Competitive open calls and/or contract research funding can be awarded by Commonwealth, state/territory or local governments. This is HERDC Category 2 income. Some of the recurrent funding opportunities in this category are listed below:
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Recognises the significant role Australian universities undertake in research and development (R&D) ecosystem as well as capacitating future skilled workforce, AEA grants intend to accelerate reform in the higher education sector for translation and commercialisation research capacity. The AEA has been initially designed for ten years from 2023 to 2032, supported with funding from the $1.6b investment by the Australian Government in the research commercialisation ecosystem. It consists of three stages AEA Seed, AEA Ignite and AEA Innovate. |
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The Community Grants Hub (the Hub) provides a shared-services arrangement to deliver grant administration services on behalf of Australian Government client agencies to support their policy outcomes. Client agencies are responsible for grant policy and the development of grant programs, while the Hub is responsible for administering grant programs at the direction of policy owners and consistent with the requirements of the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017. The Hub provides grant administration services for the Department of Social Services and the following external agencies:
The outcome of all grants awarded and funding rounds, including direct rounds, are published on GrantConnect no later than 21 working days after the grant agreement takes effect, in accordance with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017. |
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DFAT provides grant opportunities each year to develop, promote and strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and China, including business and community stakeholders, in support of Australia’s national interests. The Foundation’s strategic objectives are:
The Foundation welcomes applications in line with the Foundation’s strategic objectives, including but not limited to the following areas:
Creative and innovative ideas not covered in this list are also welcome. The funding amount ranges from $100,000.00 to $500,000.00 for a maximum grant period of two years |
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Australia-Japan Foundation grant are aimed to:
Key priority areas include:
For more information on priority areas and themes, see the Australia-Japan Foundation Strategic Plan 2017-2023. Grant applications for a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 per year are considered. The AJF should not be the sole funding source of a project. Co-contributions from applicants and other parties strengthen an application and are encouraged. The standard grant period is one year. The maximum grant period is across three years of multiyear funding. Multi-year grants may be awarded in exceptional cases. |
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The objectives of the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF) are to:
Key priority areas include:
Grant applications for a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $50,000 per year are considered. Co-contributions from applicants and other parties strengthen an application and are encouraged. The standard grant period is one year. The maximum grant period is across three years of multi-year funding. |
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The Australia-Indonesia Institute Annual Grants Rounds supports continuity in people-to-people and institutional engagement between Australia and Indonesia across sectors for broad access and impact opportunities. Funding ranges from $15,000.00 to $50,000.00. Funding is for a maximum period of one year. Individuals who intend the grant to be administered by a university should apply on behalf of the university, i.e., university is the applicant. |
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Since 1998 the Local Government Research and Development Scheme allocates up to $2 million each year for innovative projects that benefit South Australian councils and tackle sector-wide challenges. Funding is delivered through two competitive grants rounds, a regional capacity building program, and strategic initiatives from the LGA. The LGA prepares an annual business plan identifying critical research priorities for the sector. Priorities are used to guide how project funding applications are evaluated. Research priorities are set through:
The LGA Board has established the Local Government Research and Development Scheme Advisory Committee to provide advice, consult with Councils and manage the activities and projects supported by the Research and Development Scheme.
