More than $17 million has been awarded to Adelaide University academics through ARC grant programs
29 projects that will commence at Adelaide University after it opens in January 2026, received support through the latest round of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery and Linkage grant programs.
The University's 24 Discovery projects have received $14.7 million in funding to conduct world-class research that will benefit society and strengthen Australia's global research standing.
The projects, which will continue for three years or more, cover a diverse range of topics that include reducing water needs for plants while maintaining yield, developing radiogenic isotopes suitable for tracking marine biodiversity and creating culturally diverse spaces for rural women.
Recipients will also work towards advancing the integration of greenery and solar energy in buildings, investigating the role of community houses in fostering social inclusion, as well as exploring surface engineering technology that kills bacteria upon contact.
Five projects were awarded $2.5 million through the ARC’s Linkage funding, bringing together research teams with industry, government and community representatives to address national challenges.
Under the Linkage funding University academics will explore the use of agave to create biomaterials, investigate diverse migrant settlement and retention in regional communities and develop a plastic composite-based residential framing system that features waste plastics and recycled plastic fibres.
Experts will also work on combating antimicrobial resistance in the veterinary, medical and agricultural industries and develop 3D printed concrete for thermal insulation panels.
Adelaide University Deputy Vice Chancellor - Research and Innovation, Professor Anton Middelberg FTSE FNAI congratulated successful researchers.
"The ARC Linkage and Discovery grant programs will enable Adelaide University experts to undertake valuable discovery research and work in partnership with industry and government, as well as with other institutions, that will be of direct benefit to society, " says Professor Middelberg.
"We’re delighted with Adelaide University's success in this round, and this vital funding will help our researchers to push boundaries and deliver innovative solutions to real-world problems as well as new fundamental knowledge."
A full list of Discovery grant winners can be found here, and Linkage grants here.