Global Talent Attraction Program – Candidate Merit Pool
Program highlights
- Academy is operates a Candidate Merit Pool for high-calibre candidates who wish to formally register their interest in relocating to Australia for matching with funded positions in Australian research institutes and organisations.
The Global Talent Attraction Program (GTAP) aims to fill critical capability gaps, strengthen Australia’s sovereign research capacity, and accelerate science-led innovation across sectors of national importance. To support that initiative, the Academy is opening a Candidate Merit Pool (CMP) call for applications to identify high-calibre candidates who wish to formally register their interest in relocating to Australia for matching with funded positions in Australian research institutes and organisations. The candidate merit pool is institution- and discipline-agnostic, with an initial focus on candidates relocating from the United States to Australia.
The CMP welcomes applications from both Australian and non-Australian citizens whose work is internationally recognised as exceptional and outstanding. To be eligible for consideration, applications to join the CMP must be sponsored by a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
Inclusion in the merit pool does not guarantee nomination for an employment opportunity or impact visa application outcomes in any way.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
Applicants to the CMP are expected to be of high calibre and have global standing as a scientific or technological leader in their field. They should hold positions such as research group leader, institute director, senior principal scientist, chief technologist, or equivalent roles in academia, government or industry.
Applicants should be able to present a record of breakthrough research, innovation or thought leadership with enduring impacts. They should demonstrate capacity to contribute to and elevate Australia’s global research reputation through their placement in a long-term, funded position. Applicants with demonstrated expertise in innovation and technology commercialisation, particularly in bridging R&D with business outcomes, are also encouraged.
As well as a willingness to relocate or return to Australia and establish a long-term professional presence, applicants should also show potential to embed deeply within Australian research institutions or industry and build enduring collaborations.
Applicants should speak to any experience leading interdisciplinary or large-scale initiatives, particularly in high-performing or internationally competitive environments. Applicants should also present a strong track record in mentoring early- and mid-career researchers, and a commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific talent and creating inclusive, high-performing teams.
To be considered for the CMP, applicants must:
- be an established career research scientist and have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their field of research, consistent with the Department of Home Affairs indicators for the National Innovation Visa
- be sponsored by a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science as part of the application submission
- be willing to relocate from the United States to Australia for the purpose of undertaking a new research or innovation-based employment, collaboration or leadership role.
If the applicant is not an Australian citizen or Australian permanent visa holder already, they must be suitable for consideration under the National Innovation Visa program (subclass 858) expression of interest pathway.
Note that applicants residing in Australia are ineligible, regardless of citizenship or visa status.
Australian Academy of Science Fellow sponsorship requirement
- The applicant for the Candidate Merit Pool must be sponsored by a current Academy Fellow.
- The endorsement must be included as an attachment at the time of application submission.
- No alternative sponsors are accepted for this round.
Applications must be submitted via the Good Grants online portal, and include the following material and supporting documentation:
- Comprehensive CV: Outlining academic, professional, and leadership roles, including current and past institutional affiliations.
- List of top five career contributions: Significant publications or outputs (not exhaustive), with an emphasis on high-impact, peer-reviewed publications that reflect international standing and influence.
- Awards, honours, fellowships, citation metrics: A summary of competitive research funding received and major academic or innovation-related honours or fellowships. This may include funding from bodies such as ARC, NIH, NSF, ERC, or equivalent.
- Letter of sponsorship: A signed letter from an Australian Academy of Science Fellow sponsoring the application to the GTAP Candidate Merit Pool. Please see the downloadable guide below for information for Academy Fellow sponsors.
- Letters of support: Two letters of support must be provided at the time of application, including at least one from an independent referee based at an institution that is international both to the applicant and to Australia. Please see the downloadable guide below for information for referees.
- Statement of intent or summary of future engagement in Australia: A short statement (up to 1500 words max) describing the candidate’s interest in relocating to Australia, potential areas of contribution and intended engagement with Australian institutions or sectors.
Applications must be complete at the time of submission to be considered. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required supporting material, will be deemed ineligible and will not proceed to merit assessment.
