MONASH UNIVERSITY

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

Indonesia in the global geography of Islamic knowledge Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Chemosynthesis: a hidden foundation of marine biodiversity and... Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Fluid dynamical processes in the formation of magmatic ore deposits Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Harnessing incidental physical activity and other 24-hour physical... Category: Medical Research

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

Ethical, social and regulatory implications of informal sperm donation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

On the origin of sex differences in gene regulation Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Hiding in nooks and crannies: critical metals in mineral-water systems Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Towards Reprogramming Cell Death at the Host-Pathogen Interface Category: Medical Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Maximising success in analysing organometallics by MALDI mass spectrometry. This project pairs inert-sampling capability with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry to enable precision detection and identification of organometallic species. The bespoke coupling of a fully equipped Jacomex PureSmart glovebox to a NeofleX MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer will enable intact and in situ measurement of air and moisture sensitive metal-coordinated molecules. This infrastructure will serve the research community of two ARC-funded ITTCs focussed on the development of advanced radiochemical technologies and advanced chemical manufacturing. Uncovering new reactivity modes can change how chemists make molecules, uncover hidden reactivity to inform future drug design, and provide safer products to avoid metal contamination. Field of research: 3402 - Inorganic Chemistry Organometallic compounds are widely used in industrial chemical reactions to generate polymers, pharmaceuticals, products for agriculture, food and energy. They are also used catalytically to enhance reaction rate and provide green and sustainable routes to commodity chemicals. Biologically they perform vital roles in homeostasis (as vitamins, hormones and enzymes), photosynthesis and oxygen transport, and deliver imaging and anticancer, antimicrobial and antimalarial agents to the medicine cabinet. There is increasing regulatory and societal pressures in the manufacturing supply chain to utilise sustainable and safer chemicals and catalytic processes. Australia's geographical isolation economically favors greater domestic manufacturing, and in the case of radioactive elements and goods, it is a necessity. Industrial catalysis and radiopharmaceuticals are the foci of Monash-led ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres with mandates to generate well-designed organometallic compounds. Creation of state-of-the-art analytical infrastructure to serve this large investment will enable detection of trace amounts of structurally fragile molecules within complex mixtures to inform reaction design and lead to the creation of high value products which meet target specifications and are able to compete with global markets.

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

Characterisation and control of electrode-tissue contact for... Category: Medical Research

