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Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development

The Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme provides salary support to Indigenous Australian researchers and postgraduate research students to develop research expertise and experience to a level that is competitive with applicants for mainstream funding.

The scheme provides funding for research projects that may lead to an understanding of a particular subject or meet the requirements of higher research degrees.

To be eligible to apply, researchers must be of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent for funding. It is strongly recommended that a Mentor (who does not need to be an Indigenous Australian) be associated with the proposal to provide specific expert advice on the subject of the research.

Applicants do not have to hold a PhD to apply, but must have completed a research degree or demonstrate equivalent research capacity and experience. Researchers who are enrolled in higher research degrees may apply for a grant to provide funding towards their degree. In this instance, it is strongly recommended that the student’s supervisor (who does not need to be an Indigenous Australian) be associated with the proposal.

The Research Cadetship - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (RC-ATSI) was introduced into the program in 2002. The RC-ATSI provides a salary equivalent to the ARCs Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship. For 2007, RC-ATSI, has been renamed to Indigenous Researcher Fellow.

Applications for funding under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development scheme are processed once a year. Applications are restricted to Indigenous researchers.

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