Applications will be screened for eligibility and then a merit assessment will be undertaken by a Scientific Assessment Committee comprised of Academy Fellows with relevant expertise and experience. Applications are assessed across three equally weighted dimensions:
- Global standing and recognition
- Judged using professional expertise within the norms of the candidate’s field
- Must reflect ‘top of field’ level standing, recognising variation in metrics and opportunity across disciplines
- Examples of global standing include internationally prestigious awards, high-impact publications, keynote invitations, and major national or international research funding
- Strategic contribution and leadership
- Consider both institutional leadership and individual excellence
- Includes entrepreneurial contributions, capacity building, mentoring, and systems impact
- Should demonstrate ability to generate sustained impact in research, innovation or strategic development
- National and international engagement
- Evidence of influence, partnerships or collaboration at national and international levels
- May include global networks, consortia leadership, strategic alignment with Australian research priorities
- Includes vision for future engagement with Australia, even where no past engagement exists
Following the merit review, a recommended shortlist will be provided to the Academy Council for their consideration and final decision-making.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application in writing. The recommendations of the review panel are based on the assessed competitiveness of the proposal. The application outcome decisions made by the Academy’s Council are final.
We recognise and appreciate the time and effort involved in preparing an application. However, the Academy is not in a position to provide individual feedback, and no further information or explanation will be given regarding outcomes. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in future calls for applications.
Detailed information about next steps will be provided individually to successful applicants as required. No applicant or candidate information will be shared with any stakeholders external to the Academy without the advanced and explicit consent of the successful applicant.
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Am I eligible to apply if I already hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency?
Yes, Australian citizens and permanent residents are welcome to apply for the candidate merit pool, should they meet all other application requirements.
Can I submit the application myself, or must I be nominated?
Applicants are to submit their own application and include a support letter from an Australian Academy of Science Fellow sponsoring the application.
What does the Candidate Merit Pool application assessment process involve?
All complete applications are screened for eligibility and then merit assessed by a panel of Scientific Expert Assessors against the published assessment criteria outlined on the GTAP Candidate Merit Pool web page.
Will I receive feedback if I am not selected for the merit pool?
No. The Academy does not provide individual feedback on outcomes.
Can I update my application or supporting documents after submission?
No. Applications must be complete at time of submission. Incomplete applications are ineligible and will not progress for consideration.
Do I need to secure a role or engagement in Australia before applying?
No. The Candidate Merit Pool will identify high-calibre candidates who wish to formally register their interest in relocating to Australia. Being accepted into the pool does not guarantee a funded position or impact visa application processing.
Do I need supporting referee reports as part of my application?
Yes. Two support letters are required, and at least one must be from an independent referee at an international institution outside both Australia and your home institution.
What kind of achievements are considered ‘exceptional’ or ‘outstanding’?
Examples include international top-of-field awards, recent publications in top-ranked journals, such as Nature, Lancet or Acta Numerica, or sector-defining innovation with measurable impact.
How is my application judged for career stage or sustained trajectory?
Assessors will review your responses to the application form questions, your track record, leadership roles, and research outputs for evidence of an established and sustained trajectory, and assess your application against the criteria outlined on the GTAP Candidate Merit Pool web page.
What happens once I am accepted into the candidate merit pool?
You will be notified of your acceptance and asked to approve a candidate profile for use in discussions with relevant stakeholders or prospective partner institutions.
Does being selected guarantee that I will receive a funded role or offer?
No. Acceptance into the merit pool does not guarantee a funded position or engagement. It confirms your eligibility and suitability under the defined criteria.
Can I withdraw from the merit pool at any time?
Yes. You can withdraw your consent or request your profile be removed at any time by contacting the Academy.
Is there a time limit on how long I can remain in the candidate merit pool?
Candidates typically remain in the pool for a set period (e.g. 12 months), after which a review may be conducted. Specific details will be outlined at the time of acceptance.
Who will contact me if a suitable opportunity arises?
The Academy is the contact point for all candidate enquiries and will engage with candidates if an opportunity aligns with your expertise and interests.