University of Technology Sydney

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Measuring the quality of climate reporting. Assessing the determinants and consequences of climate reporting requires a robust measure of reporting quality. Using a novel mixed methods approach beginning with interviews and surveys to inform subsequent textual analysis, the project will create and subsequently validate a standardized measure of the quality of climate reporting by Australian firms. Such a measure is a fundamental input to any evaluation of the potential causes and consequences of climate reporting quality, including characteristics of assurance. Expected outcomes include a validated empirical measure for evaluating climate reporting quality, and initial assessment of whether mandatory climate reporting by Australian firms has resulted in better quality information. Field of research: 3501 - Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Reliable and clear climate information is essential for moving towards a net-zero economy. However, current corporate climate reports are often inconsistent and hard to compare, which doesn't meet the needs of investors, regulators, and the public. From 2025, large Australian firms will face mandatory climate reporting under the new Australian Sustainability Reporting Standard. This marks a significant change in how firms report, going beyond statutory financial information. This project aims to fill a crucial gap by developing the first evidence-based, stakeholder-informed benchmark—grounded in stakeholder interviews and powered by natural language processing and machine learning—to evaluate the quality of climate disclosures. Without this benchmark, it's impossible to know if disclosures meet regulatory goals, support investment decisions, or need further reform. By encouraging credible and useful climate reports, this project will support corporate accountability, guide informed climate actions, and strengthen the information base for national decarbonisation strategies. It will also improve market efficiency by making climate reports more transparent, reliable and comparable. The framework will help Australia meet its climate goals and influence global sustainability reporting standards. Research findings will be shared via policy briefings, consultation submissions, media commentary and practical toolkits, positioning Australia as a global leader in climate reporting.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

