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

Status: Closed

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

Aim

The objectives of the ARC Discovery Projects scheme are to:

  • support excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research, and research training, across all disciplines excluding clinical and other medical research, that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money;
  • expand research capacity in Australia by supporting excellent researchers and teams;
  • foster national and international research collaboration;
  • create new knowledge with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia; and
  • enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas.

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 the date you select for your full application 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 check 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:
  • Grant Guidelines released by ARC: Thursday 10 October 2024
Expressions of Interest:
  • EOIs open: Thursday 31 October 2024
  • MQ RNTA deadline: Tuesday 19 November 2024
  • ARC RNTA deadline: Tuesday 26 November 2024
  • Optional strategic review: Please contact your Faculty Research Office
  • Mandatory compliance and eligibility check: 27 November to 4 December 2024, select your date and time in this booking calendar
  • EOIs close: Friday 13 December 2024
  • EOI outcomes: 26 to 28 February 2025
Full Applications

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.
Webinars for funding commencing in 2026
  • Developing your ROPE for 2026 ARC Discovery Project EOI applications
    4 November 2024
    Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Prof Tiffany Jones (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Arts)
    Slides [PDF]
    Recording [Microsoft Stream]
  • Developing your Project Description for 2026 ARC Discovery Project EOI applications
    7 November 2024
    Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Prof Stephen Foley (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Science and Engineering)
    Slides [PDF]
    Recording [Microsoft Stream]
  • Developing your 2026 ARC Discovery Project Full Application: Project Description
    About: This webinar will provide strategic advice and guidance on how to complete your DP26 Full Application Project Description, Capability Statement, and National Interest Test Statement, with a focus on structure, content, pitch and format. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar.
    Date: Friday 7 March 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Location: Zoom, https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/83437699402
    Speakers: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services) and Prof Richard McDermid (ARC College of Experts and Faculty of Science and Engineering)
    Register
  • Developing your 2026 ARC Discovery Project Full Application: Budget
    About: This webinar will provide strategic advice and guidance on how to build your DP26 Full Application budget and how to justify your funding requests. There will be plenty of time for Q&A during the webinar.
    Date: Tuesday 11 March 2025
    Time: 12:00-13:30
    Location: Zoom, https://macquarie.zoom.us/j/82256783190
    Speaker: Dr Ross Hill (Research Services)
    Register
ARC information for funding commencing in 2026
Macquarie EOI resources
Macquarie full application resources

Certification Form - this must be completed by participants at non-MQ organisations in Australia at the full application stage only (i.e. it does not need to be completed at the EOI stage). 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 full application mandatory compliance and eligibility check date.