UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

The role of IL-4 as a key regulator of CD8 T cell response development. This project aims to investigate how the cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4 ) regulates CD8 T cell immunity. T cells are essential for immunity and can be divided into CD8 and CD4 subsets. IL-4 plays a major role in tailoring CD4 T cell responses, but its role in CD8 T cell responses is largely unexplored. Recently, we identified key effects of IL-4 on CD8 T cells: enhancing proliferation, promoting differentiation, and improving survival. However, little is known about their underlying biology. This important knowledge gap will be addressed using gene profiling, genetic engineering, and cellular techniques. Basic knowledge of how IL-4 regulates CD8 T cell immunity will open future pathways to health (animal and human) and economic benefits. Field of research: 3204 - Immunology Exposure of vertebrates to disease-causing agents such as viruses initiates processes within cells that control infections and develops cellular memory to prevent future infections. This is the basis of how vaccines work. We have discovered that a specific molecular signal can positively affect this cellular process, improving its strength, dissipation and persistence. This project aims to define how this signal improves each of these components, to then use this knowledge to develop improved cellular programs for initiating strong, well directed and persistent cellular memory and hence protection from infection. Outcomes of this work could include the ability to improve the magnitude, quality and duration of vaccine generated protection, thus improving veterinary and other vaccines, or guide future research into mitigating harmful immune responses. These principles are applicable to a broad range of applications including vaccine development and immunotherapy and could benefit the Australian biotechnology sector. The outcomes will be communicated through conference presentations, open access publications, and press releases. This project will provide specific benefits to students and mid-career investigators who will receive exceptional training towards becoming future Australian scientific leaders, and mentoring to help establish them as independent investigators and extend their links to established international networks.

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

Liquid biopsy multi-omic approaches to optimise precision medicine in... Category: Medical Research

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

Advanced Polymers for Heritage Conservation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Commercial Determinants of Equity in Lung Cancer: A Mixed-Methods... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Breaking Barriers: The Role of the Intestinal Barrier Ageing in Longevity . Food and gastrointestinal (GI) barrier function are central to life and critical for longevity. This project aims to identify cellular and molecular drivers of GI barrier decline and its systemic consequences and to examine how macronutrients shape GI barrier architecture and physiology over a lifetime, providing novel insights into interactions between diet and ageing. Using molecular, biochemical, and proteomic techniques, this project expects to identify basic mechanisms of ageing, offering a fundamental understanding of how in the aged GI barrier shapes systemic physiology, nutrition, and organismal homeostasis. The outcomes of this work may guide future innovations in nutritional science and strategies to optimize ageing trajectories. Field of research: 3202 - Clinical Sciences The gastrointestinal (GI) barrier is critical for nutrient absorption, immune regulation, and microbial balance, yet how it changes with age and impacts longevity remains poorly understood. We know that GI barrier dysfunction is linked to inflammation, microbial imbalances, and nutrient malabsorption - key drivers of ageing. However, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning these changes, and how diet influences these processes, are unclear. This project will identify the biological processes driving GI barrier decline, elucidating the mechanisms by which GI barrier ageing progresses at a cellular and molecular level and determine how macronutrient composition influences these biological processes. With Australia’s ageing population projected to grow significantly over the next few decades, understanding the mechanisms of GI ageing is essential. Insights from this study could shape dietary guidelines, inform public health strategies, and support innovations in food and nutraceutical industries to promote longevity and reduce age-related disease burden. To maximise impact, we will share findings through open-access publications and engagement with health professionals, industry partners, and policymakers. Media outreach and public seminars will help translate findings into actionable health recommendations. This research has the potential to improve quality of life for Australians as they age, helping them maintain independence and wellbeing for longer.

