This guide helps early career researchers shape a clear, persuasive case for funding. Use the decra track record calculator to quantify outputs, citations, authorship and impact so your evidence speaks to assessors.
We map publications, engagement and impact to the DECRA scheme’s expectations, aligning your australian research with what the australian research council values now. The approach makes your progress read as purposeful development, not just a list of activity.
Expect a pragmatic, step‑by‑step method to score achievements quickly without missing key details. You will learn how to turn raw research metrics into a concise narrative that strengthens grant applications and highlights authentic contributions.
Keep this page open as a working companion. It shows what to collect, how to verify evidence and where to deploy it in submissions so you move from numbers to narrative with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Use the tool to quantify publications, citations and authorship for a stronger application.
- Match evidence to the DECRA scheme and australian research council expectations.
- Turn metrics into a clear narrative that supports grant success.
- Prioritise credible, verifiable indicators that reflect real impact.
- Follow a quick, practical scoring path to speed up your development work.
Why your DECRA track record matters right now in Australia
A well‑framed output profile turns publication lists into proof of research momentum and impact.
The australian research council evaluates more than counts. Assessors want clear links between ERA‑style measures — quality, citation influence and venue — and real research engagement impact.
Linking ERA-style evidence, citations and impact to ARC assessment
Frame each output against the selection criteria used by the research council. Use authorship role, journal standing and citation context to show trajectory, not just volume.
Translate complex indicators into plain English so assessors from adjacent fields quickly grasp scale and reach.
Early career researchers and the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award context
For early career researchers, context is vital. Highlight independence, novelty and a rising research identity that fits the discovery early career pathway.
Explain strategic engagement — industry, community or policy — and how it amplified uptake. Summarise verification systems so assessors trust both numbers and method.
- Balance: citations, authorship, venue and engagement.
- Context: independence and potential to lead DECRA‑scale grants.
- Clarity: simple statements about problems addressed and outcomes.
| Evidence Type | What to show | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Publications | Venue quality, author position, brief contribution note | Demonstrates quality and leadership potential |
| Citations | Contextual citation counts and notable citing works | Shows influence across fields |
| Engagement | Industry, policy, community outcomes and uptake examples | Links research to real‑world impact |
| Verification | Methods used to collate and check evidence | Builds assessor confidence in your claims |
Forward note: your track profile is proof you can lead what comes next — use it to show readiness for grants and to support early career growth in australian research.
How to use the decra track record calculator step by step
Begin by building a clean audit of outputs so your evidence maps directly to selection criteria. A short, verified list makes later scoring faster and helps research support verify claims.
Gathering publication, citation and authorship data before you start
List peer‑reviewed papers, datasets, software and preprints. Tag your author position and add venue quality so each item reflects your true contribution as an early career researcher.
Pull citation counts consistently from one source and note the retrieval date and year covered. Keep a system log of assumptions such as self‑citation rules or duplicates.
Scoring research outputs, engagement and impact to align with ARC ROPE
Map engagement activities — policy briefs, industry partnerships, open datasets — to ROPE headings. Convert indicators into weighted scores that mirror quality, impact and feasibility.
- Tip: Privilege clarity over excess detail so research support teams can replicate your score.
- Tip: Tailor examples: a medical research case emphasises clinical translation; computational work highlights software reuse.
Translating scores into a persuasive ROPE statement
Mirror the scoring structure in your statement: open with one strong paragraph on what’s unique and why it matters.
- Provide evidence by theme (quality, engagement, impact).
- Close with a forward plan linked to your discovery project and feasibility for grants.
“Keep entries auditable and brief; every sentence must earn its place.”
Trusted data sources and limits: Scopus, ROPE and evidence quality
Start by choosing data sources that are transparent, auditable and suited to your discipline. Good sources make it easy to show authorship, influence and uptake without long queries.
Scopus Author Position records first, single, co‑author and last author roles via your Author Profile. Note that this metric covers publications from the past ten years and excludes the current year. Explain any apparent gaps so assessors can interpret authorship consistently.
Supplementing citation and engagement signals
Where Scopus lacks coverage, add institutional repositories, Crossref and publisher dashboards. Document queries, filters and export dates in a dated evidence register so reviewers at the research council can follow your trail.
Balancing citation metrics with engagement impact
Use Altmetric Explorer for policy and media mentions, PatCite (The Lens) for patent links, and WorldCat for library uptake. For medical research and other fields, triangulate sources to capture influence beyond journal citations.
- Be consistent: apply the same tools across your discovery project outputs to avoid apples‑to‑oranges comparisons.
- Explain norms: if authorship order varies by field, add a one‑sentence note beside the metric.
- Seek support: use your university website guidance and recorded library sessions to refine ROPE narratives.
“Keep a dated evidence register: record source, query, filters and export date, and store snapshots so any reassessment months later yields the same figures.”
| Source | What it shows | Limit | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scopus Author Profile | Author position, recent decade coverage | Excludes current year; 10‑year window | Authorship strength and recent contribution |
| Altmetric Explorer | Policy, media and online attention | Not a citation measure; attention bias | Engagement impact and public reach |
| PatCite (The Lens) & WorldCat | Patent citations; library holdings | Discipline coverage varies | Technology uptake and library use |
| Institutional Repositories / Crossref | Complements gaps in publisher indexes | Metadata consistency may vary | Fill coverage and provenance gaps |
ARC DECRA timelines, guidelines and rejoinders to plan your scoring
Plan your submission timeline around fixed ARC dates so you can respond fast when feedback opens.
Outcomes for DECRA 2026 are pending and expected between 14 November and 27 November 2025. Use that window to finalise drafts and rehearse rejoinder responses.
