Australian National University

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A spectral flow cytometry platform for the Australian Capital Territory. This application will support the purchase of 5-laser Cytek Aurora spectral flow cytometer to be housed at the Australian National University. Spectral flow cytometers allow for the rapid acquisition of large amounts of data about individual cells and have applications in many fields of the life sciences. Acquiring this technology will enhance research in veterinary microbiology, environmental pest control, synthetic biology, and plant sciences. This investment will accelerate research, foster collaborations, and help maintain the position of institutions in the Australian Capital Territory at the forefront of innovative biological science. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology Flow cytometry is essential for characterizing cells and particles in complex biological systems. A spectral flow cytometer enables simultaneous, high-resolution analysis of multiple cellular features, surpassing conventional instruments. This facility will address a critical research gap, providing Australian scientists with advanced tools to study biological processes with greater precision and efficiency. The instrument will support diverse applications, including vaccine development in veterinary microbiology, helping protect livestock and reduce economic losses. In plant sciences, it will aid in breeding climate-resilient crops, enhancing food security. It will also contribute to environmental conservation by facilitating technologies to manage invasive species. Additionally, the facility will advance synthetic biology and biomanufacturing by enabling detailed analysis of engineered cells. These advancements will deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits, aligning with national priorities in biosecurity, agriculture, and sustainability. To maximize impact, research outcomes will be shared through collaborations with the biotechnology sector and government agencies, including CSIRO.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Picturing conflict: war and art in Southeast Asian cultures. As Australia’s population diversifies to include millions of people of Southeast Asian descent, this project seeks to deepen understanding of experiences of war in Southeast Asia. The project expects to generate the first history of Southeast Asian war art, applying innovative interdisciplinary research methods—in art and military history, area studies and curatorial practice—to investigate creative and commemorative responses to war. Expected outcomes include an enhanced national war art collection, enriched by regional collaboration and research-led development. This should significantly benefit the Australian community by generating and communicating more inclusive narratives around the experience of war and conflict in our region. Field of research: 3601 - Art History, Theory and Criticism Australia is home to over 1.1 million Australians of Southeast Asian birth or descent, many of whom migrated as a result of war and conflict in the region. In spite of Australia’s pivotal role in many of these conflicts, the national narrative around Australia’s history of war and conflict rarely includes the experiences of peoples in and from Southeast Asia. This project will respond to the need for public institutions to understand and represent the experiences of diverse communities, by investigating the history of Southeast Asian war art in Australia and the region, and facilitating the development of new creative responses in museums and galleries. It will examine the Southeast Asian experience of war and its aftermath in collaboration with the Australian War Memorial and the National Gallery of Singapore . Through publications, exhibitions, public programs, and artistic exchanges, the project will strengthen two-way cultural exchange and foster people-to-people links between Australia and the region. Additionally, policy papers will advise institutional stakeholders on strategies for appropriate inclusion of Southeast Asian stories in national narratives. This will benefit the Australian public by advancing more expansive and inclusive national narratives around the diverse ways in which Australians and their forebears have experienced war in Southeast Asia, and enhancing the capacity of national institutions to engage with diverse communities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Adaptation, evolution and conservation of Australia's diverse orchids. This project aims to understand the genomic factors behind the evolution and diversity of Australia’s unique orchids. This will be achieved by sequencing and comparing the genomes of carefully chosen species spanning key evolutionary events. Expected outcomes include new genomic insights on floral trait evolution and speciation, and development of innovative molecular diagnostic tools for species ID and survey, a bottleneck in conservation management. The anticipated benefits will include discoveries of new genes with Australian biotechnological applications, better management of endangered species, and insights into the basis of resilience-a crucial goal of the national research priority of protecting and restoring Australia’s environment. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology With more than 1300 species, Australian terrestrial orchids are widely known and loved by the public as a national treasure. They are particularly noted for their natural rarity, their diversity of flower colours, shapes and structures, and for their often unusual pollination strategies. Indeed our research on these orchids has captured the imagination of the public, educators and scientists around the world, featuring in popular science books, school curricula, children’s story books, and in textbooks across biology and chemistry. Yet despite their popularity, many of Australia’s unique orchids are endangered, and in urgent need of better conservation. This study will: 1. Develop innovative genomic tools for more rapid species ID and survey, a key limitation in conservation management. 2. Build gold standard genomes for representative species, spanning the full diversity of Australia’s unique orchids, as a unique genomic resource for ongoing ecological and conservation studies. 3. Discover new genes with potential Australian biotechnological applications. 4. Potentially unlock a genetic basis for resilience as a key step towards protecting and restoring Australian biodiversity.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Australians and the Past Revisited. Twenty-five years ago, researchers carried out an ARC-funded survey about how Australians discover, think about and use the past in their lives. The digital revolution has since transformed the ways that people access historical knowledge and understanding. Using online surveys, focus groups and interviews with diverse Australians this project aims to investigate how Australians learn about, value and respond to their history and use it to address today’s social issues. Expected outcomes include better understanding of the value and significance of history and heritage for all Australians. This will benefit the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museum sector, teachers, the media and policy makers and help foster social inclusion. Field of research: 4303 - Historical Studies The digital revolution, particularly social media, has created new avenues for learning about and engaging with Australia’s past. But at what cost? Misinformation and a disconnection between official and other accounts of the past cause significant tensions and pose an increased security risk for the public when these tensions escalate. Through the project’s extensive data collection, a vital understanding of the sources of historical information people use and trust will be developed. The project also investigates why and how history matters in a contemporary society, considering how this may differ for individuals based on their personal identities and backgrounds. The project will encourage public debate about the importance of Australia’s past through presentations and submissions to educators, government, media producers, museums and other institutions responsible for promoting Australia’s cultural heritage. It will guide new approaches to teaching and learning for all age groups, including how online sources may be better utilised to encourage greater interest in Australia’s rich and diverse history, leading to improved social cohesion and a more inclusive approach to our understanding of the past.