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

Novel Neurobiological Treatment Mechanisms in Eating Disorders Category: Medical Research

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

Why the robot crossed the road: can AI perform believable comedy? Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Using low-redshift cosmic observables to probe local space-time... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Robotic Trainers for a Skilled Workforce of the Future. This project addresses Australia’s skilled labour shortage by developing robotic tools for human skilled worker training, paving the way for a robot-augmented workforce. It tackles the key challenge of a robot’s inability to quantify task difficulty for individuals and how such difficulty can be modulated through robotic assistance. The project thus constructs task difficulty models, develops optimised multimodal feedback to convey information to humans, and integrates these into a robotic training platform that adapts to facilitate skill learning. By addressing labour shortages, boosting productivity, and providing scalable training, it supports critical sectors and more equitable employment. Field of research: 4007 - Control Engineering, Mechatronics and Robotics Australia has a serious shortage of skilled workers as 36% of occupations assessed were in national shortage in 2023. Training skilled workers is slow and labour intensive. Many occupations require human abilities, such as adaptability and decision-making. While robots can be trained to perform tasks, teaching robots have not yet been developed. This project will create “robotic trainers” that will use AI-based learning and clear two-way communication with people to speed up skill-building. Teaching robots will act as instructors to guide, correct, assist, and break down complex tasks into achievable steps for human learners. Training algorithms will estimate and adapt to the skill level of each user in real time. Communication tools will allow for clear and intuitive understanding of robot-training feedback. Project findings will be shared with training providers, government, and industry through workshops, media, and seminars, to guide workforce development policies that will strengthen our competitive edge. Using robot trainers to upskill our workforce has many economic and social benefits for Australia. Robotics trainers will boost productivity, safety, and resilience across Australian workplaces. They will lower overall costs of training and standardise access to high-quality, hands-on learning. This will build a future-ready workforce, increase efficiency, and drive innovation in sectors such as construction, advanced manufacturing and agriculture.

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

A VRE concerning threat: unravelling the mechanisms of daptomycin... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate memory T cell fate. This proposal seeks to uncover the key cellular processes driving effective T cell-mediated immunity. Immune protection relies on the formation of specialized T cell subsets, each with distinct roles. This proposal will leverage discoveries made by our investigative team, advanced expertise, cutting-edge technology, and multidisciplinary collaborations, to explore the mechanisms behind the differentiation of these memory T cell subsets. The outcomes of this proposal will advance knowledge in T cell biology and accelerate life science research in Australia. Given the relevance of T cell biology across all vertebrates, the findings could have broad applications, supporting conservation efforts, biosecurity, and agricultural innovation. Field of research: 3204 - Immunology Our immune system depends on specialized T cell subsets, each playing a unique role in immune defence. While some T cells circulate in blood, others remain stationed at body surfaces as local guardians, called tissue-resident memory T cells. These stationary T cells provide long-term protection in previously infected tissues. However, the mechanisms driving the development of these distinct T cell types remain insufficiently understood. This project will investigate the mechanisms governing T cell fate, by leveraging cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and building on key discoveries made by our team. By defining how memory T cells develop and function, we aim to reveal new fundamental principles of immune regulation. These insights have wide-reaching implications, and in the long term may inform vaccine design and enhance Australia’s biosecurity and conservation strategies. To maximize impact, we will disseminate findings through open-access publications, engage with the public and media (e.g. media releases, radio, public events, social media) and foster industry partnerships. Additionally, our proposal will also create a robust training environment for junior scientists, promoting knowledge exchange and reinforcing Australia’s leadership in T cell research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

