Linkage Projects 2020 Round 3 Announcement Banner

Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)

Fact Sheet (PDF 249KB)

Information on recently announced grant outcomes under the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award scheme is available on the following pages:

The DECRA scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions. It's objectives are to:

  • support outstanding early-career researchers with demonstrated capacity for high-quality research and emerging capability for leadership and supervision
  • foster collaboration, with national or international researchers
  • support excellent and innovative research that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money
  • create new or advanced knowledge resulting from the outcomes of the research with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia
  • advance promising early career researchers and promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways in high-quality and supportive environments.

Up to 200 three-year Discovery Early Career Researcher Awards, including up to $50,000 per annum in project funds, may be awarded each year. 

Project funding may be used for:

  • personnel, postdoctoral research associates and research assistants, technicians and laboratory attendants
  • access to research and infrastructure facilities and technical workshop services
  • essential field research
  • expert third party services
  • equipment and consumables
  • publication and dissemination of project research outputs and outreach activities
  • specialised computer equipment and software
  • travel costs essential to the project for up to $50,000 over the project activity period
  • web hosting and development
  • workshops, focus groups and conferences, and
  • reasonable essential costs for researchers who are carers or who themselves require care.

Key Documents and Information for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026