Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the grants process was always highly competitive.

“We note Education Minister Dan Tehan’s comment that three researchers whose grants were vetoed by former Education Minister Simon Birmingham were successful in this round,” Ms Jackson said.

“Of course, that still leaves eight research grants that were rejected by Senator Birmingham that remain unfunded by the ARC,” she said.

Details of the next round have yet to be announced.

“The sector keenly awaits news of the next round of grants,” Ms Jackson said.

“UA will also look carefully at further detail of the Minister’s proposed national interest test to assess implications for Australia’s global research work and research more generally.”