University of New South Wales

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Understanding and optimising attentional exploitation versus exploration. This project aims to examine how our attention is influenced by the information provided by items we perceive, and its impact on decision making. Using innovative eye tracking and neuroscience methods, this project will test a new framework contrasting attentional exploitation (driven by reliable information) and exploration (for potential information). Expected outcomes include a computational cognitive model of the role of information in attention control, and new understanding of how attention modes interact. This will yield significant benefits by identifying how tasks can be tailored to optimise decisions and avoid distraction, in domains of focused performance (driving, air-traffic control) and effective messaging (marketing, policy). Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology Every decision we make comes with some uncertainty, which we can try to reduce by seeking information (e.g., directions from a satnav) that might support one course of action over others. Different sources of information are useful to us for different reasons: we might exploit sources that give reliable information about what to do now, or explore unverified sources that may provide useful information in the future. It is currently unclear what determines when people will exploit vs explore sources of information, and how this impacts their subsequent decisions. This project will answer these questions, determining how exploit/explore modes of attention shape how and when we seek and use different information types to guide our choices. This will inform how every-day tasks can be optimised to both improve decision-making and minimise distraction by unhelpful events. Thus, beyond enhancing Australia's status as a leader in cognitive science, this new knowledge opens the door to practical benefits. Project outcomes could be harnessed to improve effectiveness of safety-critical systems (how to present traffic information in a way that does not distract drivers), policy/marketing (how to communicate information to stakeholders to maximise positive behaviour change), and in devising effective training in high-pressure vigilance situations (e.g. for the defence force). Outcomes could also aid in refining interventions for compulsive behaviours (e.g. addiction and gambling).

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

Next-generation liquid biopsy for treatment-optimisation in newly... Category: Medical Research

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

Spatio-temporal modelling of complex particle-fluid reacting flows Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Understanding cellular adaptation in microgravity with bioengineering... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Selective Activation of Retinal Bipolar Cells Using Freeform Electrical... Category: Medical Research

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

Blood and bone: pathogenic leukocytes and acquired mutations within... Category: Medical Research

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

Modulating Piezo1 channels in vascular smooth muscle cells to treat... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Artists and Generative-AI: Copyright and Private Regulation of Creativity. There is a significant power imbalance between artists and tech giants in the age of Generative AI and undermining of the value of copyright to creators. This project investigates the connection between licensing terms attached to the digital tools, apps, and platforms used by visual artists and intensification of economic and cultural disruption in the arts. Project innovation flows from mapping artist's views about their incorporation into AI-data markets to tech and platform licensing terms that facilitate extraction of value from creative labour. Recommendations will help promote more equitable industry-artist partnerships to facilitate growth of a vibrant digital arts sector through improving education and legal advice to artists. Field of research: 4806 - Private Law and Civil Obligations Over 40% of Australian artists use artificial intelligence (AI) tools, platforms, and apps to enhance their art. Artist's copyright and livelihoods are being impacted by a new private legal infrastructure being developed by AI companies through the terms and conditions artists agree to. It is hard to craft good legal advice without a better understanding of the tools artists are using and when artists are likely unaware of how their work contributes to data markets they don’t profit from. This project studies the fairness of the contractual terms regulating AI products. We will look at how the products function, review their contract terms to see how they affect artists’ copyright, and work closely with artists to understand their technological and legal needs. Our research will enhance transparency around how AI companies exploit creative labour. We will promote responsible AI by working with artists, lawyers, and technologists to create ethical best practice and fairer standards. Legal resources will be developed to empower artists in their decision-making and reduce the impact of unfair contracts. These legal resources will be available to the public through collaboration with the Arts Law Centre of Australia. In the short term, artists will better understand the law and how to protect their rights. In the long term, AI innovation will benefit both creators and businesses, fostering a vibrant and thriving arts sector that benefits all Australians.

