Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO724

The Discovery Projects scheme provides funding for research projects that can be undertaken by individual researchers or research teams.

The objectives of the Discovery Projects scheme are to:

• support excellent basic and applied research by individuals and teams
• encourage research and research training in high-quality research environments
• enhance international collaboration in research
• expand Australia’s knowledge base and research capability
• enhance the scale and focus of research in the Science and Research Priorities. 

The Discovery Projects scheme provides project funding of between $30,000 and $500,000 per year for up to five consecutive years. This may include a Discovery International Award to support Australian-based researchers working overseas or overseas researchers working in Australia on a project. Project funding may also be used for: personnel, for example, research associates or assistants and technicians and stipends for higher degree by research students; teaching relief; access to research and infrastructure facilities and technical workshop services; essential field research; expert third party services; equipment and consumables; publication and dissemination of outputs and outreach; specialised computer equipment and software; travel costs essential to the project; web hosting and development; workshops, focus groups and conferences; and essential support costs for researchers who are carers or who themselves require care.

A Proposal may only be submitted through the Research Office of an Eligible Organisation listed in the relevant Funding Rules.

Organisations that may participate in Discovery Projects are:

• Administering Organisations;
• Other Eligible Organisations; and
• Other Organisations.

Eligibility Criteria for Participants

Roles that may be undertaken by participants in Discovery Projects are:

• CI; and
• PI.

A Proposal must nominate at least one CI; the first named CI will be the Project Leader. 

Please refer to the relevant section of the Funding Rules for specific Eligibility requirements.

A Project may be applied for and awarded funding for a maximum of five consecutive years.

The Proposal must be submitted as a mature research plan presenting the proposed Project ready for implementation and must contain all the information necessary for its assessment without the need for further written or oral explanation, or reference to additional documentation, unless requested by the ARC.

Administering Organisations must submit Proposals through RMS (rms.arc.gov.au) unless otherwise advised by the ARC.

All Proposals must meet the format and content requirements, including certification, as set out in the RMS online form and the relevant scheme Instructions to Applicants.