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

Metabolic and competitive diversity of an omnipresent bacterium Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Towards Efficient Open-World Video Anomaly Detection. This project aims to develop an efficient open-world video anomaly detection system that addresses key challenges when detecting anomaly actions in an open-world environment, i.e., identifying unseen anomalies, learning from limited labelled data, and ensuring computational efficiency for real-world use. Expected outcomes include new knowledge in the area of video anomaly detection, and the development of a fast, accurate anomaly detection system that are able to detect both seen and unseen anomalies in real-world videos. This should provide significant benefits across multiple domains including enhanced public safety with smarter surveillance and better healthcare through timely detection of unusual patient behaviours or emergencies. Field of research: 4611 - Machine Learning This project aims to develop an efficient open-world video anomaly detection system to address critical challenges when identifying anomaly actions in a dynamic, real-world environments. Existing systems often struggle with anomalies which are not present in the training data, a limitation particularly relevant for the continual motoring of public safety and critical sectors. Our system tackles this by enabling the identification of unseen anomalies. In addition, our system ensures the computational efficiency needed for practical deployment. This research has strong potential for significant economic and social benefits for Australians. Economically, it will enhance security and automation in domains like surveillance and smart cities, leading to reduced operational costs and improved responsiveness. Furthermore, the system offers significant benefits to the healthcare sector, particularly in monitoring patient behaviours for unusual events in assisted living facilities. Socially, it will contribute to safer public spaces and better emergency response systems. To ensure our research has impact beyond academia, we will work with the industry partner to test the system in real-world settings through pilot deployments. We will also target government agencies with public communication strategies, such as visual demonstrations and clear summary reports. These efforts will help turn our research into practical solutions and delivering meaningful benefits to the community.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Self-Driving Labs for Data-Driven Design of Polymer Dispersions. This project aims at designing a self-driving autonomous lab that will enable continuous high-throughput synthesis of polymer emulsions, significantly accelerating capacity and enabling high volume and precise data generation. In conjunction with robotic performance evaluation, the project expects to use machine learning to rapidly optimise emulsion polymerisation towards greener paint formulations. An expected outcome of the research will be a much more rational design of materials based on holistic large data sets, revolutionising materials development and delivering a significant competitive advantage to Australian industry by transformation of traditional chemical research and development into a fully data-driven digitalised domain. Field of research: 3403 - Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry Chemical research needs to transition from traditional manual, analogue and slow data generation to fully digitalised autonomous high-throughput data generation in order to harness the benefits of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). Only if methods are developed that allow to generate high-quality data on scale, ML/AI can unfold its potential and deliver a significant acceleration in materials development. We will deliver on this objective by designing and using a self-driving laboratory for autonomous heterogeneous polymerisations. With this, we will increase the number of samples available for testing from one to envisaged ten samples per day. Further, we will combine this acceleration with robotic performance testing, multiplying this synthesis ability to hundreds of formulations being tested fully automatically. This will set the data basis for advanced ML-optimisations, for the first time bridging chemical synthesis with rational materials property design, a step that to date is not accessible. We will use this advantage to develop more sustainable paint formulations which will not only contribute towards a net zero future, but also deliver a significant economic and environmental advantage to the Australian polymer materials sector. The results will provide a blueprint for synthesis automation in this area, and we will communicate results broadly to the public and industrial stakeholders via seminars and publications to foster future developments.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Electrical Control of Spaser Dynamics via Quantum Electrodynamic Principles. The project aims to develop an electrical interface model of spasers—nanoscale devices that generate coherent light by amplifying surface plasmons through stimulated emission. Nanoscale lasers do not exist due to mirror inefficacy from a fundamental physical limit; spasers enable nanoscale applications. By creating a Circuit Quantum Electrodynamics model, this research will allow spasers to be powered and controlled electronically, making integration with existing electronic devices feasible. The project addresses the challenge of determining spaser electrical parameters, allowing for accurate control and application in sectors like telecommunications and lab-on-a-chip devices, and advancing Australia’s position in nano-optics innovation. Field of research: 4008 - Electrical Engineering This project aims to develop electrically powered spasers—nanoscale devices that generate coherent light by amplifying surface plasmons through stimulated emission. Unlike traditional lasers, spasers can confine and transmit light within dimensions just a few atoms wide, enabling unprecedented miniaturization and performance.​ Integrating these cutting-edge spasers into nanophotonic circuits could revolutionize optical computing by enabling ultra-fast data processing and communication, paving the way for more efficient and compact devices. Additionally, their application in sensing technologies offers single-molecule detection capabilities, enhancing environmental monitoring and chemical analysis. In renewable energy, spasers could improve the efficiency of solar energy collectors, marking a significant advancement in sustainable technologies. ​ The knowledge generated will position Australia at the forefront of nanophotonics research. It will benefit the defence industry by developing advanced sensing technologies and contributing to the global strategic microchip ecosystem. The resulting intellectual property will open avenues for licensing and commercialization, bolstering Australia's critical manufacturing capabilities and economic growth.​ By advancing this cutting-edge technology, the project aligns with national interests, fosters innovation, and secures a competitive edge in emerging technological domains.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

