Sydney Environment Institute Collaborative Grants Scheme
The Sydney Environment Institute (SEI) offers University of Sydney academic staff the opportunity to apply for internal grants to develop new collaborative, multidisciplinary research projects. Projects must be aligned with SEI ’s research foci and have an objective to undertake excellent research that tackles the greatest challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises and contributes to the common good.
Grants will be offered for cross-faculty partnerships to encourage multidisciplinary research engagement and collaboration.
Purpose
The Collaborative Grants Scheme is designed to engage researchers across the University to develop new, collaborative, multidisciplinary projects that contribute to SEI’s vision of a just environmental transformation. We encourage applications from projects that will benefit from teaching relief or enable substantial research opportunities for early- or mid-career researchers (EMCRs).
Background and conditions of funding
Researchers can apply to the Collaborative Grant scheme for up to $75,000 (including teaching relief*) to enable a multidisciplinary project to develop new ideas and methods or link existing individual projects with collaborators across campus. The funds can be used for items including teaching relief, postdoctoral researchers, travel, collaborative workshops, and research support including research assistants.
*Teaching relief is costed at 20% of the full-time salary including on-costs of the relevant academic level of the researcher. Where teaching relief is sought, SEI will reimburse funds to the School/Faculty of the successful applicants. Head(s) of School approval for the teaching relief using these funds must be provided in writing at the time of application. These funds must be fully directed to teaching relief, up to 0.2FTE during semester 2 of 2025.
SEI Collaborative Projects will work together with the SEI team to:
- Develop and initiate projects that aim to evolve into large, externally funded collaborations, for example ARC Linkage Projects, state or federal grants, commissioned research, or work amenable to philanthropic support.
- Design plans for projects and impact to continue after the end of the grant. During the grant, SEI will support projects in the development of longer-term plans to sustain and build their projects towards producing societal impact based on national/international priorities.
- Contribute to the Institute’s mission and impact by engaging locally, domestically, and/or internationally.
Applications will be assessed based on a considered and realistic project plan and budget, alignment of the project focus and outcomes to SEI research themes and mission, and project’s potential impact. Applicants are encouraged to seriously consider the funding required for a project. The project lead is responsible for ensuring the funds are fully expended before the University’s 2025 finance deadlines.
Eligibility
Applications can only be accepted from academic staff members at the University of Sydney. Applications for this scheme must explore multidisciplinary, cross-faculty approaches to a core research question aligned with SEI’s strategy and foci, and be from collaborative, multidisciplinary teams.
Applications for Collaborative Funding:
Should illustrate the transformative potential of the proposed research project,
Should illustrate the potential to leverage further funding or how the project will lead to larger grants
Consider ways to make links between SEI, faculty and university research strategies and priorities, and
Illustrate diversity and inclusivity, including across subject areas and faculties.
Applicants are also encouraged to include external partners in project proposals; these could include academic, governmental, arts, or civil society partners or organisations.
Application evaluation criteria
Project alignment with SEI mission and strategic goals and faculty strategies
Project potential for transformational impact
Quality of the research/project plan
Breadth of the multidisciplinary team and partners
Academic outputs and grant potential
Project feasibility.
Additional information:
If you have an idea for a project but do not yet have a partner, please contact the SEI Program Manager who can assist in identifying potential partners.
The Collaborative Grant scheme is open to academics at all levels. Preference will be given to applications in which at least one partner is an early or mid-career researcher (EMCR).
How to apply
Fill out the application form by clicking here.
Applications open Tuesday, 4 February 2025 and close at 11:30pm on Sunday 23 February 2025 for projects to commence in either semester in 2025.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in early March 2025.
Contact
Please direct any questions about the fellowship and/or application process to