University of New South Wales

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

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

Identification and functional analysis of long noncoding RNAs in cognition. Noncoding RNAs make up the majority of the human genome yet their function is poorly understood. We aim to discover a functional role for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cognition. This will be achieved by identifying candidate lncRNAs associated with cognitive processes in humans, selecting and imaging these lncRNAs in rodents, and then knocking down their activity to demonstrate how they regulate learning, memory and perception. Our project will generate the first comprehensive assessment of spatiotemporal expression of lncRNAs and provide a causal relationship between lncRNAs and cognition. This will have benefits for understanding how lncRNAs contribute to brain function in healthy brains, across development and with ageing. Field of research: 3105 - Genetics Technical advances in molecular biology have enabled significant breakthroughs in understanding the brain and how it works. One example is the human genome project, which highlights the role of 'junk DNA' in brain function. Once thought to be a by-product of evolution, it is increasingly clear that RNA created from these regions of DNA have profound and widespread actions across the brain. The aim of this project is to unravel how one type of RNA known as 'long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)' can influence cognition, learning and memory. Understanding the role of lncRNAs in the brain will advance our basic understanding of how the brain works, and how it adapts and responds to the environment in which we live. This knowledge is important as we search for answers to understand brain changes in an ageing population, and where brain disorders and mental health disorders are an evolving challenge for society.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Bio-enhanced Hydrogen production and CO2 mineralisation. This project pioneers a revolutionary approach to producing Gold Hydrogen while converting industrial CO2 into permanent solid-state storage, harnessing innovative biocatalyst-engineered interactions with olivine. By targeting iron-magnesium bonds, the biocatalyst enables rapid olivine dissolution in an optimised reaction environment leading to substantial hydrogen production through serpentinization. The key objectives include (1) maximise Gold Hydrogen production, (2) accelerate CO2 mineralisation at low temperatures, and (3) enhance carbonation required for industries such as cement manufacturing. This paradigm-shifting approach promises an energy-generating, scalable solution for clean energy production and permanent CO2 sequestration. Field of research: 4019 - Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy By combining the power of natural minerals with microbial innovation, this project aims to accelerate CO2 mineralisation and unlock a sustainable source of clean hydrogen. It addresses a critical challenge in Australia’s climate response of how to safely and permanently store carbon dioxide while developing low-emission energy alternatives. While current carbon capture technologies face limitations around long-term storage and leakage, our research offers a nature-enhanced solution. By leveraging bio-based catalysts to accelerate the reaction between CO2, water, and olivine-rich rocks, abundant across Australia, we aim to rapidly convert CO2 into stable solid minerals, with hydrogen produced as a valuable clean energy by-product. The outcomes of this project have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, repurpose mining waste for environmental benefit, and contribute to the development of a green hydrogen economy. Socially and environmentally, this approach offers a scalable pathway toward cleaner industries and more sustainable energy systems. To ensure broad impact, we will actively engage with policymakers, industry, and communities through public reports, open-access publications, and outreach initiatives. By harnessing the natural potential of Australia’s geology, this project supports the nation’s transition to a low-carbon future delivering both environmental and economic value for generations to come.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

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

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

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.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Durable Recycled Asphalt via Advanced Aging Protocols and Binder Chemistry. This project aims to improve the long-term performance of asphalt made with high recycled content by developing ageing protocols and optimising binder rejuvenation strategies. The project will use innovative laboratory simulations and advanced chemical imaging techniques to better understand how recycled and virgin materials interact. It will create performance-based tools for accurately predicting pavement durability under Australian conditions. Expected outcomes include new test methods, mix design guidelines, and predictive models. This project will enable road agencies to use more recycled materials in asphalt safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively, supporting national goals for carbon reduction and circular infrastructure. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering Australia produces around 10 million tonnes of asphalt each year, much of which is resurfaced or replaced, generating large volumes of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). However, current practice typically limits RAP use to about 30% in new asphalt due to concerns about durability and uncertainty over how well rejuvenating agents restore aged materials. As a result, valuable resources go underused, and more virgin bitumen, which emits 530 to 616 kg of CO₂ per tonne, is consumed. With road construction being one of the largest material consumers in Australia, improving RAP utilisation offers a major opportunity to reduce both environmental and economic impact at scale. This project will fill a critical research gap by developing laboratory ageing protocols tailored to Australian road conditions and using advanced chemical imaging to understand binder rejuvenation performance and compatibility. These innovations will support the safe use of up to 50% RAP in new asphalt. Based on national estimates, this shift could reduce virgin bitumen use by up to a third and cut asphalt production costs by 15–20%. Benefits include lower construction and maintenance costs, reduced emissions, and diverting thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill. Outcomes will be directly translated into road design tools and updated state specifications. Engagement with Transport for NSW and industry will ensure broad adoption, supporting Australia’s goals for net-zero emissions and a circular economy.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

