Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
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Status: Closed

Find out information about  the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA).

Aim

The objectives of the DECRA scheme are to:

  • support outstanding early-career researchers with demonstrated capacity for high-quality research and emerging capability for leadership and supervision
  • foster collaboration, with national or international researchers
  • support excellent and innovative research that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money
  • create new or advanced knowledge resulting from the outcomes of the research with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia
  • advance promising early career researchers and promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways in high-quality and supportive environments.

A DECRA recipient may be awarded ARC funding of up to $176,693 per year of funding. The per annum salary contribution from the ARC is fixed at $126,693 (2025$), including 30% on-costs, and up to a maximum of $50,000 project costs. Salary and/or project costs will not be awarded separately.

Funding for a 2027 DECRA project will commence effective 1 January 2027, unless other arrangements are approved by the ARC.

Eligibility for DVCR Co-Funding

Eligibility for the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme is contingent upon on-time submission of grant applications by the date you select for your compliance and eligibility check in the booking calendar. Many applications for external funding require cash and in-kind contributions from the host institution in order to be considered for funding. In most cases, researchers request cash contributions, such as project support funds, funding for research associates, scholarships and major equipment, from the DVCR via the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme to support their external funding applications.

To be eligible to request this DVCR Co-Funding, grant applications must be submitted internally, via Pure, by your compliance and eligibility date.

  • Applications must be submitted to the Research Services Grant Development Team by your compliance and eligibility check date.
  • View further information on deadlines, processes and FAQs.
  • Applications that do not have a Pure record and/or do not have all the appropriate approvals in Pure (Head of Department [HoD] and Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation [DDRI]) will not be submitted to the external funding body.
Eligibility criteria for the 2027 DECRA scheme
  • By the grant opportunity closing date (11 March 2026), candidates must have been awarded a PhD.
  • The PhD award date (i.e. the date on the testamur) must be on or after 1 March 2021. If a candidate's PhD was awarded earlier than this, they must complete an Eligibility exemption request form to check their eligibility.
  • Candidates can only apply twice in the period in which they are eligible.
  • An individual must not be nominated for more than one DECRA in a grant opportunity.
  • A previous recipient of a DECRA is not eligible to apply for another DECRA.
  • At least 80% of your time must be dedicated to the DECRA research.
  • You must spend at least 50% of your time during the completion of the DECRA in Australia.
  • Candidates must adhere to the ARC project limits.
  • Your project must be eligible according to the ARC Medical Research Policy.
Dates for funding commencing in 2027
  • ARC Grant Guidelines released: Thursday 8 August 2024
  • Macquarie University EOI open: Friday 21 March 2025
  • Macquarie University EOI deadline: 12pm (AEST) Monday 5 January 2026
  • ARC opening date in RMS: Wednesday 28 January 2026
  • Strategic review (optional): 6 to 12 February 2026, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • MQ request not to assess deadline: Wednesday 18 February 2026
  • Compliance and eligibility check (mandatory): 20 to 26 February 2026, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • ARC request not to assess close: Wednesday 25 February 2026
  • Research Services submission to ARC: Wednesday 11 March 2026
  • Rejoinder period: 12 May to 25 May 2026
  • Outcomes expected: 24 September to 10 October 2026
Dates for funding commencing in 2026
  • Rejoinder period:  25 June to 8 July 2025
  • Outcomes expected: 14 to 27 November 2025

ARC dates are indicative and are subject to change
DECRA Expression of Interest (EOI) for Funding Commencing in 2027
Webinars for Funding Commencing in 2026
DECRA information for funding commencing in 2026
ARC information
Macquarie resources

If you are an external applicant applying for a DECRA through Macquarie University, please email grant.development@mq.edu.au for access to any of these resources.