Legacy Schemes

The ARC has been awarding grants to successful applicants on research that helps deliver cultural, economic, social and environmental benefits to all Australians.

Please find the following links to information on previous scheme outcomes. 

Co-funded Centres

The Australian Research Council (ARC) works collaboratively with other agencies to jointly fund high-quality research through Co-funded Centres. These Co-funded Centres are established when the Australian Government identifies an area for investment by the ARC along with another Government agency. The scheme ended in 2016, after the conclusion of all funding allocations.

ARC Research Networks

ARC Research Networks was a programme designed to encourage collaborative approaches to research in inter-disciplinary settings. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2004.

ARC Special Research Centres

Special Research Centres were funded by the ARC on the basis of research excellence and potential to contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of Australia. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2008.

Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development

The Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme aimed to develop the performance and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers to a level at which they could compete in open competition for mainstream research funding. The scheme was renamed to Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development in 2002.

Federation Fellowships

The Federation Fellowships scheme aimed to attract world-class researchers and world-class research leaders to key positions, and creating new rewards and incentives for the application of their talents in Australia. Funding for this scheme ceased in 2008.

Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme

The Indigenous Researchers Development Scheme aimed to develop the performance and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers to a level at which they could compete in open competition for mainstream research funding. The scheme was renamed to Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development in 2002.

International Researcher Exchange Scheme

The International Researcher Exchange scheme provided funding under the International Researcher Exchange Programme (IREX) for movement of researchers between Australian research institutions and centres of research excellence overseas. Funding for this scheme ceased in 2001.

Key Centres for Teaching and Research

Key Centres for Teaching and Research aimed to assist education to respond to emerging national needs for the development of expertise in fields important to national development by linking teaching, applied research and more basic research. Funding for this scheme ceased in 2001.

Large Research Grants

The Large Research Grants scheme aimed to support research which was likely to lead to a significant advance in the understanding and knowledge of a subject, through conceptual advances and discoveries; and/or practical outcomes of importance to the research endeavour itself and to applications of social and economic value. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2001.

Linkage Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships (CSIRO)

The Linkage Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships (CSIRO) scheme was funded by the ARC and CSIRO and aimed to develop long-term, capacity-building research alliances between universities and CSIRO and provide enhanced training opportunities for early career researchers. Funding for this scheme ceased in 2003.

Linkage International - ARCIFs and ICIs Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIs)

The Linkage International scheme provided two categories of support. ARC International Fellowships (ARCIF) which provided salary and associated funding to outstanding research fellows to work in eligible Australian or overseas organisations. Internationally Coordinated Initiatives (ICIS) were collaborative initiatives between the ARC and overseas funding agencies to fund collaborative research proposals in targeted areas of research as defined for each specific initiative. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2009.

Linkage International Awards

The Linkage International Awards scheme provided travel and associated funds for Australia-based researchers to participate in joint research projects with overseas researchers, establishing new collaborations and strengthening ongoing collaborations that built links among researchers, research teams and/or centres of research excellence in Australia and overseas. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2007.

Research Fellowships

The Research Fellowships scheme aimed to foster opportunities for the pursuit of independent research ensuring the supply of trained, innovative personnel who are able to maintain and expand national research capacity and to move into other areas of education and industry. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2001.

Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme (RIEF)

The Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Scheme aimed to remedy deficiencies in current research infrastructure, enhance support for areas of research strength; and ensure that areas of recognised research potential, in which the institution had taken steps to initiate high quality research activity, had access to the support necessary for development. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2001.

Strategic Partnerships with Industry - Research and Training (SPIRT) (and earlier Collaborative Research Grants)

The Strategic Partnerships with Industry - Research and Training Scheme aimed to support collaborative research projects between higher education researchers and industry. It also aimed to provide industry-oriented research training to prepare high-calibre postgraduate research students and foster opportunities for postdoctoral researchers to pursue internationally competitive research in collaboration with industry. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2001.

Super Science Fellowships

The Super Science Fellowships scheme was part of the Australian Government’s Super Science Initiative. The aim of the Super Science Fellowships was to attract and retain outstanding early-career researchers in three key areas: space and astronomy; marine and climate; and future industries. Funding under this scheme ceased in 2011.

Thinking Systems

During 2005 and 2006 the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) collaborated in a funding initiative, the Thinking Systems initiative, to address the Australian Government's National Research Priority goals of Breakthrough Science and Frontier Technologies under the National Research Priority Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries.