Future Fellowships 2026
Scholarship Amount
About This Scholarship
The Future Fellowships 2026, offered by the Australian Research Council, represents a prestigious funding opportunity tailored to empower outstanding mid-career researchers in Australia. This fellowship is meticulously designed to support high-quality research endeavors across various fields.
Selected candidates will be awarded a four-year fellowship. This includes a competitive salary, comprehensive support, and substantial non-salary funding up to AUD 13,29,808 for research-related expenses.
The application deadline for this esteemed fellowship is 5 November 2025.
Candidates for the fellowship are rigorously evaluated based on the following key selection criteria:
• Research opportunity quality and innovation: Assessing the originality and potential impact of the proposed research.
• Research track record relative to opportunity: Evaluating past research achievements in context.
• Contribution to Australia's national interest and research capacity: Considering the broader benefits to Australia.
• Potential for economic, social, cultural, environmental, or commercial benefits: Highlighting the practical applications and societal impact.
• Research feasibility and appropriateness of the research environment: Ensuring the proposed research is viable and supported by the host institution.
• Leadership potential and career trajectory: Identifying candidates with strong future leadership prospects in research.
Source: arc.gov.au
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must:
• Be a mid-career researcher with a PhD award date on or between 1 March 2011 and 1 March 2021; or have a PhD award date with an allowable period of non-overlapping career interruptions commensurate with this timeframe.
• Undertake the fellowship on a full-time basis for four consecutive years.
• Have an outstanding research track record and future research potential.
• Propose research that will generate economic, social, cultural, or environmental benefits for Australia.
Note: Applications must be submitted through an eligible Administering Organisation (Australian university or publicly funded research institution). Individual researchers cannot apply directly to the ARC.
Required Documents
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
• Passport
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Research proposal outlining the proposed four-year research program
• Evidence of research excellence and impact
• Publication record and research metrics
• Letters of recommendation
How to Apply
Eligible applicants can apply by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official website or the application portal provided by the Australian Research Council.
Step 2: Click on the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details.
(If already registered, log in using your Gmail, Mobile number, or Email ID).
Step 3: Scroll down to the page ‘Other Instructions’ and look for the new account link.
Step 4: Click on the ‘Request New Account’ and fill in the required details, then click on the ‘Register' button.
Step 5: Log in with your new credentials and proceed with your application submission.