The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced proposed changes to its National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), following an extensive consultation process aimed at better supporting researchers across all stages of their careers.
The consultation was part of the ARC’s broader reform agenda outlined in A New Plan for ARC Funded Research, released in February 2025.
The ARC received nearly 350 submissions in response to the discussion paper, offering diverse perspectives on how to enhance the program’s effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of the research community.
Key themes emerging from the consultation included widespread support for simplifying the NCGP by reducing the number of schemes.
Respondents also welcomed a stronger emphasis on early career researchers (ECRs) and high-risk, high-reward research. However, feedback cautioned against combining these goals in a single scheme due to potential administrative complexity.
Concerns were also raised about the current embedded fellowship model, which many described as confusing and difficult to manage.
In addition, stakeholders underscored the importance of continued ARC support for collaborative research infrastructure, particularly in the context of the ongoing Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD).
In response, the ARC plans to implement several changes to the NCGP. These include the introduction of a standalone fellowship scheme for early career researchers, with a focus on supporting emerging talent through dedicated funding.
For mid-career and senior researchers, opportunities will shift towards project-based grants and mentorship roles, rather than salaried fellowships.
Additional support for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) and post-doctoral researchers will be made available through the Lead and Mentor scheme, and early career researchers will be eligible across all schemes.
A new, smaller-scale scheme will also be introduced to fund high-risk, high-reward research projects, open to researchers at any career stage. Meanwhile, a sub-scheme under the existing Collaborate Program will continue to support proposals for collaborative infrastructure.
These changes come as part of a broader review prompted by the government’s Trusting Australia’s Ability: Review of the Australian Research Council Act 2001.
The ARC said the revised model is designed with flexibility to accommodate shifting national research priorities and policy directions.
The ARC Board, in collaboration with the Department of Education, is preparing a final report for government, expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2025.