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National Foundation for Australia-China Relations Competitive Grants Program |
The Foundation provides grant opportunities each year to develop, promote and strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and China, including business and community stakeholders, in support of Australia’s national interests. The Foundation’s strategic objectives are:
The Foundation welcomes applications in line with the Foundation’s strategic objectives, including but not limited to the following areas:
Creative and innovative ideas not covered in this list are also welcome. Funding ranges from $100,000.00 to $500,000.00 for a maximum grant period of two years. |
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SafeWork SA is invites applications for the Augusta Zadow Awards. Researchers focusing on the health and safety initiatives supporting young workers and women in the workplace can apply for up to $25,000 in grant funding through SafeWork SA’s Augusta Zadow Awards. The awards recognise the work of South Australia's first female inspector of factories, Augusta Zadow, who fought for the work health and safety rights of women and young workers. In recognition of her pioneering efforts, SafeWork SA established the Augusta Zadow Awards to support initiatives, research or further education that improves health and safety for women and young workers in South Australia. The education, study or research can be undertaken in Australia or overseas as long as it meets the award's aim of improving health and safety for women and young workers in South Australia. To be eligible for this grant you must be:
SafeWork SA gives preference to applicants who have not previously been awarded Augusta Zadow funding. |
A wide range of sponsors, from large charities to small organizations and philanthropists in Australia offer substantial grants to their recipients. These are categorised as HERDC category 3. Some of the recurrent grants and fellowships offered by the industry and philanthropic sectors in Australia include:
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The auDA Foundation is a charitable trust established to promote and encourage educational and research activities that will enhance the utility of the internet for the benefit of the Australian community. The auDA Foundation offers grants to eligible not-for-profit organisations or research institutions for proposals encouraging community projects, education and research activities that will enhance the utility of the internet for the benefit of the Australian community. Eligible proposals must deliver grassroots, educational or research activities that will enhance the utility of the internet. We are keen to support projects that focus on the overarching themes of digital inclusion and digital innovation, and will achieve practical outcomes through innovative means, i.e., research and development undertaken for the purposes of acquiring new knowledge and/or creating new or improved processes or services. To be eligible, a project must benefit one or more of the following five key focus areas: 1. Rural, regional, and remote Australians 2. Australians living with disability 3. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 4. Older Australians (65 years +) 5. Young Australians (12-24 years). |
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The Beat Cancer Project is a South Australian state-wide initiative intended to support and advance cancer research within the state. It is funded by Cancer Council SA and is administered by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). The Beat Cancer Project funds Fellowships program which is aimed to build the cancer research workforce capacity in South Australia, primarily by advancing the careers of post-doctoral researchers. The fellowships focus on addressing Beat Cancer Project objectives of scientific excellence, health relevance, research collaboration, translation of research results, mentoring and career development of early-career and mid-career researchers, and fostering the acquisition of NHMRC and other research funding. |
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The Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation (Ch7CRF) awards yearly grants for research to advance the health, education and welfare of children. Applications for community-based studies, clinical studies and basic science projects in any area of research into children’s health, education and welfare are considered. Grants of up to $100,000 per project, or Early Career Grants to a maximum of $40,000 per project. Projects may be completed over 1 or 2 years. The Foundation particularly encourages applications in its research priority areas of: · Improving fetal development, including preventing pre-term birth. · Improving systems of care and education for children. · Supporting young minds and improving children’s mental health. · Tackling chronic illness and disability. |
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Through its Public Health Research Grants the Foundation supports research endorsed strongly by the host institution or organisation, where the project/program objective(s) is strategically aligned to the broader institution's mission. The Foundation will considers grant applications for 3 to 5 years of funding support in the order of $80,000 to $120,000 per annum over this timeframe, with the expectation of matched funding from the institution and/or other sources. The Foundation considers applications for research projects or programs in the following areas: • Improving health outcomes for Indigenous Australians • Prevention of anxiety, depression and substance abuse in older Australians • Prevention of chronic ill health and disease including obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes through the amelioration of common determinants and risk factors. Priority is given to applications that demonstrate a clear commitment to: • Early and mid-career researcher involvement in the research project, detailing the intended duration of support for nominated individuals (i.e., the extent of tenure security) • Cross-institutional collaboration, as appropriate • Community consultation and engagement in the design and delivery of the project or program. |
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This program seeks to establish robust methods and tools that can quantify the amount and regional distribution of post-translational modifications of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease-relevant brain regions. Funding will support projects aimed to:
Award amount is Up to USD 1,000,000 over 18 – 24 months. Requested support should be commensurate with the work proposed. Applications may be submitted by researchers or clinicians in:
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Following its creation in 1963 by Dr Trevor Dinning and Professor Donald Simpson, the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation (NRF) supports research in the field of neurosurgery. By encouraging, stimulating and aiding research, engaging public interest, and collaborating with other research organizations, the Foundation aims to advance, foster, develop, enhance, and assist the study of all matters related to neurosurgery. NRF seeks to support research into head injury, intracranial haemorrhage, neurodegeneration, sciatica, spinal cord injury, stroke and brain tumours. The NHMRC scoring system is used to assess research donations. Funding in 2023 year was available for research donations for clinical and basic science research, including consumables and treatment equipment in three categories: · General neurosurgical research up to the value of $50,000 for neurosurgical projects in SA. · Paediatric neurosurgical research up to the value of $50,000 and must include an Interstate or Overseas collaboration. · Equipment for neurosurgical research up to the value of $50,000 for neurosurgical projects in SA. |