The evolution of biological rates in a warming ocean. Marine phytoplankton fix 50% of the world's carbon, while their predators (copepods) sequester 30% of that carbon: together these species drive marine carbon cycles and food-webs. Predictive models of global warming assume that key physiological and demographic rates in these groups are fixed; but in reality, these are likely to evolve. This project will use an experimental evolution approach to explore how temperature dependencies in biological rates evolve under warming, and the consequences of this evolution for the population and community dynamics of Australian phytoplankton and copepods. The intended outcomes of this project will be a new framework for estimating how blue carbon dynamics will change in Australian marine ecosystems. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Australia’s marine environment is experiencing change more rapidly than most places on Earth, and our native marine fauna must adapt to these new conditions. Together, marine phytoplankton (microscopic plants) and their predators (copepods) are responsible for sequestering much of the world’s carbon; they underpin marine food-webs, ultimately supporting the world’s fisheries and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Despite their ecological importance, we know surprisingly little about how these species will adapt to global changes. This project will explore how several species of Australian phytoplankton and copepods respond to future thermal scenarios, and how evolution in these species will impact the functioning of marine populations, communities and food-webs. By focusing on native species, this project will provide direct benefits for the Australian marine environment and commercial marine economy. This project will provide information essential for futureproofing Australia’s $3.6 billion fisheries industry, and will deliver a novel framework that will allow a more robust and accurate accounting of Australia’s marine carbon sequestration potential under future climates. We will communicate our findings directly to stakeholders via our existing links with marine industry partners and government agencies to inform policy regarding sustainable fisheries and net carbon targets.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Improving the wellbeing and retention of early-career teachers in Australia. This project aims to advance understanding of ways to promote wellbeing and retention in early-career teachers, who are amongst the professionals with the highest levels of stress and turnover. The project expects to generate new knowledge of how teachers use proactive strategies such as job crafting and playful work design to optimize their job demands and resources, and test whether such interventions can draw on artificial intelligence to support teachers during the early-career stages. Expected outcomes include the generation of novel insight of approaches to support teachers as they begin their careers. Benefits include improving the wellbeing and retention of early-career teachers in Australia. Field of research: 5201 - Applied and Developmental Psychology Teachers are a critical workforce. Yet, due to intense job demands, they are among the professionals with the highest rates of stress, burnout, and turnover in the developed world. Retaining new teachers who enter the profession is an urgent challenge that will help to prevent an impending teacher shortage. While policy-level solutions are often discussed, this project explores novel strategies based on employee proactive behaviour as complementary ways to mitigate these issues. Our team of world-leading experts will conduct a series of studies to determine the extent to which a range of proactive behavioural strategies may help early-career teachers to optimise their job demands and resources, and in turn, enhance their wellbeing and retention. The project will have social and economic benefits for Australia by determining whether novel approaches that are led by employees themselves can improve the working lives of early-career teachers. This will also help relieve the substantial estimated $4.25 billion annual national replacement cost caused by the premature departure of teachers from the profession. Importantly, to enable maximum impact on teacher wellbeing and retention, the research findings will be translated into practical resources that are shared with education policymakers and schools, including free training sessions, workshops, online modules, and instructional materials. Schools and student learning will be boosted by enhanced retention of teacher talent.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Making a habitable planet: tracking Earth’s thermostat with marine sediment. Earth’s rock cycle controls the long-term carbon cycle, keeping our climate stable and our planet habitable. However, the geological processes behind this are not well understood, especially for periods of extreme climate change. This project will use interdisciplinary, data- and model-based methods to reconstruct the links between climate, tectonics, and the carbon cycle through ‘snowball Earth’; Earth's most severe climate change event. Expected outcomes include a new record of Australia’s ancient climate extremes and better understanding of long term climate. The project contributes to fundamental science–the history of Earth and life–but also may provide context for geological approaches to address our current climate crisis. Field of research: 3705 - Geology The cycling of carbon and silicon by the global rock cycle acts as Earth’s natural thermostat, controlling Earth’s long-term climate and the broader habitability of our planet. By tracking this cycle through episodes of past extreme climate change using the sedimentary rock record, this project aims to uncover Australia’s past climate history and add to our understanding of the broader controls on Earth’s climate systems. The findings could help develop our understanding of geological solutions for future climate mitigation, benefitting the Australian environment. The project will also provide long-term data and environmental context around previous intervals of rapid climate change to support Australia’s Net Zero targets. Research outcomes will be promoted through a broad program of science outreach including the development of lesson plans on Earth’s long-term climate for Australian schools. The data developed during this project will be publicly available and we aim to use the project to generate a workflow for storing and sharing Australia’s sedimentary rocks.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Regeneration and plasticity of lymphatic vasculature. Lymphatic vasculature forms complex networks essential for the function of vertebrate tissues and organs. