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Policy Review of the National Competitive Grants Program

The Australian Research Council have released the Discussion Paper: A New Plan for ARC-Funded Research. The paper, which proposes significant reforms to the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program, has been developed in response to extensive consultations with stakeholders undertaken in 2024.

Launched in 2024, the Policy Review is examining the fundamental settings of Australia’s flagship competitive research grants program to ensure, among other things, it is:   

  • well-designed and fit for purpose when it comes to building and supporting Australia’s capacity and capability across basic and applied research   
  • delivering visible returns on public investment, including through strengthened collaboration between the research sector and industry and other end-users, and   
  • aligned with other government programs involving support for, and investments in, research.   

This Review provides a unique opportunity for the ARC to work with stakeholders in the research sector to revitalise the NCGP to ensure it is an innovative, responsive and world-leading program for the coming decades. 

The proposed model includes a complete re-design of scheme structure, further streamlining of administrative processes, greater focus on the generation of new knowledge, and strengthened opportunities for early career researchers. 

A final report will be delivered to the Government, through the ARC Board, in mid-2025.  

The Terms of Reference can be downloaded in PDF format (142KB) and Word format (150KB). 

The Discussion Paper can be downloaded in PDF format (1MB) and Word format (1.4MB).  

Submissions are now open and will close at 11.59pm on 13 April 2025.   

Submissions may be made through the online submission portal.

The Department of Education is experiencing an IT outage affecting its network, website and telecommunication systems. This outage is affecting the submission portal for the ARC's NCGP Policy Review (closing 11.59pm Sunday 13 April). Please email submissions to ARC-PolicyReview@arc.gov.au.  

 The portal will allow users to:  

  • respond to some or all the questions in the discussion paper, or  
  • upload a 4-page response in Microsoft Word or machine-readable PDF format.   

Submissions may be made public unless accompanied by a request that they not be made public. Submission information may also be shared with an external steering group and other Australian Government organisations for the purpose of the Review.  

Submissions may be made anonymously or pseudonymously, however in these cases we will be unable to follow up on any details in the submission.  

Questions about the Review should be directed to: ARC-PolicyReview@arc.gov.au. 

Read the NCGP Policy Review FAQs here: Policy Review of the NCGP - FAQs