The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme is a separate element of the Discovery Program. The DECRA scheme will provide more focused support for researchers and create more opportunities for early-career researchers in both teaching and research, and research-only positions.

Michael Taleski received a DECRA (DE250100426) for 2025-2027. Unlocking yield gains with a new pathway targeting plant nitrogen usage. Nitrogen fertiliser is indispensable for agricultural productivity, but crops are inefficient at utilising fertiliser for grain production. This project aims to decipher the role of a peptide hormone receptor pathway in determining yield by control of seed size, number, and the draw of nitrogen from canopy to seed, across different organs, cell types and plant species. Project findings are expected to provide advanced knowledge on how plants utilise nitrogen for grain filling. The findings may aid and accelerate crop development for production of more grain with less fertiliser, with benefits of improved food security, grain protein quality, nutrition, reduced input costs, and a reduction of unused fertiliser entering the environment.