University of New South Wales

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

Reducing inequities in injury across the life course Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Active Mechanics of Biological Interfaces. Biology is typified by thin deforming interfaces that undergo complex geometric changes. Examples include lipid membranes and thin layers of epithelial tissue that form the basis of organs. The proposed research will develop mathematical methods to build models of these active living interfaces using tools from the fields of differential geometry, continuum mechanics and active matter. The project will focus on three aims, each displaying general mathematical characteristics, but with specific examples in biology that have so far evaded mathematical analysis. The development of these novel methods will bridge a substantial knowledge gap and tackle a problem that has stalled the feedback between theory and experiment in mathematical biology. Field of research: 4901 - Applied Mathematics The proposed research aims to develop mathematical methods to address fundamental questions in the mathematical mechano-biology of thin deforming interfaces driven by active stresses, that is, stresses generated via microscopic transduction of chemical energy into mechanical work. It will contribute to Australia’s national interest in several areas, both scientific and educational. Beyond the basic mathematical and biological questions that will be addressed in the project, the mathematical tools developed here have the potential to open up new doors for developing downstream tools which may enable advances in biotechnology, health, and bio-inspired engineering. There is also potential for outcomes of the project to enhance Australia’s international reputation as a leader in mathematical biology research. The project will provide training for HDR and Honours students in state of the art mathematical modelling, numerical methods and analytical tools that have a wide range of applications in engineering, bioengineering and industry more broadly. Overall the researchers will develop transferable analytical and quantitative skills that are vital in an innovation-based economy such as Australia.

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

Higher-order Fourier analysis: discerning structure from randomness. Despite having only arisen in the past 25 years, higher-order Fourier analysis has yielded remarkable breakthroughs in mathematics, including in combinatorics (e.g., around Szemerédi’s theorem), number theory (e.g., the Green-Tao theorem), ergodic theory, and theoretical computer science. Given the youth of the subject, understanding of it is in its infancy. This project aims to develop frameworks for understanding the generalised oscillatory patterns underlying higher-order Fourier analysis. These frameworks will be used to resolve major open problems about pseudorandomness in the above contexts, place Australia at the forefront of knowledge in this nascent area, and foster international collaboration in the many areas to which it applies. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics For 200 years, Fourier analysis has been a fundamental tool in mathematics, science and engineering, allowing functions to be decomposed into waves in order to distinguish structured signals from random noise. However, classical Fourier analysis can only detect linear structure and discards more intricate nonlinear structure as "noise." Higher-order Fourier analysis is designed to capture these nonlinear structures, and although a much younger field, has yielded remarkable breakthroughs in a diverse set of problems. This project aims to develop new methodologies that extend the reach of higher-order Fourier analysis, providing more powerful tools for detecting arithmetic structure in complex data and advancing the theoretical foundations that underpin its applications. This project will provide mathematical insights relevant to cryptography, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, which all rely on extracting information from data, and distinguishing structure from randomness. Strengthening Australia’s research in this area will also promote international collaboration, not only making Australia attractive to international experts in this area, but also to researchers in the myriad and diverse areas to which these techniques apply.

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

Advancing Semi-transparent Chalcopyrite Top Cell for Tandem Photovoltaics. This project aims to develop semi-transparent chalcopyrite solar cells as cost-effective and stable top absorbers that can partner with silicon for next-generation silicon-based tandem photovoltaics. By optimizing transparent conducting oxides for enhanced thermal stability and transparency, and precisely controlling chalcopyrite growth kinetics to mitigate defect formation, complemented by advanced passivation strategies, this project is expected to achieve a >19% efficiency semi-transparent chalcopyrite cell. The project outcomes will drive innovation in advanced photovoltaic technology, benefiting Australia’s renewable energy leadership in academic and in industry applications. Field of research: 4009 - Electronics, Sensors and Digital Hardware Australia’s path to net-zero emissions hinges on clean, affordable energy, and solar is our most abundant renewable resource. However, solar panels must be both efficient and durable to meet such rising demand. This project targets chalcopyrite solar cells—an emerging technology offering high stability and cost-effectiveness yet held back by material defects limiting efficiency. By refining the properties of chalcopyrite and integrating it with existing silicon PV technology, I aim to develop cost-effective, stable, high-performance emerging tandem solar cells that are ready for wide-scale use. This research directly addresses Australia’s “Energy” and “Advanced Manufacturing” priorities and supports the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s Solar 30-30-30 goal: achieving 30% module efficiency at 30 cents per watt by 2030. Enhanced chalcopyrite cells will boost the performance of silicon-based PV systems, fostering a new generation of robust, cost-effective solar panels. These advances will help Australia maintain global leadership in photovoltaic materials and contribute to both knowledge and technology for the global PV community.

