The Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award is commonly a three-year, full-time grant for researchers building an independent track record. That simple answer masks real-life variation. The funded period is normally three years FTE, but calendar start and end dates change with university onboarding, approved part-time work or eligible career interruptions. For early…

This practical checklist helps research offices, schools, centres and faculty leaders prepare compliant submissions for DECRA 2027. Assessors read more than the research idea. They judge feasibility by the administering organisation’s systems, facilities and governance. That means internal processes must show clear capacity, low risk and credible support. At a glance: the ARC Discovery Program…

This guide breaks down what the headline figure really means for early career researchers funded through the ARC discovery stream. The award combines a notional pay contribution — commonly quoted as $112,897 (including 30% on-costs) — with project funding of up to $50,000 per year for three years. What you see in ARC documents is…

This buyer’s guide explains what ARC assessors look for and how to shape a high-scoring application narrative. It outlines how assessors weigh the who (investigator capability), the what (project quality and innovation), the so what (benefit to Australia) and the can you deliver (feasibility). The four assessment criteria carry a 35/35/15/15 weighting split: Investigator/Capability 35%,…

This short guide sets expectations for first-time applicants who aim to apply for a three-year fellowship-style grant that supports early career researchers. The piece works as a practical checklist, from early planning through final submission. Know what you write and what you must manage. The narrative and evidence you craft are different from eligibility checks,…

Australia offers more than 1,500 business grants across sectors, and many small businesses and researchers wonder if they can submit more than one bid for the same project. In practice, this often means lodging separate applications across different programs to fund distinct activities, stages or locations within a single project. There’s no blanket yes or…

Thinking about reduced hours while holding an early career research fellowship? This introduction explains what people usually mean by a DECRA held at less than 1.0 FTE and how that affects the award timeline, employment and budget. The fellowship is highly competitive, with success rates often in the low teens, and the ARC assessment can…

What the 13.1% headline really means. The latest national round funded 200 projects from $102.7 million, yet most applicants were not funded. This piece explains what that figure tells you — and what it hides. Who this is for: Australian early career researchers facing the discovery early career scheme and weighing time spent on applications….

This short guide explains the limit on DECRA attempts, what counts as an attempt, and practical steps if an application misses out. DECRA applicants often get two shots, so timing matters. Targeting the 3rd–4th year after a PhD is common advice, since eligibility windows affect whether an attempt is used well. Success rates vary year…

This short explainer outlines what people mean by the DECRA grant amount and why headlines often show larger totals than an individual can spend. The award is a packaged funding offer: salary support, project funds and institutional arrangements that together enable focused research for early career researchers. This article reads like timely news for Australian…

DECRA stands for the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award, an ARC Discovery program scheme that gives focused support to outstanding early-career researchers. The page targets early career researchers and university research support teams. It helps with eligibility checks, planning timelines and gauging application readiness for a competitive national award. The purpose is clear: enable researchers…

This guide explains who can apply and who will likely miss out under the ARC Discovery Program scheme. It summarises the rules you must meet at the grant closing date and the university steps to get your form lodged. Read on to plan early and avoid simple but costly mistakes. The scheme supports early career…