Damien Farine

damienfarine.bsky.social

03 October 2026 03:24

Research points seems like a good improvement, but with >12 months decision times, they should really expire 12 months before the end of a grant, not at the end, to allow for continuity (in a world where funding rates would allow this)

ARC Tracker

arc-tracker.bsky.social

02 October 2026 01:52

Yep, and the ARC has said in no uncertain terms that that is up to unis, not the ARC. I foresee genuine and long-standing problems being baked into the research sector because of this. It all stems from underfunding of both unis and the ARC.

ARC Tracker

arc-tracker.bsky.social

30 July 2026 21:52

Multiple people are reporting that these are now all full. Maybe @arc-gov-au.bsky.social should put some more on?

Dr Kathleen Neal

kbneal.bsky.social

30 July 2026 21:50

I am also very skeptical about a system that front-loads ECR schemes and then drops people off a funding cliff. That is not genuine ECR support, because it doesn't lead anywhere. It's baked-in exploiting the energy/anxiety of new scholars seeking a foothold, and then playing hunger games with them.

ARC Tracker

arc-tracker.bsky.social

30 July 2026 21:50

I agree. I don't think it will work. But we shall see. It seems some people are willing to gamble on the entire system, rather than making sure there's actual plans for the right changes to be made before changing what the ARC funds.