{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101693"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101693","attributes":{"code":"DE260101693","administering-organisation":"Monash University","announcement-administering-organisation":"Monash University","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"The Role of Money in Politics: Growing Concerns but Scarce Evidence. This project aims to investigate how financial power influences political decision-making and policy outcomes. It will examine how economic booms affect political participation and assess the effectiveness of campaign finance reforms in reducing undue influence. This project expects to generate new knowledge in political economy by using innovative data science techniques to study governance and electoral policies. Expected outcomes include new academic research, public datasets, and strengthened research collaborations. This should provide significant benefits, such as informing electoral reforms, improving transparency, and supporting evidence-based policy-making in Australia and beyond.","funding-current":515132.00,"funding-at-announcement":511113,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Ricardo","familyName":"Dahis","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0003-2346-0889 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Ricardo","familyName":"Dahis","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0003-2346-0889 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Monash University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"Monash University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"VIC"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3801","name":"Applied Economics","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"380105","name":"Environment and Resource Economics","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"380113","name":"Public Economics - Public Choice","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"190301","name":"Climate Change Mitigation Strategies","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"230202","name":"Electoral Systems","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"230204","name":"Public Services Policy Advice and Analysis","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["Brazil","United States of America"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"The influence of money in politics is a growing concern for democracies worldwide, including Australia. This project examines how economic power translates into political influence, using Brazil as a case study. By evaluating how specific economic sector's interests consolidate in politics and the impact of campaign finance reforms on political favoritism, this research will provide crucial insights into whether similar measures could enhance transparency and fairness in Australia’s electoral system.\n\nA key outcome is the creation of a comprehensive dataset on Australian political donations and government procurement, providing an unprecedented evidence base for further research, policymakers, electoral regulators, and the public. To ensure impact beyond academia, the findings will be shared through academic papers, domestic and international talks, and workshops with government agencies and civil society organizations, including election commissions and transparency watchdogs. Media engagement and public outreach will further support informed debate.\n\nStrengthening electoral integrity is essential for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions. By informing policy discussions on campaign finance reform, this project has the potential to contribute to a more transparent and equitable political system in Australia, ensuring that governance serves broad societal interests rather than being disproportionately shaped by financial influence."}}}