Freshwater ecology has generally had a lower success rate in applying for Australian Research Council (ARC) grants than other ecological disciplines. Based on my experience sitting on the College of Experts, I will summarise the grant review process and suggest that there are some consistent challenges in getting freshwater research funded. Referring to recent funding rounds for ARC Discovery, Linkage, DECRA and Future Fellowships, I will provide some reflections and advice on what made a really great proposal. I will also discuss how freshwater ecologists review grants, and identify some features of reviews that seem to be particular to freshwater ecology.