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

Generating the evidence required to enable health equity for gender and... Category: Medical Research

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

Neuromuscular BaDGE - Electrotransfer of Naked Neurotrophin Gene-based... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Autonomous Continual Learning with Minimised Human Intervention. This project aims to develop autonomous continual learning technologies for persistent learning in open-ended real-world scenarios with minimised human intervention. Current deep learning models are limited by static deployment, costly retraining, and outdated knowledge, while existing continual learning relies heavily on human oversight. The proposed approach integrates stateful self-awareness, robust updates without catastrophic forgetting, and structured long-term memory, enabling automatic and continual task setup, learning, and proactive intervention. This resulting deep learning autonomy will enhance self-improving AI, driving transformative applications in Australian industry and supporting energy-efficient, sustainable solutions. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are becoming part of our daily lives—from forecasting weather and supporting medical diagnoses to powering smart devices and transport. However, most AI systems today are static—they struggle to adapt after deployment and require costly, inefficient, and environmentally taxing retraining when faced with new data or conditions. This project addresses that challenge by developing Autonomous Continual Learning (AutoCL), enabling AI systems to learn and accumulate knowledge continually over time with minimal human effort. AutoCL empowers AI to self-improve and operate more sustainably in real-world applications like energy forecasting, autonomous vehicles, climate monitoring, and multilingual services—automatically aligning with evolving human needs and preferences. For instance, AI could efficiently adjust to shifting weather patterns or user requirements. This aligns with Australia’s National Science and Research Priority of transitioning to a net-zero future by reducing energy-intensive training cycles, while also advancing secure and responsible AI through low-cost, lifelong evolvement. The outcomes will benefit Australian industries, government services, and communities by enabling more intelligent, efficient, adaptive technologies. Key users include sectors such as health, education, transport, and environment. We will share results via publications, open-source platforms, workshops, and community outreach to ensure broad adoption.

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

Decoding neuroimmune crosstalk in lymph nodes: a new frontier in... Category: Medical Research

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

FEELING AGAIN AFTER PARALYSIS: Combining Haptic Virtual Reality and... Category: Medical Research

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

Examining the heritability of immune imprinting Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Cement-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Renewable Energy Harvesting. Harvesting otherwise wasted mechanical energy is a critical step toward advancing renewable and sustainable energy sources. This project aims to develop multifunctional cement-based triboelectric nanogenerators with integrated energy-harvesting, self-healing, and hydrophobic capabilities. Energy harvesting efficiency will be optimised by incorporating hybrid high-surface-area nanofillers to enhance the dielectric constant of cementitious composites. Durability and environmental adaptability will be improved using crystalline admixtures and silane coatings, providing enhanced resistance to mechanical damage and humidity. These outcomes will create fundamental knowledge in self-powering and net-zero energy buildings and civil infrastructure. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Australia has a growing renewable energy sector, which contributed 39.4% of the total electricity in 2023 and aims to reach 82% by 2030. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which convert wasted mechanical energy to electricity, are emerging as a renewable energy source for self-powering and net-zero energy structures. Cement-based TENGs (CBTENGs) offer potential for large-scale energy-harvesting, as concrete is the primary component of structures. However, the triboelectric power density of cement-based materials is relatively low, and these materials tends to crack and deteriorate due to moisture ingress. This project aims to develop multifunctional CBTENGs with significantly improved efficiency of energy-harvesting using hybrid nanofillers, along with integrated self-healing and hydrophobic capacities to enhance durability and adaptability to cracking and humidity. The new CBTENGs will provide a promising avenue for renewable energy by converting a wide range of mechanical energy into electricity, potentially powering the regular operations and reducing reliance on traditional power. Advanced knowledge of CBTENGs with energy conversion efficiencies of up to 90% are expected to decrease energy consumption by up to 40% in buildings and civil infrastructure, contributing to self-powering capability, net-zero energy goals, and decarbonisation. The outcome will deliver significant benefits for the construction sectors, promoting broader renewable energy use across the country.

