Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
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Status: Expression of Interest Open

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 $162,897 per year of funding. The per annum salary contribution from the ARC is fixed at $112,897 (2023$), 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 2026 DECRA project will commence effective 1 January 2026, 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 2026 DECRA scheme
  • By the grant opportunity closing date (18 March 2025), 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 2020. 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 2025
  • Anticipated announcement: 2 to 13 September 2024
Dates for funding commencing in 2026
  • Macquarie University EOI open: Monday 22 April 2024
  • ARC Grant Guidelines released: Thursday 8 August 2024 (view in GrantConnect)
  • Macquarie University EOI deadline: Extended to 12pm (AEST) Monday 6 January 2025
  • ARC opening date in RMS: Thursday 30 January 2025
  • Strategic review (optional): 13 to 19 February 2025, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • MQ request not to assess deadline: Wednesday 26 February 2025
  • Compliance and eligibility check (mandatory): 27 February to 5 March 2025, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • ARC request not to assess close: Wednesday 5 March 2025
  • Research Services submission to ARC: Tuesday 18 March 2025
  • 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 2026
Webinars for Funding Commencing in 2026
  • Introduction to the ARC DECRA Funding Scheme
    4 December 2024
    Jackson Haberlin (Research Services) and Dr Emma Burns (DECRA Fellow, Faculty of Arts)
    Slides [PDF]
    Recording [Microsoft Stream]
  • Developing your Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence for the DECRA Scheme
    About: The Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) section of your application is crucial in demonstrating your track record and performance as a researcher. This workshop will describe how to respond to each section of ROPE and provide suggestions on how to clearly articulate your research opportunities, your most outstanding achievements and contributions to your field, and the quantity, quality, impact and benefit of your research outputs. This workshop will also outline changes to the application from last round.
    Date: Tuesday 4 February 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Location: Zoom, https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/84719305576
    Speaker: Dr Jo Chipperfield (Research Services)
    Register
  • Developing your DECRA Project Description and Letter of Support
    About: This workshop will provide strategic advice and guidance on how to complete your Project Description and Administering Organisation Letter of Support, with a focus on structure, content, pitch and format.
    Date: Thursday 6 February 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Location: Zoom, https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/86717491018
    Speaker: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services)
    Register
  • Building your DECRA Budget
    About: This workshop will provide advice on how to build your DECRA budget and how to justify your funding requests.
    Date: Tuesday 11 February 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Location: Zoom, https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/83833807999
    Speakers: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Prof Daniela Traini (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences)
    Register
DECRA information for funding commencing in 2025 (previous round)
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.