GO8444: Discovery Indigenous for funding commencing in 2027
The Discovery Indigenous scheme provides grant funding to support research projects conducted by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers.
The Discovery Indigenous scheme objectives are to:
- support the retention of excellent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers in higher education institutions to expand research capacity in Australia
- support excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research and research training, across all disciplines excluding clinical and other medical research, by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers as individuals and as teams
- enhance the scale and focus of research in Australian Government priority areas and create economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia
- and support national and international research collaboration
The intended outcomes of the Discovery Indigenous scheme are:
- an expanded knowledge base and research capacity in Australia
- and economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia
Applications may only be submitted by an Eligible Organisation listed in Appendix B, which becomes the Administering Organisation.
The application must include at least one Chief Investigator (CI) or DAATSIA candidate, include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) certification that all CIs and DAATSIA candidates have provided evidence that they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and request at least $30,000 per year in project costs in addition to any requested DAATSIA salary.
CIs must provide evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status when the application is submitted and, at grant commencement, must either be employed at least 0.2 FTE by an Eligible Organisation or hold an eligible honorary academic appointment.
CIs must reside in Australia for more than 50% of the project activity period, must not undertake a Higher Degree by Research during the project, and the Project Leader must demonstrate capacity to manage the project.
DAATSIA candidates must meet the CI eligibility requirements.
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Contact information available on the grant website.
Last updated: 21 July 2026