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

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Data-driven catchment monitoring to protect our water future. This project proposes to develop innovative methods to unify and harmonise data on catchment health to enable better water management under a changing climate. The project will combine an innovative virtual catchment laboratory approach with cutting edge statistical and data driven methods for dealing with missing data and diverse sources of catchment knowledge such as in situ data and remotely sensed data. Efficient and effective data collection is vital for balancing the needs of water managers to understand changing threats to catchments in time and space. In partnership with WaterNSW, the project will inform updated catchment health dashboards and improve catchment management in New South Wales. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering This project addresses a critical national challenge: safeguarding Australia’s drinking water catchments amid escalating pressures from climate change, land use change, and urbanisation. By developing an innovative, data-driven framework to quantify catchment health and its uncertainty, this research will directly enhance the capacity of WaterNSW—custodian of two-thirds of the state’s water supply—to manage and protect vital water resources. The project aligns with the Australian Government’s National Science and Research Priority “Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment,” specifically targeting improved environmental data collection and predictive tools for ecosystem change. The proposed research delivers high return on investment by leveraging existing infrastructure, data, and partnerships. It will produce actionable tools for operational decision-making, reduce long-term treatment costs, and improve resilience to climate extremes. The collaboration between leading universities and WaterNSW ensures that outcomes are both scientifically robust and practically implementable—delivering enduring benefits to Australia’s water security, public health, and environmental sustainability.

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

Nanofluidic modulation for precision molecular separations. This project aims to tackle the fundamental challenge in engineering precise membrane selectivity for energy-efficient chemical separations by leveraging recent breakthroughs in atomically thin membranes. It seeks to develop theoretical frameworks and practical methods to create and modulate perfectly aligned nanopores, having suppressed non-ideal size distributions, achieving sub-angstrom precision in molecular separations from complex mixtures. Expected outputs include novel nanoporous materials, a modern kinetic network model of rate-limiting molecular transport, and an innovative electro-membrane process. The project should drive innovations in precision chemical separations, promoting sustainability and supporting a circular economy. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia’s resource and manufacturing industries contribute over $260 billion annually to the national economy. As the nation moves toward a circular economy, resilient supply chains, and decarbonised energy systems, access to purified chemicals and materials—from both conventional and complex waste streams—becomes increasingly critical. Yet, current separation processes are highly energy-intensive and further strained by rising energy costs, with a notable research gap in reducing energy consumption for these processes. This project aims to develop advanced nanopore membrane technology for the energy-efficient, selective removal of single molecular species from complex mixtures. By enabling predictive membrane design, this innovation will transform separation science across the resource, chemical, water, and manufacturing sectors, while strengthening Australia’s leadership in membrane and separation technologies. Aligned with Australian Government priorities in low-emissions technologies and value-added manufacturing, the project will build fundamental expertise in sustainable chemical engineering. Research outcomes will be shared through course modules to train the next generation of engineers and scientists. This work will drive the long-term transformation of separation technologies, support advanced manufacturing, and promote the net-zero transition and circular economy through sustainable, energy-efficient processes.

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

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

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Understanding cellular adaptation in microgravity with bioengineering tools. As humanity ventures further into space, understanding how cells adapt to microgravity is essential to expand the fundamental knowledge of life beyond Earth. This project will investigate how the absence of gravity alters key biological processes, including cell migration, tissue remodelling, and barrier function—essential for how cells organize, communicate, and adapt to their environment. Using advanced bioengineered models and microfluidic systems, we will identify gravity-sensitive pathways that drive cellular adaptation in extreme conditions. These discoveries will challenge current biological paradigms and redefine our understanding of how mechanical forces shape life in ways never before explored. Field of research: 4003 - Biomedical Engineering Space exploration is advancing rapidly, with NASA, ESA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin investing heavily in long-term missions beyond Earth. As Australia seeks to expand its role in the global space sector, understanding how cells adapt to microgravity is critical. Microgravity disrupts fundamental biological processes, affecting cell function, tissue organization, and adaptation, yet we still lack a complete understanding of its effects. This research will fill that gap using bioengineered models and microfluidic systems to study how cells respond to extreme environments, positioning Australia at the forefront of space biology and mechanobiology research. The global space industry is rapidly expanding, creating opportunities for Australia to strengthen its position in this high-growth sector. By investing in space life sciences and mechanobiology, this research will contribute to Australia’s technological advancement, innovation, and workforce development. The insights gained will enhance national research capabilities and create new commercial opportunities. This project will also foster global collaborations, interdisciplinary expertise, and training opportunities for young researchers, ensuring Australia remains a leader in space research and biotechnology. Supporting this work is an investment in Australia's scientific future, securing its role in space exploration and the industries of tomorrow.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Semiconductor Device Characterisation with Second Harmonic Generation. This project aims to advance optical metrology and spectroscopy for characterising semiconductor devices by developing new applications of second-harmonic generation. It will enhance measurement techniques for silicon-based materials and extend their use to emerging systems such as perovskites and two-dimensional materials. The project will develop time-resolved methods to improve precision and insight into material properties. Expected outcomes include improved device performance analysis and expanded industrial applications. This will benefit the microelectronics and photovoltaics (solar cells) sectors by enabling more efficient and scalable material characterisation. Field of research: 5104 - Condensed Matter Physics Semiconductor devices are essential to modern life, powering everything from solar panels to smartphones. However, their performance depends heavily on the quality of the materials used, particularly at the interfaces where different materials meet. This project addresses a critical gap in how these interfaces are analyzed by developing a new, non-contact optical spectroscopy technique that can analyse both traditional silicon and emerging materials like perovskites. By improving how we assess material quality, the project will help Australian manufacturers produce more efficient, reliable, and affordable electronic and renewable energy technologies. This will support economic growth, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen Australia’s position in the global semiconductor industry. The research will be promoted through partnerships with industry, public outreach, and collaboration with government and manufacturing sectors to ensure the technology is adopted and benefits are realised across the community.

