ARC started their webinars about changes to their grants schemes today. Clarification on some points below, in no particular order, as people report them: 🔹DP28 apps due “early” 2027 (reminder: no EOI) 🔹No new rounds of existing schemes to be announced; FT27 & DP28 unequivocally called “final”.

#ARCschedule Aug26 Outcomes expected for Future Fellowships (13–27 Aug). Other events: 🔹Discovery Indigenous apps close. 🔹Selection meetings: Discovery Projects, Laureate Fellowships & LIEF Data ▶️ docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

It is now August. The Australian government still hasn't replied to the official petition on tax discrimination against part-time PhD students it should have, by its own rules, replied to by last January @arc-tracker.bsky.social (But we are told they care! Promised!) www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...

e-petitions

e-petitions

aph.gov.au

Did you know the ARC is on Bluesky? If not, I encourage you to follow them: @arc-gov-au.bsky.social There will be a lot of change over the next couple of years. Tuning into them on here will help raise this channel's priority for their communication with actual researchers.

Multiple people are reporting that these are now all full. Maybe @arc-gov-au.bsky.social should put some more on?

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 7d ago

ARC is running webinars about the new schemes – register for one with the links below (times are AEST): 5 Aug 2–3pm: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/706e8e... 6 Aug 10–11am: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c25ba8... 7 Aug 11–12pm: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a4ade3...

ARC is running webinars about the new schemes – register for one with the links below (times are AEST): 5 Aug 2–3pm: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/706e8e... 6 Aug 10–11am: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c25ba8... 7 Aug 11–12pm: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a4ade3...

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 2w ago

The ARC has released their new set of grant schemes ▶️ www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub... Before implementing them, they’re now going to “consult with the sector”. Hopefully genuinely, not just with a few disengaged DVCRs. In the meantime, there’ll be another round of Discovery Projects (DP28).

In case you missed it, the ARC now has rough time-lines for introducing the new schemes 👇

Giulia Gizzi@giulia-gizzi.bsky.social · last wk.

Looks like there are some tentative timelines that have been published now as well www.arc.gov.au/revitalised-...

Looks like there are some tentative timelines that have been published now as well www.arc.gov.au/revitalised-...

I hope that the consultation process encourages the @arc-gov-au.bsky.social to allow an additional attempt for ECRs that used the final round of the DECRA as their 2nd attempt rather than waiting. Like many others, I was encouraged to apply in case the proposed schemes were no longer suitable.

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 2w ago

The ARC has released their new set of grant schemes ▶️ www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub... Before implementing them, they’re now going to “consult with the sector”. Hopefully genuinely, not just with a few disengaged DVCRs. In the meantime, there’ll be another round of Discovery Projects (DP28).

The ARC's new grant scheme table, in case you don't want to read through the details (which are here: www.arc.gov.au/system/files...)

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 2w ago

The ARC has released their new set of grant schemes ▶️ www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub... Before implementing them, they’re now going to “consult with the sector”. Hopefully genuinely, not just with a few disengaged DVCRs. In the meantime, there’ll be another round of Discovery Projects (DP28).

Minister for Education, the Hon @jasonclaremp.bsky.social, has released the final report of the National Competitive Grants Program Policy Review — setting the direction for a simpler, more focused research funding program. Read more: www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub...

The ARC has released their new set of grant schemes ▶️ www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub... Before implementing them, they’re now going to “consult with the sector”. Hopefully genuinely, not just with a few disengaged DVCRs. In the meantime, there’ll be another round of Discovery Projects (DP28).

Ah, damn, I stuffed up the numbers here. I meant to compare DP27 (435+ days) to DP23 (191) because DP23 didn't have the 2-step process and was quite a "typical" duration for the ARC at that time.

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 3w ago

The UK government’s research grant agency wants to cut grant processing times from 195 days to 90. Meanwhile, the Australian equivalent, has increased it from 195 days to at least 435 (DP26 vs. DP27). This is for comparable, “applicant led grants”. Make it make sense.

The UK government’s research grant agency wants to cut grant processing times from 195 days to 90. Meanwhile, the Australian equivalent, has increased it from 195 days to at least 435 (DP26 vs. DP27). This is for comparable, “applicant led grants”. Make it make sense.

UKRI pledges to cut grant processing time in half - Research Professional News

Funder’s new five-year strategy aims to boost national priority fields, while backing curiosity-driven research

researchprofessionalnews.com

This👇 5 years ago, @jodiebradby.bsky.social & 15 Laureate Fellows led a bid to the Government with 1000+ signatories to advocate for this to change ▶️ treasury.gov.au/sites/defaul... But @arc-gov-au.bsky.social & the Ministers did nothing.

