GO8198: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities for funding commencing in 2027

The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme provides funding for research infrastructure, equipment and facilities to Eligible Organisations.

It enables researchers to participate in cooperative initiatives so that expensive research infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared between higher education organisations and also with industry.

The scheme also fosters collaboration through its support of the cooperative use of international or national research facilities.

LIEF grant applications are accepted once a year.

The minimum level of funding provided by the ARC is $150,000 per year.

We will only accept applications from Eligible Organisations listed in Appendix B.

The Administering Organisation (the Eligible Organisation that submits the application) must nominate at least one Chief Investigator (CI).

Applications may nominate no more than 15 CIs and Partner Investigators (PIs) in total, no more than five CIs from any one Eligible Organisation, and no more than five PIs from any one Partner Organisation.

Project duration must be minimum one year and maximum five years (multi-year applications only for construction, subscription/coordinated access to international/major national facilities, or leasing where more cost-effective than purchase).

You and each Other Eligible Organisation and Partner Organisation must commit significant cash and/or in-kind and/or other material resources; Other Eligible Organisations must make a cash contribution.

Organisational cash contributions for direct costs must be a minimum of 25% of the total direct cost of the research infrastructure (cash from Administering, Other Eligible, Partner and Other Organisations can make up this minimum); organisational cash contributions for indirect costs are not eligible.

CIs must, as at the grant commencement date and during the project activity period, be employed at least 0.2 FTE at an Eligible Organisation or hold an honorary academic appointment at an Eligible Organisation; CIs must reside in Australia for more than 50% of the project activity period; CIs must not undertake a Higher Degree by Research during the project period.

A named participant can be concurrently funded as a CI on a maximum of two LIEF projects.

Applications must not include medical research as detailed in the ARC Medical Research Policy (2025).

Partner Organisations, Other Organisations, participant obligations, certification requirements (e.g. regarding research integrity), and compliance with ARC policies (including the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research) are required as stated in the guidelines.