Date: 11 December 2025 Australia’s leading researchers have been honoured at the ARC Laureate Pin Ceremony, recognising vision, collaboration and impact. 2025 Australian Laureate Fellow Professor Sean Li receiving his Laureate Pin from ARC Board Deputy Chair Professor Susan Dodds and ARC CEO Professor Ute Roessner. On 20 November 2025, the Australian Research Council (ARC) hosted a ceremony to recognise the recipients of the 2025 Australian Laureate Fellowships and Industry Laureate Fellowships – two of the most prestigious awards in Australian research. These Fellowships represent an investment in leadership and collaboration. They support researchers who advance knowledge, mentor future leaders, build diverse teams, and create lasting impact for Australia’s research system. ARC CEO Professor Ute Roessner noted the significance of these contributions. ‘The value of your work extends far beyond laboratories and lecture theatres. It enriches the way our nation understands itself and the possibilities before us.’ About the Fellowships Australian Laureate Fellowships attract and retain world-class research leaders with the vision and ability to inspire and collaborate. These Fellowships build scale and focus in research by forging strong links across disciplines, industry, and the global research community. Each Fellowship supports bold, innovative programs that address significant knowledge gaps and tackle challenges of national importance, while providing outstanding training environments for early- and mid-career researchers. The Industry Laureate Fellowships strengthen pathways between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and translation. They aim to attract and retain outstanding research leaders with proven capacity for industry-focused research and to deliver transformative programs that create step-change across diverse industry settings. Celebrating the 2025 Fellows This year, 17 new Australian Laureate Fellows have been awarded a total of $65.2 million over 5 years. Among them are recipients of the named Laureate Fellowships, whose ambassadorial and mentoring roles will help shape a more inclusive and equitable research system: Professor Anya Reading, awarded the Georgina Sweet Fellowship, and Professor Felicity Meakins, awarded the Kathleen Fitzpatrick Fellowship. ARC CEO Professor Ute Roessner with the recipients of the 2025 Australian Laureate Fellowships. 8 new Industry Laureate Fellows have received $30.4 million to lead major collaborative research programs with industry partners – strengthening the links between research and real-world applications. ARC CEO Professor Ute Roessner with the recipients of the 2025 Industry Laureate Fellowships. Deputy Chair of the ARC Board, Professor Susan Dodds reflected on the collaboration and leadership at the heart of these Fellowships. ‘These Fellows remind us that great research doesn’t happen in isolation – it happens when bright minds work with courage, curiosity and a shared sense of purpose,’ she said. Congratulations to all the ARC 2025 Laureate Fellows, whose work enriches Australia’s research culture and strengthens our nation’s ability to meet future challenges. Read more about the 2025 ARC Laureate Fellows.