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

Ethics, Sustainability and Future Generations Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Positron and Positronium Collision Dynamics. Positron and positronium collisions are processes of both fundamental and applied importance. The positron is the antiparticle of the electron and together they can form a bound state, called positronium. Positrons and positronium are important for understanding fundamental collision processes, as well as astronomy, materials physics and medical physics. In particular, widely used Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans rely on an understanding of positron and positronium collisions to properly account for image quality and radiation damage. This project aims to use high-fidelity beams of positrons and positronium to investigate collision processes and enable the development of transport models to better understand positron dosimetry. Field of research: 5102 - Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics This project involves experimental and modelling studies of the way in which positrons interact with matter. While the positron – the electron antiparticle- is often the stuff of science fiction, they have applications in our everyday lives, the most notable being in the medical imaging technology Positron Emission Tomography - PET scans. They are also used to characterise nanoscale defects in advanced materials. Central to these applications is the way in which positrons interact with matter and while annihilation with an electron is their ultimate destiny, understanding their interactions, and particularly the formation and transport of an exotic 'atom' known as positronium (a short-lived electron-positron pair), is key to understanding the fundamental mechanisms behind these applications of antimatter. This project will study the interactions of positrons with matter, measure the formation of positronium, and assess its interactions with biologically relevant molecules. In addition to extending our fundamental knowledge in a field where Australia has made major contributions, information about how positrons deposit their energy in biological media (dosimetry) will be advanced with applications to human medical imaging. The science of antimatter is a perfect vehicle to capture the public imagination, and we shall pursue various avenues, including social media, to achieve this, in addition to disseminating our results through the usual professional channels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Sex, Synthesis and Structure: Investigating Diatom Reproduction Pheromones. This project aims to explore the reproductive pheromones of diatoms through chemical synthesis, shedding light on the ecological and biological mechanisms driving their reproduction. Diatoms, a type of aquatic algae, play a pivotal role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), capturing as much CO2 as the world’s rainforests. Despite their importance, the diatom reproductive life cycle is poorly understood. This research aims to reveal how pheromones influence diatom reproduction, uncovering key mechanisms that could lead to innovative ways to manage their breeding and population growth. These findings could pave the way for new biotechnological solutions, such as enhancing CO2 sequestration and improving aquaculture systems. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry This research will unlock new knowledge about the chemical signals that control reproduction in diatoms, which are microscopic algae that play a vital role in marine ecosystems and remove billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. The project addresses a key research gap by developing synthetic methods to study and produce these unique pheromones, enabling deeper understanding and improved control of diatom populations. The research offers significant benefits for Australians across multiple sectors. Economically, it supports sustainable aquaculture and fosters innovation in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing, opening pathways to new products and industry partnerships. Environmentally, it supports climate change mitigation through carbon capture and offers new approaches to controlling harmful algal blooms. Socially and culturally, the project raises awareness of the role of microscopic marine life in climate and food security, fostering greater community engagement with science and sustainability. To maximise impact beyond academia, findings will be shared through open access publications, media, and collaboration with industry and environmental agencies. Public talks, outreach, and engagement with the ANU Technology Transfer Office will support translation into practical applications. This project will deepen our understanding of diatom reproduction while creating opportunities for environmental, economic, and technological benefit.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Precision Phylogenomics: accurately inferring the tree of life. This project aims to achieve one of the holy grails of evolutionary biology - accurately reconstructing the tree of life for major groups of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. Such reconstructions are vital to areas like public health, biosecurity, agriculture, and conservation because they allow for the rapid and accurate identification of microorganisms. The project will work closely with local and global databases of microorganism genomes, develop new and scalable ways of inferring their evolutionary relationships, and apply these to more than 1000 major groups of viruses, bacteria, and archaea. By improving public databases, the project will have direct benefits for Australia and globally. