The Future Fellowships scheme supports research in areas of critical national importance by giving outstanding researchers incentives to conduct their research in Australia. The aim of the Future Fellowships scheme is to attract and retain the best and brightest mid-career researchers. 

At present many highly qualified mid-career researchers choose to work overseas to further their careers due to lack of opportunities in Australia. The Future Fellowships scheme addresses this problem and will significantly boost Australia's research and innovation capacity in areas of national importance.

Future Fellowships provide four-year fellowships to outstanding Australian mid-career researchers. In addition, the ARC may award the Administering Organisation up to $50 000 of non-salary funding per annum which may be used for personnel, equipment, travel and field research costs directly related to the Future Fellow's research.

The objectives of the Future Fellowships scheme are to:

  • ensure that outstanding mid-career researchers are recruited and retained by Administering Organisations in  continuing academic positions 
  • build collaboration across industry and/or research organisations and/or disciplines
  • support research in Science and Research Priorities that will result in economic, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia
  • strengthen Australia’s research capacity by supporting innovative, internationally competitive research.

The Future Fellowships scheme encourages proposals from researchers working in areas of national priority. Preference will be given to those researchers who can demonstrate a capacity to build collaboration across industry and/or research institutions and/or with other disciplines.

Although international experience is important for Australian researchers, it is also important they have the opportunity to return home to continue their work.

Up to 100 four-year Future Fellowships may be awarded each year, providing a salary awarded at one of three salary levels and up to $50,000 per annum project funding. Project funding may be used for: personnel, postdoctoral research associates and research assistants, up to one higher degree by research stipend, 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 outputs and outreach; specialised computer equipment and software; travel costs essential to the project for up to $100,000 over the life of the project; web hosting and development; workshops, focus groups and conferences; and reasonable essential extraordinary costs for researchers who are carers or who themselves require care.

One call for submission of Future Fellowships proposals is made each year.

Content Last Modified: 26/06/18

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