Monash University has again demonstrated its national research leadership and the excellence of its researchers, securing 78 new Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects worth $62.8 million in the 2026 funding round – the highest number and value of awards in Australia.
Monash achieved a 51 per cent success rate, outperforming the Group of Eight average and increasing total funding by more than $13.5 million year-on-year.
The results reflect Monash’s exceptional breadth and excellence across disciplines, with projects spanning biomedical science to geoscience, social policy, health economics and beyond.
For example, Professors James Whisstock and Alex de Marco will use cryogenic electron tomography to reveal how immune cells destroy infected and malignant cells, offering new insights into immune defence, while Professor Joel Brugger will study how critical metals behave in mineral-water systems to support sustainable resource extraction.
Alongside their multi-institution research team, Dr Kate Murphy and Emeritus Professor Alistair Thomson will uncover the lived experience of disability in Australian families from 1945 to the recent Royal Commission – developing the nation’s first comprehensive history of disability to inform future inclusion and policy – while Professor David Johnston, Dr Rachel Knott and Dr Sean Cowlishaw will quantify the economic causes and costs of domestic violence to guide more effective prevention and support programs.
Professor Robyn Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) said these examples are just a small handful that reflect the scale, creativity and impact of the University’s research community – delivering new knowledge that shapes healthier, fairer and more sustainable futures.
“Discovery research is the foundation of innovation – it’s where transformative ideas begin,” Professor Ward said.
“This is an outstanding result and a testament to the creativity, persistence and ambition of both our researchers and our broader research community.”
The ARC Discovery Projects scheme supports fundamental research that expands Australia’s knowledge base and addresses challenges of national and global significance.
For a full list of announced projects, click here.
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