Flinders University

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Molecular Bismuth Catalysts in Hydrogen Evolution Reactions Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Molecular Bismuth Catalysts in Hydrogen Evolution Reactions Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Molecular Bismuth Catalysts in Hydrogen Evolution Reactions Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Mechano-driven decomposition of water to hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Mechano-driven decomposition of water to hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Bad Vibrations: Understanding how noise pollution affects soil health Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2026 · 2026-02

Bad Vibrations: Understanding how noise pollution affects soil health Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

A Quantum Computing-Based Demonstrator for Remote Community Energy... Category: Technology

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

Strategies for engaging vulnerable young men in health and social... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Strategies for engaging vulnerable young men in health and social... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

The first global currency: tracing early Indian Ocean cowrie shell networks. This project will apply innovative methods in archaeological science to investigate how cowrie shell money from the Maldives—the first global currency—emerged and sustained globe-spanning trade networks for millennia. It will deliver socio-cultural benefits by shedding light on the deep history of trade in our region and generating a better understanding and appreciation of the role of our Indo-Pacific partners in early global trade. The project seeks to engage with communities in India and the Maldives, strengthening regional relationships through collaboration and capacity building. To maximise impact, major findings will be disseminated through an international online exhibition to enhance global cultural awareness. Field of research: 4301 - Archaeology As an Indian Ocean nation, Australia’s prosperity and security rely on strong regional ties. Despite the Indian Ocean’s millennial role in global trade, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how culturally diverse communities navigated early trade relationships. This research will address these gaps by: (1) applying innovative archaeological techniques, and (2) engaging with communities in India and the Maldives to investigate how cowrie shell money — the first standardised currency — emerged and sustained globe-spanning trade networks for thousands of years. This project aligns with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India (2020), which led to the establishment of the Centre for Australia-India Relations (2023) to develop community and cultural ties. Field and analytical research will provide direct opportunities for capacity building in India and the Maldives, particularly in advanced analytical techniques (e.g., geochemistry, archaeological science) and heritage and tourism development. These contributions will strengthen regional relationships and support a more resilient Indian Ocean. To maximise impact beyond academia, findings will be disseminated through multilingual media, an open-access digital database, curricula materials for Australian schools, and an international online exhibition to enhance global cultural awareness.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration. Australia is gripped by a reincarceration crisis with 70,000 people exiting prison each year and half returning within two years of release. Using a strengths-based, First Nations and industry led approach, this Centre aims to fundamentally transform how prisoner reintegration is envisaged, practiced and achieved at scale. Expected outcomes include a world-first national database of successful reintegration scenarios, new metrics for measuring success, tools for building social licence, training of a world-class generation of researchers, and enhanced levels of social inclusion. With Australia's annual correctional budget approaching $7B, the Centre should deliver a major return on investment via real improvements in post-prison pathways. Field of research: 4402 - Criminology For several decades, nearly half of the people released from prisons in Australia have returned within two years. Australia’s current approaches to prisoner reintegration primarily focus only on the reasons behind reoffending. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Prisoner Reintegration (CEPR) addresses the urgent need to understand how and why people successfully turn away from crime and break the cycle of reoffending. CEPR will focus on over represented groups in prison, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to develop strength-based strategies that support successful reintegration into society. It will examine how imprisonment affects personal identity, community connections and long-term rehabilitation. CEPR will produce culturally informed, evidence-based approaches that improve public safety, enhance community wellbeing, and reduce prison-related costs, benefiting Australians socially, culturally and economically. Communication and adoption of findings will extend beyond academia through our extensive partner network of government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and First Nations organisations. Site-specific action plans and practical resources will support policymakers, service providers, and advocacy groups. Podcasts, films and other accessible outputs will engage the broader public, ensuring sustained social licence for effective reforms.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Accelerating and improving mine closure with managed aquifer recharge. The closure of hundreds of open pit mines over the next decade represents a major environmental and financial challenge. Open pit mining often results in large-scale groundwater depletion with associated loss of ecosystems and contamination of rivers. To prevent mining landscapes from remaining waste lands for decades to come following closure, new and innovative solutions are required that facilitate rapid hydrological recovery. This project investigates the strategic injection of excess mine water to accelerate restoration. The outcomes are significant, providing a blueprint for injection-assisted mine closure which can be integrated into current mining practices to accelerate rejuvenation of post-mine landscapes and cultural sites. Field of research: 3707 - Hydrology Over the next decade, hundreds of open pit mines are due to close across Australia. These mines cover large areas and will require significant rehabilitation to restore pre-mining water resources and surrounding ecosystems. Relying on natural recovery through rainfall can take tens to hundreds of years, locking mining landscapes into wastelands for decades. A new approach is needed to enable rapid hydrological recovery and unlock post-mining landscapes for beneficial use. This multidisciplinary project, spanning physical, hydrochemical and economic dimensions, will investigate an untapped opportunity: the strategic injection of excess mine water, known as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), to considerably improve mine closure outcomes. Expected benefits for Australia include: • earlier use of post-mining landscapes, associated economic and social gains • accelerated ecosystem recovery such as the resumption of natural spring flows • improved water quality through rapid submersion of minerals exposed in pit walls • faster stabilisation of pit slopes, reducing the risk of collapse The project will deliver a novel blueprint for implementing MAR to enable accelerated, sustainable open pit mine closure, enhancing Australia’s global reputation in resource technology. To support widespread adoption, results will be actively communicated to key stakeholders, including state governments and the mining sector, through seminars, workshops, training offerings, and broader media.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Wellington Caves: a unique archive of faunal evolution and ecosystem change. The project aims to investigate how the mammal fauna of eastern Australia changed over the last four million years using the uniquely rich, diverse and historically significant megafauna locality of the Wellington Caves. The project will analyse faunal and vegetation change over different timescales on the back of an intensive field-, museum- and lab-based program. New knowledge on the ecological impacts of major climatic changes and megafaunal extinctions will provide improved historical benchmarks to guide biodiversity management. With its strong citizen-science / community-education focus, the project is expected to benefit regional tourism and local schools, and provide improved training opportunities for young First Nations People. Field of research: 3705 - Geology Australia’s animals are renowned for their uniqueness, but prior to 40,000 years ago, the fauna was even more peculiar, including >70 giant species. Fossils of ‘megafauna’ were first collected by Europeans in 1830 at the Wellington Caves in central western New South Wales, yet 195 years later, our understanding of these species and how their ecosystems changed over time remains poor. This hinders our ability to establish ecological benchmarks to guide ecosystem restoration. As one of only three locations in the world with vertebrate fossil sites that span the last four million years, the Wellington Caves are uniquely placed to address this deficiency. The project will study existing collections and conduct new excavations with the help of citizen science. This will allow identification of the ecological impacts of aridity and seasonality, climatic warming and cooling, and megafaunal extinctions. The work will incorporate Wiradjuri knowledge of megafaunal species and provide training opportunities for young Aboriginal people. Positive impacts are expected via increased regional tourism, enhanced school education programs, rejuvenated exhibitions at the Caves and Australian Museum, high-profile scientific publications, and a Megafauna Festival in the bicentenary of the original discovery.