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

Lab to Field Bio-Engineered Carbon Mineralisation and Hydrogen Production. Our recent breakthrough using the bio-catalyst siderophore has significantly enhanced carbon mineralisation and hydrogen production through the serpentinization of olivine-rich mafic and ultramafic rocks. By optimising environmental conditions and bio-catalyst concentrations, we aim to maximise hydrogen yield and CO2 mineralisation of industry-provided samples through advanced experimental and numerical modelling. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis will support the first field trial, paving the way for large-scale industrial adoption of this game-changing technology to produce green hydrogen while reducing carbon emissions. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy The rising global demand for energy highlights the urgent need for clean energy solutions and effective carbon reduction. However, making green technologies both affordable and scalable remains challenging. Our breakthrough innovation using a bio-catalyst-driven process, offers a powerful solution by unlocking the untapped potential of mining waste from mafic and ultramafic rocks. This process not only generates gold hydrogen, a clean and sustainable energy source, but also captures CO2 in stable, solid-form minerals, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. These minerals hold valuable commercial potential, effectively turning waste into opportunity. Scaling this technology for industrial use can revolutionise waste management, boost green energy production, and substantially reduce carbon emissions. This game-changing approach, in turn, has the power to reshape industries, drive economic growth, and pave the way toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mathematics of Extremes in Random Dynamics for Catastrophic Event Risk. Extreme weather events have become a concern in Australia over the last decade due to their lasting impact on our nation’s resilience, economic stability, and wellbeing. Catastrophic weather events are characterised by runs of extreme weather: for example, consecutive days of extremes in temperature or rainfall drive cold-spells, heatwaves, or flooding. By establishing statistical principles, such as probability distributions called extreme value laws, this project will provide mathematical tools to accurately model magnitudes and returns of future catastrophic weather events across Australia. These mathematical tools will have vast implications for policy decisions concerning community health, energy demand, and resilience infrastructure. Field of research: 4904 - Pure Mathematics The impacts of extreme weather events on Australia's communities and economy are already being felt. In the coming decades, extreme events will become more frequent and more intense. Catastrophic weather events are characterised by both simultaneous extremes (high-impact bushfires result from very hot and dry conditions combined with high wind), and runs of persistent extreme weather (many consecutive days of extreme rainfall exacerbate flooding). In the last decade, damage from catastrophic weather events in Australia have resulted in over $3.7B per year in insurance claims and over 7000 excess hospitalisations due to heatwaves. Statistical principles known as extreme value laws have long sought to quantify the likelihood these extreme events. Existing techniques are not fit-for-purpose because they cannot describe the simultaneous extremes nor persistent extremes that characterise very high-impact events. Equally problematic is the inaccuracy of existing methods, which are not designed to capture the nonstationary, time-dependent behaviour exhibited by complex processes such as the weather and climate. This project will develop targeted extreme value laws designed for simultaneous and persistent extremes in time-dependent processes to accurately predict the magnitudes and frequencies of future catastrophic weather events across Australia. The resulting statistical tools will be applied to historical weather and climate data to provide valuable planning policy information.