Luca Cortese@astroquokka.bsky.social · 4w ago

Wondering what is the point of an ARC assessment review process if assessors are just asked to amend text removing the most dubious parts of assessments but likely not change the grade. Happened twice in a row. May deter people from even asking for a review in the future @arc-tracker.bsky.social

Wondering what is the point of an ARC assessment review process if assessors are just asked to amend text removing the most dubious parts of assessments but likely not change the grade. Happened twice in a row. May deter people from even asking for a review in the future @arc-tracker.bsky.social

#ARCSenateOrder Jun26: The ARC made no grant recommendations to the Minister in June. See https://www.arc.gov.au/about/our-organisation/reporting/senate-requirements/agency-grants-pratt-motion /bot

#ARCschedule Jul26 No outcomes expected. There’s not even a plan for schemes beyond Nov! Other events: 🔹Rejoinders: Laureate Fellowships (open & close); Discovery Projects (close). 🔹Selection meetings: DECRAs & Linkage Projects Data ▶️ docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Will ARC run another round of #DiscoveryProjects (DP28)? They announced the new Future Fellowships round (FT27) 4 months before its application opening date. DP27 EOIs opened 3rd Nov last year. And 4 months before 3rd Nov this year is 3rd July. So, maybe next week they'll announce a new round?

#DiscoveryProjects #DP27 assessor reports are now available in RMS.

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · last mo.

#DiscoveryProjects #DP27 Detailed assessor reports should be released in ARC's RMS tomorrow (23 Jun). Normally about 11am, Canberra time (but it varies). Remember the #ARC3DayRule: Think an assessment is "inappropriate"? You've only got 3 days to lodge a "request for review" 👇

#DiscoveryProjects #DP27 Detailed assessor reports should be released in ARC's RMS tomorrow (23 Jun). Normally about 11am, Canberra time (but it varies). Remember the #ARC3DayRule: Think an assessment is "inappropriate"? You've only got 3 days to lodge a "request for review" 👇

while government/universities are getting research output for bottom-dollar, because of goodwill and sweat equity students/staff put in, it won’t change. also, isn’t it so weird the argument huge salaries are “essential to aTtrACt tOp tAlEnt” to university VC roles never applies to PhD students?! 🤔🤔

= below-minimum country with a below-minimum future ...

I'm going to mention that the govt also seems utterly uninterested in even doing the basic minimum to support research students with carer responsibilities or health issues (and thus going part time): www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/... (inc. even replying to an official petition they're required to)

e-petitions

e-petitions

aph.gov.au

Research students: Government guarantee of minimum wage would be nice? Edu Minister @jasonclaremp.bsky.social: Nah. Universities can pay that if they want. Unis: We’re sacking researchers & defunding our research scholarship programs. What a “system”! Below-minimum wage = below-minimum research

PhD student Maxim makes $18 an hour to research children’s cancer – it’s barely above Australia’s poverty line

Skyrocketing living costs and lack of government support are deterring potential PhD candidates. Experts say the obvious solution is to lift the stipend

theguardian.com

Like it or lump it, the College of Experts is probably set to remain a staple of ARC's system for some time yet. Most who serve on it report it's worth their time & effort, both as a service to the research community & for their proposal-writing abilities. So, maybe consider nominating for it?

Australian Research Council@arc-gov-au.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Nominations now open: ARC College of Experts 2027. We’re seeking leaders in research and peer review from across academia, industry and the public sector — with strong encouragement for multidisciplinary expertise and diverse nominations. Find out more: www.arc.gov.au/news-and-pub...

Happening now: www.youtube.com/live/7ATi097...

Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee | [Part 1] | 05/06/2026

YouTube video by Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal

youtube.com

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The ARC @arc-gov-au.bsky.social is up before Senate Estimates this Friday, at 4:15. Plenty of issues with the ARC right now – hope they're questioned! Last on the agenda, again, so let's hope they're not bumped by discussions about the ANU again. Estimates schedule ▶️ www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...

To clarify This means ARC made no grant recommendations *to the Minister* in May. I'll include this clarification in future bot posts. What we really need is a similar level of transparency/disclosure from the ARC Board when they approve grants! They could just do this but, sadly, they don't.

ARC Tracker@arc-tracker.bsky.social · 2mo ago

#ARCSenateOrder May26: The ARC made no grant recommendations in May. See https://www.arc.gov.au/about/our-organisation/reporting/senate-requirements/agency-grants-pratt-motion /bot

#ARCSenateOrder May26: The ARC made no grant recommendations in May. See https://www.arc.gov.au/about/our-organisation/reporting/senate-requirements/agency-grants-pratt-motion /bot

The ARC @arc-gov-au.bsky.social is up before Senate Estimates this Friday, at 4:15. Plenty of issues with the ARC right now – hope they're questioned! Last on the agenda, again, so let's hope they're not bumped by discussions about the ANU again. Estimates schedule ▶️ www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...