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that control embryonic development of lymphatics are well characterised. By contrast, lymphatic regeneration has gone largely unstudied because mammals cannot regenerate entire lymphatic networks. We have discovered that zebrafish lymphatics regenerate from near complete loss to form extensive vessel networks. This project will define mechanisms of lymphatic regeneration for the first time. It will generate fundamental knowledge and open up a new field of investigation. By expanding regenerative biology, this project will have major outcomes and implications in tissue engineering, repair and aging. Field of research: 3105 - Genetics In vertebrate animals, a network of lymphatic vessels (thin walled, bloodless vasculature) underpins healthy tissue growth and function. Lymphatic vessels control tissue fluid balance and immune responses. In mammals, lymphatic vascular networks do not regenerate following large scale loss. We have discovered that some vertebrate species can regenerate their lymphatic vasculature, but there are fundamental gaps in our understanding of how this regeneration process is controlled and why it does not occur in mammals. This project will generate fundamental knowledge in a new area of biology that will inform future efforts to promote vascular regeneration. Unlocking new knowledge in the control of lymphatic vascular regeneration has potential to lead to innovations in organ and tissue repair and regenerative biology. In the future, this work may generate innovative approaches in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Longer-term outcomes may help people keep working and participating in social activities as they age through new tissue repair and future regenerative biology applications. The project will build cutting-edge research capacity in Australia through training scientists in world-class molecular and cellular biology of vasculature and tissue regeneration. We will promote our findings through publication in journals with suitable open access policies, presentations at leading international conferences, press releases and through social media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Investigating gravitational lensing in cosmology with numerical relativity. This project aims to perform the first rigorous study of cosmological lensing from first principles in general relativity. Light from distant sources is bent by massive objects in its path as it travels towards our telescopes. The complexity of the equations involved forces cosmologists to use approximations to simplify calculations. This project aims to remove all common approximations for gravity via a numerical-relativity based framework. This project expects to generate new knowledge in how well the accuracy of standard theoretical models can match the high precision of future cosmological data. Expected outcomes include potential solutions to current tensions in observations compared to theory; without the need for new, exotic physics. Field of research: 5101 - Astronomical Sciences In Einstein’s theory of general relativity, space behaves as a sort of fabric which curves in response to massive objects in the Universe. This curvature impacts the path of light, causing the images of galaxies we take with our telescopes to be slightly distorted. This effect is known as cosmological lensing (or simply ‘lensing’). Measurements of lensing contain a huge amount of information about how matter is distributed in the Universe and the nature of gravity itself. However, as Einstein’s theory is very complex, many approximations and simplifications are made when performing calculations. This research addresses an important research gap by modelling the Universe using an advanced computational method called numerical relativity, which removes common simplifications for gravity completely. Using galaxy data from new telescopes and observations of the oldest light in the Universe, this research will study lensing without approximations for the first time. This will secure Australia’s place as a leader in cutting-edge cosmological research, as well as generating economic and social benefits by training young Australians in highly sought after skills such as software development, data analysis, critical thinking, and communication. Public outreach through traditional and social media channels and public talks will also provide social benefits through stimulating broad interest in science, encouraging future generations to pursue an education in science and technology.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Take the money and run: understanding decisions to cash out of a risky bet. In recent years, the advent of smartphone and internet gambling has dramatically changed the gambling products that are available to consumers. Present-day gambling involves decisions that are far more dynamic and immersive than the static and slow-paced gambling decisions traditionally studied in cognitive psychology, and current cognitive theories are therefore of limited use in explaining contemporary gambling decisions. This project we will develop a novel research paradigm that yields fine-grained behavioural data on how people make decisions when faced with contemporary gambling products. Our specific focus is on constructing a theoretical framework for understanding the widespread ‘instant cash out’ feature of contemporary gambling. Field of research: 5204 - Cognitive and Computational Psychology The growth of online and mobile sports-betting platforms has substantially changed the ways that Australians gamble. Digital platforms provide a range of new betting features that are poorly understood and under-regulated, and that have contributed to a rise in gambling-related harm in the community. In this project we will study instant cash-out, an online gambling feature that allows users to receive an immediate payout from their bets even before the event they have bet on has concluded. Little is known about the cognitive processes that motivate individuals to cash out and, although there is correlational evidence linking cash-out usage with increased gambling-related harm, the causality of this relationship remains unclear. The absence of this evidence presents a major challenge for developing effective regulation of instant cash-out. This project will use a combination of controlled experimental research and longitudinal observational research to fill these evidence gaps. Findings from this program of research will shape future regulation of instant cash-out, thereby reducing gambling-related harm in the community, and will also illuminate the cognitive processes underlying dynamic financial decision making more broadly. Results will be presented to Australian and international policymakers and regulators through policy briefs and position statements, and will contribute to increased awareness and understanding of modern gambling products in the general public.

