University of New South Wales

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Monge–Ampère equations and optimal transport: geometry and regularity. Monge–Ampère equations and optimal transport are important fields which have played defining roles in 21st century mathematics. These topics have applications to diverse areas like fluid flow, meteorology, neural networks, and economics and also have applications in pure mathematics, for example to geometry and functional inequalities. This project will develop regularity theory for the Monge–Ampère partial differential equations (PDE) as well as investigate both the geometry and economic applications of optimal transport. This project aims to generate new mathematical theories relevant to these applications and will have significant impact and benefit on elliptic PDE, optimal transport, and Australia's global reputation in mathematics. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics This project develops new tools in the mathematical fields of optimal transport and elliptic partial differential equations (PDE). These are important and active areas of modern mathematics for which improving our understanding will help us better understand problems in meteorology, economics, and machine learning. By advancing these mathematical foundations, this project could lead to more efficient models and solutions for challenges in areas like resource allocation, weather forecasting, and economic modeling. In addition, pure mathematics research benefits Australia by enhancing our national mathematical expertise and international standing. Australia will experience cultural and economic benefits through this enhanced global reputation, attracting top international researchers and fostering new collaborations, all of which improve the educational opportunities available to Australians in the area of mathematics. The results obtained in this DECRA will be shared open access to ensure this research is available to everyone including those outside academia such as industry partners, peak bodies or other consumer/stakeholder groups. Monash has strong networks with industry partners which may assist with research translation by making the highly applicable components of this project available to users.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Advanced Characterisation Facility for High Speed Quantum Devices. This project will provide critical new capabilities for the measurement and characterisation of advanced quantum devices and materials in a new multi-user Quantum Science and Industry Laboratory. It will leverage existing ARC and university funding to provide a unique new capability designed to serve the needs of users both from Australia's emerging quantum technology industries as well as academia. Expected outcomes include the creation of new intellectual property, local manufacturing of quantum control hardware, support for Australia's quantum industries, and training of researchers and workers for the burgeoning quantum technology sector which is predicted to generate $6 billion in revenue and create 19,400 jobs in Australia by 2045. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics The quantum industry is predicted to play a transformative role in Australia’s future prosperity through the development of quantum computers, quantum communication networks and quantum sensors. Advanced manufacturing of quantum components that enable these technologies is key to realizing this impact. However while Australia has extensive national facilities that industrial and academic users can utilise to build quantum devices, there are far fewer multi-user facilities for testing them. Rapid characterisation at low temperatures using advanced electrical techniques is an essential part of the manufacturing process for many quantum technologies, since the devices only begin to operate at temperatures close to absolute zero. This project is uniquely designed to support both academic research projects and users from the quantum technology industry sector by providing a new generation of advanced electronics to test critical components used in quantum technologies. Expected outcomes include the creation of new intellectual property, direct support to Australia's quantum technology industry, and training of researchers for Australia's emerging quantum technology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Unlocking Synergistic Solar-driven Freshwater and Electricity Co-generation. This project aims to develop a new solar interfacial evaporation platform which enables simultaneous extraction of freshwater and electricity from seawater/wastewater. Through engineering liquid-solid dual phase photothermal materials with enhanced light absorption and water desorption, and designing dual ions driven moisture electric generators with long life and high power, new knowledge on highly efficient and sustainable utilisation of seawater/wastewater will be generated. Expected outcomes include a synergistic strategy for enhanced solar-to-steam and steam-to-electricity conversion, and the construction of an innovative interfacial evaporation platform, which will pave the way for freshwater and renewable electricity co-generation. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Freshwater shortage is becoming a critical challenge for humanity, spurring the exploration of sustainable and green technologies for water desalination. The global water desalination market is estimated to be valued at USD 19.03 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 34.58 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2025 to 2032(Coherent Market Insights). In addition, the energy harvesting system market is expected to grow from USD 0.61 billion in 2025 to USD 0.94 billion in 2030, growing with a CAGR of 9.1%. In contrast to conventional water desalination using fossil fuels, this project aims to explore an innovative solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology, which offers a very promising solution to the freshwater and electricity challenge by harnessing abundant and eco-friendly solar energy. The project outcome will be utilized for applications in freshwater and electricity co-generation and help to create jobs and promote the Australian economy through industry collaborations. The research team have successfully demonstrated significant economic benefits to Australian industry through licensing advanced materials technologies to Australian energy industry sectors, as evidenced by a number of ARC Linkage and industry programs. It is expected that the project IP will be licensed to Australian industries and scale up demonstration of integrated freshwater-electricity co-generation will be realized.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

In-situ optical characterization platform for emerging energy materials. This project aims to establish an in-situ optical characterisation platform to study the nucleation, crystallisation, and phase transitions of emerging energy materials. Understanding these processes is crucial for improving the stability, efficiency, and manufacturability of next-generation solar technologies. This facility will enable real-time monitoring of material transformations, providing key insights into halide segregation, 2D-3D phase evolution, and degradation mechanisms. The expected outcomes include valuable intellectual property on more stable and commercially viable perovskite solar cells, which will directly support Australia’s renewable energy goals, strengthening its leading position in clean energy innovation. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering To accelerate the development of next-generation advanced solar technologies, this project aims to establish a specialized in-situ optical characterization platform to address key challenges in stabilizing perovskite solar cells. Perovskite solar cells hold great promise for high efficiency and low-cost renewable energy, but current limitations in understanding their material formation and degradation hinder their commercial readiness. This platform will enable researchers to study these processes in real-time, directly informing the development of scalable, stable, and efficient perovskite solar cells. This aligns strongly with the Australian Government’s priority of transitioning to a net-zero future by supporting innovation in clean energy technologies. By supporting collaborative research across Australia’s leading universities, this infrastructure will contribute in generating new knowledge and practical pathways for the commercialization of advanced solar technologies. These outcomes will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits by lowering the cost of renewable energy, enabling local technology development, and reducing carbon emissions. This research will strengthen Australia’s position at the forefront of global solar innovation, while helping to ensure a sustainable, low-carbon future that benefits all Australians.

