As part of the Australian Government’s Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Program, ARPANSA will promote, co-ordinate, fund, and lead radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME) research.
There is currently no established evidence that exposure to RF EME at levels below the safety limits of the Australian RF Standard causes any health effects. However, there are gaps in the global knowledge on this topic that require further research.
Continuing research into RF EME will ensure that public health policies are based on the most up-to-date information as telecommunications and other technologies, such as 5G, continue to develop.
How to apply for research funding
Applications for funding to support major research projects closed 3 February 2023.
Applications for funding to support minor research projects, up to $30,000, can be submitted at any time.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be affiliated with a university, hospital or medical research institute that meets research governance requirements.
To assist with the application process and ensure that proposals are relevant to the research priorities identified in the Research Framework, applicants are welcome to discuss their applications with the EME Program Director prior to preparing and submitting a proposal by contacting the email below.
When completing and submitting proposals, applicants should:
Use the EME Program Research Framework to ensure that proposals meet all requirements as set out in the framework:
Ensure that applications are prepared using the relevant template:
Refer to the EME Program Research Proposals Assessment Criteria for information on how proposals will be evaluated:
Email any questions and the completed proposal templates to the EME Program at eme@arpansa.gov.au by 3 February 2023
Current ARPANSA funded research projects
For more information on the projects that ARPANSA is supporting, please read the research abstracts below:
- 'Determination of the minimum 5G-related Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR) required to cause a biological effect on pheochromocytoma neuron-like cells', Professor Elena Ivanova, School of Science, RMIT; Professor Rodney Croft, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, and Dr. Denver Linklater School of Science, RMIT.
- 'Investigating the presentation of non-specific symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields', Dr Adam Verrender, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong; Professor Rodney Croft, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong; and Associate Professor Sarah Loughran, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
- 'Well-characterised exposure systems for laboratory bioeffects experiments above 6 GHz', Professor Andrew Wood, Swinburne University of Technology; Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency and Swinburne University of Technology; Associate Professor Sarah Loughran, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency; Dr Ali Yavari, Swinburne University of Technology; Dr Zoltan Vilagosh, Swinburne University of Technology; Dr Steve Iskra, Swinburne University of Technology and Telstra Corporation; Dr Robert McIntosh, Swinburne University of Technology and Telstra Corporation; Ray McKenzie, Swinburne University of Technology; Dr Stuart Henderson, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency; and Rohan Mate, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