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

New Chemical Geographies: Governing Emerging Contaminants Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Processes & responses of nitrous oxide production in marine invertebrates . This project aims to investigate how marine sponges and ascidian produce the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. Using environmental surveys, microbiome analyses and experimental ecology, this project will reveal how microbial symbionts in sponges and ascidian produce nitrous oxide and how this production responds to environmental change. It is anticipated that increases in nutrients and temperature will increase nitrous oxide production and raises the number of sponges and ascidians in our oceans. This research is expected to significantly enhance our understanding of how our marine environment contributes to the global production of an important greenhouse gas and will enable more accurate predictions of future nitrous oxide emissions. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology Australia is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that is being produced and emitted by natural processes from coastal marine environments. However current local and global emission estimates have neglected the contribution of reef-associated fauna, such as sponges and ascidians, which we have recently discovered to be major N2O producers. In this project, we will address this knowledge gap by using a multidisciplinary approach to define the in situ N2O production rates of sponges and ascidians, the underlying biochemical processes that generate the N2O as well as their response to predicted changes in temperature, oxygen and nutrients. By combining this new and fundamental knowledge with observations on the distribution of sponges and ascidians, we will gain a more detailed and quantitative understanding on their contribution to marine N2O production. This will help decision makers in the Australian Government to fulfill its Net Zero Commitment. This project also addresses the National Science and Research Priorities of “transitioning to a net zero future” as well as “Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment” by providing information on how future environmental changes will influence N2O emission from the marine environment and by improving our understanding of ecosystem and biodiversity changes caused by climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Co-Catalysis for Energy Conversion Reactions. Higher performing catalysts for energy conversion are critical for solving the world’s energy crisis. Catalysts are typically made of active metals on a support. To make more effective, lower cost catalysts the performance of every metal atom must be optimised. This will be achieved by using a new concept of co-catalysis to create active sites, where both the active metal atoms and support atoms are directly involved catalysis. Synthesising and producing these catalysts will enable an understanding of how co-catalysis can enhance chemical bond breaking and formation in fuel cell reactions. This knowledge will create the highest performing catalysts that will shift our dependence away from fossil fuels and help enable a hydrogen economy. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Hydrogen, methanol and ethanol fuel cells are critical technologies in Australia’s shift to clean and renewable energy sources. One of the major barriers to the efficient and sustainable production of renewable energy is the lack of effective catalysts; materials that can help make and convert hydrogen, methanol and ethanol fuels by efficient and low-cost processes. Our innovative approach will design catalysts that harness the concept of co-catalysis where both the catalytically active metal, typically platinum, as well as the support, made of a far cheaper metal, are both involved in making chemical reaction to go faster and more efficiently. Making catalysts with single-atom precision that optimise co-catalysis at every active site will create a new generation of innovative catalysts that are low-cost and maximise performance. For Australia, these smart catalyst materials will lead to the development of efficient and green fuel cells, enabling the attainment of our net-zero emissions goals. Commercially, Australian companies will gain a competitive edge from this critical research in clean energy technologies, boosting clean energy industries and creating job opportunities. Socially and environmentally, this research will contribute to cleaner and sustainable energy solutions, reducing pollution and safeguarding our environment.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Advanced Bioelectrochemistry for Rare Earth Element Extraction and Recovery. This project aims to develop a groundbreaking process for recovering rare earth elements (REEs), which are essential for green technologies like wind turbines and electric vehicles. By combining innovative microbial and electrochemical methods, the project will offer a sustainable alternative to conventional, resource-intensive extraction methods. Microbial processes generate acids and recycle nutrients, while electrochemical techniques will complement these by enhancing efficiency. By extracting critical REEs from monazite, a globally important mineral abundant in Australia, this project promises significant benefits, including cost-effective recovery, reduced pollution, and support for circular economies and sustainable technologies. Field of research: 4011 - Environmental Engineering This project addresses key national interests in sustainable resource recovery and environmental technologies. With the growing global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) critical