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

Unravelling ammonia slip in zero-carbon rich-lean staged combustors Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Ultrafast Transmission Electron Microscopy Facility. This project aims to establish an ultrafast transmission electron microscopy facility that will enable direct visualisation of the charge creation, migration and combination in materials at the atomic scale within materials. This facility will achieve this by synchronising ultrafast pulsed laser and electron beam with high speed detector, retrofitted to an existing $7M ARC invested aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope. This Ultrafast Facility, the only one in Australia, will lead breakthrough outcomes for research and industry sectors in key national priorities of materials for quantum technologies, renewable energy harvest and storage, clean fuel production and biomedical diagnostic and therapy technologies. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology The ultrafast transmission electron microscopy facility will revolutionize our ability to track the migration of charges in materials and is vital for quantum sensing and information technologies, clean and renewable energy production and biomedical diagnostics and therapy technologies. This urgently needed facility will enable Australia to take a leading role in all of these key research areas and industries. The project aligns and underpins with Australian government’s National Science and Research Priorities of Transitioning to a net zero future, Building a secure and resilient nation and Supporting healthy and thriving communities , as well as National Reconstruction Fund priority areas of renewables and low emissions technologies and enabling capabilities. The supported research outcomes will impact in next generation materials for those above mentioned key technologies. The proposed facility will support > $115 million investment in research centres and industry-linked grants. The research supported by the facility will be used from the exploration of fundamental phenomena which will generate new knowledge, advancing science all the way to the understanding of commercial industrial samples. This facility will cultivate future industries, stimulate growth, create jobs, and lift productivity and maximising Australia’s competitive advantage in new materials. The facility also provides excellent training opportunities for the students, fostering Australian new workforce.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

ARC Centre of Excellence for Our Future Oceans. This Centre will comprehensively determine how our oceans are changing, now and in the future, and develop solutions to promote ocean sustainability and a thriving blue economy. Our oceans are already changing at an unprecedented rate, with costly impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities worldwide. By integrating fundamental science advances, innovative analyses of new observational data, new ultra-high resolution ocean models, and training a new generation of world-class scientists, the Centre will uncover vital information about our changing oceans. This will enable proactive management of our ocean environments and resources, enhancing the health, resilience, and security of Australia’s oceans for generations to come. Field of research: 3708 - Oceanography Our oceans and coasts are at the heart of our economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being, with more than 85% of Australians living and working in coastal regions. Our marine industries alone currently contribute over $120 billion to Australia’s annual GDP. Population and economic growth necessitate the continued expansion of infrastructure and services, placing immense pressure on our coastal zones. Meanwhile, our oceans are changing faster than ever due to climate change and population growth. Coastal erosion, storm surge flooding, marine heatwaves, declining marine water quality, and marine pollution are just some of the challenges that are already proving very costly to society. Managing these threats to our Sea Country, lifestyle, and billion-dollar industries and infrastructure requires a generational step forward in Australia’s capacity to understand and predict our future oceans. At this time of change, our Centre’s vision is to bring together Australia’s leading oceanography and coastal science communities to deliver the best information and tools available, empowering our partners in government, industry and the community to make informed decisions both now and into the future. We will work alongside a diverse group of partners, train a new generation of ocean scientists, and translate new scientific knowledge into on-ground actions through government and industry partnerships, cutting-edge science, and wide-ranging education outreach.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Enhancing self-efficacy to improve refugee functioning. Refugees often show poorer psychological, social and economic outcomes than host populations. This project aims to improve refugee adaptation via a brief, skills-based intervention—Problem Management+ (PM+). This intervention directly targets self-efficacy, which our research has shown to be a key factor driving better functioning in refugees. We will evaluate the effectiveness of PM+, the mechanisms underpinning the intervention, and determine who benefits most (and least). Study outcomes will inform how settlement services can better support refugees, especially those at highest risk of poor adjustment. Ultimately, this will enhance both service delivery and refugee wellbeing in Australia. Field of research: 4203 - Health Services and Systems Australia has resettled over 1 million refugees since WWII and is tasked with supporting refugees to adapt to life and function well in their new country. The capacity of settlement services to deliver effective services has been limited by a lack of understanding of how to improve refugee functioning. Our research has demonstrated that self-efficacy (or one's belief in their capacity to achieve specific goals) is critically important for good functional outcomes in refugees. However, self-efficacy is often degraded in refugees due to exposure to trauma and ongoing stress. In this project, we propose to partner with a leading Australian settlement service to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-efficacy-focused intervention in improving refugee functioning. In this project, we will determine whether, how and for whom this intervention is effective. Ultimately, this project will provide a platform for improving the service provision of settlement services and enhance Australia's capacity to support refugees to adapt and thrive in their new homes.