ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities

Key dates for ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities 2027

Applications open in Research Management System (RMS): 22 January 2026
Internal Expression of Interest (EOI) Process: Opening Soon
Requests Not to Assess R&I: 25 April 2026
Applications due to UQ R&I: 18 February 2026
Applications due to the ARC: 18 March 2026

Overview

The Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF) scheme fosters collaboration through its support of the cooperative use of international and national research facilities.

Researchers can participate in cooperative initiatives so that expensive infrastructure, equipment and facilities can be shared between higher education organisations and with industry.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the project proposal must:

Have a duration of one to five consecutive years.
Demonstrate significant cash and/or in-kind and/or other material resources contributions from each Eligible Organisation and Partner Organisation participating on the project.
Each Eligible Organisation must make a cash contribution.
Organisational cash contributions (excluding indirect costs) must make up a minimum of 25% of the total direct cost of the research infrastructure.

How to apply

Step 1: Expression of Interest

All researchers intending to participate on an ARC LIEF 2027 application are required to submit a mandatory internal UQ Expression of Interest (EOI).

If you would like to discuss your intention to apply with your local area, please contact your Faculty/Institute Research Manager.

Step 2. RMS updates and scheme reading

Update your full profile in your RMS ‘Person Profile’. If any team members are new to RMS and need a login/password, we strongly recommend starting this process early.
Familiarise yourself with key Australian Research Council (ARC) and UQ documentation below. It is especially important to familiarise yourself with ARC's Grant Guidelines and Instructions to Applicants documents available on GrantConnect.

Step 3. Completing the application

Log into RMS, create an application and make sure UQ is listed as the Administering Organisation if UQ is to submit the application.
Use the UQ templates available below to draft your documents to be uploaded to your application in RMS.
Complete the application in RMS.
When ready for review, ensure all online components are complete and valid, generate a whole application PDF for your records and select 'Submit to Research Office' in RMS.

Step 4. UQR&I internal review and feedback

To initiate review:
- Submit your application to the Research Office in RMS.
- Email your Application Certification Form and UQ Pending and Newly Funded ARC grants form to the Research Office at ARC@research.uq.edu.au. Please note that RMS does not alert the Research Office when you create or submit an application to the RO in RMS.
If you are lodging a 'Request Not to Assess' (RNTA), please complete the 'Request Not to Assess' form in RMS and then submit to the Research Office for review by the date stated in key dates above.
UQ Research Office will review your application and provide you with feedback.

Step 5. Final Submission

When your application is complete and fully compliant, the UQ Research Office will submit the application to the ARC through RMS.

Readership and researcher support

Before applying, we recommend you:

Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
Join the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.

UQ Library resources and support

A range of resources and workshops from the UQ library are also available to assist researchers applying for this scheme.

Metrics, Impact and Engagement
Online metrics tutorial
Researcher identifiers and profiles
Metrics for grant writing: Sign up for workshop
Research engagement and impact evidence: Sign up for workshop

Key documents

ARC

Before applying, please review the full suite of documents, which will become available via GrantConnect.

UQ

New Versions of the below forms and resources will be made available when the 2027 round opens

Mandatory Forms

Templates

Additional Resources

Rejoinders and rebuttal

In the ARC assessment and rejoinder process, proposal comments from external assessors may be made available to applicants, and applicants given the opportunity to submit a rejoinder. Detailed information on the rejoinder process (including instructions for accessing assessment reports and submitting rejoinders) is available from the ARC website.

The Research Office has developed a Rejoinder Tip Sheet with FAQs (PDF, 407.6 KB) to assist you in crafting your rejoinder.