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Microbes like viruses and bacteria are incredibly important but often dangerously overlooked. This project will transform how we understand and harness the vast diversity of these microbes by creating more accurate family trees. Current methods used to trace microbial evolution give unstable, inaccurate, and unreliable results. By developing powerful new computational models and software, this project will enable scientists, clinicians, and industries to map microbial relationships with unprecedented precision. The outcomes of this work will have wide-ranging benefits for Australia. In public health, more accurate microbial phylogenies will strengthen our ability to track and respond to emerging outbreaks, helping to safeguard against future pandemics. In agriculture, better classification of beneficial and harmful microbes will boost food security and sustainability, strengthening a key part of the national economy. Industry and environmental sectors will also gain from improved methods to discover and classify microbes. To maximise impact, all of the tools developed in this project will be released in free and open-source software. The project will also engage directly with global and national databases used to track and classify microbes, ensuring that discoveries are quickly understood, adopted, and applied to enhance Australia’s economic, social, and environmental resilience.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Responsible Statistical Learning: Uncertainty, Fairness and Transparency. This project seeks to create a new framework for statistical analysis that improves prediction accuracy, fairness, and transparency, while also accounting for uncertainty in data over time and space. It focuses on improving statistical methods for complex data, particularly in addressing the challenges of climate change’s impact on insurance pricing. The goal is to develop fairer, more reliable methods for pricing life insurance and planning for retirement, with a focus on ensuring better outcomes for all. The research aims to reduce inequalities and improve public health and social services, ultimately helping Australians adapt to climate change. Field of research: 4905 - Statistics Australians rely on life insurance and superannuation to protect their financial wellbeing in retirement. However, growing uncertainty-driven by climate change, rapid advances in AI, rising inequality, and an ageing population-threatens the sustainability and fairness of these systems. This project develops new statistical tools for responsible retirement risk management, supporting both fair insurance pricing and sustainable superannuation portfolio investment. By modelling how climate risks affect mortality across regions, genders, and age groups, the research will improve how risks are measured, priced, and managed across the retirement system with greater fairness and accountability. It will also support superannuation fund managers in constructing ESG-aligned portfolios. Outcomes will benefit retirees, regulators (APRA, ASIC), policymakers (Treasury, DSS), insurers, fund managers, and actuarial professionals, while advancing fairer outcomes for the general public-especially vulnerable communities. To maximise adoption, the project will engage closely with industry through workshops, public reports, and open-source software tools for training. Findings will be communicated through public-facing media, toolkits, and targeted stakeholder engagement. This research supports national priorities in Supporting Healthy and Thriving Communities and contributes to Sustainable Development Goals including Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, and Climate Action.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Financial Sanctions: Identifying Sanctioned Persons and Their Assets. This project studies the challenges of implementing Australia’s financial sanctions, especially identifying sanctioned persons and assets. It does so via a multi-disciplinary study of implementation in five key economic sectors. The project will generate novel, practice-oriented and evidence-based approaches to sanctions implementation. Outcomes will include Australia’s enhanced capacity to implement sanctions and inform evidenced-based policy on when and how they can be best deployed. Benefits will include enabling Australia to use its sanctions powers effectively. This study is especially timely given the increasing centrality of sanctions to Australian foreign policy, including in coordination with key partners, e.g. the US, UK and EU. Field of research: 4804 - Law In Context This project is the first-ever systematic study of Australia’s capacity to effectively implement targeted financial sanctions. Australia imposes financial sanctions to freeze the assets of malicious actors ranging from North Korean cybercriminals to members of Putin’s regime. Such sanctions are aimed at supporting global peace and ensuring that Australia's economy is not a safe haven for criminals, terrorists and rogue governments. Sanctions laws prohibit all Australian businesses from transacting with sanctioned persons or companies they control. These laws also require banks to freeze accounts controlled by sanctioned persons. Although there are now nearly 10,000 entries on Australia’s list of sanctioned persons, it is not known how effectively and efficiently sanctions are implemented in Australia. This study was designed by researchers from Australia, Canada and the UK alongside consultation with Australian government agencies. Their legal research and interviews will identify opportunities for improving the effectiveness of Australian sanctions while minimising red tape. These findings will be communicated to the government and industry via working papers and to the public via media articles. The study will also develop a sectoral assessment tool to enable the government and business community to continuously evaluate the sanctions compliance capacity of key sectors of the economy. This, in turn, will help inform better sanctions approaches in future.

