Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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Centre for AI, Trust & Governance Research Incubator

Funding innovative AI research for real world impact

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The CAITG Research Incubator funds early‑stage, interdisciplinary AI projects that advance research aligned with the Centre’s themes, supporting teams toward external grants and impactful societal outcomes.

About the CAITG Research Incubator

The Centre for AI, Trust and Governance (CAITG) Research Incubator program supports innovative research projects that align with our key research themes. This funding is intended to provide initial financial support for projects that have the potential to lead to larger external grants and impactful research outcomes. Projects must demonstrate a clear connection to AI's transformative role in society and align with one or more of the following themes:

AI and Digital Creative Industries – Investigating AI’s impact on creative fields such as screen media, entertainment, journalism, games, and the arts, addressing challenges like authorship and authenticity.

AI, Platforms, and Information – Examining AI’s role in digital platforms, content distribution, and the reshaping of languages, cultures, and knowledge.

AI, Law, and Policy – Exploring AI’s intersection with legal systems, including issues of accountability, transparency, and democratic governance. AI, Education, and Equity – Analyzing AI’s effect on educational institutions and practices, and its implications for equitable learning environments.

AI, Organisations, and Work – Studying how AI is transforming workplaces and organisational structures, and the balance between automation and human labor.

Civic Tech and Participation – Developing AI applications for social good, data justice, and democratic decision-making.

There are two streams of funding available:

  • Research teams may apply for funding of up to $10,000 to support early-stage research that is explicitly aimed at leading to an external grant application. This stream must include allowance for the engagement of a Masters / Honours student, building a pathway for interdisciplinary PhD research aligned with the Centre’s research themes. 

    3 grants are available in this stream.
  • Research teams may apply for funding of up to $3,000 to support early-stage research that is explicitly aimed at leading to an external grant application.            

    3 grants are available in this stream

The selection committee reserves the right to re-allocate applications between funding streams, if appropriate.

  • Open to teams of University of Sydney researchers with continuing or fixed term academic appointments of at least one year.
  • University of Sydney Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Projects must not already be funded by other grants
  • Previous applicants may apply for top-up funding, providing the proposal can demonstrate the funding is neccessary and justifiable. 

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Research Quality and Significance – The project’s potential to contribute to its field and align with CAITG research themes.
  • Collaboration and Inclusion – Projects encouraging interdisciplinary partnerships and diverse research teams. A strong emphasis will be placed on proposals that involve investigators from different faculties and disciplines within the University.
  • Team Composition – At least one member of the research team must be from a HASS discipline. The team should also include early-to-mid career researchers (EMCR).
  • Potential for External Funding – The likelihood of securing future grants based on project outcomes.
  • Impact and Innovation – The ability to generate meaningful societal, academic, or policy impact.

Applications must be submitted through the online form with a single PDF attachment including:

  • Submit an online proposal, detailing objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and alignment with CAITG themes. The application must also indicate which external grant/grants will be sought as a result of the project, whether through the ARC or Category 2/3 grant schemes
  • A budget outlining requested funds and justification for each expense.
  • A brief CV (max. 2 pages each) highlighting relevant research experience of each researcher.

Deadline: Monday 13 July 2026

Earlier applications will be accepted if necessary to meet a funder's deadline.

All enquiries should be emailed to aitg.centre@sydney.edu.au with the subject “CAITG Research Incubator Funding”.

Awardees will be required to submit a short report within 12 months detailing outcomes and future funding applications stemming from the project. You will also be invited to present research outcomes at our annual symposium.

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Email
aitg.centre@sydney.edu.au