✨ Should I Apply for ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Approximately 16%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately $162,897 per year (comprised of $112,897 salary and up to $50,000 project costs)
🗓
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
🏛️
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
🏷 Tags
Research
Postdoc
Australia
Early Career
ARC
DECRA
STEM
Humanities
Social Sciences
💸 Funding Breakdown
Living Stipend
$112,897 per annum (Salary contribution)
Total Award
Approximately $162,897 per y
✈️ 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)
✈️ 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
📋 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
🎯 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)
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.