Australia DECRA Scholarship 2027

February 9, 2026 7:20 am

Australia DECRA Scholarship 2027

For early-career researchers, securing the right funding can truly launch an academic journey. Fortunately, Australia’s Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) for 2027 represents a powerful opportunity. Specifically, this prestigious scheme offers emerging scholars substantial funding, significant career stability, and the crucial freedom to lead meaningful research at a pivotal professional stage.

Essentially, DECRA is far more than a standard grant; it is a comprehensive career accelerator. Accordingly, it provides successful applicants with three years of dedicated salary support. Furthermore, the award includes up to $50,000 annually in project funds. This strong financial backing allows researchers to concentrate fully on producing world-class work with tangible national and global impact.

What Does the DECRA 2027 Award Include?

The DECRA scheme delivers extensive support designed for practical, high-impact research. Consequently, recipients gain access to a wide range of resources:

Three full years of salary and employment cost support.
Project funding reaching $50,000 each year.
Financial support for hiring research assistants, technicians, or postdoctoral staff.
Full access to necessary infrastructure, labs, and technical services.
A total of $50,000 over the award period for field research and essential travel.
Funds for critical equipment, consumables, and specialized software.
Budget for publication costs, dissemination activities, and public outreach.
Support for conference attendance, workshops, and collaboration events.
Additionally, the award includes reasonable support for researchers with significant caring responsibilities.

This robust package makes DECRA one of Australia’s most practical and respected awards for early-career academics.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for DECRA Funding?

The DECRA 2027 award specifically targets high-potential researchers poised for leadership. Generally, eligible applicants must demonstrate a clear record of outstanding early career academic performance. They must also show a proven capacity for innovative and high-impact research. Emerging leadership and supervision capabilities are equally important. Finally, applicants need a commitment to projects that deliver meaningful economic, environmental, cultural, or social benefits for Australia.

Applicants should typically hold a teaching-and-research or research-only position at an eligible institution. Most importantly, they must be ready to lead a defined, ambitious project for the entire three-year award period.

How to Apply

Apply now through the official ARC website:

Click Here to Apply

Key Dates for Your DECRA 2027 Application

Mark your calendars carefully, as the application timeline is strict:

Applications officially open on 28 January 2026
The “Request Not to Assess” period closes on 25 February 2026.
The final application deadline is 11 March 2026.
Finally, funding announcements will occur between 10 December 2026 and 9 March 2027.

Why Should You Apply for a DECRA Award?

Ultimately, winning a DECRA award provides much more than financial security. It grants immediate academic credibility and serves as a powerful career catalyst. Awardees gain unparalleled opportunities to build national and international collaborations. Therefore, this award actively paves the way for a long-term, influential career in research and innovation within Australia’s world-class academic environment.

For post-PhD researchers ready to lead, the DECRA 2027 scheme is your strategic next step. Prepare your application now to transform your research vision into reality.