DECRA Fellowships

A scheme for early career researchers (ECRs), which forms a part of the ARC's Discovery program.  The objectives of the DECRA grant opportunity are to:

1. support outstanding early-career researchers with demonstrated capacity for high-quality research and emerging capability for leadership and supervision;
2. foster collaboration, with national or international researchers;
3. support excellent and innovative research that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money;
4. create new or advanced knowledge resulting from the outcomes of the research with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia; and
5. advance promising early career researchers and promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways in high-quality and supportive environments.

DECRAs will be awarded funding in 2026 for a period of up to 3 years on a full time-basis. A researcher may only apply for up to 2 DECRAs over the period in which they are eligible.

DE26 is open to applicants who have been awarded a PhD on or after 1 March 2020, or have an award of PhD date together with an allowable period of career interruptions that would be commensurate with an award of PhD date on, or after 1 March 2020. The allowable career interruptions set out and the period allowed for each are in Table 8 of the Discovery Fellowships Grant Guidelines 2023 edition. Dates for DE26 TBC

ARC funding :

Up to a maximum of $162,897 per year of funding. Per annum salary contribution from the ARC is fixed at $112,897 (inc. 30% on costs) and up to a maximum of $50,000 for project costs per year.

PhD stipend rates (DE25, DE26 TBC):

• ARC - $32,212 pa
• Deakin - $35,550 per annum tax exempt (2025 rate)

1. Read the Grant Guidelines, Instructions to Applicants and FAQs
2. Liaise with your mentor and your faculty/institute Research office to check their nomination process.
3. Complete the NOIS via online form

4. DR Grants liaise with Faculty / IFM / IISRI/ A²I² / ADI to get an approved NOIS list

5. Applicants will receive further information on the next steps in the process from DR Grants
6. Contact the Deakin Library team via this form to assist with Research Metrics.
7. Applicants to commence application in the ARC Research Management System – RMS.
8. Use the Deakin University templates provided below and liaise with the DR-Grants ARC team as necessary
9. Complete submission of your application via RMS to the Research Office for compliance checking by the date selected via Eventbrite booking.

The ARC will no longer publish scheme specific documents on its website, but will make these available through GrantConnect. Links to scheme specific documents can be found below.

Policies and Strategies can still be found on the ARC website.

Templates, certification forms and other resources are available below, or will be made available as relevant information is released by the ARC.

Templates:

• B4 - Research Load - non ARC Grants
• B8 - Details of the DECRA candidate career
• C1 - Project Description
• C2 -  Administering Organisation letter of support
• D2 - Justification of non-salary funding from the ARC
• D3 - Details of Non-ARC Contributions

Other resources:

• Deakin Library Research Metrics Request Form
• Compliance Checklist
• Guidance sheet for Statement by the Administering Organisation
• Budget and Justification Guide
• General Guidance sheet for completing ARC Project Budgets
• Eligibility Exemption Request - please email Deakin Research Grants if you need to discuss your eligibility.
• Deakin University Salary Calculator
• Form to access library of successful DECRA applications