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Context, coping and wellbeing in refugees. There are >50 million refugees worldwide displaced by war and persecution. The contexts in which refugees live differ markedly, however most research has been conducted with a small subgroup of refugees with secure residency living high-income countries. This has precluded tailored approaches to effectively supporting refugees across contexts. A longitudinal study conducted across three settings (with refugees in Australia with secure and insecure residency and refugees in Indonesia with insecure residency) will determine the most powerful environmental, psychological and social drivers of refugee functioning across contexts. Ultimately, this will inform policies and programs that support refugees to thrive in their new homes. Field of research: 4203 - Health Services and Systems Australia has made an international commitment to protect and support refugees and spends hundreds of millions of dollars per year supporting refugees within Australia and overseas in transit countries. There is emerging evidence that the needs of refugees, as well as effective strategies to improve functioning vary markedly across contexts. However, most research has been conducted with a small subgroup of refugees (those with secure residency living in high-income countries), leaving a gap in knowledge regarding how to tailor efforts to support refugees across contexts. In this project, we will systematically investigate differences in refugee functioning using uniform methodology across the three predominant contexts in which refugees live (high-income-country [HIC]/secure residency, HIC/insecure residency, low-and-middle-income country [LMIC]/insecure residency). Findings will determine the specific environmental stressors that impact on refugee functioning across contexts, and identify common and unique psychological and social factors that drive wellbeing across contexts. These findings will (1) improve Australia’s capacity to meet its international commitments to refugees by providing a tailored roadmap to improving wellbeing and social cohesion, (2) provide NGOs with strategies to operate more effectively, (3) enhance strategic relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Performance and Integration. The Centre for Quantum Computer Performance and Integration aims to solve the scientific challenges that hinder the development of useful quantum computers. The Centre will synergistically develop high-performance quantum hardware, operate it in a resource-efficient way, and integrate diverse physical platforms across solid-state, optical and atom-based devices. Collaboration between world-leading researchers, emerging talent and global industries will unlock the full potential of quantum computer technologies, with an expected economic value of over $1 trillion across chemical, life sciences, finance and mobility industries. The Centre will be the key research vehicle to enable workforce growth and Australian leadership in this field. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics Quantum computers are a radically novel technological paradigm, projected to generate a global economic value of US$0.9 – 2.0 trillion by 2035, through their impact on chemical, life sciences, finance, and mobility industries. However, such value cannot be unlocked by simply scaling up current prototypes, which are exceedingly error-prone, lack integration, and demand exorbitant hardware overheads to calculate reliably. The Centre for Quantum Computer Performance and Integration will address these challenges by injecting scientific discoveries targeted at producing high-performance quantum hardware, integrating its components, and inventing quantum computer codes that minimize the manufacturing and energy consumption costs of devices capable of performing useful calculations. The Centre will be the key vehicle to link all stakeholders involved in delivering the National Quantum Strategy. Its impact will be realized in synergy with world-leading industries – many of them based in Australia – which will translate our discoveries into valuable products. The Centre will be a strongly outward-facing hub of research and education. We will train the next generation of skilled workers for the fast-growing quantum industry, engage and inform government and community stakeholders on the impact of this revolutionary technology, and ensure that our Country is prepared to harvest the maximum economic and social benefit from being a quantum computing pioneer.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Biotransforming Food Waste into High-value Alcohols. Transforming food waste into valuable products provides a great opportunity to tackle environmental issues and attain a circular economy. This project aims to develop an innovative technology and the underpinning science to gain renewable high-value alcohols from food waste directly on a low-carbon, economical and self-sustaining platform and realise sustainable food waste reduction. An increasing quantity of carbon-rich food waste is generated abundantly in Australia and worldwide, that typically represents a substantial, but largely untapped, renewable resource. The intended outcome of the project will shift food waste management from energy-consuming to energy-producing process and accelerate Australia’s transition to net-zero emissions. Field of research: 4011 - Environmental Engineering This project directly supports Australia’s transition to a circular economy and net-zero emissions by converting food waste into high-value biofuels. Australia generates approximately 7.6 million tonnes of food waste annually, placing significant environmental and economic pressure on waste management systems. Current solutions, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, face limitations in energy recovery and greenhouse gas mitigation. This project will develop an innovative technology that transforms food waste into butanol and hexanol, offering a low-carbon, economically viable alternative to conventional food waste treatment. By integrating innovative microbial processes and optimizing digestion conditions, this research will enhance resource recovery, reduce landfill reliance, and contribute to national food waste reduction targets. It aligns with Australia's Powering Australia Plan, which aims for 82% renewable energy by 2030, and ARENA's goal to increase bioenergy's contribution to 20% of total energy consumption by 2050. The outcomes will accelerate commercial adoption by validating the technology through scale-up demonstrations and practical readiness in real-world, ensuring feasibility for industry implementation. This project provides a transformative solution for food waste management and renewable biofuel production, strengthening Australia’s leadership in sustainable energy and waste valorization while delivering environmental, economic, and societal benefits.