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

Examining Place-Based Investment Models through Civic Wealth Creation... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Advancing Plastic Recycling through Computational Catalyst Design Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Smart Fertiliser Technologies for Sustainable Farming. This project aims to develop next-generation nanofertilisers for sustainable agriculture by engineering sprayable nanoparticles for foliar nutrient delivery. The project introduces an innovative platform that enables precise, controlled release of macro- and micronutrients directly onto crop leaves. By integrating materials science, plant biology, and industrial-scale processing, the project will enhance nutrient uptake, reduce fertiliser loss, and improve crop yield. Expected outcomes include scalable formulations with improved efficiency, benefiting the fertiliser industry, reducing environmental impact, and strengthening Australia’s agricultural resilience. Field of research: 4018 - Nanotechnology Australian agriculture loses over $1.8 billion worth of nitrogen fertiliser annually due to inefficient delivery methods that result in nutrient leaching, evaporation, and runoff. These losses not only reduce crop productivity but also contribute to environmental problems such as waterway pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This project addresses a critical national challenge by developing advanced nanofertilisers that deliver nutrients directly through plant leaves with greater precision and significantly reduced waste. By partnering with leading Australian fertiliser manufacturer, Troforte Innovations, this research will help create affordable, sprayable nanofertilisers that improve crop yields, reduce fertiliser use by up to 30 percent, and lower environmental impacts. The outcomes of this project will strengthen Australia’s agricultural productivity, lower input costs for farmers, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term food security. It directly aligns with national priorities in sustainable agriculture, soil health, and emissions reduction. By enabling smarter, cleaner fertiliser technologies, this research will help build a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector that benefits the economy, environment, and rural communities across Australia.

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

Aerothermoelastic scaling: from wind tunnel to flight Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Sewer Ventilation. Ventilation is a key component of urban sewer networks, used to control unpleasant odours and protect public health. However, these systems also release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere, a potent greenhouse gas with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Because methane is present in low concentrations in sewer ventilation air, it is hard to abate using current technologies. This project aims to develop a new, low-energy solution to convert methane into carbon dioxide using innovatively designed biofilm interfaces and to achieve highly efficient sewer ventilation air methane abatement. The outcomes will support proactive emission management and establish a scalable technology for zero-emission targets. Field of research: 4004 - Chemical Engineering In Australia, reaching zero-emission wastewater services by 2030 is a key objective for water utilities. Methane emissions from urban sewer ventilation practices present a significant challenge in urban areas. At present, a lack of cost-effective solutions remains for cost-effectively removing methane in sewer ventilation. This project tackles this research gap by developing an innovative solution that utilises recent discoveries in gas diffusion and reaction design. Through laboratory-controlled experiments and field investigations, we will develop and validate the effectiveness and scalability of the proposed technology. The project promises considerable environmental and social benefits for Australians by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To maximise the research impact and technology adoption, this project will actively promote research findings beyond academia through public outreach, industry partnerships, and media engagement, that is, i.e., a strategy ensures that research outcomes are widely understood, utilised, and integrated into practical applications, benefiting Australian communities and contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Leveraging Novel Microbial Process for Low-Emission Wastewater Treatment. This project aims to develop a transformative wastewater treatment process to support global net-zero goals by leveraging our breakthrough discovery of the metabolic regulations of complete ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (comammox). Comammox can be regulated to integrate seamlessly with anaerobic ammonium oxidation bacteria, forming an innovative COMANAMMOX process. By addressing fundamental critical barriers in microbial co-enrichment, metabolic interactions, and nitrous oxide regulations, the project seeks to create a practical, low-emission solution for wastewater treatment. The COMANAMMOX process is expected to reduce GHG emissions by 80%, energy consumption by 50%, and operational costs by 30%, redefining sustainable wastewater management. Field of research: 3107 - Microbiology This project will advance Australian capability to deliver low-emission and energy-efficient wastewater treatment by developing a novel microbial process. Wastewater treatment is a critical public service, but it is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide, and a major consumer of electricity. By uncovering the ecological mechanisms and operational strategies underpinning the newly discovered COMANAMMOX process, which harnesses cooperative interactions between recently discovered comammox and anammox bacteria, this research aims to reduce both emissions and energy use in wastewater treatment systems. The project contributes to Australian climate goals and supports the water sector transitioning toward net-zero emissions, addressing key national environmental and infrastructure challenges. It will also enhance Australian scientific standing by generating new knowledge in microbial nitrogen cycling, an area central to both engineered systems and natural ecosystems. In partnership with Australian utilities, the project will ensure that outcomes are relevant and practical for industry translation. Research findings will be communicated through industry workshops, public engagement, and training opportunities for early-career researchers and students, helping to maximise the environmental, economic, and societal benefits. This work supports the development of more sustainable and climate-resilient wastewater management across Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