A Reliable Knowledge Discovery System on Dynamic Academic Graphs. This project develops a reliable knowledge discovery system that analyses dynamic academic data to reveal novel knowledge insights, for example, predicting emerging research topics, novel gene-disease associations, and impactful scientific collaborations. By advancing these techniques, the system focuses on underrepresented knowledge of less frequent but emerging data patterns and instantly detects anomalies that indicate novel or noisy data. Expected outcomes are a hierarchical graph representation model, a robust anomaly detection framework, and a dynamic knowledge discovery system to provide reliable predictive results. Benefits include early access to reliable predictions, supporting informed policymaking and strategic management. Field of research: 4610 - Library and Information Studies This project will create a reliable, AI-powered system that overcomes biases and data noise, hence identifying new insights from dynamic academic data. It addresses a critical gap in Australia’s ability to build a secure, resilient national knowledge base by dynamically detecting emerging trends and novel findings, which are underrepresented in the current knowledge system. The developed system will benefit Australia.  For example, it can highlight fast-growing research areas in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy, guiding local companies to invest strategically and gain a competitive edge. By detecting novel links - such as new gene-disease relationships - it can also help Australian biotech firms and research institutions pioneer fresh treatments and diagnostic tools. Government agencies can also use this foresight to shape evidence-based policies that boost industry development, create jobs, and strengthen national competitiveness. To maximise impact beyond academia, the project team will collaborate closely with industry partners, ensuring results are translated into practical applications. Project findings will be shared through public workshops and roadshows, giving local communities and businesses clear insights into how they can adopt and benefit from these breakthroughs. This project will help Australia remain at the forefront of cutting-edge research.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Extra Robotic Limb and Eye to Augment Human Capability Beyond Natural Limit. This project aims to revolutionise human augmentation by developing an innovative extra robotic limb with an integrated extra eye, designed to enhance human visual and motor capabilities. The proposal targets seamless brain and artificial intelligence integration using a novel advanced brain computer interface. Anticipated outcomes include new knowledge about how the brain would allocate workload to the augmentations, a new computational model and the first robotic system combining an extra limb and eye. This system would enhance workplace productivity and safety by expanding workspace, improving multitasking and reducing injuries, with resulting economic and social benefits, and would be a unique offering for growing robotics markets. Field of research: 4602 - Artificial Intelligence This project aims to develop a robotic limb with an integrated camera as an extra eye to enhance human visual and motor functions. It is currently unknown how the human brain would adapt to the challenge of coordinating and controlling such a system. The AI models and the robotic prototype developed in this project have the potential to be revolutionary for Australian workplace productivity and safety, particularly in hazardous environments. The system will allow a person to be seamlessly assisted by a wearable robotic limb&eye, enabling even challenging, manual tasks to be completed by a single person. The global market for assistive, robotic technologies is fast-growing and global, including in areas such as manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, space and defence. The team’s existing partnerships with the Australian robotics and AI industries will provide real-world environments for future product development, refinement and commercialisation of this critical technology area, resulting in domestic job creation and export opportunities. One postdoctoral fellow and three doctoral candidates will allow the project to build much needed future capacity in areas with foreseeable skills shortages in Australia, and intensify collaboration with international experts. Engagement with industry partners and the general public are built into the project through appropriate strategies, e.g. demonstrations of its effectiveness, practical applications and public activities.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Australia's Path to Net Zero: Capitalising on Carbon Markets. This project aims to assist Australia’s efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by identifying the most effective, low-cost market mechanisms to incentivise the largest polluters to reduce their emissions. Using the novel approach of game theory modelling to analyse key elements of the carbon market, the research is expected to generate new knowledge on auction theory and market mechanisms and design. Its anticipated outcomes include guidance for policy-makers drafting the carbon market rules that will be crucial to achieving the 2050 goal. Given the urgency of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 C, the project is expected to deliver potentially far-reaching environmental and social benefits in Australia and beyond. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics This project will develop and test a “game-theoretic” framework, a strategic approach that reveals how firms respond to incentives and policy rules in carbon markets. Supported by laboratory experiments, this approach is especially effective at accounting for the complex behaviour of market participants—an area where conventional models often fall short. By focusing on key policies—the Safeguard Mechanism (the federal scheme capping large-facility emissions), Emissions Reduction Fund auctions, and the emerging Australian Carbon Exchange—our research will identify ways to reduce compliance costs for major emitters and deliver meaningful, cost-effective emissions cuts. We will share our results through policy briefs and workshops with government, industry, and community stakeholders, ensuring broad adoption beyond the project’s funded period. Our model could also be adapted internationally, allowing Australia to showcase global leadership in sustainable technologies. Ultimately, this work fosters low-emissions industries, drives green innovation, and helps safeguard a healthy environment—all while contributing to the country’s net-zero by 2050 goal and aligning with two of Australia’s Science and Research Priorities (Energy and Environmental Change). By providing robust, evidence-based strategies, the project will help protect both our economy and our environment for future generations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Mobility-Aware Digital Twin-Empowered Services in Edge Computing. This project aims to develop a suite of innovative solutions to digital twin-empowered Internet of Things (IoT) services in Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) by advanced algorithm design, tackling the mobility of both users and physical objects of digital twins. Expected outcomes include novel frameworks, algorithms and prediction mechanisms for digital twin-empowered services by enhancing service accuracy and shortening service latency. The success of this project will advance knowledge in digital twin technology and its integration with IoT, MEC and artificial intelligence, fostering national economic growth and environmental sustainability, improving public services, and maintaining Australia's leadership in the global digital transformation. Field of research: 4606 - Distributed Computing and Systems Software This project focuses on enhancing Internet of Things (IoT) devices to share information quickly and efficiently in edge environments, addressing the explosive need for such technologies in Australia and worldwide. By leveraging the virtual replicas (digital twins) of physical objects, this research aims to transform how and where collected data is being reliably stored, effectively shared and rapidly utilized for behavior emulation, prediction, optimization and decision-making. This helps Australia maintain its leadership in the global digital economy by optimising services like traffic management and industrial monitoring, as articulated in the “Digital Economy Strategy”. Economically, businesses can save time and money by making better decisions. Socially, it can enhance the quality of public services like smart healthcare and transportation. Environmentally, it promotes sustainability by monitoring resources more effectively, and commercially, it supports the growth of innovative businesses. To promote the research beyond academia, businesses, the public sector and the general public would be aware of its applications and benefits through media, trade fairs and forums. The project outcomes would be of interest to industry partners by offering digital solutions for Smart Cities, Manufacturing and Telecommunications. This would see a rapid adoption of IoT and digital twin technologies in real-world settings and lead to lower cost, more reliability and improved services.

