Discovery Indigenous
  1. Macquarie University
  2. Research
  3. Our research
  4. Funding and grants
  5. ARC schemes
  6. Discovery Indigenous

Status: Open

Find out information about the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme.

Aim

The ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme provides funding to Administering Organisations to support research programs led by an Indigenous Australian researcher and build research capacity of higher degree research and early career researchers.

The Discovery Indigenous scheme objectives are to:

  • support the retention of excellent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers in higher education institutions to expand research capacity in Australia;
  • support excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research and research training, across all disciplines excluding clinical and other medical research, by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers as individuals and as teams;
  • enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas and create economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia; and
  • support national and international research collaboration.

The minimum level of funding provided by the ARC is $30,000 per year, with a maximum of $500,000 per year. Projects may be applied for and awarded funding for up to five consecutive years. Direct costs may be applied for, including for example personnel, equipment, maintenance, teaching relief, and travel.

Changes to Eligibility for DVCR Co-Funding

Eligibility for the DVCR Co-Funding Scheme is now contingent upon on-time submission of grant applications by your compliance and eligibility date. 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.
For funding commencing in 2026:
  • Release of ARC Grant Guidelines: Wednesday 31 October 2024
  • ARC opening date in RMS: Wednesday 20 November 2024
  • Strategic review (optional): Submit to the RO in RMS by Thursday 23 January 2025
  • Compliance and eligibility check (mandatory): Submit to the RO in RMS by Thursday 6 February 2025
  • ARC request not to assess close: Thursday 6 February 2025
  • Research Services submission to ARC: Thursday 20 February 2025
  • Rejoinder period: 23 May to 6 June 2025
  • Outcomes expected: 17 to 30 September 2025

These are indicative dates from the ARC and are subject to change.
Notification Of Intent (NOI)
Complete a Notification of Intent to inform your Faculty and the University Research Services teams of your intention to submit an application. After completing this NOI, you will be provided with regular updates about your funding scheme and sent valuable resources that will assist you in developing a highly competitive research grant application.
ARC information
Macquarie resources

Certification Form - this must be completed by participants at non-MQ organisations in Australia. Overseas organisations do not need to complete the form. MQ CIs not in the same School or Department as the lead CI must also complete this form, as only the lead CI's HoS/HoD can sign off via Pure. Upload the completed form(s) to your Pure record by your mandatory compliance and eligibility check date.