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Perpetual Limited supports organisations that have a clear mission and goals, and a realistic, reportable strategy to achieve them. Perpetual look for well-governed, well-led organisations that are committed to regularly monitoring their work, tracking progress and learning from both successes and challenges to create the impact they are dedicated to. Organisations that can demonstrate projects aligned to their overarching strategy are those that Perpetual will consider for philanthropic investment. Universities may submit a maximum of three applications providing each application is from a different academic unit. Funding opportunities are available for up to a maximum of $120,000 for a single-year period for the following sectors:
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Scanlon Foundation Community Grants focus on two areas that are consistently raised by the community as particular areas of need: employment and literacy. Annual Community Grants are intended for a single year grant. There is no restriction on an organisation applying more than once. Organisations may submit multiple applications in a grant round; however, each application should be for a distinct project. |
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As part of their annual grant program, the Hospital Research Foundation Group offers a variety of competitive grants that target disease areas that are important to their supporters and the broader community. THRF focuses on funding quality projects that will yield high-impact, evidence-based approaches to healthcare areas important to our supporters or in an area of unmet need. Funding decisions are made through a competitive grants process, informed by assessor reviews, and determined by funding availability. |
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The Westpac Research Fellowship supports early-career researchers who are looking to fast-track their trajectory and create positive change in Australia. It provides up to five years of funding for postdoctoral research projects in areas relating to sustainability, technology and innovation, social change and Australia’s relationship with Asia. |
We encourage researchers to use the global research funding opportunities database “Research Professional” to search for international funding opportunities specific to their research field.
The list below includes prominent international schemes by region and is not exhaustive.
Check the eligibility criteria, as individual schemes can vary and some opportunities may not be available to Australian-based researchers.
International research funding is categorised as HERDC category 3.
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NIH is the leading medical research agency in the US and supports a wide variety of research-related programs, including:
We encourage researchers to use the NIH database to search for specific funding opportunities |
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CDMRP aim to support novel biomedical research, providing funding for high impact but potentially also high risk projects that have the potential to transform healthcare. CDMRP provide funding opportunities across a number of individual programs, including cancer research. |
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The Susan G. Komen foundation provides funding for research in breast cancer prevention and cure. Funding mechanisms (e.g. grants or fellowship support) and the scientific focus can vary from year to year for this foundation, refer to the current funding opportunities for the latest information. |
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JDRF is a global leader in funding support for type 1 diabetes research and encourages applications from suitably qualified researchers from all over the world. JDRF has multiple funding mechanisms for supporting type 1 diabetes research and the search for a cure, including:
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LLS is the largest voluntary health organisation dedicated to funding research and finding cures for blood cancer patients. LLS provide funding for both basic and translational research for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma researchers. See the Academic Grant Program for funding opportunities, including support for:
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USA |
The Alzheimer's Association is a leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's research. The Alzheimer's Association runs an international research program that provides funding for research that advances the understanding of Alzheimer's diseases, identifies new treatment strategies, improves care and furthers knowledge on disease prevention and brain health. A number of funding opportunities are available, including support for translational research as well as basic and clinical research fellowships. |
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The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of the USA's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. |
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To bring about the kinds of changes that will help people live healthier and more productive lives, the foundation seeks to understand the world's inequities. The foundation awards the majority of its grants to U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations and other tax-exempt organizations identified by the foundations staff. |
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United Kingdom |
Although based in the UK, Worldwide Cancer Research (formerly the Association for International Cancer Research) is a charity that funds researchers based all over the world and invests funding for all types of cancers. |
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United Kingdom |
The Wellcome Trust are a global charitable foundation that support scientists and researchers to take on big problems, fuel imaginations and spark debate. The Wellcome Trust support a breadth of research, please use the scheme finder to search for funding opportunities. |
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Europe |
Find open and upcoming calls for funding proposals, get background information on funding processes and programmes, and apply online. Learn about the tendering process and opportunities for doing business with the European Commission. |
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Europe |
The European Union's Erasmus+ programme is a funding scheme to support activities in the fields of Education, Training, Youth and Sport. |
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Europe |
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is an international program of research support, funding frontier research on the complex mechanisms of living organisms. Research is funded at all levels of biological complexity from biomolecules to the interactions between organisms. |
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Japan |
Supporting activities and research that contribute to solving global environmental problems and aiming to achieve sustainable society where the economy and the environment coexist in harmony. |