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

Quantitative Imaging At Nanoscale with SUper-resolution (QIAN SU) for... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Social housing tenants navigating relocation . This pioneering study examines the impacts of relocation on social housing tenants over the medium and long-term using in-depth interviews and surveys with relocated tenants. It aims to examine why some tenants have been able to (re)establish themselves in their new home and area whilst others have not and the role services play in shaping the impacts of relocation. The study is highly significant as state governments are planning to relocate thousands of social housing tenants. The intended outcome of the project is to deliver an in-depth understanding of the varying impacts of relocation. This will create actionable evidence to guide government policy that will be of value to government, community housing providers and tenants. Field of research: 4407 - Policy and Administration The study aims to develop a deep understanding of the impacts of relocation on social housing tenants. The project will provide new evidence about what factors contribute to a successful relocation and why some relocated tenants may find it difficult to adjust to their new surroundings, whilst others fare well. The role that services play in facilitating a good outcome will be a key focus. It is a pioneering study - there has been minimal examination in Australia of the impacts of relocation on this highly vulnerable group. The research will have economic and social benefits. A failure to adjust to their new situation could have implications for tenants' health and wellbeing and employment prospects. A better understanding of what makes for a successful or unsuccessful relocation will give state governments and relevant organisations the tools to direct policy interventions towards identifying what service provision is required to optimise successful relocation of tenants. Successful relocation will lessen pressure on service providers and the health sector. The research will be promoted via workshops with state government housing authorities, relevant agencies and community housing providers. We will also use The Conversation and the media to communicate our research findings.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Solo Agers and Decision-making: Promoting Choice and Control. A growing number of older Australians are solo agers without close family or friends. They face the serious problem of decisional isolation – the lack of people to appoint into legal roles to support and, if needed, make decisions in the event of impaired capacity. This project aims to investigate expanded options for statutory decision roles for older people that fill the gap between absent family or friends and state-appointed guardians. It will generate multidisciplinary insights into stakeholders’ views, experiences and preferences. Expected outcomes include evidence-based recommendations for legal, policy, and practice changes to enhance choices for older Australians, ultimately reducing reliance on public guardianship systems. Field of research: 4804 - Law In Context A growing number of older Australians are solo agers. They do not have close family and friends to help them through ill health and the end of life. Laws across Australia give older people rights to appoint individuals to support and, if needed, make decisions for them in important area of their lives – finances, services, housing and care. Yet solo agers often have no one to appoint into these roles. They risk having strangers appointed as public guardians or trustees to take legal control over them. This project will be the first national study of solo agers in Australia. It will hear directly from solo agers about who they prefer to take on legal decision roles and explore options such as solo agers connecting with peers, volunteers and professionals. The research will engage with key organisations in Australia, including the Older Person's Advocacy Network, COTA and Dementia Australia. International legal models will also be studied. Ultimately, the project aims to benefit solo agers by giving them more choice and control to appoint trusted people into legal decision roles. It will also benefit older people whose family are not available or suited to taking on these roles. Following nation-wide consultation, the research will produce practical recommendations for action by community groups, service organisations, professions and government. The research will offer economic benefits in reducing reliance on resource-constrained public guardian and administration systems.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Impact of forced migration on Tasmanian convicts and their descendants. This project aims to investigate the impact of convict transportation on life outcomes across generations by linking historical records of Tasmanian convicts with their siblings in Britain and Ireland. It will focus on the effects of transportation, punishment, and environmental factors using advanced causal methods. The project expects to generate new knowledge on forced migration's long-term effects. Expected outcomes include refined methods for historical data linkage, enriched datasets on convicts and family, and capacity building of the next generation of researchers. This project should provide significant benefits by informing modern discussions on forced migration, as well as a better understanding of Australia’s colonial past. Field of research: 3801 - Applied Economics Australia’s exceptional colonial records hold valuable insights for policymakers grappling with urgent issues of migration, refugees, and settlement. However, there is limited knowledge on the effects of environmental and other factors on forced migrants and their descendants. This project will deliver historically grounded, data-driven evidence on how such factors influence integration, well-being, and intergenerational opportunity by exploiting Tasmania’s exceptionally detailed demographic records on 19th-century transported convicts. Using cutting-edge econometric techniques, we will study birth rates, marriage, and life expectancy for transported convicts. The outcomes can help shape Australia’s migration and settlement strategies, including resource allocation, offering policymakers in the Departments of Home Affairs and Social Services (along with state and regional governments and refugee/settlement NGOs) a rare longitudinal perspective on the impact of, for example, regional settlement programs facing social isolation and service access challenges. This research will also create new, publicly accessible historical data linkages through major Tasmanian databases, enriching Australia’s national heritage and enabling new avenues for research. To maximise translation and uptake, a policy-focused conference will be organised for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers, along with public talks and media coverage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Integrated electronic textiles with miniature soft actuators. This project aims to realize haptic textiles by building miniature actuators at fibre interweaving points. This project expects to create new knowledge in tuning fibre heterostructures at the micron scale by extruding and achieving a robust interface at the fiber contact area. The new interwoven structure is expected to result in new electromechanical behavior to strengthen the understanding of electrostatic-hydraulic coupled actuation. The expected outcomes of this project are the haptic textiles that multiply the resolution of large-area haptic interface and maintain the intrinsic comfort of textiles, making substantial contributions to wearable human-machine interaction. Field of research: 4014 - Manufacturing Engineering This project aims to develop wearable haptic feedback devices that feel like regular clothing, addressing the scientific gap in how to make these devices comfortable and adaptable to the human body. Tiny actuators integrated into textiles enable tactile interaction with robots and computers and make them suitable for long-term, daily use. This project can benefit Australians by providing better prosthetics for patients, enhancing safety gear for hazardous jobs, and supporting realistic training simulations. For example, hospitals can adopt these devices to improve patient rehabilitation, allowing patients to receive real-time sensory feedback from prosthetic limbs. In hazardous work environments, safety gear companies can enhance worker protection by providing tactile feedbacks on clothing, in order to alert workers of potential dangers. Educational institutions can use these devices to create immersive training programs that simulate real-world scenarios, helping students and professionals develop essential skills in a safe and controlled environment. These application areas should generate interest from healthcare providers, industrial safety firms, and educational institutions, ensuring wide adoption and maximizing the research's impact. Engaging with industry partners, showcasing success stories through media, and organising public talks will help to demonstrate the benefits and encourage broader use of these innovative haptic feedback textiles.