From Care to Corrections: Preventing the criminalisation of care leavers. This project investigates the criminal justice system involvement of young people transitioning from foster, kinship or residential out-of-home care systems in early adulthood. Through strong Aboriginal leadership and governance, analyses of linked administrative data and consultations with young adults and professionals will be undertaken to develop knowledge of the characteristics and service system pathways of care leavers experiencing criminal justice system contact. Outcomes will include the identification of innovative strategies to prevent the criminalisation of young adult care leavers, enhancing their civic and social inclusion. Other project benefits include increasing community safety and reducing criminal justice expenditure. Field of research: 4409 - Social Work In 2022-23, 4200 young people aged 15-17 around Australia were discharged from state out-of-home care placements with kinship, foster, or residential caregivers. A wealth of evidence shows that compared with their peers in the broader community, care leavers face poorer outcomes across several life domains, including higher rates of criminal justice system contact. This is a highly costly and concerning outcome for a group whose circumstances have often been long-known to social and health services. This project investigates the criminal justice system involvement of young people transitioning from out-of-home care in early adulthood, and aims to identify evidence-informed and culturally appropriate strategies to address these outcomes. It will also produce new knowledge regarding the implementation of Indigenous research governance. The study aligns with several nationally agreed policy priorities including the need to improve outcomes for care leavers, and to reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander criminalisation. Other study benefits will include evidence-informed strategies to enhance community safety and reduce criminal justice expenditure, alongside strengthened opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination, research opportunity and capacity. The research findings will be publicly shared via journal articles, webinars and policy briefs to maximise dissemination, and enhance translation to socially-useful policies and programs.

ARC National Competitive Grants · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Identification and characterization of cellular derived immunogenic RNA. Cellular RNAs traverse the cytoplasm during their lifecycle and must be distinguishable from pathogenic RNA (e.g. virus) by the innate immune sensing system. A-to-I RNA editing of cellular RNA by ADAR1 is a critical mechanism in establishing and maintaining self-tolerance to cellular double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). However, despite a detailed understanding of the pathway mediating sensing and response to unedited cellular dsRNA, we lack definitive experimental evidence of the identity of the immunogenic dsRNA. This project directly addresses this by bringing together world leading fundamental knowledge and tools to define and experimentally validate the identity, features and characteristics of immunogenic cellular dsRNA. Field of research: 3102 - Bioinformatics and Computational Biology How can the cell differentiate between its own RNA, that needs to be tolerated, from foreign RNA like a virus that is a threat? We now know that cells mark their own RNA through a process called A-to-I RNA editing. This editing is done by an enzyme called ADAR1. This changes the structure of the cells own RNA, making it invisible to the cells defence system. We have a detailed understanding of the genetics and pathways involved in reacting when ADAR1 is lost, but we do not know what the specific RNAs are that are causing the cell to react. This international collaboration will use the unique tools and methods the applicants have to identify and then experimentally demonstrate the identity of the cells own potentially immunogenic RNAs. Knowing this will allow us to understand features that can make an RNA more or less immunogenic, foundational knowledge in the field. This project will enhance Australia’s research capacity by combining RNA immunity with computational biology to expand our understanding of how cells tolerate their own RNA. Our results will be shared via publications and presentations (e.g. A-RNA, AIMS - both industry attended), and news, social media and public lectures, it will boost Australia’s profile and direct future research. This project aligns closely with multiple priorities of Australia's RNA Blueprint (Depart of Industry). While discovery focussed, this research could eventually bolster Australia’s biotechnology sector via new knowledge and tools.

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

Integrating immunomodulatory and probiotic strategies to prevent... Category: Medical Research

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

Therapeutic targeting of interleukin-33 for severe paediatric urinary... Category: Medical Research

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

Novel interferon treatment to mitigate serious viral infections Category: Medical Research

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

Resetting plasma cells in autoimmunity for sustained remission Category: Medical Research

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

Redefining signalling to integrate emerging STAT3 activities Category: Medical Research

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

A Synergy to Improve Personalised, Value-Based Care and Patient Outcomes... Category: Medical Research

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

A Synergy to Improve Personalised, Value-Based Care and Patient Outcomes... Category: Medical Research

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

Democracy's Knowledge Problem: from Polarization to Collective Wisdom Category: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) Research

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

Pathogen-Mediated Manipulation of the Human Lysosome: A Target for... Category: Medical Research