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

World Court? Globalising & Judicialising the International Court of... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Deciphering lipid droplet dynamics and function in malaria parasites Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Adaptation, evolution and conservation of Australia's diverse orchids Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Effective community solutions to prevent and treat loneliness Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Better childcare policy: parental labour supply and provider responses. Childcare policy is fundamental for women’s workforce participation, gender equity and productivity. Using new, linked administrative data, this project aims to provide novel insights on how childcare policy shapes the availability and utilisation of childcare services in Australia, as well as their effects on parental labour market outcomes. The project intends to propel Australia to the global frontier of research on childcare policy, generating findings that will inform policymakers in establishing childcare subsidy rates that effectively boost workforce engagement and productivity. Ultimately, the project can help narrow the gender pay gap, thus enhancing the well-being of Australian families, and foster a more equitable society. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics Productivity, childcare policy, childcare provision, and the prevalence of families with two working parents are intricately linked. Policy settings and their impact on the decisions of parents and childcare providers have serious implications: for the availability, cost and quality of childcare; for female labour force participation, and; for productivity and economic outcomes. Governments are under pressure to intervene further into childcare, and are generating policy without the benefit of sufficient high-quality analysis on the effects, and unintended consequences, of current funding and regulatory settings. Governments are joined by the Productivity Commission and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency in calling for improved understanding of the impact of childcare policy. This project responds to a significant and serious part of that call. It provides novel and innovative analysis on the interplay between childcare policies and provision, and parents’ decisions about care and work. The project applies cutting-edge econometric techniques to previously unavailable, multi-departmental administrative data. Our research is unique in integrating the decisions and actions of childcare providers in response to childcare policy with parents’ decisions about work and care. To maximise impact, research findings will be shared with policymakers directly, and more broadly through workshops, public forums and media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Change The Date? Australia Day, Reconciliation and the Politics of Division. This applied research addresses Australia’s polarised debates over national identity, focusing on reconciling colonial histories with shared modern values to foster inclusivity. By integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, governance frameworks, and media analysis through interdisciplinary methods, it generates new insights into identity formation and new cultural narratives. Expected outcomes include educational resources, inclusive governance models, and strengthened disciplinary collaborations. Benefits include advancing reconciliation, promoting truth-telling. Outputs, such as educational tools, podcasts, and policy recommendations, will empower communities and inform public discourse. Field of research: 4410 - Sociology Polarising debates are threatening Australia’s unity, driven largely by the politics of division and lack of cultural inclusivity for Indigenous Australians. This discourse undermines national cohesion and affects Australia’s global status as a multicultural democracy. A complete foundational story for a shared future is a critical issue requiring urgent attention. As Australia navigates reconciliation, the challenge is clear: how to build a collective identity that is inclusive, truthful, and resilient. By integrating contemporary research tools with Indigenous approaches, the research ensures a collaborative and representative approach. It examines the origins and perpetuation of shared public experiences and divisive narratives in media analysing quantitative data to capture the views of Australians from a wide range of backgrounds. The quantitative analysis will be enhanced by qualitative analysis of case studies such as Australia Day, the Voice to Parliament, and reconciliation events, and will identify common values that unite. It will produce education resources for schools, communities and multicultural groups, fostering understanding. This Indigenous-led project incorporating representative data will support social unity, strengthen perceptions of just cultural inclusivity in Australia. It will showcase the value of the world’s oldest living culture in academia to deliver robust research results that can guide a future where all Australians feel a sense of belonging.