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Boosting heritage languages: multimodality in urban and digital spaces. Heritage languages bring significant economic, social and cultural benefits for Australia. However, Australian youth from migrant backgrounds abandon their heritage language at a high rate. This project aims to enhance heritage languages by investigating how they are used in urban and digital spaces. The project uses a novel multimodal design to generate new knowledge about spatial factors in heritage language maintenance and to identify ideological aspects of language choice. Benefits include a better understanding of life, language and community in multicultural urban contexts as experienced by migrants. The project will support migrant families, enhance intercultural language awareness and has the potential to strengthen social harmony. Field of research: 4704 - Linguistics The Australian Government recognises that connecting young Australians to their heritage languages is a crucial component of social inclusion and prosperity. However, the Multicultural Framework Review 2024 highlighted the need to create new strategies to improve how we engage multicultural Australia in languages other than English. With over 50% of Australians either born overseas or having one parent born overseas, and families speaking more than 300 languages, there is an urgent need to investigate how young Australians embrace their heritage languages in diverse and rapidly changing social contexts beyond the family home. This project brings social and cultural benefits for Australia by exploring how urban (public) and digital spaces impact heritage language use and how these spaces can foster heritage language learning. Migrant families have the immediate benefit of informed family strategies to boost their heritage language use through new communication channels. Heritage language teachers and communities will directly benefit from newly developed educational resources accessible from a public website. The project will inform researchers and policymakers about communication practices of Australian youth through a publicly accessible report and a corpus of selected language diaries. Ultimately, the project will lead to more equitable strategies for supporting heritage languages and a better understanding of their role in strengthening Australian multicultural society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Facility for Integrated Sensing and Communication: Gigahertz to Terahertz. This project aims to establish an ultrahigh bandwidth and resolution integrated sensing and communication facility in NSW, a key enabler for next generation of communication networks. Built on a photonic-based platform, this facility will significantly enhance resilience of Australia’s capabilities in telecommunications, healthcare and defence sectors. The expected outcomes will foster ground-breaking research in the combined area of millimetre-wave, terahertz and photonics for realising net zero emissions target of 6G networks. Benefits include the provision of critical emerging technologies for AI, computing and communications to significantly enhance Australia’s national interest in high-speed networks and smart sensing. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering The project aims to create a facility for fundamental and translational ground-breaking research in next-generation communication technologies for 6G to strengthen Australia’s defence and enabling capabilities. The facility will be a significant addition to Australian research capabilities as it will cover a wide spectrum from radio waves to the communication band beyond 5G, which is of prime interest to telecommunication vendors and industry. The project enables amalgamation of high-throughput communication channels with ultra-high accuracy localisation, augmented sensing, and activity recognition leading into new applications for building a secure and resilient Australia. The expected outcomes will enhance the development of critical technologies in the Australia’s National Interest list for 2022 that includes advanced materials and manufacturing; AI, computing, and communications; and sensing, timing and navigation. This facility has significant potential to secure intellectual property rights for Australia in the field of next-generation communications, where the global market is estimated at $340 billion by 2040. This facility is strongly supported by 5 universities, who in turn have strong collaborations with telecommunication industries, which can assist with the potential translation of research outcomes and inventions via start-ups and spin-offs. This is aligned with the roadmap aimed at building a prosperous tech workforce in Australia, 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Engineering Robust Anti-Icing Coatings for Extreme Environments. This project is focused on the development of durable, anti-icing surfaces designed for extreme environments, combining ice-repellency and self-heating capabilities with exceptional hardness and toughness. This offers a novel solution for preventing condensation freezing and ice accumulation in cold, humid conditions. Anticipated outcomes include a coating with superior ice mitigation abilities and an unprecedented resistance to mechanical abrasion and erosion. Such advancements are expected to bring significant advantages to industries associated with aviation, air-conditioning, and renewable energy, where robust, anti-icing surfaces are essential for maintaining operational efficiency and extending service life. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Ice build-up poses serious risks and economic challenges in aviation, renewable energy and refrigeration. It can cause flight disruptions, power loss in wind farms and increased energy consumption in refrigeration systems. Current de-icing methods, such as chemical treatments, heating systems, and mechanical removal, are costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally harmful. This project aims to develop a next-generation ceramic-based anti-icing coating with water-repellent and solar-heating properties that will prevent ice formation. Hierarchical coating design will enhance durability in harsh environments. By enhancing aircraft safety, this research will help prevent icing-related flight incidents, making air travel safer and more reliable. In the renewable energy sector, more efficient wind turbines will produce higher power output, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions, directly contributing to Australia’s net-zero goals. The application of these coatings in refrigeration systems will also cut energy use, reducing costs for households, businesses, and industries. This project will position Australia as a leader in advanced materials and clean technology innovation, with strong potential for commercial adoption across multiple industries. The research findings will be actively shared with policymakers, industry leaders, and the public to support real-world implementation, ensuring a safer, greener, and more energy-efficient future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Lunar Navigation. This project aims to provide theoretical underpinning to the development of new positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) techniques in cislunar space. The project expects to i) develop a framework for single-satellite Doppler positioning to be deployed in advance of PNT systems, ii) generate advances in autonomous on-board accurate positioning of lunar navigation satellites, and iii) develop a technique for time synchronisation of lunar PNT satellites. Expected outcomes include significantly improved lunar PNT accuracy, and algorithms that can be used by the Australian “roover” robotic lunar mission. Significant benefits include advancing knowledge and the development of novel methods to expand Australia’s capability in lunar PNT. Field of research: 4013 - Geomatic Engineering Australia is a founding signatory of the Artemis Accords, signed by countries committed to exploring the moon for the benefit of mankind. It is well placed to contribute to that community by solving two key problems in lunar navigation: how can future navigation systems be made as accurate as possible, and what can be done to provide the best navigation solutions while we wait for those systems to be implemented? This project exploits the investigators’ decades of expertise in navigation and timing to provide three key contributions to knowledge: more accurate lunar orbit determination, better synchronisation of lunar orbiting clocks (both essential for accurate positioning), and new methods of positioning using one or two existing satellites. In an increasingly transactional international environment, Australia can benefit by “bringing something to the party” in exchange for other benefits provided for free– remote sensing data used for agriculture, mining, construction, weather and other key sectors of the economy. The technologies developed here can also improve the performance of Australia’s own lunar rover, Roo-ver, and they can lead to significant Australian content and inclusion in future space missions, both Australian and others. The team is well placed to communicate this research, being responsible for three scientific events where the work can be presented: the new “PNT” conference, the CubeSatPus workshop and Off-Earth Mining Forum.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Spin-Resolved Studies of Quantum Spin Liquids. This project is dedicated to advancing the study and practical applications of quantum materials. It focuses on the exploration and understanding of the intriguing flatband and quantum spin liquid phases. The successful completion of this project is expected to yield ideal material platforms for in-depth studies of flatband and quantum spin liquid phenomena, as well as for potential future applications in quantum computing and spintronic devices. This endeavor holds the promise of significantly enhancing the research and industrial capabilities in the quantum computing and spintronic sectors within Australia. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics Quantum materials with exotic properties, such as quantum spin liquids (QSLs), offer transformative potential for Australia's high-tech future. QSLs, with their entangled spin states and charge-free excitations, underpin next-generation advances in quantum computing, spintronics, and energy-efficient devices. Yet, their practical development is limited by a lack of techniques to directly probe their defining spin features. This project addresses that challenge by pioneering spin-resolved scanning probe and thermal techniques to study and control QSL states in real space—using platforms such as doped silicon and engineered quantum lattices. These innovations align with Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities in Advanced Manufacturing and Emerging Technologies, and directly support the National Quantum Strategy. Building on Australia’s globally recognised leadership in silicon quantum technologies, this project will strengthen research infrastructure, foster collaboration across institutions, and develop sovereign capabilities in quantum materials. It will train highly skilled researchers, support the growth of quantum-enabled industries, and help maintain Australia's competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global quantum economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Resilient, Affordable and Ethical Regional Planning under Disaster Risk. Our society faces increasing disaster risk and the urgent need for affordable housing. This project develops novel tools and evidence to support planning by addressing: (a) residential location decisions under disaster risk, (b) evacuation timing and destination choices, (c) real-world evacuation capacity estimation, (d) integrated models to evaluate economic resilience and investment trade-offs, and (e) ethics-aware planning that balances fairness, priority and cost-effectiveness. Combining virtual reality, behavioural modelling, traffic simulation and economic