2025 Applications Now Open
Key Dates
| 1 November 2024 | Applications for the Joint Project funding round for 2025 will be advertised. |
| 3 March 2025 (COB) | Project proposal closing date; to be sent to Maree Glancy.
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| Week of 17 March 2025 | Announcement of successful project proposals. |
| 31 March 2025 | Commencement of projects. |
| 1 April 2026 | Projects will be funded up until this date (with no extension possible), with a final report and presentation on the outcomes on completion |
| Ongoing | Follow up surveys will be sent over several years to ascertain the impact of the seed funding and progress with application |
It is recommended you download and save the form before commencing.
Closes 3 March 2025
Aim of seed funding program
To provide small grants ($10-25k) to enable new collaborative projects established and progressed to the point of applying for external funding. Typically, up to 6-8 projects will be funded. Only projects of equal value to ANSTO and UOW strategic goals will be funded.
Desirable Project Characteristics
Project proposals are being sought with as many as possible of the following characteristics:
- The project should help UOW and ANSTO form a substantial research partnership with visibility/prominence nationally and/or internationally (or enhance an existing one in a new direction. Priority will be given to establishing new research collaborations.
- The project should clearly demonstrate equal requirements and outcomes for both ANSTO and UOW.
- The project should be able to be scaled up over time with strong prospects for securing substantial external funding (for example, Government grant schemes, industry or philanthropic funds or a combination).
- The academic leaders who will take responsibility for driving the overall project must be clearly identified.
- The project should clearly articulate the required research platforms/capabilities available at UOW and ANSTO (including the Australian Synchrotron). The project team must liaise with relevant platform/capability staff to ensure their proposal is feasible.
- The project should be ambitious and should be targeted toward making a major impact – both in terms of academic outcomes and positive societal impacts to be delivered.
- Projects with an industry focus or with an industry collaborator are strongly encouraged as will projects with international partners or Undergraduate, Honours/HDR student participation.
- Careful consideration and justification of the budget is essential, and applicants should note that only direct project costs will be considered for funding.
Project Description (800+ words)
- A summary of the significance of the work (100 words)
- A Tweetable quote of the impact of this work (140 characters)
Selection Criteria
- Is there a critical question to be answered by the research and is it clearly articulated? Are the potential scientific and/or societal impacts presented?
- How is the project aligned to UOW/ANSTO strategic objectives?
- Potential for future external funding.
- Budget justification to achieve the project outcomes as well as an outline of proposed spend profile. Shovel ready projects are encouraged.
- Could parts of the application be more suited to ANSTO merit-based scheme?
- Does the proposed ANSTO-UOW collaboration add significantly to the project? Do both ANSTO and UOW have key and roughly equal roles?
- Have all proposers agreed and signed the submission?
Applicant Eligibility
First named applicants for University of Wollongong or ANSTO must hold at least a 0.5 fractional appointment and be employed for the duration of the grant.
Confidentiality
All submissions will be treated as Confidential between the University of Wollongong and ANSTO and will be subject to the non-disclosure provisions of the UOW-ANSTO MOU.
Cost that will be covered by the grant
- All costs must directly relate to the project completion.
- Staff costs for contracted staff. However, such costs need to be well justified, and such contracted staff are to be clearly identified and clearly stated on the application.
- Capabilities not available at either ANSTO or UOW.
- Material and consumable costs.
- Field work costs.
Costs that will not be covered by the grant
- Costs to fund a laboratory.
- Student stipend or scholarship costs.
- Travel costs (with the exception of field work integral to the project).
- ANSTO staff are excluded from requesting equipment items above $5000.
- Conference costs.
- Awardees are not permitted to modify the Condition of Grant from the original submission unless written approval is granted by the Steering Committee Co-Chairs.
- Project funds must be expended and reconciled by 1 April 2026.
- No carry forward of funds will be considered and remaining funds recovered.
- Costs for access to ANSTO and UOW research infrastructure will not be covered by the awarded funds.
Access to ANSTO research infrastructure will be in line with ANSTO staff access policies and are the responsibility of the ANSTO participants. This will require a separate portal application.
Access to UOW research infrastructure will be in line with UOW practice and procedures and is the responsibility of the UOW participants.
The next UOW-ANSTO Joint Annual Networking Workshop will be held on Friday, 7 February 2025 at AINSE Theatre, ANSTO. This Workshop will give you the opportunity to network with colleagues at UOW and hear about recent research collaborations and potentially start a new one.
Please register for the event here.
For application information