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

Unravelling a gut-brain pathway regulating fluid intake Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Adaptive introgression and rapid evolution to climate change. This project aims to use a high-impact Australian system to study how introgression (the movement of genes between species) might increase the ability of biodiversity to keep pace with climate change. Through integrated fieldwork, lab experiments and cutting edge genome sequencing it expects to discover the genomic basis and the fitness consequences of introgression in two ideal Darwinian laboratories to study adaptation – an elevational gradient and a subtropical-temperate transition zone. The project will assess the value of introgression as a management tool, tackling a major unresolved issue in conservation biology, empowering natural resource managers, and positioning Australia at the forefront of conservation science. Field of research: 3104 - Evolutionary Biology Understanding how biodiversity responds to ongoing climate warming is a major research priority for Australia. Differences in the capacity of species to rapidly adapt to changing climates threaten not only wildlife but also human health, food security, and natural resources. Using fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and state-of-the-art genome sequencing, this project will test whether mixing between populations from different climatic regions of Australia can accelerate adaptation to climate warming. The study will focus on two groups of native freshwater fishes: one spanning cool-montane and warm-lowland regions within the tropics, and the other widely distributed across temperate and subtropical regions. By comparing pure and mixed populations, the research will fill key knowledge gaps on how animals respond to climate warming. For instance, it will determine whether genetic mixing between populations from cooler and warmer regions enhances resilience to climate change. This information is critical for Australia and beyond, as it will inform strategies to prevent extinctions of other types of animals and to protect Australia’s unique biodiversity. Findings will be shared with natural resource agencies and conservation practitioners to support biodiversity management. Practical outcomes will include guidelines on how animal populations should be mixed in captivity and in the wild.

