Are you a mid-career researcher looking to elevate your academic journey in Australia? The Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships 2026 offer an exceptional opportunity to undertake groundbreaking research in STEM as well as Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS).
With grants ranging from AUD $766,904 to $1,329,808 over four years, this fellowship not only provides financial stability but also fosters international collaboration, research leadership, and innovation with significant global impact.
Sponsorship Package
The ARC Future Fellowships provide four (04) consecutive years of funding on a full-time basis, with flexibility for part-time arrangements (up to eight years). Fellows are supported with competitive funding designed to cover salaries, research activities, and project-related expenses. The program is tailored to enhance Australia’s research and innovation capacity while generating economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must apply through the Research Office of an eligible Australian university or institution. To qualify, you must:
- Hold a PhD awarded between 1 March 2011 and 1 March 2021 (with career interruption allowances considered).
- Be a mid-career researcher with proven leadership, mentoring, and research training experience.
- Not have received or been nominated for a Future Fellowship more than three times previously.
- Meet ARC project limit rules, which may involve relinquishing other roles if selected.
This fellowship is open across all Australian states and territories (ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, NT, TAS) and encourages both national and international collaborations.
Application Schedule
The official application for this future fellowship will close date is 5 November 2025 at 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time). All submissions must follow ARC’s Research Management System (RMS) requirements, ensuring complete and mature research proposals that are ready for assessment. Applications are strictly competitive and assessed based on excellence, leadership, and alignment with national and international priorities.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the ARC Research Management System (RMS) by the administering university. Prospective applicants must coordinate with their institution’s Research Office for internal review before the final submission. Registering for RMS is essential, and new users can request an account via the ARC RMS portal.