SEI’s 2024 collaborative grant applications are now open
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 focus areas and the strategic objective of excellent research that tackles the greatest challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises, and contributes to the common good.
The Collaborative Grants Scheme has two components:
1. Collaborative Fellowships: funds for a 20% teaching buy-out to the School/Faculty of the successful applicants, plus $7,500 project seed funding
2. Collaborative Funding only: up to $25,000 in grant funding for a multidisciplinary project.
Grants will be offered for multidisciplinary partnerships to encourage multidisciplinary research engagement and collaboration. Applications in climate and disaster research will be prioritised, as will applications with researchers from faculties/schools currently targeted for additional SEI membership, including Science, Engineering, and Architecture, Design and Planning.
Background and conditions
1. Collaborative Fellowships:
SEI will provide funds for a 20% secondment to the School/Faculty of the successful applicants. Head(s) of School approval for relief must be provided in writing at the time of application. These funds will be fully directed specifically to teaching relief for one semester.
Each Collaborative Fellowship project will be provided with $7,500 of seed funding in addition to their fellowship.
SEI Collaborative Fellows will work together and 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 fellowship. During the fellowship, SEI will support Fellows in the development of longer-term plans to sustain and build their projects.
- Contribute to the Institute’s mission and impact by engaging locally, domestically, and/or internationally.
2. Collaborative Funding:
SEI will provide grants up to a total of $25,000 as funding for a multidisciplinary project to develop new ideas and methods or link existing individual projects with collaborators across campus.
The allocation for funding is limited and applications will be assessed based on their potential impact and value for money. Applicants are encouraged to seriously consider the funding required for a project, and not simply apply for the maximum amount.
How to apply
Applications are now open for projects to commence in either semester of 2024. Applications close on Wednesday, 26 July 2023.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of August 2023.