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

Tissue Specific Liquid Biopsy to Enhance Medication Efficacy and Safety Category: Medical Research

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

Clonal Haematopoiesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Metabolic control of genome integrity - Insight into mechanisms. This project investigates how caloric restriction enhances organism fitness by improving DNA repair through the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway, a key nutrient and energy sensor in all eukaryotes. Preliminary research has revealed a novel energy-dependent mechanism by which the TOR pathway boosts DNA repair. This interdisciplinary project will use innovative methods to provide new insights into the effects of caloric restriction on DNA repair. Expected outcomes; include fundamental insights into the energy regulation of genome integrity to enhance organism fitness, new knowledge benefiting both basic and applied biology across all eukaryotes, potential future interventions in longevity and cancer research; fostering global collaborations. Field of research: 3101 - Biochemistry and Cell Biology The continuous repair of damaged DNA is essential for maintaining genome integrity, which is critical for survival, fitness, and healthy aging. This project will enhance molecular understanding of how calorie restriction promotes DNA repair, benefiting Australia by advancing knowledge of how nutrients influence genome integrity. These insights will inform novel strategies to enhance DNA repair functions and improve organismal fitness for healthy aging. Aligned with the Science and Research Priority of ‘healthy and thriving communities’, this research will primarily generate fundamental knowledge on how a key cellular nutrient sensor regulates DNA repair. In the future, it may also support therapeutic developments - for example, identifying drug targets that mimic the beneficial effects of caloric restriction on genome integrity, improving quality of life without dietary restrictions, which are not always well tolerated. Additionally, the project may contribute to long-term therapeutic strategies for conditions characterized by DNA damage accumulations, such as cancer. Beyond healthcare, this research could have far-reaching benefits for the biotech and bio-manufacturing industries that utilize or cultivate living organisms. The findings will be widely communicated to both general and specialist scientific communities, as well as to the broader Australian public through social media and popular science channels.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

How Does The Bladder Sense Danger? . This project aims to reveal the unique features of bladder-innervating sensory nerves that are necessary for detecting pathogenic infections. Combining electrophysiological sensory nerve recordings with cutting-edge spatial and single cell omic tools, this project will identify and characterise the nerves innervating the bladder that respond to harmful stimuli and initiate protective reflexes to restore bladder health. This project will advance sensory neuroscience by delivering a world-first functional and transcriptional view of the peripheral sensory pathways supporting bladder function. By fully understanding how the bladder senses its environment, this knowledge will accelerate future drug discovery for common bladder disorders. Field of research: 3209 - Neurosciences Rapid danger detection and protective responses are essential for survival. Here, sensory nerves play a crucial role, detecting threats and triggering cellular and behavioural processes to restore normal function. This research fills a critical knowledge gap by defining the role of bladder sensory nerves in detecting and responding to harmful stimuli, including pathogen defence and general systems of surveillance. Our project team will map the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sensory nerve activation, pinpoint their connections within the spinal cord, and deliver the first integrated functional and transcriptional analysis of bladder sensory nerves. Understanding these mechanisms is key to uncovering how bladder sensory and motor functions coordinate to maintain healthy bladder activity. These advances in the molecular underpinnings of bladder sensation will lay the foundation for future novel therapies; accelerating drug discovery for chronic bladder hypersensitivities that currently lack effective solutions. The work may also deliver future economic impacts; firstly by reducing the financial burden of healthcare via targeted therapies, and secondly via the potential to attract commercial investment. We will publish our findings in top-tier journals, create the world's first open-access single-cell transcriptomic atlas of bladder sensory nerves to drive future discoveries, and use various media outlets to share our significant findings with the Australian public.