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

New-generation superbright upconversion nanoprobes for ultrasensitive... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Embracing the Standard: Scalable Subgraph Search by Graph Query Language. The project aims to develop novel graph processing techniques based on GQL (graph query language), the first-ever query language standard for graph databases released by the ISO in 2024. Most existing graph algorithms mainly focus on low-level programming languages, suffering from weak portability and usability. We fill this research gap by investigating subgraph mining and querying algorithms implemented by GQL. We will also develop a system to support GQL-based tasks. Expected outcomes include theoretical foundations, efficient GQL algorithms, and an open-source prototype. Success in this project will create new opportunities in the Australian IT industry and see benefits in areas such as cybersecurity, e-commerce, and health. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science As data systems and networks grow in complexity—for example, social networks like Facebook hosting billions of active users—graphs have become indispensable for accurately representing and understanding intricate data relationships. While individual graph algorithms have facilitated various practical applications, current techniques often rely on ad hoc optimisations and proprietary data structures, limiting their scalability and adaptability. This project addresses the current challenge by developing portable, efficient and scalable graph processing techniques for filtering, analysing and querying large-scale dynamic data. The innovative methods developed will have wide-ranging applications for cybersecurity, e-commerce, defence and public health. Enhanced graph analytics will directly address pressing industry needs such as detecting financial fraud in online transactions, identifying malware in cyber systems, tracking terrorist activities on social platforms, and enabling real-time contact tracing during disease outbreaks. These advancements will deliver significant commercial and societal benefits across Australia's data-intensive sectors, contributing to the nation's growing expertise in big data analytics and supporting the development of sovereign data capabilities vital for national security and innovation. To promote the research outcomes beyond academia, findings will be shared through a dedicated website, public seminars and industry presentations.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Serviceability, Safety and Reliability of Green Concrete Infrastructure. The structural reliability and safety of low carbon concrete structures remains unknown, as is the variability of their material properties. The project will assess the time-dependent serviceability and strength properties of Reinforced Concrete structural members, including the effects of climate change. The project will enable designers and builders to use green concrete in their infrastructure projects, reducing carbon by 30-50% (reducing Australian CO2 emissions by up to 4%) and safe in the knowledge that its early-age and long-term properties and structural safety and reliabilities are consistent with conventional materials, and conform to Australian Standards. This will give designers guidance and confidence in using green concretes. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering The adoption of emerging low carbon concrete by architects, engineers and designers is limited, mainly due to the lack of confidence in the performance of reinforced concrete structures made with such binders. The structural reliability and safety of low carbon concrete structures remains unknown, as is the variability of their material properties. The project will assess the time-dependent serviceability and strength properties of Reinforced Concrete structural members, including the effects of climate change. A reliability-based calibration of advanced green concrete structures will allow safety factors to be assessed, and determine if the safety factors in Australian Standards are also applicable to these new materials, or if they are too conservative. This will give designers guidance and confidence in using green concretes. There is a strong sustainability benefit in finding innovative ways to reduce the carbon content of concrete infrastructure, especially if we are to reach Net Zero by 2050. The project will enable designers and builders to use green concrete in their infrastructure projects, reducing carbon by 30-50%, and safe in the knowledge that its early-age and long-term properties and structural safety and reliabilities are consistent with conventional materials, and conform to Australian Standards. It is also anticipated that green concrete are not only more sustainable, but can be manufactured at lower cost. A win-win for the environment and the economy.

