Reforms announce for settings, design of Australian Research Council's National Competitive Grants Program

Under the reforms, a final report of the NCGP Policy Review will realign the NCGP with its core mission of funding the best early-stage research, create a simpler grants structure by reducing the number of schemes, prioritise salary opportunities for early-career researchers and providing clearer pathways into research careers for PhD graduates, increase visibility to industry and ensuring all research under new schemes has collaboration potential; better align research with national priorities.

The reforms will also better align research funding to the Government’s expectations around research integrity and research security.

This includes ensuring research activities advance Australia’s security, defence and international relations and the ARC continues to improve processes to identify and eliminate risks affecting Australia's research sector.

“This is the most significant reform to the ARC’s grants program in decades. The NCGP Policy Review reflects extensive consultation with the sector and a clear commitment to maintaining excellence, fairness, and transparency in research funding,” according to ARC Board Chair Professor Peter Shergold.

“The new program will help ensure Australia’s research system remains strong, adaptable and internationally competitive.

“The ARC Board will continue to provide oversight to ensure the reforms are implemented in a way that maintains trust and confidence across the sector.”

VIEW ALL

The NGCP adds more than $3 of economic output for Australia for every $1 invested. The first scheme following the Review, Explore, will open in March 2027. New programs will be introduced progressively after that.

“The Ambitious Australia report recognises that Australia’s future competitive advantage will come from focusing our research strengths on the great national challenges and opportunities before us – from industrial transformation and clean energy to advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies,” according to Minister for Industry and Innovation of Australia Tim Ayres.

“Australia's researchers are among the best in the world – with greater coordination and a shared sense of national purpose, their work can deliver even greater benefits for Australians.”