What government funders are looking for in 2025: Key shifts in ARC, NHMRC, and AEA Priorities

Grant success isn’t just about strong research design—it’s about alignment. Australia’s major funding bodies regularly refine their priorities to reflect national needs, government policy, and global challenges.

In 2025, researchers and innovators face a funding landscape shaped by the Future Made in Australia agenda, sustainability, health equity, and increasing expectations around collaboration. Here are the top 5 shifts you need to know before drafting your next application.

1. National priorities are front and centre

• Future Made in Australia: Expect stronger weighting for projects that boost sovereign capability, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing.
  
  
• Health equity: NHMRC is prioritising rural, Indigenous, and community-led health outcomes.
  
  
• Sustainability: ARC and AEA are rewarding projects that show measurable environmental benefit and support net zero transitions.
  
  

Takeaway: Show explicitly how your project contributes to these national goals.

2. Collaboration isn’t optional anymore

For schemes like ARC Linkage, at least one industry or end-user partner is required. But in 2024, proposals that included multiple, well-integrated partners (across industry, government, and community) were more competitive.

Reviewers valued applications that demonstrated depth and breadth of collaboration, with clear roles, contributions, and pathways to impact.

Tip: Don’t stop at the minimum—genuine multi-partner collaboration is a clear strength. Bring partners into discussions early, ideally during idea development and grant-writing workshops. This ensures their priorities are genuinely embedded, not bolted on at the end.

👉 Straight Up specialises in partner engagement—if you need support coordinating collaborations or running co-design workshops, reach out.

3. Impact and track record are under scrutiny

Funders are increasingly risk-averse. They want confidence that your team can deliver—and that the investment will generate strong returns for Australia.

That means demonstrating:

• ROI (Return on Investment): Show how every dollar leads to measurable outcomes—economic growth, health improvements, sustainability gains, or policy impact.
  
• Pilot data or feasibility studies that reduce uncertainty.
  
• A strong track record of publications, patents, or partnerships.
  
• Clear dissemination and translation strategies, backed by credible stakeholders.
  
  

Takeaway: Position your proposal as not just viable, but a high-value investment in Australia’s future.

4. Responsible and ethical research

In 2025, expect closer scrutiny of:

• Research integrity: transparency, governance, and open data practices.
  
• Indigenous engagement: ensuring benefit-sharing and genuine collaboration.
  
• Sustainability: minimising environmental impacts of research activities.
  
  

5. Efficiency and value for money

With budgets tightening, funders are rewarding proposals that demonstrate realistic budgets, scalable outcomes, and efficient use of funds.

Example: Rather than a broad $1m request for “equipment,” specify “$250k for spectroscopy equipment, reducing reliance on overseas facilities and strengthening sovereign capability.”

The message from government funders in 2025 is clear: align with national goals, collaborate widely, show evidence of impact, and demonstrate responsibility. Proposals that hit these notes will stand out.

Straight Up helps researchers translate complex ideas into proposals aligned with national priorities. Talk to us before the next deadlines and make sure your project is positioned for success.