Future Fellowship supports outstanding mid-career researchers with salary and research funding in Australia. The scheme (ARC Future Fellowships 2027) funds four-year fellowships that can include salary support and up to AUD 60,000 per year in non-salary research funding, enabling recipients to focus on high-quality research with national or international benefits.
The fellowship is offered by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and administered through eligible Australian universities or research organisations. Applicants cannot apply directly to the ARC; an eligible Australian administering organisation must support and submit the application on the applicant’s behalf.
Future Fellowship Benefits
- Salary support for four years.
- One of three ARC Future Fellow salary levels.
- Up to AUD 60,000 per year in non-salary research funding.
- Up to AUD 240,000 in research funding over four years.
- Funding for research personnel.
- Support for research equipment and related costs.
- Support for eligible research travel and fieldwork.
- Opportunities to work with Australian research institutions.
Future Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- Have a strong research track record.
- Demonstrate research leadership.
- Show capacity for research training and mentoring.
- Propose a high-quality and innovative research project.
- Show that the research has national or international benefit.
- Meet the PhD and career-stage requirements in the 2027 guidelines.
- Stay within the maximum of three Future Fellowship attempts.
- Have an eligible Australian organization willing to administer the fellowship.
Research Fields
ARC Future Fellowship projects cover areas such as:
- Biological Sciences
- Plant Science and Botany
- Agricultural and Food Research
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Climate and Sustainability
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Computer Science and Data Science
- Engineering and New Technologies
- Clean Energy and Energy Systems
- Health and Medical Research
- Chemistry and Materials Science
- Social Sciences
- Economics and Business
- Education
- Humanities and Arts
- Cultural and Indigenous Research
How to Apply for Future Fellowship
- Check your eligibility according to the official Future Fellowships 2027 guidelines.
- Choose an Australian university that matches your research area.
- Find a suitable research group or academic host.
- Contact the university/research team with your CV and research idea.
- Discuss your proposed research project with the host institution.
- Create or update your profile in the ARC Research Management System (RMS).
- Work with the Australian administering organisation to complete the application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Future Fellowship Scholarship 2027. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply through an eligible Australian administering organisation.
What is the ARC Future Fellowship 2027?
The ARC Future Fellowship 2027 is a four-year fellowship scheme offered by the Australian Research Council to support outstanding mid-career researchers. It provides salary support and research funding, aiming to fund high-quality research with national or international benefit and to support recruitment and retention of researchers at Australian universities.
Who can apply for the Future Fellowship?
Applicants should be mid-career researchers with a strong research track record and demonstrated research leadership. They must meet the PhD and career-stage requirements in the 2027 guidelines and stay within the maximum of three Future Fellowship attempts. An eligible Australian organisation must be willing to administer the fellowship.
Can international researchers apply directly to ARC?
No. International or overseas researchers cannot apply directly to the ARC from their home country. An eligible Australian university or research organisation must support and submit the application, so applicants should contact potential Australian hosts before the application period.
What funding does the Future Fellowship provide?
Successful Future Fellows can receive salary support for four years at one of three ARC Future Fellow salary levels and up to AUD 60,000 per year in non-salary research funding, totalling up to AUD 240,000 over four years. This funding can support research personnel, equipment, travel and fieldwork.
What research fields are eligible under the scheme?
ARC Future Fellowship projects can cover a wide range of fields including biological sciences, plant science and botany, agricultural and food research, biotechnology, environmental science, climate and sustainability, AI, computer science and data science, engineering, clean energy, health and medical research, chemistry, social sciences, economics, education, humanities, and cultural and indigenous research.
What is the deadline for the Future Fellowship 2027 round?
The application deadline for the Industrial Future Fellowships / Future Fellowships 2027 round is 6 November 2026. Applicants should coordinate with their chosen Australian administering organisation to ensure timely submission through the ARC Research Management System (RMS).
Do I need to already be employed by an Australian university?
No. You do not need to be employed by an Australian university already. Overseas researchers can be recruited through the scheme, but an eligible Australian administering organisation must support and submit the proposal on their behalf.
How should I start the application process?
Begin by checking eligibility against the 2027 guidelines, identify Australian universities that match your research area, contact suitable research groups with your CV and research idea, and discuss your project. Then create or update your ARC Research Management System (RMS) profile and work with the administering organisation to complete the application.
Are there limits on how many times I can apply?
Yes. Applicants must stay within the maximum of three Future Fellowship attempts as specified in the 2027 guidelines. Ensure you confirm your previous application history and eligibility under the scheme rules before applying.
What costs can the non-salary funding cover?
The ARC may provide the administering organisation with up to AUD 60,000 per year in non-salary funding to support research personnel, equipment, travel and field research costs related to the project. These funds are intended to support project delivery rather than personal living costs beyond salary support.
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