analysis, the project will help governments and emergency agencies deliver socially just, risk-informed and affordable regional strategies. Field of research: 3507 - Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour Transport infrastructure is a critical element of our nation’s productivity, and wellbeing. In fact the importance of this life-line is underscored during disasters, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure to support affordable housing. This research addresses the Scientific Research Priority on Transport, and how to equitably promote resiliency. It specifically addresses this need for tools to develop fair and efficient management of transport networks for socio-economic resiliency. The three key innovations lies in using advanced data collection methods and models. (i)Though there are substantial international evidence and models, the limited evacuation data and the collection of data post disaster events in Australia. This will be the first study that will provide a systematic evidence base for evacuation behavior and evacuation road capacity. (ii) In search of affordable housing, households tend to locate themselves in regions prone to high risks of disaster. This models and understanding will support the development of communication and stakeholder engagement strategies for disaster risks. (iii)This research will lead to novel models, metrics and tools to evaluate fairness and ethical impacts on transport resiliency investments. One of the key novelty is the collection of Australia's first evacuation and disaster response data that will support scientifically valid models to cost-effectively plan for fair and resilient societies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Transforming Australian Design Culture Through the Department Store 1954-75. This project aims to investigate the role of the department store in the transmission, diffusion and promotion of international design ideas and practises in postwar Australia. Partnering with Powerhouse and Art Gallery of New South Wales, this innovative study positions David Jones’ ground-breaking 1950s-70s international exhibitions as a case study, revealing the department store’s role as a driver of awareness and advancement of design cultures in Australia within a new narrative framework. By repositioning its role as a design catalyst, public archives and collections are reinterpreted and enhanced. Outcomes highlight the vital role of department stores in the present and their historical impact on Australian design cultures. Field of research: 3303 - Design This project is about the Australian department store, not as a place of commerce but as a place of inspiration and education in diffusing diverse design cultures through international exhibitions. Its contributions to commerce have been acknowledged but its role in the development of design cultures in postwar Australia remains unexamined. This project addresses this gap through a case study of David Jones department store’s unstudied series of international exhibitions between 1954-75 that is examined in the broader context of Australian department stores, immigration and the growth of a modern nation. The project should benefit Australians by repositioning the Australian department store as a vital contributor to the introduction, socialisation and dissemination of modern design ideas in the postwar period, directly to consumers. Understanding the transmission of culture, ideas and innovation through designed things provides public value and cultural benefit by making sense of how Australian communities and society changed and evolved. It will enhance the significance and value of Powerhouse and Art Gallery of New South Wales public collections by embedding them with new perspectives and narratives about the direct influence, and the effect on ordinary Australians. By partnering with museums, the outcomes of the research will be communicated directly to the Australian public through exhibitions, publications, talks and media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Pollies in the Glossies: How Aussie Women’s Magazines Frame The Political. At a time when women's participation in politics is crucial, this project aims to explore the role of Australian women’s magazines in shaping political discourse. By combining archival research, focus groups and interviews, this project expects to generate new knowledge on how women’s magazines frame politics, how politicians use these platforms, and how they impact women’s political engagement. Expected outcomes include a website, exhibition, academic publications, and development of a documentary. The project will provide social and cultural benefits through a comprehensive analysis of political narratives in women’s magazines, enhancing public access to these histories and raising awareness of their political significance. Field of research: 4405 - Gender Studies Women’s magazines provide a unique viewpoint on political issues, yet their role in Australian politics remains critically underexplored. In line with the Australian government’s “Working for Women Strategy”, this fellowship will investigate how these magazines have shaped political communication, women’s voices and voter engagement. The research will generate new insights into how political communication in women’s magazines has evolved over time and its implications for understanding political strategies. A comparative analysis of print and online content will reveal shifts in media practices, especially in response to digital transformations. This project will provide social, cultural and political benefits to Australians by revealing the historical and ongoing contributions of women’s magazines to shaping women’s political engagement and representation, ultimately enriching public knowledge of how central women’s voices, women’s issues and women voters have been to Australian political history. It will enhance Australia’s academic reputation for leading gender equality research, promoting women’s representation and voices in the media, politics and society. Research outcomes will be shared nationally and internationally through a website, publications, exhibition and the development of a documentary with public, stakeholder and media outlets for broader awareness of increasing women’s participation in politics, leadership roles, and active citizenship.