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

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

The Economics of Limited Computational Capacity. It has long been understood that limits on computational capacity are an important constraint on human choice. And while economists and psychologists have made significant progress in documenting the existence and implications of systematic biases, there has not been a canonical approach to how limits on human computational capacity affect information-processing and choice. This project will fill that gap. The project will apply recent foundational work which provides a rich but tractable model of human cognition, to important pure and applied questions in microeconomics which have implications for individual and group decision-making, business productivity, and the political process. Field of research: 3803 - Economic Theory Individual and group choices are at the heart of all economic interactions. These range from personal and household consumption decisions, to how firms are structured and organised, to how firms produce. These choices have significant implications for the wellbeing of individuals and households, and also for the productivity and profitability of firms. Naturally these are much-studied questions with a long intellectual history in economics. In recent decades, however, there has been a major update to our understanding of these questions from the field of behavioural economics (sometimes called "psychology and economics). This has come chiefly from scholars documenting "systematic biases" in how choices are made. Yet there is a limited understanding of what underlying mechanisms lead to those biases, and hence how they can be ameliorated. By providing a canonical approach to how limits on human computational capacity affect information-processing and choice this project will aid our understanding of how better choices can be made by individuals, households, and firms. This has major implications for Australian households and firms. By providing a better understanding of choice, we provide a framework leading to better choices. The has economic benefits ranging from increasing household incomes to macroeconomic productivity. The CIs have well-documented capability at dissemination to both academic and popular audiences--through journal articles, books, and newspaper articles.

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

Can artificial enzymes that are more versatile than natural enzymes? Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Large-scale multiplexed microwave readout of spin-based quantum computers. This project aims to develop scalable technology for reading the states of millions of quantum bits in a quantum computer made from spins in silicon. The project will use an innovative approach based on high kinetic inductance superconductors to miniaturise the readout circuitry and perform ultra-low noise amplification of the probe signals, permitting integration and allowing high levels of readout precision. Expected outcomes include new physical readout components (resonators and amplifiers), as well as designs for their deployment in a large-scale quantum computer. This project will solve a significant challenge on the path to building a spin-based quantum computer, helping to unlock a new multi-billion-dollar local industry. Field of research: 5108 - Quantum Physics Quantum computing is predicted to unlock trillions of dollars of global economic value by 2035 through enabling revolutionary applications in sectors like healthcare and defence. It has been identified by the Australian government as a critical technology through the National Quantum Strategy. However, current quantum computers are not large enough to be economically valuable. This project will help build commercially relevant quantum computers in Australia by resolving a critical issue preventing their scaling, namely, how to read information from millions of quantum bits in a large-scale system. This will be achieved by utilising superconducting circuit technology to miniaturise components and radically improve readout accuracy. A key outcome of the project is the development of new hardware and techniques that enable quantum computers to scale. The technology will be utilised by Australian quantum computing company Diraq to build their first commercial system. This system will be powerful enough to bring significant benefits to all Australians, through facilitating the design of new pharmaceuticals, materials, and aiding the creation of decarbonisation technologies. The project will ensure these benefits are realised in Australia by generating and protecting crucial intellectual property and translating the technology into future domestic quantum computers. Outcomes will be shared with the public via the media and attendance of industry and end-user focused conferences.