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

Sustainable farming and groundwater behaviour in a climate-stressed... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Determining the ecological roles of Australia’s megafaunal marsupials. This project aims to address the near-total lack of ecological knowledge on the unique large herbivores that became extinct in Australia by 40,000 years ago. By uniting global expertise in palaeontology, ecology and geochemistry, it will employ a novel range of methods to generate foundational knowledge on diets and distributions, transforming our view of large marsupial species and the structure of past communities. The project will shed light on environmental impacts of their extinction, and provide a framework for better understanding how modern ecosystems evolved. This is expected to better contextualise Australia’s vulnerability to large invasive species and fire, and to offer a more data-driven basis for resolving extinction causes. Field of research: 4102 - Ecological Applications When people first arrived in Australia, they encountered large animals strikingly different from anything seen before. Some species, like koalas, kangaroos and wombats, survived to the present day, but more than 40 large marsupial species disappeared. Known as megafauna, these included the rhino-sized Diprotodon, short-faced kangaroos, and marsupial ‘lions’, species that continue to capture public and scientific attention. Efforts to understand their extinction have been hampered by limited knowledge of their biology. This study will analyse extensive fossil datasets to determine what these species ate and how they used landscapes, helping to infer the ecological impact of their loss. We will apply a novel combination of ecological and chemical methods, alongside behavioural knowledge of extinct species preserved by First Nations people. In doing so, the study will address National Research Priorities 3–4. Specifically, it will improve understanding of ecosystem function prior to human arrival, shed light on the biology of extinct species, and assess how ecologically similar these megafauna were to introduced species like camels and deer. The latter will provide critical, previously missing evidence in debates around rewilding with non-native species. Our findings will be shared through high-profile open-access scientific publications, as well as popular articles, media releases, documentaries, public events, and education programs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A platform for chemically recyclable polymers. This project aims to investigate a new trisulfide metathesis reaction discovered by the project team, and use it to make recyclable polymers. The project anticipates generating new knowledge on how to make many classes of polymers using this reaction, define their properties and scope of use, and develop new methods to convert the polymers back to monomers at the end of their service life. Expected outcomes include new types of plastic, rubber, foams and fibres that can be made, and un-made; addressing sustainability and pollution problems from non-recyclable polymers we currently use. Anticipated benefits include new concepts in polymer chemistry, recyclable materials for industry, and environmental benefits from reducing polymer waste. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry This project aims to establish a platform for developing polymers that are broadly recyclable. In Australia, most plastics, rubbers, foams and fibres are not recycled. They are instead incinerated for energy or sent to landfill, contributing to harmful emissions and environmental pollution. This research will address critical knowledge gaps in how to design, produce, use, and recycle polymers in a sustainable way. By developing innovative materials and methods, the project has the potential to deliver significant environmental benefits to Australia through alternatives to non-recyclable polymers. Given the widespread use of polymers in daily life and across many industries, the research also presents strong potential for long-term economic and commercial impact. Promotion of the project through trade shows, media engagement, and outreach to Australian industry and the general public will raise awareness of polymer waste and support the shift toward more sustainable polymer technologies and practices.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Sustainable farming and groundwater behaviour in a climate-stressed world. Climate change will continue to affect farming globally. Water use by farmers, in addition to other activities, will need to adapt and become more sustainable. This project seeks to further understand the drivers of farm adaptation in Australia, especially groundwater use and managed aquifer recharge, and to compare with farm adaptation in the south-western United States and New Zealand, countries that also face significant transitional issues. Increased groundwater use in many regions requires society to consider new water sources, historical water allocations, and behavioural change among farmers, and to understand the relationship among farmers’ climate change attitudes, risk perceptions and sustainable farm production decisions. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics Climate change is significantly impacting Australia, increasing the risk of flooding, drought and declining groundwater levels. These changes threaten agricultural profitability, resilience, and on-farm practices. Agriculture accounts for over 50% of Australia’s land use, and groundwater is the primary water source across more than 80% of the country. In this context, more sustainable water extraction and farming practices are urgently needed—and understanding the drivers of these behaviours is vital for policymakers. This project partners with global experts in water and agricultural economics to: 1) identify the key factors influencing groundwater extraction and associated market trends across Australia; 2) explore nature-based water management solutions such as managed aquifer recharge, drawing lessons from international experiences; and 3) investigate the drivers of Australian farmers’ water use and sustainable farm behaviours. The research will generate critical insights into groundwater use and how various policies shape sustainable farming decisions, adaptation and risk management. Findings will be shared through training events and workshops with policymakers, government and the public. By addressing market failures in existing policy and institutions, this project will inform adaptive policy, supporting a more sustainable future for Australian agriculture.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

All-Polymer Desalination Batteries. This project aims to develop an all-polymer desalination battery containing no metals. It will study a new mechanism for the electrochemical salt-in/salt-out effect of polyelectrolytes during simultaneous ion removal and energy storage. Expected outcomes include an all-polymer battery designed for salt removal from seawater with high efficiency and safety. By combining such desalination batteries with solar and wind farms along the coast, the efficient use of renewable energy to address Australia's energy-water crisis is highly anticipated. The benefit includes new water resources suitable for agriculture and breeding industries and extends to polymer antifouling and anti-corrosion coatings for marine industries and civic applications. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering Australia is an arid country facing increasing water scarcity. As large-scale solar and wind energy expand, the national water-energy nexus is shifting from traditional groundwater pumping to local seawater desalination. Unlike conventional reverse osmosis methods, desalination batteries are an emerging technology that combines renewable energy storage with seawater desalination in a single system. However, current electrochemical desalination systems rely on metal-based batteries, which encounter inherent challenges related to material stability, membrane dependency, limited desalination performance, reduced durability, high operational costs, and potential water quality risks. This project addresses these limitations by developing all-polymer desalination batteries with high desalination capacity and rate. These systems will produce heavy metal-free water while lowering operational costs through membrane-free designs. The project aligns with the Australian Government’s priorities in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable water use in agriculture and rural settings. The anticipated outcomes include patented technologies and prototype desalination batteries, which will be promoted for field trials and broader applications in partnership with the South Australian Research Development Institute, Irrigation Australia, and ARENA. The project will tackle core water-energy challenges and support smart agriculture and animal husbandry across Australia.