UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-04

Waterwise greening for healthy communities: Benefits, costs, and equity Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Molecular Dance: Choreographing Stimuli-Responsive Materials with... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Molecular Dance: Choreographing Stimuli-Responsive Materials with... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Understanding Wellbeing in Daily Life: Key Predictors and Causal... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Understanding Wellbeing in Daily Life: Key Predictors and Causal... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Moorditj Marp (strong skin) - SHARE: developing an Aboriginal Health... Category: Medical Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Immune dynamics of dengue infection Category: Medical Research

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

Redefining pH and Advancing Electrolyte Thermodynamics using Ion Trios Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

ENOD93 a new mitochondrial regulator for nitrogen use efficiency in... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

ENOD93 a new mitochondrial regulator for nitrogen use efficiency in plants. How nitrogen assimilation and use is regulated inside plant cells is both a fundamental question in metabolism and biosynthesis and an applied interest in agriculture due to the cost and need for nitrogen fertilizer during crop production. This project aims to better understand and improve nitrogen use efficiency using a gene family critical for nitrogen fixation in legumes and that enhances growth in rice by unknown means. We just discovered the protein it encodes regulates ATP synthesis in mitochondria via cytochrome oxidase. This mechanism offers a novel means to boost nitrogen use efficiency in plants and to explain the different capabilities of this gene family in influencing cellular energy production in different parts of plants. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology Nitrogen fertilizers are vital for crop yields in Australia. 1.5M tonnes costing $2B p.a. are applied by 40,000 businesses to 32M hectares of agricultural land. Even small changes in nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency (NUE) is worth >$10M p.a. by lowering fertilizer amount for the same yield of specific crops. This project aims to use a gene type, first found in legumes, to develop biotech solutions for NUE in wheat and barley. This gene and its mechanism of action can be used itself or stacked with other NUE systems to lower the fertilizer needed. Enhanced NUE in wheat and barley holds special economic value for Australia as N fertilizer inputs can be 30% of input costs in farming dryland cereal crops. Socially, NUE promotes more sustainable Ag practices. Environmentally, it can reduce N leaching into waterways and the air, which mitigates negative impacts on the local and global N cycle and supports zero-net emission targets for N oxides. As greenhouse gas, N oxides account for 7% of global greenhouse emissions with 90% derived from agricultural practices. This research will be shared with breeding companies, agricultural researchers, fertiliser companies and other stakeholders through planning meetings and attending industry workshops. Modified plant lines developed in the project with the potential of higher NUE will enable the value of this discovery to be directly assessed in barley and wheat in Australia through partnership with the wheat and barley breeding industry.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Geometric Innovation in Ramsey Theory: New Tools for Classic Challenges. Ramsey theory is a branch of mathematics that studies the counter-intuitive phenomenon that in a large chaotic network, there is a quantifiable degree of order within it. Recent breakthroughs in Ramsey theory of long-standing open problems make it one of the hottest topics in modern day mathematics. This is due in part to the exciting input of finite geometry: the study of geometries that only have finitely many points, lines, planes, and so forth. Finite geometers have bridged the divide and found geometric order within chaos, and have made spectacular improvements to what we know about the growth of Ramsey graphs. This project aims to exploit this further and accelerate the development of geometric tools in Ramsey Theory. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics The impact of this project will be in making important advancements in theoretical pure mathematics, thereby enabling further advancement in a range of scientific fields that increasingly rely upon ground breaking developments in mathematics. As Galileo famously said, "Mathematics is the language of science", and the role of mathematics in scientific discovery is becoming ever greater, with excellent examples found in areas as disparate as modern biology, cyber-security, and particle physics. Advances in science and technology are usually underpinned by earlier advances in mathematics. This project will make progress in our understanding of the emergence of order in large networks. It will enhance Australia's international reputation in these areas by producing publications in leading international journals and by maintaining a thriving research community through the training of young mathematicians and collaboration with leading international mathematicians.

