ARC Research Points are being introduced to support the policy intent of the revitalised National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) by enabling broader participation in research projects and supporting collaboration across grant opportunities. They will be used to manage how researchers participate in relevant grant applications and projects. Requirements vary by grant opportunity and participant role. Applicants should check the relevant Grant Opportunity Guidelines and this webpage before the grant opportunity closes. The ARC may amend ARC Research Points arrangements over time and will provide advanced notice of any changes. How ARC Research Points work ARC Research Points are applied and managed through the ARC’s Research Management System (RMS). Key principles include: ARC Research Points apply to the revitalised NCGP and are not assigned to the Discovery Program and Linkage Program grant opportunities. Eligible Chief Investigators (CIs) and Salaried Chief Investigators (SCIs) are allocated a balance of 13 Research Points from the commencement of the revitalised NCGP schemes. Research Point values assigned across revitalised NCGP schemes reflect participant roles, recognising CI leadership while enabling broader collaboration across schemes and projects to build knowledge, share expertise and create impact. When an applicant submits an application or holds an active project, the associated Research Points are committed against their available points balance. Research Point values and eligible roles vary between grant opportunities and may be updated over time. ARC Research Points will be reviewed to ensure they continue to support the policy intent of the revitalised NCGP, including broader participation, collaboration, and early-career researcher engagement, and will be published on this webpage. Using ARC Research Points Research Points are managed in RMS throughout the ARC grant application and project management lifecycle. The ARC intends to make the allocated, committed and available points for each applicant/participant visible in their RMS Person Profile. Further information will be provided before the Explore 2028 grant opportunity opens. Applicants must meet the points limit as at the grant opportunity closing date and throughout the life of the project, if awarded. Research Points are committed to submitted applications and active projects. Research Points already committed are not available for other applications until: For active projects, the project end date listed in RMS. For unsuccessful applications, after grant outcomes are announced. An applicant cannot apply if, at the time of the relevant grant opportunity closing date, they do not have enough available Research Points for a proposed role. Roles on projects and projects themselves cannot be relinquished to meet the Research Points eligibility requirement. Applicants should consider their available Research Points when planning future applications and project involvement. Current allocations The table below sets out the current ARC Research Points allocations. The published arrangements as at the relevant grant opportunity closing date will apply to that application round. The ARC will provide advance notice of future changes. Total Research Points available per Chief Investigator (CI) or Salaried Chief Investigator (SCI): 13 Role* Initiate Fellowships Indigenous Excellence Lead & Mentor Explore Breakthrough Collaborate Prioritise CIEF Lead CI / Director** 8 5 7 5 5 7 7 4 Node Lead CI / Director - - - - - 5 5 - CI - 3 - 3 3 3 3 2 SCI - ECR (Salary) - 8 8 8 8 8 8 - SCI - MCR (Salary) - 8 - - - - - - * Roles are based on indicative scheme design and subject to confirmation in final Grant Opportunity Guidelines.**An Initiate Fellowship candidate is considered a Chief Investigator. Examples of ARC Research Points Combinations Scheme Role Research Points Initiate Fellowships Lead CI / Director 8 Indigenous Excellence Lead CI/ Director 5 Total ARC Research Points 13 Scheme Role Research Points Indigenous Excellence Lead CI / Director 5 Lead & Mentor Lead CI / Director 7 Total ARC Research Points 12 Scheme Role Research Points Indigenous Excellence Lead CI / Director 5 Explore Lead CI / Director 5 Breakthrough CI 3 Total ARC Research Points 13 Scheme Role Research Points Lead & Mentor Lead CI / Director 7 Prioritise CI 3 Breakthrough CI 3 Total ARC Research Points 13 Scheme Role Research Points Explore Lead CI / Director 5 Breakthrough SCI – ECR 8 Total ARC Research Points 13 Scheme Role Research Points Collaborate Node Lead CI / Director 5 Prioritise SCI – ECR 8 Total ARC Research Points 13 Scheme Role Research Points Breakthrough Lead CI / Director 5 CIEF Lead CI / Director 4 Prioritise CI 3 Total ARC Research Points 12 Scheme Role Research Points CIEF Lead CI / Director 4 CIEF Lead CI / Director 4 CIEF CI 2 CIEF CI 2 Total ARC Research Points 12 Further information Refer to the relevant Grant Opportunity Guidelines and scheme web pages for scheme-specific eligibility, participation, and ARC Research Points requirements. The ARC will publish additional guidance ahead of the opening of the first Explore grant opportunity, including practical examples and scenarios to help applicants understand how ARC Research Points operate across different grant opportunities and participant roles.