to the development of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics, this research positions Australia at the forefront of REE extraction and recycling innovation. The integration of a bio-electrochemical system for REE recovery will reduce reliance on traditional, environmentally damaging methods, significantly lowering operational costs and environmental impacts. By developing a circular economy approach to REE recovery from waste products such as Nd-rich magnets, the project strengthens Australia’s position in the global supply chain while supporting sustainable industrial practices. Furthermore, this research contributes to Australia’s commitment to environmental sustainability. By developing green, low-impact technologies for critical mineral recovery, the project aligns with national objectives to minimise environmental degradation from mining activities. The outcomes of this work will enhance Australia’s competitiveness in critical mineral sectors, create high-skilled jobs in advanced technologies, and improve the overall environmental management of mining, waste and resource recovery operations. This project therefore represents a significant contribution to national priorities in economic growth, sustainability, and technological innovation.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Unravelling Drivers of Cellular Evolution Using Single-Cell Multi-Omics. This project aims to develop algorithms to uncover the molecular drivers of cellular evolution, using single-cell multi-omics data. Understanding how cells evolve is critical for deciphering healthy development and understanding how immune cells respond to disease. Existing methods overlook key interactions between genes and neglect multi-layered molecular data. By developing innovative models that integrate these interactions and data types, the project will identify drivers of cellular changes. This work will enhance global research capabilities, improve our understanding of immune responses, and contribute to Australia’s growth in the rapidly expanding single-cell market. Field of research: 4905 - Statistics Understanding what drives changes in our cells over time is essential to uncovering how the human body develops and responds to its environment. For example, learning how cells adapt as we age can reveal how the body maintains balance and resilience across its lifespan. However, current research is limited by the lack of computational tools that can reliably identify the key molecular changes behind these shifts. This project addresses this gap by developing novel algorithms that use cutting-edge single-cell technologies to pinpoint the biological drivers of cellular change. These tools will make it possible to analyse individual cells in unprecedented detail, and empower researchers to develop new insights into biological processes. This project contributes to positioning Australia as a leader in the rapidly growing single-cell market —expected to exceed USD 100 million locally by 2030—through open-source software, collaboration with industry, and workforce training in genomics and data science. Beyond economic value, this research supports national priorities for “healthier, more resilient communities” by enabling industry and academics to better understand the normal immune response to infection. Outcomes will include publicly available software, with findings shared via workshops and partnerships with researchers and clinicians, ensuring Australian innovation drives the next generation of biomedical discovery.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Can artificial enzymes that are more versatile than natural enzymes? . This project aims to address the issue of enzyme instability by developing nanoparticles that have the same 3D geometry as enzymes to give catalysts as selective as enzymes but more stable and more versatile. This is significant as expand the range of applications enzymes can be used for, already a $25 billion industry. The outcomes will be an understanding of how to make selective artificial enzymes and the scope of their potential applications. This should provide better and more stable catalyst for fine chemical production and biosensing devices. Field of research: 3401 - Analytical Chemistry Enzymes are a USD$60.5 billion global industry with applications in fields as diverse as food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, sensors, detergent, and personal care and cosmetics sectors. The applications of enzymes could be even greater if they were made more stable which is why artificial enzymes made from nanoparticles, called nanozymes, have attracted so much research interest. Such artificial enzymes however suffer from poor selectivity for the target substrate. The propose research will show how mimicking the structure of enzymes, with reactive sites down nanoscale substrate channels enzymes, can provide nanozymes in electrochemistry that can selectively detect species in complex biological fluids. This strategy employs nanoconfinement and electrochemical potential and will show the important criteria in achieving selectivity for one or more substrates, how to select one product over another and how to scale up the production of products. This work has relevance for developing sensors and fine chemical production for Australia’s priorities in food, through advanced monitoring technologies, and advanced manufacturing of materials for the above industries. Drawing on our commercialisation experience and this technology will be targeted towards commercialisation with some interest already shown from the proof-of-concept work. The research questions answered in the proposed research are aimed at expediting the commercialisation opportunities this technology promises.