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Bismuth-Powered Peptides and Proteins: A New Frontier in Drug Discovery. This project explores a new class of peptides and proteins by incorporating the non-toxic element bismuth. While bismuth is increasingly important in medicine, bismuth-containing peptides and proteins remain an emerging area of research. Utilising advanced technologies such as phage display and X-ray fluorescence microscopy, the project aims to design next-generation peptides and proteins and examine their interactions with cells. A key outcome of this project is to better understand the potential of bismuth-based peptides and proteins as future drug candidates. This research is expected to offer significant benefits to Australia's pharmaceutical and chemical industries by advancing drug discovery. Field of research: 3404 - Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry Recent global health challenges have highlighted the importance of Australia being able to manufacture medicines and diagnostic tools locally—especially those based on peptides and proteins, which are essential for treating and detecting many diseases. However, creating these molecules is currently a complex and time-consuming process, which makes it more challenging for our pharmaceutical industry to expand. This project aims to address this problem by developing a novel method for modifying peptides and proteins using bismuth—a safe and environmentally friendly metal. Researchers will study how these bismuth-modified proteins interact with cells and use the findings to develop a powerful new technology that enhances the production process, making it faster, cheaper and more environmentally friendly. The project will not only help Australian biotech and pharmaceutical companies compete globally and bring new products to market more quickly, but also support strong collaborations between scientists in Canberra, Adelaide and around the world. It will also provide valuable training for future researchers. The project’s outcomes will deliver significant benefits to Australia, enhancing global competitiveness and economic growth while strengthening health security through reliable onshore production of drugs and diagnostics for managing human, animal and plant diseases. Outcomes will be promoted through mainstream media outlets and reputable social media channels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Non-Canonical Amino Acids for Protein Analysis in vitro and in Cells. This interdisciplinary project aims to develop new tools for the rapid and easy investigation of proteins at low concentrations and in their natural environments, such as within cells. By combining innovative biochemistry, modern spectroscopy, and AI-based molecular modelling, the project will explore the structure and dynamics of proteins as well as protein-ligand interactions. The goal is to create new integrative approaches and test them on established drug targets. Expected outcomes include tools that quickly provide insights into how drugs interact with their targets in cellular environments, thus assisting researchers in their future discoveries in health and life sciences and supporting the growth of Australia's biotechnology sector. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Proteins are large complex molecules essential for all life processes. They play many critical roles, including signalling to other molecules, providing structural support in cells, and functioning as key components in molecular machines that maintain and replicate genetic information. Whether embedded in membranes or floating in solution, proteins have a defined structure, but it is their motion which often dictates their function. This project aims to develop new approaches to observe structure changes and dynamics of proteins in their physiological environment, such as in cells, using inconspicuous reporter probes. By leveraging innovative biochemistry, modern spectroscopy methods and high-performance computing, we aim to gain detailed knowledge on protein-ligand interactions and the motion of important disease-related proteins. This knowledge will help with the design of new pharmaceuticals and quickly inform medicinal chemists with rapid insights on how to enhance drug formulations. By strategically engaging with media channels through the ANU media team, we will aim to spark public interest and enhance industry awareness of our approaches, ensuring research outcomes reach beyond academic circles. Our methodological advances will particularly benefit small biotech companies, and enhance Australia's capacity to respond to existing and emerging diseases, ultimately improving health and welfare outcomes.

