housing developments. There is a pressing need for transformative technological solutions. This project addresses this national challenge by developing Australia’s first generative AI-powered design co-pilot system for single-family housing. At its core, the platform integrates a cutting-edge foundation model purpose-built for architectural design, human-in-the-loop multi-agent collaboration, a real-time recommendation engine informed by local supply chains, and comprehensive sustainability assessment tools to streamline and accelerate housing design workflows. By promoting resource-efficient and energy-conscious design practices, this AI-human co-design framework improves economic feasibility, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Strategic partnerships with government agencies, materials suppliers, developers, and design and engineering firms will drive rapid industry adoption and deliver lasting impact, supporting Australia’s economic growth, social wellbeing, and environmental objectives in alignment with national priorities.

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

A Cultural History of Workplace Fatigue Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Reliable intermetallic bonding for high power and temperature electronics. Electronics play a vital role in modern life and the global economy. This project aims to develop a novel method for manufacturing connections between functional elements in electronic devices. The project expects to create reliable bonds for high-power, high-temperature applications by leveraging a new approach to the synthesis and property tuning of intermetallic compounds, discovered by the investigators. The expected outcomes include enhanced thermal and mechanical stability of electronic interconnects. This advancement offers significant benefits, enabling the development of compact, high-performance electronics for advanced circuitry in portable devices, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence hardware, and defence applications. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering As an advanced industrial economy, Australia is increasingly reliant on electronics across all aspect of personal life, business, and the broader economy. While Australian engineers have a track record of innovation in electronic design, very little electronics manufacturing currently takes place domestically. Given Australia’s high labour costs, local manufacturing is only viable when significant value can be added through unique technological advantages. The advanced joining technology developed by this project would provide that value premium. A capacity for innovative design combined with manufacturing based on a new joining technology that extends product service life would provide the basis for a revitalised electronics manufacturing sector in Australia, one that is competitive in the global market. Furthermore, it strengthens Australia’s sovereign industrial capabilities in advanced electronics, enabling the domestic production of high-reliability defence and aerospace equipment. To amplify the impact and facilitate the translation of the intellectual property developed, this project partners with Surface Mount and Circuit Board Association (SMCBA), who represents the Australian electronics manufacturing industry in discussions with the state and federal governments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Shifting consumer electricity use to stabilise the grid and lower emissions. This project aims to develop and test theory-informed behaviour change interventions designed to influence household electricity use. Using less in the evening and more during midday helps households reduce their electricity bills and power networks avoid power outages from excessive peak demand or midday solar feed-in. The project aims to make theoretical and methodological contributions by developing a new approach for continuous monitoring of electricity use and consumer sentiment; comparing the value of four theories of human behaviour in interventions design; and pioneering state-wide field experimentation in the energy market. Outputs include effective interventions and a monitoring system for electricity use and consumer sentiment. Field of research: 5205 - Social and Personality Psychology Australians are facing a cost-of-living crisis, with electricity prices continuing to increase. Australians are also experiencing more disruptions to their lives from power outages, which can result from natural disasters or from the electricity grid being overloaded by too much demand around 5-6 pm or too much feed-in from household solar systems during midday. Peak evening demand and excessive midday solar feed-in will get more problematic if temperatures continue to increase in line with the predictions of climate scientists. This project aims to help households reduce their electricity bills and ensure that they have reliable access to electricity by enticing them to shift their electricity use from the evening peak to the midday period. The project takes an approach involving: the development of theory-informed practical measures that have the potential to change household electricity use behaviour; pre-testing these measures; and testing their effectiveness in changing household behaviour in a state-wide field experiment with Queensland households. Effective interventions benefit households; they can better manage their electricity consumption and save money. Effective interventions also align with the mission of energy consumer advocacy organisations, such as our partner Energy Consumers Australia, and with the mission of network owners across all states, which are tasked with providing reliable electricity supply infrastructure.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A comprehensive investigation of intergroup contact and ideology. This project aims to advance understanding of how intergroup contact—interactions between people from different racial, political, or ideological groups—affects attitudes and reduces prejudice. While traditional theories suggest that contact improves intergroup relations, recent findings show limited longtitudinal effects. The present project suggests that this might be because intergroup interactions have divergent effects depending on the ideological or political orientation of those involved. We plan to test our proposition through comprehensive qualitative, experimental, and longitudinal studies. Outcomes will provide new insights to guide social cohesion strategies, as well as efforts to reduce political polarization. Field of research: 5205 - Social and Personality Psychology This project tackles the growing threat of political polarisation; an issue with serious implications for democratic health and social cohesion. Although Australia remains less divided than some other Western democracies, rising affective polarisation, online echo chambers, and politicised prejudice are emerging challenges. This research will identify how ideological divisions interact with racial and sexual identities to influence prejudice and intergroup hostility, with a focus on understanding whether—and when—intergroup contact across ideological lines can reduce or exacerbate such tensions. The findings will offer critical, evidence-based insights to inform public policy, education, and community programs aimed at strengthening Australia’s democratic resilience. By identifying the social conditions that support meaningful political dialogue and reduce hostility, the project will help pre-empt the rise of political polarisation. As well as generating actionable outcomes for public life, the project advances social psychological science through theory development, contributing to one of the largest literatures in the discipline. It will also build national research capacity through training early-career researchers.The results will be shared widely with policymakers, educators, and the public to maximise impact across sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Molecular basis of effector-triggered immunity in plants. Plants detect pathogen effector (avirulence) proteins by immune receptors called plant NLRs, in a process termed effector-triggered immunity. The applicants’ laboratories have identified key signalling events in this process: NLR oligomerization into “resistosomes”, and NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and nucleic acid binding and cleavage by NLR TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor) domains. The current project aims to fill gaps in understanding the structural architecture of resistosomes and NLR:nucleic acid complexes, and the nature and functions of signalling molecules produced. This new knowledge aims to help develop strategies the long-term objective of protecting crops from pathogens. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Pathogens account for more than 30% loss of global crop production, representing a threat to food security. Fungicides, one key form of protection, represent environmental concerns. Plant resistance gene breeding can protect against a broad range of pathogens, but suffers from lengthy breeding processes, restricted choice of genes from sexually compatible species and short effective time spans in the field, as pathogens evolve to avoid detection. Incursion of new pathogens from other parts of the world represents further threat. Understanding how resistance proteins function and finding new sources of these proteins, the subject of the proposed research, are central objectives to achieve effective and durable resistance and reduce the economic and environmental implications of plant diseases, especially for grains industry and other crops relevant to Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Next generation pesticides from Australian marine cone snail venoms. This project aims to develop new eco-friendly pesticides using pure peptides from marine cone snail venoms. The agricultural industry urgently needs insecticides that are environmentally safe and circumvent pest resistance to conventional synthetic insecticides. The project expects to generate new interdisciplinary knowledge by (1) developing peptide scaffold structures that bind and modulate invertebrate ion channel receptors and (2) developing functional assays of invertebrate neurobiology to assess insecticidal/anthelmintic potency. The outcomes of this project should provide benefits to Australian agriculture by eliminating the need for current synthetic pesticides that are harmful to the environment and ineffective due to resistance. Field of research: 3004 - Crop and Pasture Production There is a multi-billion dollar market in Australia for new, environmentally safe pesticides (insecticides and antiparasitic drugs) to control agricultural pests. Current synthetic pesticides are toxic and accumulate in the environment, where they affect natural ecosystems, beneficial species such as pollinating bees and agricultural food. In addition, due to long-term exposure pests have now become resistant to standard pesticides, putting agriculture at high risk of substantial loss. This project aims to develop new pesticides that are found in the venoms of marine cone snails. The environmental benefit of these venom-derived agricultural drugs is that they are potent, specific to pest species and degrade to harmless substances in the environment. Studying the effects of these drugs will provide the knowledge base required for researchers and industry partners to develop new and better venom-derived products for agriculture. To achieve the longer-term goal of pesticidal drug development we will share our findings with agricultural companies in Australia and abroad. The expected benefits to Australians are safer and more effective control measures for agricultural pests, the economic benefits that come with commercialisation of new drugs, and the enhancement of qualify and safety of food grown in Australia for domestic consumption and export.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Enhancing data literacies to understand student outcomes in flexi schools. This project, codesigned with Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools Ltd (EREAFSL), addresses the urgent need to understand and improve student outcomes in flexi schools, which serve some of Australia’s most marginalised youth. It aims to understand academic, social-emotional, and post-school outcomes; develop tailored data tools, including a web-based dashboard; and inform policy and practice through evidence-based insights. By strengthening data literacy of flexi school leaders and developing an evidence base for understanding student outcomes, this project aims to equip flexi schools to more effectively support complex student needs and deliver transformative educational experiences that foster rigour, opportunity and equity. Field of research: 3904 - Specialist Studies In Education This project addresses a critical gap in Australia’s education system: the lack of evidence on student outcomes in flexi schools—alternative education settings for young people excluded from mainstream schooling. Codesigned with Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools Ltd, the project aims to produce practical tools, such as a web-based dashboard, and evidence to inform policy and practice. Outcomes will be shared through professional learning, policy briefs, and community engagement, ensuring the research is translated into action and contributes to a more inclusive and effective education system. With enrolments growing rapidly, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and those facing complex challenges, it is vital to understand whether these schools are improving life outcomes or entrenching disadvantage. Despite their expansion, there is limited research on the academic, social, and post-school outcomes of flexi school students or how data is used to inform practice. This research should benefit Australians socially and economically by supporting improved educational outcomes for some of the country’s most marginalised young people, reducing long-term reliance on social services and increasing workforce participation. It also expects to contribute to cultural equity by centring student and community voices, particularly those of First Nations peoples, in defining and measuring success.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

