Media Release Date: 19 May 2026 More than $99.8 million in Australian Government funding through the Linkage Projects 2025 Round 2 scheme will support new Australian research partnerships tackling some of the nation’s most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded funding to 178 collaborative research projects, bringing together universities with industry, government and community partners to deliver research aligned with Australia’s National Science Priorities, including funding for a healthy society, resilient and productive ecosystems, and transformative technologies. ARC Chief Executive Officer Professor Ute Roessner said the investment reflects the important role of collaboration in turning research expertise into practical benefits. ‘Strong partnerships are essential to ensuring Australian research delivers benefits to industry and the community,’ Professor Roessner said. ‘These projects bring together diverse expertise to address challenges that matter – supporting healthier communities, more sustainable industries and innovative approaches to complex national issues.’ The funded projects focus on a wide range of issues of national importance, including research to reduce the impact of herbicide‑resistant weeds threatening agricultural productivity and food security explore cooperative housing models to help address Australia’s housing affordability challenges, and develop next generation solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries that are safer, more powerful, and longer-lasting than current batteries. Other projects focus on strengthening psychological and social wellbeing for older Australians in residential care, expanding employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities through assistive AI, and developing an autonomous drone system to support safer and more efficient livestock management. These investments showcase the ARC’s role in supporting high-quality research across all disciplines, except medical research, to strengthen national capability, productivity and long-term solutions that benefit Australians today and in the future. For more information, refer to the Announcement Kit. Media contact: ARC Communications 0412 623 056 or communications@arc.gov.au.