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Optimising silicon chips for cryogenic operation. This project will develop new ways to test and improve silicon chips designed to operate at extremely low temperatures. These cryogenic chips are needed for space applications, future quantum technologies and for making energy-efficient computers. By combining Australian expertise in cryogenic measurement with imec's advanced chip manufacturing plant, the project will identify how to make better-performing and more reliable devices. The results will support Australia’s growing quantum industry, train the next generation of experts, and help guide the design of future silicon technologies used in computing, communications and space. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics This project will help Australia lead in next-generation computing by improving the performance of silicon chips at extremely low temperatures, which have applications to advanced space systems, quantum technologies, and future low energy electronics. This project will develop new tools and methods to help industry adapt their manufacturing processes, designed to build chips that operate at room temperature, for these extreme environments. It will support national priorities in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and quantum technologies, develop Australian intellectual property, and enable Australian scientists to work with and visit a leading industrial R&D fabrication facility, with tools, capabilities and linkages that do not exist in Australia. Similarly IMEC researchers will visit Australia to benefit from the tremendous expertise and unique research facilities developed here. The outcomes will not only train a highly skilled workforce, but will strengthen Australia’s partnerships with global leaders in chip fabrication, and ensures Australian researchers and companies can access the tools and knowledge needed to compete in the rapidly evolving global tech economy. Results will be shared through public talks, media releases and collaboration with quantum-focused industry groups, and will help grow Australia’s reputation as a world leader in future chip technologies.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Understanding and managing uncertainty. People’s capacity to differentiate between unknown and known sources of uncertainty – such as between natural variations in day-to-day temperatures and the effects of climate change – is essential in dealing with many of today’s greatest challenges. This project aims to understand the role that explanations play in how people understand and manage uncertainties in their everyday lives. Using state-of-the-art psychological theoretical, empirical, and modelling tools, the project is expected to generate new knowledge on the psychological processes that underpin the way people think about and make choices under uncertainty, and consequently, on the potential ways in which their decisions can be improved. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology How people understand uncertainty in their everyday experiences – whether they explain the variability in day-to-day temperatures, or in the value of superannuation investments, or in the severity of the symptoms of an infection in different people, as the result of random variation or the consequence of climate change, economic slowdown, or vaccines – determines the course of action they take to manage potential negative outcomes. Appropriate understanding and management of such uncertainties is essential to deal with many of today’s greatest challenges facing Australians, from responding to the effects of climate change, to making financial decisions, to dealing with pandemics. This project aims to understand how people explain uncertainty in their experiences and how they make choices to manage its potential negative outcomes. Addressing this knowledge gap can help us understand why people might underinvest in mitigating the risks resulting from climate change, avoid getting vaccinated or follow public health guidance during a pandemic, or undersave for retirement – and so benefits Australians by suggesting potential ways in which their decisions can be improved. To maximise the impact of this research, the findings will be disseminated to policymakers and industry professionals to assist the development of practical tools that people can use to make better choices.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Estimating Coastal Topographic Change from Space. This project aims to address a significant need held by our Partners to understand coastal dune processes at the timescales of individual storm events to decadal-scale changes in sediment storage. This project will develop new tools to map 3D topography from space and use this data to develop new predictive decision support tools for our Partners. Expected outcomes of this project include enhanced capacity to manage vital coastal ecosystems, including dune management and natural coastal protection efforts. This should provide significant benefits to coastal communities, including tourism and storm preparedness, through improved management decisions and adaptive thinking, as well as improved coastal management programs. Field of research: 3709 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience Over $25 billion of coastal residential infrastructure in Australia is at high risk from coastal erosion at timescales from individual storms to multi-decadal scale changes in waves and sea level. Healthy coastal dune systems are crucial in protecting our coastline from extreme storms, such as tropical cyclones and East Coast Low events. However, routine monitoring of these vital natural assets is costly and infrequent. Safeguarding our natural beaches, which underpin our $61 billion tourism industry, requires new efficient methods to map dunes and beaches across Australia at both a temporal and spatial resolution that is needed by local and state government organizations responsible for coastal management. Our ARC Linkage Project, in collaboration with local and state government partners, will develop innovative decision support tools and open-access datasets of coastal change in the modern satellite era. These outcomes will provide a framework to manage these vital coastal assets now and into the future, benefitting coastal communities across Australia. The data and tools will support future coastal management plans and hazard assessments, ensuring more accurate and effective protection of our coastline.