Applying for a grant?

The Australian Research Council (ARC) does not provide funding to individual researchers. All funding applications must be submitted through the Research Office in an Eligible Organisation (usually an Australian university).

Where can researchers find information?

Researchers seeking ARC support can find details about schemes funded under the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) on this page. Most applications are prepared by researchers and submitted to the ARC through the Research Office of an Eligible Organisation (usually an Australian university).

Please note that ARC funding is provided to organisations, not individual researchers. Grant Agreements (known as Funding Agreements under the ARC Act 2001) are agreements between the ARC and university. Applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the terms laid out in the Act. For example, the ARC Grant Agreement requires that any ARC contribution to research and other activities be appropriately acknowledged.

Applicants should also familiarise themselves with the Grant Guidelines (known as Funding Rules under the ARC Act 2001) for the ARC scheme they are applying for. The Grant Guidelines outline the application and selection processes, including closing dates and rules for eligibility.

Most ARC applications are completed using the ARC online application system.

For more information refer to the following information:

• Discovery Program Grant Guidelines
• Linkage Program Grant Guidelines
• Research Management System (RMS) Information

Finding grant opportunities

For information about when grants are advertised and where to find them, please visit the ARC Grants Calendar.

All grants are advertised through GrantConnect – the Australian Government’s grant information system. Application documents for ARC schemes are only available on GrantConnect. 

Preparing an application

Applicants must consider their eligibility when preparing an application, referring closely to the relevant Grant Guidelines. All applications require a National Interest Test (NIT) statement. Further information about aspects of preparing an application can be found as follows:

• Eligibility matters
• Articulating National Interest in Grant Applications
• Codes and Guidelines
• Classification Codes [FOR, RFCD, SEO and ANZSIC Codes]
• Salaries and stipends
• Science and Research Priorities
• Research Security
• Request Not to Assess
• Rejoinders

Announcement of funding

Following the assessment process for each round, outcomes are publicly announced on our webpage, social media, and via RMS.

For information on appeals, please visit:

• Appeals against NCGP administrative processes

Managing the Grant

Grants are managed by the administering organisation’s Research Office and the ARC’s Post Award Team. Our Post Award Team can help successful applicants with all aspects of grant administration and reporting.  

For information on managing your grant, please visit:  

• Grant Payments
• Manage your grant
• Industrial Transformation Research Program Reporting
• Project Start Date Information
• Variation to a Funding Agreement

Information about other grants administered by the ARC

Visit Research Grants Services if you would like further information on the National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants (NISDRG) / National Intelligence Discovery Grants (NIDG) Program or Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Programs.

Help with Industrial Collaboration

Watch the ‘Tips and Tricks for Industry Collaboration’ webinar for guidance on engaging with industry partners during the application process. The presentation slides are available below: 

• Tips and Tricks for industry collaboration slides

Need more help?  

We recommend contacting your institution’s Research Office for tailored support.