Approximately $162,897 per year (comprised of $112,897 salary and up to $50,000 project costs)
Duration
3 years
Deadline
March (Specific dates vary annually, usually for the following year's commencement)
Level
Postdoctoral / Early Career Researcher
Acceptance
Varies by year, typically between 15% and 20%
Difficulty
Extremely High
Quick Summary
Australian Research Council (ARC) offers ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to Australia. The award covers The DECRA provides a salary contribution for three years plus up to $50,000 per year for project-related costs such as travel, personnel, and equipment. and is open to postdoctoral / early career researcher students studying all research fields (excluding clinical and other medical research as per arc medical research policy). The scholarship runs for 3 years. Eligibility is generally based on open to researchers who have been awarded a PhD within five years, or longer if they can demonstrate career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, illness, or carer responsibilities). The application deadline is March (Specific dates vary annually, usually for the following year's commencement), with an acceptance rate of approximately Varies by year, typically between 15% and 20%. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
18%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 16%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately $162,897 per year (comprised of $112,897 salary and up to $50,000 project costs)
⏳
Duration
3 years
📅
Deadline
March (Specific dates vary annually, usually for the following year's commencement)
🏥
Fields
All research fields (excluding clinical and other medical research as per ARC Medical Research Policy)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 200 per year
🌏
Study Country
Australia
🏛️
Provider
Australian Research Council (ARC)
📊
Acceptance
Varies by year, typically between 15% and 20%
The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme provides focused research support for early career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions. It aims to support excellent basic and applied research by early career researchers.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to researchers who have been awarded a PhD within five years, or longer if they can demonstrate career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, illness, or carer responsibilities).
🏛️ Host University
Any eligible Australian Higher Education Provider (HEP) or publicly funded research organization
🤝 Sponsor
Australian Government (Department of Education)
🏥 Fields of Study
All research fields (excluding clinical and other medical research as per ARC Medical Research Policy)
✨ Key Benefits
The DECRA provides a salary contribution for three years plus up to $50,000 per year for project-related costs such as travel, personnel, and equipment.
🎯 Target Students
Early Career Researchers (ECR) globally, provided they are hosted by an Australian institution
Approximately $162,897 per year (comprised of $112,897 salary and up to $50,000 project costs)
✈️ Travel: Up to $50,000 in project funds can be used for travel related to research🏠 Accommodation: No💊 Health Insurance: Provided by the host institution as part of employment benefits🔄 Renewable: No💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Not Applicable
🏠 Living Stipend
$112,897 per annum (Salary contribution)
🏡 Accommodation
No
✈️ Travel Allowance
Up to $50,000 in project funds can be used for travel related to research
💊 Health Insurance
Provided by the host institution as part of employment benefits
🎁 Other Benefits
Infrastructure support, career development, national and international networking opportunities, and project-specific funding for equipment
🔄 Renewable
No
📋 Renewal Conditions
Not Applicable
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
PhD awarded within 5 years of application date or longer if career interruptions apply; must be hosted by an Australian university
🎓 Academic Level
Postdoctoral / Early Career Researcher
📊 Minimum GPA
Not Applicable (Selection is based on research track record and project quality)
🗣️ English Requirement
High level of English proficiency required for application and research execution
🍢 Age Limit
None (Eligibility is based on time since PhD award)
💼 Work Experience
Early career research experience and a strong publication record required
🏆 Leadership
Demonstrated research leadership potential relative to opportunity
💰 Financial Need
No
🎯 Target Students
Early Career Researchers (ECR) globally, provided they are hosted by an Australian institution
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Detailed research proposal and personal research statement)
Rec Letters
Yes (Statement of support from the host institution is mandatory)
Interview
No
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Statement of support from the host institution is mandatory) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
High level of English proficiency required for application and research execution
Interview: No
Min GPA: Not Applicable (Selection is based on research track record and project quality)
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on the 'Investigator' and 'Project Quality' criteria; ensure the proposal addresses national interest and significant innovation.
💡 Insider Tip: Collaborate closely with the host university's Research Office as they must submit the application on your behalf via the RMS system.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
October or November of the preceding year
⏰ Deadline
March (Specific dates vary annually, usually for the following year's commencement)
🎤 Interview
No
🎓 Study Starts
January of the year following the award announcement
October or November of the preceding year
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
March (Specific dates vary annually, usually for the following year's commencement)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
January of the year following the award announcement
Open to researchers who have been awarded a PhD within five years, or longer if they can demonstrate career interruptions (e.g., parental leave, illness, or carer responsibilities).
This scholarship covers: The DECRA provides a salary contribution for three years plus up to $50,000 per year for project-related costs such as travel, personnel, and equipment.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is March (Specific dates vary annually, usually for the following year's commencement). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 16%. Acceptance rate: Varies by year, typically between 15% and 20%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
No
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, High level of English proficiency required for application and research execution, Yes (Statement of support from the host institution is mandatory) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.