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Go for it: Understanding the Risk Preference in Risky Hybrid Foraging. From routine tasks like spotting dangers while crossing streets to high-stakes tasks like screening medical images for cancer signs, risky hybrid foraging characterizes a range of real-world search scenarios. In risky hybrid foraging, people search for instances of several risky targets (cancer signs) across several patches (medical images). This project aims to understand the risk preference underlying risky hybrid foraging by integrating cognitive modeling and experimental approaches. Expected outcomes include new insights into how elements of decision making and visual search shape human risky foraging strategies. This should provide valuable guidance for developing interventions to improve search efficiency in real-world scenarios. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology Risk preference plays a key role in shaping how people search in hybrid foraging scenarios relevant to everyday life (e.g., deciding whether to prioritize searching for rare, catastrophic security threats or frequent, low-impact security risks). Problems in improving search efficiency often arise from risk sensitivity, where individuals prioritize seeking low-value, certain gains while ignoring high-value, risky options, or focus on spotting rare, high-risk hazards while overlooking common, low-impact hazards. Despite its impact on search efficiency, the underlying cognitive mechanisms driving risk sensitivity in hybrid foraging are not well understood. This project aims to evaluate a new model of risk sensitivity in hybrid foraging to enhance search efficiency in complex real-world scenarios. We will use the model to develop new methods to help individuals improve their search strategies, thereby enhancing search efficiency. The project results will be communicated to relevant Australian government agencies and industry stakeholders, potentially leading to new ways of presenting search options when communicating with the public. This, in turn, will help communities become better equipped to adopt improved search strategies in everyday life.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Breaking Boundaries: Advancing 2D Transistors with Novel Nano-dielectrics. The development of 2D transistors with low operating power and high speed will continue to accelerate as the demand for data-centric computing increases. However, 2D transistors have yet to realize their full theoretical potential due to a lack of suitable gate dielectrics. To address this challenge, this project aims to develop a new dielectric that enables 2D transistors to be scaled down to the atomic level, featuring both atomically short channels and thin dielectrics while significantly enhancing performance. This will transcend the limitations imposed by silicon semiconductors and position Australia prominently within the rapidly expanding global semiconductor industry which is projected to achieve a trillion-dollar valuation by 2030. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering The demand for smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices—such as smartphones and tablets—has driven the relentless miniaturization of silicon semiconductor transistors. However, silicon microelectronics are now reaching their fundamental limits, restricting further improvements in performance. To break through this barrier, there is an urgent need for new materials that can sustain the next era of semiconductor innovation. This project will pioneer advanced dielectric materials that enable the scaling of 2D transistors to the atomic level, unlocking exponential gains in performance for future technologies. By leveraging industry partnerships and IP licensing, this breakthrough will introduce game-changing technology to the global semiconductor market, which is projected to surpass a trillion dollars by 2030. With wide-ranging applications in healthcare, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence, this initiative will also strengthen Australia’s semiconductor value chain—driving economic growth and enhancing national security.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Right on the Spot: An Integrated Portable Platform for Antibiotic Detection. This project aims to develop a transformative technology platform for reagent-free, one-step, real-time quantification of antibiotic levels at the point of need. By integrating microfluidics, biosensing, composite materials, and machine learning, this innovative approach will revolutionise antibiotic monitoring across healthcare, food, environmental, and agricultural sectors. Expected outcomes include a novel, field-deployable sensing tool and new insights into fluid dynamics and biosensing interfaces that will inform next-generation portable diagnostics. The anticipated impact is substantial: driving biotech innovation, enhancing Australia’s biosecurity, protecting public health, and supporting global sustainability. Field of research: 4017 - Mechanical Engineering Antibiotic resistance is an escalating threat in Australia and globally. It undermines life-saving treatments, disrupts food production, and places increasing strain on healthcare and environmental systems. Compounding the crisis is the widespread use (and misuse) of antibiotics across hospitals, agriculture, veterinary care, and aquaculture, which leads to the continuous release of residual antibiotics into the environment. These emerging contaminants pose serious risks to biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and public health, demanding urgent innovation and action. Currently, no commercial products enable real-time, on-site quantification of antibiotics, leaving a critical gap in monitoring and management. This project will deliver a portable, user-friendly tool designed to detect, respond to, and prevent antibiotic misuse and contamination precisely where and when it matters most. This innovation aligns with Australia’s growing point-of-care diagnostics market, which is projected to reach US$924.3 million by 2031. The benefits to Australia are substantial: it will drive growth in the biotechnology industry, create jobs, and enhance global competitiveness. Moreover, it will protect ecosystems, safeguard public health, promote responsible antibiotic use, and improve food safety. This research is not only a technological breakthrough; it also represents a strategic investment in Australia’s health, economy, and environmental resilience.