Key dates and internal milestones
For the 2027 round, note these official dates: round opens 28 January 2026; internal notice of intent and eligibility exemption requests due 13 February 2026; internal applications due 11 February 2026; RNTA (Request Not to Assess) deadline 20 February 2026; ARC submission due 11 March 2026.
Please note the internal deadlines come early. Allow review time with research support, mentors and administrative teams so applications are submission‑ready in the RMS system.
Grant guidelines, RMS setup and RNTA workflow
Read the grant guidelines first. Then create RMS person profiles and template text so forms and administrative checks do not delay narrative edits.
Prepare RNTA forms early, list potential conflicts and align justifications with your institution’s internal forms. That prevents last‑minute compliance issues.
Rejoinder period and information sessions with ARC College of Experts
Anticipate a rejoinder window of 12–25 May 2026 for DECRA 2027. For DE26, the rejoinder period opened 25 June 2025; UQ R&I ran an information session at 1pm AEST on 26 June 2025 (hybrid, Zoom) with rejoinders due to UQ Research Office by 2 July and to ARC by 8 July 2025.
Attend an information session and note Q&A with ARC College of Experts. These sessions help you sharpen evidence of research engagement and engagement impact.
“Map actions to dates, then assign reviewers — this makes rejoinder drafting fast and focused.”
- Anchor drafts to the DECRA 2026 outcomes window (14–27 Nov 2025) to iterate after results.
- Schedule internal reviews around 11–13 February 2026 milestones for DECRA 2027.
- Block time for the rejoinder window and assign who will provide feedback.
If you need clarification on processes or timelines, please contact your Research Office early to avoid avoidable delays and to ensure your applications meet ARC expectations.
Integrating budgets and support to strengthen your application
A well‑scoped budget turns feasibility into credibility and helps assessors trust your delivery plan.
Flinders Research Development and Support (RDS) provides two downloadable interactive budget estimator tools. One suits commissioned and contract research plus consultancies (Category 2 & 3). The other is for tied and competitive grants, including Category 1.
Using research budget estimator tools for tied/competitive grants
The tied/competitive tool calculates direct salary costs, lets you adjust on‑cost rates, and summarises totals by financial or calendar year. Use these features to keep figures consistent with your narrative and avoid rounding errors.
When to contact College Research Support, Research Grants and Tenders, or your Research Office
For help preparing budget content and a sense‑check, contact your local College Research Support early. Your research manager can often resolve compliance questions quickly.
For technical problems with the downloadable templates, please contact the Research Grants and Tenders team rather than troubleshooting on a deadline.
“Align budget lines to your outputs: fund data collection, assistants, software and stakeholder activities that deliver impact.”
- Tip: Mirror your ROPE justification in the budget narrative to show how costs accelerate outputs and engagement.
- Tip: Use insights from any institutional information session to align expectations for typical program costs.
| Tool | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Tied/competitive grants estimator | Category 1 programs and competitive grants | Direct salary calc, adjustable on‑costs, FY/Calendar summaries |
| Commissioned/contract estimator | Category 2 & 3, consultancies, commercial terms | Pricing for contracts, HERDC eligibility cues, commercial cost lines |
| Support contacts | Budget drafting & technical issues | College Research Support for drafting; Research Grants & Tenders for template faults |
Quality checks: eligibility, interruptions and application readiness
Before final edits, confirm eligibility and evidence so your submission is not stopped by procedural issues.
Eligibility windows for PhD award date and allowable career interruptions
Confirm eligibility first: your PhD award date must be on or after 1 March 2021, or you must have allowable career interruptions that make you eligible — please note this rule is strictly applied.
Document interruptions clearly. For career researcher profiles, include part‑time appointments, leave, clinical duties (including in medical research), and caregiving. This shows assessors your fair opportunity‑to‑achieve baseline.
Using an Eligibility Exemption Calculator and internal forms before RMS submission
Use the DE27 Eligibility Exemption Calculator to quantify interruptions accurately. Then complete and certify the DE27 Eligibility Exemption Request Form and attach evidence for each interruption.
Submit these documents to your Research Office for endorsement. External applicants normally need confirmed school or centre support before the office will process the request.
- Include one short eligibility paragraph in your application noting the award date, interruptions claimed and institutional endorsement if required.
- Request internal reviews early: system checks take time and reduce last‑minute problems in RMS.
- Keep certified copies: store forms and endorsement emails for quick responses to questions.
| Step | Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Check PhD date | Confirm award date ≥ 1 Mar 2021 | Primary eligibility gate for researcher awards |
| Quantify interruptions | Use DE27 tool and collate evidence | Shows allowable career interruptions are valid |
| Complete forms | DE27 Request Form; certify and attach docs | Enables Research Office endorsement |
| Internal review | Ask for early sign‑off and system test | Avoids RMS submission delays |
“Eligibility is about clarity and compliance—reserve narrative space for your track record and project pitch.”
Finally, add links to the relevant guidance and forms in your prep notes so questions from support teams are answered fast. Finish with a short readiness snapshot: are your applications aligned, consistent and free of red flags before final sign‑off?
Conclusion
This final note gives you a simple action plan to convert evidence into a clear, grant-ready narrative.
Use the scoring steps to shape a concise ROPE statement that aligns with grant guidelines and the australian research council’s expectations. Prioritise examples that show engagement and sustained engagement impact rather than long lists.
Lock in your internal playbook: who attends each information session, who will provide feedback, and which research manager signs off budgets and compliance before the submission date.
Share the approach with collaborators and the research community for peer review. If anything is unclear, please contact your Research Office early so your applications stay on track.
Step forward with confidence: with verifiable evidence, clear statements and timely support you are ready to lead discovery early programs that advance australian research and win career researcher awards.