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

Designing resilient nature-based coastal protection on mobile seabeds Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Enhancing magnesium mineral carbonation for sustainable carbon storage. Subsurface carbon mineralisation enables long-term storage of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. This project aims to quantify the effect of water composition (ionic and pH) on the efficiency of magnesium-based carbon mineralisation, and hence exploit a unique Australian combination of natural acidic brine and mafic mine tailings (both waste streams) to continuously produce optimal carbonate products enabling economic carbon capture. Critical is mineralisation that maximises carbon capture whilst retaining high system gas and liquid permeability. To this end, magnetic resonance techniques using ferromagnetic contrast will be developed to non-invasively monitor the onset of this mineralisation and the subsequent pore space modification. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering This research project provides essential understanding of how acidic brine sourced from natural salt lakes in Western Australia (WA) can be combined with mining waste (tailings) to allow economic and efficient capture of CO2 from mining operations. These acidic salt lakes are very rare; their co-location with mining operations in South West WA gives this CO2 capture process a unique geographical advantage. The magnesium rich brines and the mine tailings react with CO2 to produce carbonate rock effectively permanently locking the CO2 in a solid form. The problem with combining these waste streams is understanding how the on-set of surface carbonation and growth affects fluid permeability and therefore the ability to maximise carbon capture. Low magnetic field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods developed by this project will monitor this mineral carbonation process. This allows optimal waste stream mixing to maximise carbon capture. The use of a heap leaching process will enhance the potential to translate results towards industrial-scale application for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). The findings from this project will allow for the development of new Australian technologies which provide both an economical and environmental benefit from the use of multiple waste streams from mining operations. This research therefore supports the Australian economy, and importantly will assist Australia to meet its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Designing resilient nature-based coastal protection on mobile seabeds. Sea-level rise and increasing extreme storm events have accelerated demand for artificial reefs to protect against coastal flooding and erosion, with significant research effort being focused on how modular reefs can be optimally configured to attenuate waves and provide marine habitat. Much of this work has, however, ignored the fact that reefs are susceptible to local scour and settlement over time, which can adversely affect their wave attenuation and ecological performance, and may damage surrounding habitat. To enable resilient design, this project will use novel experiments and field observations to develop validated approaches to predict and mitigate local scour of modular reefs, supporting development of new design guidelines. Field of research: 4015 - Maritime Engineering Australia faces increasing risks from coastal erosion and inundation due to sea-level rise and more frequent storm events. With over 85% of the population living in coastal regions, protecting our shorelines is critical for economic, environmental, and social well-being. Artificial reefs have emerged as a promising nature-based solution, offering dual benefits of coastal protection and marine habitat enhancement. However, their long-term performance depends on how local sediment erosion – known as scour - influences their stability and settlement over time, compromising their ability to protect coastlines. This research will advance the science of artificial reefs by combining laboratory experiments and field studies to identify reef designs resilient to scour, and strategies to maintain reef stability as they evolve into living habitats. The findings will support more sustainable coastal management, reducing reliance on costly, disruptive hard infrastructure like seawalls, while contributing to national priorities in marine conservation, biodiversity, and fisheries productivity. Outcomes will benefit coastal communities, infrastructure, and industries such as tourism and aquaculture, all of which rely on stable, healthy shorelines. By developing design guidelines tailored to Australian conditions, this research will empower policymakers, industry, and coastal managers with practical tools to strengthen coastal protection in a changing climate.

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

Innovative probiotics: a radical, child-friendly approach to prevent GAS... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Agentic Learning for Efficient and Generalisable Visual Grounding. This project aims to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems that can understand and interpret complex visual environments more effectively, efficiently, and transparently. Current artificial intelligence models for tasks often struggle to adapt to new scenarios, require vast amounts of labeled data, and lack clarity in how decisions are made. By combining visual perception with human-like reasoning, this research will create systems that actively refine their understanding of scenes, ask questions when uncertain, and explain their decisions in plain language. The outcomes will enable safer autonomous systems and more reliable healthcare diagnostics while reducing reliance on costly data annotation. Field of research: 4603 - Computer Vision and Multimedia Computation This research will develop advanced artificial intelligence systems that help Australia tackle critical challenges in healthcare, transport, and aged care while strengthening our economy. By creating technology that interprets visual scenes with human-like reasoning, the project aims to improve safety in self-driving vehicles, reduce errors in medical imaging diagnostics, and enable robots to assist older Australians in living independently. These innovations will lower healthcare costs, address workforce shortages in aged care, and make transportation safer and more efficient. The work will also position Australia as a global leader in ethical and trustworthy AI, creating skilled jobs in the robotics and technology sectors. By reducing reliance on expensive data labeling, the solutions will be accessible to small businesses and regional communities, fostering equitable access to cutting-edge tools. This research directly supports national priorities like healthy aging, road safety, and economic resilience, ensuring public investment delivers tangible benefits for all Australians.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Redefining pH and Advancing Electrolyte Thermodynamics using Ion Trios. No definition of pH is universally accepted even though it is the most commonly measured physicochemical quantity. This project aims to apply a recent breakthrough achieved for 3-ion solutions to the description of multicomponent electrolyte mixtures like seawater and many other industrially or environmentally important fluids. This project expects to quantify important reactions like the uptake of CO2 by the oceans more accurately than currently possible. Expected outcomes include new pH standards with uncertainties 10 times smaller than existing definitions, and software tools for predicting the properties of real-world solutions. This should provide benefits like CO2 capture by brine mineralisation, and CO2 conversion to clean fuels. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering This research project will advance our fundamental understanding of salt water solutions and provide new robust tools for predicting their key properties including pH. Currently, people are unable to reliably calculate the properties of real-world saline solutions unless they are very dilute and contain only one or two salts. An improved fundamental understanding of these solutions will enable scientists to predict the rate and impacts of climate change, including ocean acidification, and help standardise pH data measured under different conditions. It would also facilitate the development of new technologies like green hydrogen production from low grade water, CO2 conversion to green fuels and cost-effective negative emissions technologies such carbonate precipitation from the ocean, where CO2 concentrations are 150 times larger than in air. An improved understanding of concentrated electrolyte solutions would also benefit mining operations such as alumina recovery. The outcomes of this research will be promoted beyond academia through project websites, industry workshops, public lectures and social media. They will be made available in free software and be promoted through our collaborations with the ARC Centre of Excellence GETCO2. Research commercialisation opportunities, particularly for discoveries made around brine electrolysis into H2, CO2 conversion into renewable fuels, and mineral carbonation will also be pursued through patents and licenses as appropriate.