How immune cells use zinc to combat infections. All animals need to defend against infections and other threats. This project aims to understand how immune cells called macrophages harness the antimicrobial properties of zinc to directly kill bacteria. The project expects to advance knowledge about how the immune system functions in several animal species, including those used in livestock industries. Expected outcomes include major conceptual advances in immunology and cell biology, new interdisciplinary collaborations, and new tools to study immune functions. While outside the scope of this proposal, anticipated benefits include a knowledge base that could, in the long term, be indirectly applied to develop strategies to combat infections in the livestock and other sectors. Field of research: 3204 - Immunology All animals, including Australian livestock and companion animals, have an immune system that they use to combat infections caused by microbes such as harmful bacteria. Some immune cells can use specific mechanisms to directly destroy bacteria. One of these mechanisms involves intoxicating bacteria with high levels of zinc, but there are significant knowledge gaps about how zinc intoxication is engaged in immune cells and about how high levels of zinc kill bacteria. A better understanding of this zinc pathway would enable us to switch it on in immune cells to more effectively fight bacterial infections. In the future, such knowledge is expected to lead to the development of drugs and/or vaccines to maintain and/or improve the health of Australian livestock and companion animals. It may also help us to reduce the use of antibiotics and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the animal production and veterinary sectors. Research outcomes are expected to be promoted through engagement with industry, providing economic benefit to Australia through the development of anti-infective agents for the Australian biotechnology, livestock, and/or veterinary industries. Research outcomes are also expected to provide environmental benefit to Australia through reduced antibiotic use.