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

Identifying treatment targets and enrichment strategies for future... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Uncovering how molecular motors encode receptor signalling. Receptors on the cell surface transmit the signals that keep cells functioning and alive. Receptors move through the cell to stop or maintain these signals, but how this movement is controlled by cellular motors is unknown. Recent work has revealed a mechanism by which motors move these receptors, leading to the current proposal that it is motor adaptors- proteins that link the motor and receptor- that control what happens to a receptor and its signal in the cell. This project will uncover how motor adaptors control receptor signals and create a mathematical model predictive of how receptors move through the cell. This will provide a boon for understanding receptor regulation and a basis to develop new treatments targeting receptor signals. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology Receptor signalling governs fundamental biological functions including cell growth and division. This project will uncover how internalised cell surface receptors are spatially regulated by motor proteins and adaptors, a process vital for sustaining or terminating receptor signalling. Using advanced live-cell imaging, optogenetics, CRISPR-modified cells and mathematical modelling, this project will map how receptor trafficking affects signalling outcomes. The findings will provide a predictive framework for receptor fate, enabling innovations in biotechnology and synthetic biology. This fundamental research supports national interest by advancing therapeutic development and improving engineered cell systems. In particular, it could optimise growth factor signalling in cell cultures, aiding the Australian sustainable food industry’s efforts in cultured meat production. The project will also train researchers in cutting-edge interdisciplinary approaches, strengthening Australia’s capacity in molecular cell biology, advanced microscopy and computational modelling. This project will thus generate new knowledge at the frontier of cell biology, delivering long-term benefits to Australia’s health, biotech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Crafting Policies for Unpredictable Technological Impacts on Income. This project aims to develop policies to manage the unpredictable impact of technological innovations on income distribution in Australia. By employing a dynamic taxation model that incorporates ambiguity aversion, it seeks to provide novel insights into income and capital tax policies under technological uncertainty. The project aims to deliver implementable policy reforms that enhance economic equity and efficiency while navigating the unknowns posed by advancements in automation and artificial intelligence across Australia's labour market. Its broader benefits include offering sustainable solutions to challenges posed by technological advancements and improving social welfare in Australia. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics By developing new economic models that address how unpredictable technological changes—such as AI and automation—affect income distribution and inequality, this project will tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing Australia today: rising wealth inequality, declining job security, and growing economic uncertainty. The rise of AI represents an epoch-defining shift, comparable to the Industrial Revolution. No one knows how it will reshape our lives and the labor market—whether it will create more jobs or displace them, empower workers or erode economic security. Current tax models assume predictable shifts, but real-world changes are uncertain—we often underestimate the likelihood of negative outcomes, or worse, fail to consider certain disruptive events. This project will design innovative tax policies to help workers and businesses manage the uncertainty of technological change. By accounting for the ambiguous effects of new technologies, it aims to give policymakers novel tools to make the tax and welfare system fairer and more effective, ensuring that the benefits of technological progress are widely shared. The project will deliver actionable recommendations that policymakers, government agencies, and industry leaders can adopt. In doing so, Australian decision-makers will be equipped with a practical framework to navigate technological disruption, protect jobs, and promote long-term economic growth.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A mechanistic approach to assess integrity of soil-geothermal structures. This project examines how geothermal structures, like energy tunnels and energy walls, interact with surrounding soils under repeated heating and cooling cycles. These systems offer sustainable heating and cooling but face challenges such as soil deformation and strength loss from thermal and mechanical loads. Current models fail to fully capture these effects, limiting geothermal design safety and efficiency. Through advanced modelling and experiments, this research will improve understanding of soil behaviour, enhancing design accuracy and performance. Outcomes will reduce maintenance costs, cut emissions, and support Australia’s transition to cleaner energy, delivering major economic, environmental, and social benefits. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering This project tackles a critical challenge in Australia’s renewable energy transition: ensuring the long-term integrity and efficiency of geothermal structures, such as energy tunnels and retaining walls, which use the freely available underground thermal capacity for sustainable heating and cooling of above/below-ground spaces. Current designs inadequately address the interaction between temperature cycles, soil moisture changes, mechanical loads and soil deformations which can lead to a loss of contact between a soil and structure and suboptimal structural performance and energy output. By developing the world’s first integrated model combining advanced soil mechanics and real-world testing, this research will provide engineers with accurate tools to optimise geothermal structure systems for Australia’s diverse soil conditions. The benefits for Australians include, but are not limited to: reduced infrastructure costs through optimised designs and fewer dysfunctions, accelerated geothermal adoption, lower emissions by replacing fossil-fuel heating and cooling and improved energy affordability, particularly in low socio-economic areas where geothermal can offset costly fuel reliance. To maximise impact engineers will be shown how to implement the research discoveries into designs through special workshops and training initiatives as well as top journals. This will help Australia achieve net-zero and strengthen energy resilience.