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

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

Battery-free IoT-Based Sensing and Control for Protected Cropping . This project pioneers battery-free Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for protected cropping, integrating energy-harvesting sensors, data-driven analytics, and adaptive climate control to optimise plant growth while minimising energy and water use. By enabling real-time, self-sustaining monitoring and automation, it enhances efficiency, sustainability, and scalability in urban farming. The outcomes will reduce operational costs, improve food security, and lower environmental impact, supporting Australia’s Net Zero goals. With strong industry collaboration, this research will position Australia at the forefront of smart farming innovation, driving the global transition to sustainable, high-tech agriculture. Field of research: 4606 - Distributed Computing and Systems Software Australia faces increasing pressure to produce food more sustainably and efficiently amid climate challenges and growing urbanisation. This project addresses these needs by developing battery-free Internet of Things (IoT) technology that integrates energy-harvesting sensors, data-driven analytics, and automated environmental control for protected cropping. By optimising plant growth while significantly reducing energy and water consumption, this innovation will enhance food security, lower agricultural costs, and minimise environmental impact. Beyond research, the project fosters strong industry collaboration, ensuring practical adoption in commercial urban farms. Partnering with industry leaders, we will facilitate large-scale deployment and commercialisation, strengthening Australia’s position as a global leader in smart farming. The technology’s scalability will drive economic growth in agri-tech, create new job opportunities, and support Australia’s transition to net-zero emissions by reducing reliance on conventional energy-intensive farming methods. By delivering sustainable, cost-effective solutions for urban and regional food production, this project aligns with national priorities in food security, climate resilience, and agricultural innovation. Through industry partnerships and licensing opportunities, it ensures long-term economic and environmental benefits, reinforcing Australia’s leadership in high-tech, sustainable agriculture.

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

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

Preserving trust when communicating uncertainty about rare events . Communicating explanations of how complex environments work is difficult because even our best scientific models are uncertain. When predicted events fail to eventuate, such as catching a disease during a pandemic or your house being flooded, public trust can easily erode reducing subsequent reliance on scientific explanations in decision making. This can lead to both individual and societal problems, such as decreased compliance with public health orders or reduced climate action. Using state-of-the-art psychological theoretical, experimental, and modelling tools, this project aims to understand how to communicate uncertainty while preserving (and/or regaining) people’s trust, and consequently to improve decision outcomes. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology Rare events are, by their very nature, hard to predict. Knowing when the next pandemic might strike, a cyclone might make landfall, or another global financial crisis might unfold is very difficult. It is difficult because these events involve many factors that interact in complex ways. In other words, they are inherently uncertain. Scientists, and policymakers are often left with an impossible choice when asked to weigh in on such issues: venture a specific prediction and risk losing people’s trust if it turns out to be wrong, or admit to the uncertainty inherent in their understanding and risk losing people’s trust for “not knowing anything” – as happened following the COVID-19 pandemic (Commonwealth of Australia, COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report, 2024). This project aims to understand how to communicate uncertainty while preserving (and/or regaining) people’s trust. It will use innovative methods that identify the ‘sweet-spot’ for maintaining trust while acknowledging uncertainty. The research team will leverage their extensive experience working with government, industry and civil society to ensure widespread engagement with stakeholders and dissemination of results. Finding the optimal balance between uncertainty and trust in communication will lead to a better-informed Australian public who will be able to make improved decisions in the face of an increasingly uncertain future.

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.