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

Breaking the rules of T cell biology to improve cancer treatment Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Investigating Splenic Fibroblasts in Monocyte Trafficking and Activation. Monocytes are immune cells essential for antimicrobial defence that are rapidly recruited to inflamed tissues and differentiate into distinct lineages to support the control of the threat. However, how monocytes integrate the myriads of signals that delineate their discrete cellular fate remain poorly understood. We have been at the forefront of identifying the nurturing niches that regulate immune cellular fates. This project aims at deciphering the nature of the niches that monocytes rely on in infected tissues for their positioning and activation using cutting-edge techniques. The research will generate valuable intellectual property and insights into the regulation of monocyte fate, enhancing Australia’s global leadership in immunology. Field of research: 3204 - Immunology Our immune system is composed of a variety of immune cells that protect us by ensuring immune health. Immune challenges or threats often originate in one area of the body, requiring defined immune cells to migrate to a defined location. While we understand how immune cells move and get activated, there is still a critical knowledge gap regarding where the signals within affected tissues are derived from and how they influence the behaviour of the incoming immune cells. Solving this issue will advance our understanding of how the immune system orchestrates cells to migrate to the right place at the right time and ultimately restore immune health. For this, we will use experimental mouse models combined with cutting-edge techniques. The outcomes of this project will create valuable opportunities for intellectual property development, industry collaborations, and innovation in the Australian biotechnology sector, driving economic growth through patents, commercial products, and potentially new treatments or preventive measures. To ensure the research reaches and benefits a broad audience beyond academia, findings will be disseminated through high-impact scientific publications and amplified via social media and press releases. Finally, the high-level training of emerging scientific leaders will increase the competitiveness of Australia’s research and biotechnology sectors.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mapping the human polyadenylome at single-cell resolution . Poly- and de-adenylation of messenger RNA is an important means of regulation of protein abundance but remains poorly understood. Cytoplasmic poly(A) tail elongation has been observed in response to viral infection. Advances in sequencing technologies now allow us to map cytoplasmic and nuclear polyadenylation at single cell resolution. In this project we will map mRNA polyadenylation of nasal epithelial organoids at single-cell resolution at resting state as well as with a viral stimulus. This will enable us for the first time to understand the role of poly-adenylation in the immune response. Field of research: 3102 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Polyadenylation is a modification made to messenger RNA (mRNA) that plays a crucial role in controlling when and how proteins are produced. Despite its significance, we still have limited knowledge about how polyadenylation differs between cell types at rest or in response to external stimuli. This project aims to develop a novel approach for measuring polyadenylation at single-cell resolution. Using this approach, we examine the differences in polyadenylation between cells in resting state and in response to external stimuli. We will generate protein expression data using tiny organ-like structures (organoids), enabling us to link changes in polyadenylation with changes in protein abundance. The tools, data and insights generated by this research will be invaluable to scientists working in the synthetic biology industry. The outcomes from this research will enable improvements in manufacture and quality control of synthetic mRNA, which has many downstream applications in food, chemical and medicinal manufacturing. We will share our findings via social and traditional media, and engage with peak industry bodies in the biotechnology sector.