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

Improving the representation of C4 photosynthesis in vegetation models Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Mechanistic analysis of perovskite degradation for stable photovoltaics Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mapping dark matter and testing gravity with galaxy surveys. This project aims to map the motions of vast numbers of galaxies to precisely measure the amount and distribution of dark matter and test Einstein’s theory of gravity. It will apply an innovative analysis to a major new galaxy survey using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and to other ongoing surveys. The outcome will be the most comprehensive and precise map to date of galaxies and their motions over most of the sky, tracing the growth of massive structures in the Universe and probing how gravity works on a cosmic scale. The project will leverage Australia’s investment in radio telescopes, address key priorities of the Astronomy Decadal Plan, train young researchers in data science, and enhance scientific links with Europe. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences This project will use the Universe as a laboratory for revealing fundamental new physics. By surveying the motions of many galaxies over most of the sky, it aims to answer unsolved questions about the laws and contents of the Universe. To achieve this ambitious goal it will leverage the government’s $188M investment in the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a unique radio telescope for surveys. ASKAP features advanced technology developed in Australia for imaging large areas of sky at high speed with great sensitivity. A key product of this project will be a spectacular map of the nearby Universe that will provide a compelling demonstration of Australia’s world-leading technology for radio detection and imaging. The project will also harness major National Collaborative Research Infrastructure investments in high-performance computing. It will develop innovative techniques for rapidly and efficiently extracting information from ASKAP’s massive datasets that can be applied to any Big Data requiring complex modelling, such as satellite imaging and weather prediction. The scientific results from this project will have international impact and enhance Australia’s global research reputation. Sharing the project’s map of the Universe on social media will capture the public imagination, increase popular interest in science, and inspire young people to pursue STEM careers, while promoting the outcomes of this research and showcasing Australian technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Disentangling the Drivers of Australian Animal Diversity . This project aims to complete the construction of powerful comparative and replicated data sets to determine how historical climatic shifts and competition impacted the evolution of size and shape across 16 groups of Australian animals. Expected outcomes include complete and evolutionary trees for all of Australia’s frogs and reptiles and sophisticated tests of hypotheses concerning the origin and diversity of our wildlife. The project will develop and share novel analytical methods and approaches that others will use. Practical benefits include generation of comprehensive trait data for the government’s flagship and publicly available Atlas of Living Australia for biodiversity analyses by diverse stakeholders. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Australia is home to some of the most unique and diverse wildlife on the planet, but many of these species face significant threats and require urgent conservation action. To protect and preserve these iconic species, it is essential to understand their evolutionary and natural history. This project focuses on completing comprehensive genetic and natural history data sets for two of Australia's unique vertebrate animal groups: frogs and reptiles. By doing so, we will be able to address key knowledge gaps in our understanding of these species and improve conservation efforts. Our work will generate evolutionary trees that illustrate how all Australian frog and reptile species are related, offering important insights into the diversity of these groups and the drivers of their evolution. The data we collect will help us understand the processes that have shaped Australia's unique fauna, providing a broader understanding of our biodiversity. Our publicly available data sets will provide an invaluable resource for future conservation programs and can be used as a model for other systems globally. Ultimately, this project will contribute to a greater understanding of Australia's biodiversity and inform future conservation efforts for these unique and threatened species.

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

Goal-oriented semantic wireless communications for 6G era Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Does metamorphosis facilitate or constrain adaptation to new environments? Improved understanding of what facilitates and constrains rapid evolution is essential to predict how organisms will respond to environmental change. This project investigates how evolution is influenced by genomic conflict occurring between life-stages in animals that undergo metamorphosis. It uses an ecologically important group of Australian beetles to measure larval and adult traits that are key in adapting to climate change. This project will lead to an improved ability to predict how insects and other animals with metamorphosis will adapt to climate change. Further, this project will provide fundamental knowledge that will impact how we manage of a wide range of economically important insects. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Species with separate juvenile and adult life-stages (e.g. catepillars and butterflies, tadpoles and frogs) make up 80% of the world’s animals. Yet we have virtually no understanding of how having separate life-stages affects the ability of animals to adapt to new environments, including changing climates. Australian leaf beetles are a group that is important for the functioning of forests and woodlands, but in large numbers they can be a pest of eucalypt plantations. This project addresses a critical knowledge gap by studying the evolution of juvenile and adult traits that are important for adapting to different temperatures in Australian leaf beetles. Improved understanding of how thermal traits evolve in animals with multiple life-stages will allow improved predictions of climate change impacts on the distribution and survival of native species and the establishment and spread of foreign pest species thus leading to better management of vulnerable species, pests and diseases.

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

How do intracellular parasites adapt to changes in nutrient... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research