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

Pioneering Next-Generation Coronary Stents Through Auxetic Metamaterial... Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Adaptive Multi-Beam Lens Antennas for Future Wireless Communications. This project aims to develop an adaptive multi-beam lens antenna system to advance wireless communications by improving speed, capacity, and flexibility. It expects to generate new knowledge in beamforming technologies and address key challenges in existing systems, including size, cost, power consumption, and functionality. Expected outcomes include compact, cost-effective lens systems capable of dynamically tracking multiple users with reliable and adaptable connectivity. This will benefit industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, and smart cities while improving connectivity in rural and remote areas. The innovation will strengthen Australia’s leadership in wireless technology and drive global advancements in connectivity. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering As wireless technology advances to the sixth generation, Australia faces unique implementation challenges due to its vast landscape and dispersed population. Providing high-speed connectivity nationwide and ensuring reliable communication during emergencies remain costly and complex. This project introduces innovations in beamforming lens antennas to support high-capacity wireless networks with extended coverage and minimal infrastructure investment. Its cost-effective, energy-efficient design enables scalable, accessible deployment, ensuring resilient connectivity across diverse environments. This research will strengthen Australia’s digital economy, benefiting industries such as telecommunications and smart cities. By reducing energy consumption and infrastructure costs, it promotes sustainability, expands wireless access from dense urban centres to remote rural regions and disaster-prone areas. It also advances Australia’s technological independence, fostering local expertise and reducing reliance on foreign innovations. To maximise real-world impact, findings will be shared with industry partners, government agencies, and technology developers to encourage practical implementation. Open-access publications, online demonstrations, and media outreach will enhance public awareness and ensure broader understanding. Moreover, workshops, meetings, and collaborations with global telecom companies will drive commercial adoption and technological integration.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Scalable Passive WiFi Sensing for Multi-Occupant Smart Homes. This project aims to enable scalable and robust multi-occupant passive WiFi sensing by addressing key system and hardware limitations. It will advance WiFi sensing toward meeting the growing demand for privacy-preserving, device-free, and cost-effective human activity awareness across diverse real-world settings. Expected outcomes include architectural and integration innovations, advanced signal processing techniques, and a standards-compatible prototype capable of high-resolution, multi-room, multi-person sensing using existing WiFi infrastructure. The resulting technology will support transformative applications in aged care, as well as broader domains such as health, safety, security, energy-efficient housing, and smart environments. Field of research: 4006 - Communications Engineering This project will develop innovative technologies that use existing WiFi signals in homes to detect and monitor one or more people, with improved scalability across rooms and environments. Unlike wearable devices or cameras, WiFi sensing is contact-free and privacy-preserving, making it ideal for real-time monitoring in smart homes. Current solutions are typically limited to single-person sensing and lack scalability. This project addresses these gaps through system-level design and advanced signal processing techniques. The research meets an immediate need of the partner organisation in the home care sector. The developed technologies and prototype will be translated into a commercial product, enabling the partner organisation to expand its offerings, enhance competitiveness, and accelerate adoption in aged care, energy-efficient housing, and home security. This will support social and economic impact by promoting safe, independent living and reducing care costs. The outcomes align with the national priority of supporting healthy and thriving communities, and NRFC’s enabling capability of sensing technologies. To maximise uptake, the project will engage with healthcare providers, technology companies, and standards bodies, while disseminating results through public demonstrations, media outreach, and industry collaborations. It will also provide training opportunities for future researchers and contribute to Australia’s leadership in smart sensing innovation.