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Development and non-immune functions of intestinal regulatory T cells. The gut is an essential organ required for nutrient and water uptake. It is constantly exposed to a broad range of food materials and microbes that colonize the lumen of the gut. It is also home to a diverse array of immune cells including regulatory T-cells that are critical for maintaining tolerance and tissue integrity by repressing deleterious immune responses against these foreign entities. However, developmental pathways and functions of gut Tregs are only partially understood. Based on extensive preliminary data, we will investigate the development of gut Tregs and their interaction with non-immune cells including gut epithelial cells and neurons with the ultimate aim to better understand gut physiology and homeostasis. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology The immune system has evolved to identify and eliminate invading pathogens and other foreign entities. Particularly, in the gastrointestinal tract (gut) there is a need to continuously distinguish between harmless commensals or food and dangerous pathogens. This ability is controlled by a specialized population of immune cells called regulatory T cells (Tregs). We have shown that Tregs are essential to preserve a stable internal environment and microbial balance in the gut; however, how they develop, adapt to the gut environment, and regulate gut function remains poorly known. Using innovative methods including single cell RNA sequencing, imaging and novel cell and rodent models, this multidisciplinary project aims to understand gut-specific developmental pathways of Tregs. We will provide fundamental insights into their function and determine how they control gut physiology and regulate nutrient absorption. Knowledge generated from this project will benefit the Australian biotechnology industry by supporting future development and innovation. This project offers opportunities for high-level training of students and early career researchers, enhancing Australia’s human capital and supporting the education sector. Research findings will be disseminated not only through conference presentations and journal publications, but also by directly engaging with industry leaders as well as through newspapers, social media, and radio interviews aimed at the general public.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Deciphering sympathetic neuro-immune communication. Interactions between the nervous and immune systems are increasingly being recognised for their crucial roles in body homeostasis. How this is achieved is poorly understood. We have discovered a new way in which the immune system regulates the sympathetic nervous system. This project aims to identify the fundamental molecular mechanisms underpinning communication between the immune system and peripheral nervous system. Using cutting-edge technologies we will contribute new knowledge to our limited understanding of how immune responses modulate the activity of neurons. The anticipated outcomes of this project are to build Australia’s research capacity and to generate new knowledge of significance for researchers in academia and industry. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Our body is maintained by two key systems working together: the nervous system and the immune system. Together these systems help our tissues adapt, repair, and protect against infections. How these systems communicate, however is poorly understood. Innovative and recent advances now allow us to study how individual neurons and immune cells talk to each other. Our project aims to identify the molecular mechanisms that enable this communication, specifically between the peripheral sympathetic nervous system (which controls our organs) and the immune system. This research will provide new insights into how these two systems influence each other. The findings from this project could lead to new therapies in the future that improve human and animal health by understanding how to control these neuro-immune systems. This could bring significant social and economic benefits to millions of Australians. Our project will also train Australian scientists in the growing field of neuroimmunology, strengthening Australia's leadership in this area. We'll share our findings through open-access journals and media releases to inform the public and spread knowledge widely.

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

Deciphering and targeting of transcriptional drivers of T cell... Category: Medical Research

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

Investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate memory T cell fate Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Enhancing the Efficacy and Safety of "Armoured" CAR T Cells for Solid... Category: Medical Research