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

Priming Australia's Deep Tech Ecosytem through Targeted Interventions. Australia's productivity growth is at a 60-year low. Deep tech startups (e.g., in AI, robotics, biotech, quantum computing etc.) are vital for reigniting productivity and addressing structural imbalances in the economy. These startups, powered by university scientific research teams, hold transformative potential but face high technical and market risks that deter private investment. Government-led interventions can help to de-risk these ventures, enabling commercialisation of technology and ecosystem growth. This project applies a rigorous quasi-experimental design to evaluate such interventions, delivering world-first, evidence-based insights on optimal policy design to stimulate the growth of deep tech ecosystems around the world. Field of research: 3502 - Banking, Finance and Investment This project examines how targeted public interventions can strengthen Australia’s deep tech innovation ecosystem, a key enabler of long-term productivity growth, and economic resilience. Deep tech ventures, emerging from scientific research in fields such as quantum computing, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing, face high capital intensity and long development timelines, limiting their ability to attract private investment. Despite Australia’s world-class research institutions, the country continues to underperform in translating research into market-ready innovations. This project evaluates two major public policy initiatives, CSIRO ON and Main Sequence Ventures, designed to bridge this gap. Using novel datasets and causal inference methods, we will assess whether and how these interventions improve startup formation, follow-on VC investment, and ecosystem-wide innovation outcomes. The research will generate evidence to guide future innovation policy, informing how best to structure public support to catalyse high-impact, university research-driven entrepreneurship. Findings will be shared through academic publications, and policy-focused workshops, ensuring they inform government, industry, and universities. This project contributes to national priorities by advancing our understanding of how to translate Australia’s research strength into economic, societal, and strategic value including in areas of emerging relevance to national defence and climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Shining light on a chemical mess: Light-driven programmable networks. This project will develop collections of molecules that reversibly form dynamic functional systems in response to different coloured light with new chemical and physical properties, and programmable lifetimes. The expected outcomes are the development of the first orthogonally addressable self-assembled structures, and systems that will reproducibly evolve to deliver predictably changing reactivity for complex functions, such as for chemical computing. This scientific outcome will build strong international collaborations and enable new capabilities in Australia. The significant benefits of the project will be new light-controlled technology and the training of researchers in the next generation of chemistry. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Human brains process information efficiently using complex networks of interconnected chemical reactions to make decisions, whereas modern computers operate by strict digital calculations, which are energetically expensive to operate. How can we develop computational systems that operate like biological systems? This project will address this knowledge gap by introducing synthetic chemical systems that respond to light signals to process complex data. We will use cutting-edge synthetic and analytical chemistry to design, prepare and operate ‘chemical computers’, bringing new capabilities to Australia in synthetic chemistry, robotics, and automated data processing. The project is closely aligned with the National Science and Research Priorities in transitioning to a net zero future and building a secure and resilient nation by developing skills and expertise in the high-tech industries of the future, especially around designing and studying complex systems. The List of Critical Technologies in the National Interest includes advanced manufacturing and materials technologies, artificial intelligence technologies, advanced information and communication technologies, autonomous systems, robotics, positioning, timing and sensing – all of which align strongly with this project. The outcomes will be new physical technologies for analysing complex chemical systems, and conceptual advances to revolutionise data processing which will deliver future economic benefits for Australia.

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

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.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Engineering immobilised glycan platforms. This project will develop next-generation screening platforms for human-use products by leveraging plasma technology to stably immobilise glycans on substrates, authentically replicating the cell surface glycocalyx. This will enable a reproducible, high-throughput, and cost-effective method for testing interactions with human cells. By moving beyond animal models and cell lines, the platforms overcome key scientific and ethical limitations and advance understanding of glycocalyx-mediated biological responses. The project promotes skills transfer, researcher training and will strengthen Australia’s leadership in biomanufacturing and sustainable economic growth. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering Rigorous testing is critical in developing products for human use, especially in the cosmetic and healthcare sectors. Traditionally, animal models have been used to predict human responses, but ethical concerns and scientific limitations have undermined their reliability as fewer than 10% of products successful in animals show similar results in humans. Likewise, conventional cell culture systems often fail to replicate the complexity of human biology in a scalable, reproducible, and cost-effective way. This has created an urgent need for more accurate, ethical, and human-relevant in vitro screening platforms. This project addresses that need by developing next-generation platforms that stably immobilise glycans onto substrates, authentically mimicking the native glycocalyx, the first point of contact between cells and external products. This innovation enables high-throughput, reproducible, and cost-effective testing of cell surface interactions, accelerating product development and reducing reliance on animal testing. Aligned with national priorities in Advanced Manufacturing and Building a Secure and Resilient Nation, the project will deliver economic and scientific benefits. In partnership with Sydney-based start-up Culturon, it will foster industry-academic collaboration, share findings through high-impact channels, and train the next generation of skilled researchers to strengthen Australia’s biomanufacturing workforce and global competitiveness.