The Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowships 2026 offer a prestigious, fully funded research opportunity for international scholars and researchers aiming to pursue advanced studies in Australia. Designed for mid-career researchers, this fellowship program provides generous funding to support groundbreaking projects across STEM and Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines.
Over four years, the program awards between AUD $766,904 and $1,329,808, fostering global research collaboration, leadership development, and innovation. This initiative by the Australian Research Council (ARC) aims to strengthen Australia’s global position in research and development.
Quick Summary of the Fellowship
- Host Country: Australia
- Host Organization: Australian Research Council (ARC)
- Funding Coverage: Fully Funded
- Eligible Applicants: All nationalities
- Research Fields: Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences (HASS), and STEM
- Duration: 4 years (full-time) or up to 8 years (part-time)
- Deadline: 5 November 2025
About the ARC Future Fellowships Program
The ARC Future Fellowships Program supports outstanding mid-career researchers seeking to advance their careers in Australia. Fellows are expected to present a comprehensive and mature research plan that clearly demonstrates project readiness and the potential for significant contribution to national and international research agendas.
The Australian Research Council, established under the Australian Research Council Act 2001, operates as an independent Commonwealth agency reporting to the Minister of Education. The ARC plays a pivotal role in driving Australia’s research excellence, funding programs that deliver economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits while enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness.
Financial Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full-time research support for four consecutive years (or part-time equivalent up to eight years).
- Total funding between AUD $766,904 and $1,329,808.
- Coverage for salaries, research-related expenses, and project costs.
- Resources to strengthen Australia’s innovation capacity and research infrastructure.
Objectives of the ARC Future Fellowships 2026
The fellowship aims to:
- Support exceptional mid-career researchers demonstrating leadership, mentorship, and excellence in research.
- Encourage recruitment and retention of world-class researchers within Australian institutions.
- Promote international and interdisciplinary scientific collaboration.
- Fund projects that deliver measurable economic, social, environmental, and cultural outcomes.
- Advance national priorities through impactful and innovative research.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Australian Research Council Future Fellowships 2026, applicants must:
- Not be a previous recipient or have been recommended for a Future Fellowship on three prior occasions.
- Hold a PhD awarded between 1 March 2011 and 1 March 2021, or demonstrate equivalent research experience due to career interruptions as outlined by ARC policy.
- Review the ARC’s Eligibility and Career Interruptions Statement for permitted interruption types and timeframes.
- Not be bound by project limit conditions at the time of application submission.
- Meet all project participation and compliance requirements before the research begins.
Applicants who exceed project limits must withdraw existing or ongoing applications before the official publication of results.
Application Deadline
The final date to apply for the ARC Future Fellowships 2026 is 5 November 2025.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted electronically through the ARC Research Management System (RMS).
- Prospective applicants should coordinate with their university’s Research Office for internal review before submission.
- New users must register via the ARC RMS portal prior to applying.
- Proposals must comply with ARC’s RMS guidelines, ensuring completeness, clarity, and readiness for evaluation.
- All applications are assessed based on research quality, leadership potential, and alignment with national and international research goals.
For detailed information, visit the Official ARC Future Fellowships Page.
The Australian Research Council Future Fellowships 2026 provide one of the most prestigious funded research fellowships in Australia. With grants of up to AUD $1.3 million, this program supports talented mid-career researchers across HASS and STEM fields, encouraging innovation, leadership, and international collaboration that contribute to Australia’s research excellence and global impact.
