New NCGP Schemes - Overview

Introduction and key elements

The revitalised NCGP will feature 7 new schemes and 1 sub-scheme. These deliver on the recommendations of the NCGP Policy Review and the feedback of stakeholders. They will:

• Provide greater support for early career researchers 
• Encourage collaboration with industry, end users and other domestic and international partners 
• Align with national priorities and on supporting the best early-state research for Australia’s benefit
• Provide funding for more project-based schemes
• Provide greater support for Indigenous researchers and research
• Incorporate a new approach to assessment 
• Create efficiencies including through introduction of an establishment phase and streamlined administrative processes.

The ARC will progressively implement the new scheme structure from the start of 2027. Indicative quarter by quarter timing for new schemes is shown at the end of this page. The NCGP Scheme Calendar will be updated as scheme timing is confirmed.

Supporting researchers

The revitalised NCGP streamlines schemes supporting researchers at all career stages. Initiate and Leader and Mentor will provide stronger support for early-career researchers (ECRs), while Indigenous Excellence will enhance support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers.

Initiate Fellowships

Initiate Fellowships will support ECRs. These grants will provide salary and project funding for ECRs for a period up to 3 years. The scheme supports ECRs with demonstrated high-quality research capability and the potential for research leadership. 

Lead and Mentor 

Lead and Mentor will support mid-career and senior researchers to pursue investigator led projects. A key part of these supported projects will be supporting the next generation of researchers through mentoring a team of ECRs (post-doctoral and higher degree by research students).

Lead and Mentor will include designated awards. These support ambassadorial activities representing key cohorts. 

The Kathleen Fitzpatrick and Georgina Sweet Awards will continue in this scheme, recognising outstanding women researchers.

2 new dedicated awards will recognise outstanding Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers.

Indigenous Excellence

Indigenous Excellence will support early and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. The scheme provides a specific opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers to pursue research across any NCGP-supported discipline and is in addition to the opportunities offered through all other schemes.

Supporting projects

The revitalised NCGP supports projects of bold exploration and seeking breakthroughs to vital issues. These schemes will support research across a broad spectrum of research topics.

Explore

Explore is dedicated to exploratory high-risk, high-reward research. It will support researchers to trial bold ideas with the potential to be highly transformative. 

These projects will have the potential to create new fundamental knowledge, drive particular benefits for Australian society including economic, social, environmental, cultural or commercial benefits

Breakthrough

Breakthrough will support projects to address a significant problem or gap in knowledge. Projects supported through Breakthrough will advance knowledge with academic, economic, commercial, environmental, social or cultural benefits for Australia. Breakthrough will support a broad spectrum of excellent research.

Supporting collaboration and infrastructure

Collaboration is vital to excellent research and taking research forward into application.

Under the revitalised NCGP, all new schemes will support collaborative research. Two schemes, Collaborate and Prioritise, will emphasise support for collaborative research opportunities.

Collaborate

Collaborate will encourage and support research alliances within Australia and internationally. Projects under the scheme will engage with research institutions, industry and a broad range of other research partners. 

Collaborate is expected to run every 2 years alternating with Prioritise once these programs commence.

Collaborate: Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (CIEF)

Within Collaborate will be a sub-scheme called Collaborate: Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (CIEF). This sub scheme will support medium-sized collaborative research infrastructure.

CIEF will run annually once it commences.

Prioritise

Prioritise will support major and long-term collaborative research projects. These projects will respond to emerging opportunities and national priorities. 

Projects under prioritise will build Australia’s research capacity in strategically important areas. They will improve Australia’s global competitiveness and sovereign capabilities.

Prioritise will run every 2 years alternating with Collaborate, once these programs commence.

Additional reforms

The revitalised NCGP will also implement the following reforms:

• A revised assessment process, including a focus on supporting value for money and national benefits, while still being grounded in the principles of peer review
• An establishment phase for all grants to minimise the information collected at grant application stage
• Efficiencies in post-award processes to minimise the burden on research administrators and the ARC. This will focus on appropriate and proportional risk management.

Indicative launch timeline