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

DNA origami nanostructures for iPSC generation and cell reprogramming Category: Medical Research

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

Revolutionising discovery and characterisation of genomic elements... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Advanced retinal pulse wave analyser: Unveiling vascular biophysics. The project aims to develop an advanced platform for the study of pulse waves in the vascular network in the retina, where blood vessels can be directly imaged. We were the first to develop the retinal video photoplethysmography technique to extract pulse wave parameters. The project expects to significantly improve its analytical capability using advanced image and signal processing to provide high-fidelity full field characterisation of blood volume and vessel wall changes. The outcome will be a platform that will advance our understanding of retinal vascular biophysics and support mathematical modelling of vascular pulsation, with broader application to other biological/physical systems involving fluid flow through compliant conduits. Field of research: 3212 - Ophthalmology and Optometry Vascular pulse waves are mechanical waves that travel along vessel walls, driven by blood ejection from the heart. They offer insights into vascular biophysics and function, yet remain poorly understood due to influences from internal/external pressures, anatomical factors such as vessel wall structure, and physical factors such as blood pressure. In vivo measurements are key to advancing understanding. The project will develop an advanced image analytics platform to measure vessel pulse waves from videos of the human retina. The retina is ideal as its vessels are directly visible and influenced by intraocular and cerebrospinal fluid pressures. The platform will improve understanding of retinal vascular biophysics and support mathematical modelling of vascular pulsation, with broader relevance to other biological and physical systems such as lung airways and microfluidics devices. It may also help study changes linked to disease, aging, and intracranial pressure (ICP). Applications include early detection of cardiovascular disease, diabetic retinopathy, stroke risk, and non-invasive ICP prediction. This will not only benefit Australia but the world. Outcomes will support our partner, the Lions Eye Institute, in developing a handheld device for measuring ICP via the eye, reducing reliance on invasive procedures like lumbar puncture. Results will be shared via conferences, journals, and open-source code.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

The transgenerational nature of microplastic toxicity in mammals. A leading global concern is the upsurgence of degrading plastic in nature. Microplastic toxicity impairs fertility in the exposed generation, but it is not yet known whether these negative impacts linger from one generation to the next. Transgenerational microplastic toxicity is set to have far-reaching repercussions for population persistence. It is essential that this threat is examined and documented. This project includes a series of innovative investigations to fulfil this research gap. This research will be extremely beneficial to Australia. It will generate new knowledge on how degrading plastic waste will affect mammals, which is relevant to two critical areas (i) the conservation of threatened species and (ii) human health. Field of research: 3103 - Ecology Plastic pollution is one of the most widespread and enduring human alterations to all environmental niches across our planet’s surface. The potential for microplastics to negatively impact ecosystems and human health is catastrophic, and rivals that of other global threats, including climate change. As more plastic degrades and enters terrestrial ecosystems, the rate of microplastic consumption – for wildlife and humans alike – is set to rise. This is a global issue, but with UV radiation and high temperatures escalating plastic degradation rates, this new-age threat is of particular concern to Australia. We know that microplastic toxicity manifests in exposed individuals, leading to compromised health and cognition. However, we do not yet know whether the negative impacts of microplastic toxicity are transferred between generations. Our project addresses this precise research gap: it will elucidate the transgenerational nature of microplastic toxicity. Working with international researchers, we will study two mammal species, one native and one introduced, which will allow us to draw conclusions about how invasive species (that already pose a significant ecological threat) may fare compared to native species. Moreover, with the estimation that the average person ingests up to one credit card’s worth of plastic per week, we will learn how this generational “hangover” of microplastic toxicity may affect our own species.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Enabling low noise offshore foundation installation for renewable energy. This project aims to develop methods to confidently predict foundation installation for offshore renewable energy, a must for safe reliable operation. This is significant for these large infrastructure developments with each project costing tens of billions of dollars and hundreds of foundations accounting for a quarter of the cost. This project expects to directly link seabed information obtained offshore with fundamental new geotechnical insights to provide robust tools for a priori prediction. Expected outcomes include significantly reduced uncertainties of low noise foundation installation. This research should therefore lead to significant environmental, economic and societal benefits of affordable clean energy and generation of jobs. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Australia can be a renewable energy superpower and is transitioning to a net zero future. Wind energy is abundant offshore and expected to contribute to the future energy mix. These large infrastructure developments are subject to a regulatory framework that includes strict environmental approvals. Foundation solutions that reliably secure the turbines to the seabed with low noise emissions during the construction phase to minimise impact on our iconic marine mammals are urgently needed. Large diameter tubular steel monopiles have proven to be reliable economical foundations for offshore wind turbines in established markets overseas. Installing these by vibration rather than impact-hammering substantially reduces construction noise but this innovative installation technique has not been employed in the complex seabeds offshore Australia. This research aims to understand and develop methods to reliably and confidently predict foundation installation for Australian conditions. This research would benefit Australia economically, socially and environmentally. Offshore wind is a key clean energy technology with proven benefits of job creation, powering manufacturing and economic value-add. This research should therefore lead to significant societal benefits of affordable clean energy while contributing to building a secure and resilient nation. Our proven track record of dissemination beyond academia and uptake of research outcomes by industry ensures impact of this research.

