Monash University has secured the highest number and total value of Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grants in the 2026 funding round, with 78 new projects worth $62.8 million, the university announced.
According to Monash, this represents a 51 per cent success rate, exceeding the Group of Eight average and marking an increase of more than $13.5 million in funding compared to the previous year.
The university said the results highlight its broad research excellence across fields including biomedical science, geoscience, social policy and health economics.
Among the funded projects, Professors James Whisstock and Alex de Marco will use cryogenic electron tomography to study how immune cells destroy infected and malignant cells, while Professor Joel Brugger will investigate how critical metals behave in mineral-water systems to support sustainable resource extraction.
In another project, Dr Kate Murphy and Emeritus Professor Alistair Thomson will examine the lived experiences of disability in Australian families from 1945 to the recent Royal Commission, creating what Monash described as the nation’s first comprehensive history of disability.
Meanwhile, Professor David Johnston, Dr Rachel Knott and Dr Sean Cowlishaw will quantify the economic causes and costs of domestic violence to inform prevention and support initiatives.
Professor Robyn Ward, Monash Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), said the results reflected the creativity and impact of the university’s research community.
“Discovery research is the foundation of innovation – it’s where transformative ideas begin,” Professor Ward said. “This is an outstanding result and a testament to the creativity, persistence and ambition of both our researchers and our broader research community.”
The ARC Discovery Projects scheme supports fundamental research that contributes to Australia’s knowledge base and addresses national and global challenges.