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

Creating A "Learning Health System" For Eating Disorder Treatment Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Novel light, durable and fire-resistant wood waste composite cladding panel. This project develops lightweight, durable, and fire-resistant cementitious composite materials and cladding panels via advanced manufacturing technology by integrating wood waste into an environment friendly magnesium cement. The expected outcomes include new knowledge, new materials and manufacturing technology, and optimal designs of durable and fire-resistant cladding materials and panels. The project will significantly advance the development of non-combustible claddings and enhance construction sustainability and building safety. This project also provides a solution for construction wood waste management by providing an effective method of upcycling, contributing to the net-zero emission goal with commercial and economic benefits. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering This project will develop novel lightweight, durable, and fire-resistant composite materials and cladding panels by integrating the maximum amount of wood waste into an environment friendly magnesia cement as binder. The project generates new knowledge, develop durable and sustainable materials towards sustainable construction, and create high-performing non-combustible cladding materials and panels with enhanced fire safety. This will be achieved by advanced wood waste surface treatment, optimal material design, advanced manufacturing, and comprehensive and intensive multiscale investigations via intensive experiment and advanced numerical modelling. This project provides significant environmental, commercial, economic and social benefits, with significantly reduced landfill from construction wood waste, effective wood waste management, high-performance cladding material and cladding panel design, and improved building fire safety. The research outcome will be adopted by the industry partner for translation and commercialization filling the market shortage and urgent demand for non-combustible cladding materials. The project research outcome will be promoted to other industries in construction sector and communicated via medias, open forums, conferences and workshops to enhance the awareness and adoption of the developed high performance durable and fire-resistant materials and claddings, enhancing construction sustainability, building safety and infrastructure resilience.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Tracking phenology changes linked to climate change and biodiversity loss. Vegetation phenology (plant life cycles) is a key bio-indicator of climate change, an essential biodiversity variable, and a key driver of ecosystem processes. This project aims to identify, map and assess changes in phenology life cycles across Australian biome types. This project analyses long term satellite data (>50 years) to quantify changes, establish baselines and identify hotspots. Climate and citizen science species observations will be incorporated in a geospatial model to study the interactions among plant diversity, climate and phenology. This new knowledge will be vital to agriculture (pollination), public health (asthma), conservation and benefit Australia’s land surface models and climate/ ecological forecasting capabilities. Field of research: 4013 - Geomatic Engineering The study of vegetation phenology shifts over time due to climate change is crucial for understanding and addressing its impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. Phenology changes are creating mismatches between species that are dependent on each other, leading to disruptions to ecological integrity and biodiversity losses. Whereas the climate change effects are well documented in Northern Hemisphere ecosystems, there is sparse information on phenology and biodiversity changes in the Southern Hemisphere where climate patterns differ. To address these gaps in knowledge, this project will use a novel approach of integrating ground-based phenology measures and species diversity with satellite image monitoring to enable a continental-scale view of climate change impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems in Australia. Documenting ecosystem impacts of climate change is necessary for planning mitigation and adaptation responses. This new knowledge will benefit the Australian economy in agriculture, horticulture and grazing, human health (allergies), and nature positive ecosystem services. Project outputs will include a phenology database with user-friendly tools for stakeholders to produce spatial summaries and heat maps of phenology in different locations within Australia. This information will be disseminated through the Atlas of Living Australia and TERN webinars as well as through presentations at venues with large stakeholder presence, such as the Australia Earth Observation Forum.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Agile Vision: Adapting Vision Foundation Models in Real-World Contexts. This project aims to develop an adaptive framework for vision foundation models to operate effectively in data-scarce, resource-constrained, and evolving environments. It expects to generate new knowledge in adaptive artificial intelligence by integrating data-efficient learning, parameter-efficient fine-tuning, and latency-efficient inference techniques. The expected outcomes include enhanced deployment of vision models in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. This will provide substantial benefits, including increased AI efficiency in critical Australian industries, improved decision-making in dynamic environments, and strengthened sovereign AI capabilities aligned with the National AI Strategy. Field of research: 4605 - Data Management and Data Science Vision Foundation Models (VFMs) are cutting-edge AI models that enable machines to understand and interpret visual data similar to human perception. Trained on large image datasets, VFMs can improve productivity