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

Identifying a New Plant Hormone to Boost Plant Performance Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Molecular Dance: Choreographing Stimuli-Responsive Materials with Pressure. This project aims to develop flexible, responsive, and energy-efficient electronics using molecular materials. The project will use pressure to fine-tune interactions between molecules and create new design paradigms for molecular electronics. The expected outcomes include a deeper understanding of how pressure modulates both intra- and intermolecular interactions, and how these modifications translate to bulk properties. This research has the potential to transform how we interact with technology and lead to the development of new technologies in areas such as sensors, electronics, and energy harvesting. Field of research: 3402 - Inorganic Chemistry We stand at the edge of a new era in electronics. Wearable devices, personalised healthcare, and environmental monitoring are booming, requiring flexible, energy-efficient technology. However, today’s rigid, power-hungry electronics cannot meet these demands. Molecular electronics offers a transformative solution, but despite decades of research, its full potential remains untapped. A shift in approach is needed to harness the properties of single molecules for high-performance, flexible devices. The key challenge is that while we can design molecules with specific properties—such as conductance, switching, and light emission—these properties often vanish when molecules are assembled into solids within conventional devices. This research takes a novel approach, developing new molecules and manipulating their interactions by applying pressure to bridge the gap between molecular design and material properties. The impact could be enormous. Solid-state materials have generated trillions in economic value, with the semiconductor market alone expected to reach $700 billion by 2027. Establishing a roadmap for piezoelectric and other pressure-responsive molecular materials will position Australia to drive innovation in fields like sensors, electronics and energy harvesting. By collaborating with end-users and leveraging IP licensing, this research will support Australia's advanced manufacturing and technology innovation sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Identifying a New Plant Hormone to Boost Plant Performance. This project aims to discover the identity of an unknown plant hormone that controls diverse aspects of plant development including seed germination and responses to abiotic stress. This interdisciplinary project will leverage recent advances in our genetic resources and new chemical tools to reveal how plants produce, metabolise and respond to this new plant hormone. Expected outcomes of this project include a more complete understanding of the hormonal control of plant growth under variable environments, and how such growth responses can be manipulated. Benefits of this project include opportunities to improve plant performance by chemical or genetic approaches in diverse sectors such as food production and restoration ecology. Field of research: 3108 - Plant Biology Plants are the basis for the global food supply, and understanding how plants grow and develop is essential for breeding new varieties that can better tolerate unfavourable growth conditions. Chemical compounds that can increase the growth rate of plants, and mitigate the effects of environmental stress caused by high salinity or drought, are highly sought after by growers. This project aims to reveal the identity of an unknown plant hormone that is responsible for stimulating seed germination and seedling growth, which are crucial and vulnerable phases in the plant life cycle. Knowledge of this new hormone and its signalling mechanisms will enable more synchronised control of seed germination and improve crop yields through enhanced seedling establishment and growth rates, resulting in improved plant performance. The project will use innovative techniques in the biological and chemical sciences to generate new knowledge that will translate into new tools to improve productivity in horticultural, agricultural and biotechnology industries, which in turn will strengthen Australia’s economy. The discovery of this hormone will be a major scientific prize for Australia and build upon our strong international reputation in plant science research. The expected outcomes will be published in scientific journals and shared with the public through industry news, public lectures and media outreach.