The DECRA scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.
It’s objectives are to:
- support outstanding early-career researchers with demonstrated capacity for high-quality research and emerging capability for leadership and supervision
- foster collaboration, with national or international researchers
- support excellent and innovative research that addresses a significant problem or gap in knowledge and represents value for money
- create new or advanced knowledge resulting from the outcomes of the research with economic, commercial, environmental, social and/or cultural benefits for Australia
- advance promising early career researchers and promote enhanced opportunities for diverse career pathways in high-quality and supportive environments.
The DECRA scheme provides funding for three-year DECRAs, providing a researcher with salary and on-costs, and up to $50,000 per year in project costs.
Project funding may be used for:
- personnel, postdoctoral research associates and research assistants, technicians and laboratory attendants
- access to research and infrastructure facilities and technical workshop services
- essential field research
- expert third party services
- equipment and consumables
- publication and dissemination of project research outputs and outreach activities
- specialised computer equipment and software
- travel costs essential to the project for up to $50,000 over the project activity period
- web hosting and development
- workshops, focus groups and conferences, and
- reasonable essential costs for researchers who are carers or who themselves require care.
Key Dates
Applications Close: 11 MARCH 2026
Anticipated Announcement: 10 December 2026 – 9 March 2027