in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and manufacturing. However, deploying these models in real-world settings is challenging due to limited data, high computing demands, and changing conditions. This project will adapt VFMs to work reliably in places with limited resources, such as farms with poor data access or remote areas with little infrastructure for real-time analysis. In agriculture, VFMs will help farmers monitor crop health, detect pests early, and predict yields, reducing costs and improving food security. In environmental monitoring, VFMs will analyse satellite images to track land use changes, identify environmental risks and monitor biodiversity by detecting shifts in habitats and ecosystems. The project will also enhance manufacturing by identifying defects in production lines, improving efficiency and reducing waste. By developing AI models suited to Australia’s conditions, this research will make AI solutions more affordable and reduce reliance on foreign technologies. The project will collaborate with government, industry, and small businesses, sharing findings through open-access publications, software tools, and outreach activities such as workshops and demonstrations to ensure long-term benefits for Australia.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Powering the Future with Next-Generation Safe Batteries. This project aims to develop high-energy-density and safe all-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries and their scaled-up prototypes. It will be driven by innovative solid-state electrolytes, efficient sulfur cathodes, and advanced lithium metal production techniques to achieve long lifespan, high energy density, and enhanced safety. Advanced characterization will be employed to elucidate sulfur redox mechanisms and establish a clear scientific framework linking redox reactions to electrode performance. Battery pack prototypes targeting industry-required energy density and lifespan will be developed, facilitating the transition toward renewable energy. Field of research: 4016 - Materials Engineering This project aims to develop advanced all-solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs), aligning with Australia’s national interests in energy security, sustainability, and technological leadership. ASSLSBs offer high energy density and enhanced safety, providing a reliable alternative to conventional batteries and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. By supporting a stable and resilient energy system, this project contributes to Australia’s clean energy transition and long-term energy goals. Economically, it leverages Australia’s abundant lithium and sulfur resources, driving growth in mining, research, and high-tech manufacturing. This will create skilled jobs and boost local innovation. Environmentally, the project supports national efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero targets by 2050 through safer and more sustainable energy storage. The development of scalable ASSLSB prototypes and collaboration with industry will help commercialise research outcomes and foster a competitive domestic battery sector. This project will ensure that cutting-edge technologies are translated into real-world applications, positioning Australia as a global leader in next-generation energy storage.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Sustainable Future Railways Built with Recycled Tyres and Mine Waste . The project aims to develop a novel energy-absorbing capping layer (a carbon-friendly mix of recycled tyre fibre and coal rejects) for rail foundation. It is expected to alleviate track deterioration & buckling, and ground vibration due to increased axle loads & train speeds, meanwhile reducing natural materials exploitation, being environment-friendly and economically attractive. This project expects to bridge the knowledge gap in fundamental mechanics between traditional geomaterials and waste mix via rigorous analytical formulations amply supported by physical modelling. This should provide significant benefits including robust and sustainable railway of greater longevity, significantly reduced track maintenance and risk of derailment. Field of research: 4005 - Civil Engineering With ever-increasing urban development and increasing demand for heavier and faster rail networks, current track maintenance costs more than $2 billion annually in Australia, while the loss in productivity due to regular track maintenance and upgrades can be threefold. Australian railways (especially heavy hauls) often encounter accelerated deterioration that can lead to serious hazards including derailment. To address these problems, this project will develop an innovative track foundation to minimise track deterioration and narrow the gap in fundamental geotechnics between traditional and recycled materials, while contributing to sustainable track design embracing a circular economy using off-the-road tyre fibre and coal processing waste (coalwash). The research phases (analytical and experimental) executed for the proposed waste material mixture will demonstrate reduced degradation and deformation, thereby saving millions annually on track maintenance and repairs. The scientific advancement of energy-based computational modelling will place Australia at the forefront of future rail practices to cater for increased axle loads and speeds. The CI of this project will share the salient outcomes with the public through open-access platforms and foster collaborations with the rail industry to establish sustainable design guidelines incorporating recycled materials in future track construction.

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

Sustainable Future Railways Built with Recycled Tyres and Mine Waste Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Strengthening the Resilience of Power Grids with Networked Microgrids Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

GrantConnect (Australian Government grants) · FY 2025 · 2025-12

Mid-infrared imaging with visible detectors at room temperature Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research