SSEAC champions outstanding collaborative research that advances knowledge and impact across Southeast Asia. Through its grants schemes, SSEAC supports emerging and established researchers to build ambitious regional partnerships and tackle the key Grand Challenges shaping the region’s future.
SSEAC Incubator Grants support University of Sydney researchers to undertake innovative research to address challenges of significance to Southeast Asia through multidisciplinary collaboration. These grants help position researchers to develop and submit highly-competitive applications for external funding.
This scheme supports Univsersity of Sydney researchers preparing to apply for a Large Grant in 2027. The focus of this scheme is grant calls aligned with the SSEAC Grand Challenges and focusing on Southeast Asia. For the purposes of this scheme, a “Large Grant” may include but are not limited to the following schemes: Wellcome Trust Discovery, Wellcome Trust Climate Impact Awards, Google.org Impact Challenge, Cooperative Research Centres, Centres of Excellence, ACIAR grants and other national or international schemes.
The countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam are classified as part of Southeast Asia.
Yes, applicants must be SSEAC members. To become a SSEAC member, please visit our membership page and select the appropriate category.
Students are not eligible to apply for Sydney Southeast Asia Centre grants. University academic applicants must hold a PhD.
Yes. Successful applicants are welcome to apply for grants in future rounds, provided they have met all the criteria and reporting requirements of any previously awarded SSEAC grant.
No. Applicants may only submit one application per round, regardless of whether or not you are a Lead Investigator.
Generally, staff are not eligible to apply for Sydney Southeast Asia Centre grants.
No, only University of Sydney academics who hold a PhD can apply as the Chief Investigator. However, non-University of Sydney academics can be included in grant applications as Partner Investigators.
No, the academic applicant must conduct the research for which funds are awarded.
Generally our grants cannot cover equipment, salaries, conference attendance or travel to conferences. Please refer to the SSEAC Grant Guidelines 2026 for a list of non-allowable expenses and the University of Sydney’s Reasonable and Non-Allowable Expense Procedures.
No. All logistical matters related to international visitors are the responsibility of the academic applicant and their faculty/department. We cannot provide visa support, honorary titles or logistical assistance.
No. Awardees are reponsible for all spending against their grant.
Yes, questions can be directed to sseac@sydney.edu.au or 02 9114 0953.
Yes, however you must clearly demonstrate how the project relates to one or more Southeast Asian countries.
Once applications have closed, all Proposals will be collated and reviewed by the SSEAC Grants Panel. A notification will then be sent to all applicants informing them of the outcome of their application. Refer to the Key dates on the Research grants page for timelines.
If you would like to receive feedback on your unsuccessful application, please email us or call 02 9114 0953. Feedback will only be given if formally requested.
Awardees will access funds on an auto-reimbursement model meaning the full amount of the funds will not be transferred to their PC upfront.
Each month, funds matching the actual expenditure from the previous month will be transferred into the Chief Investigator’s University account by auto reimbursement. The transfer of funds will cease when the awarded amount is reached or the 31st December of the year awarded, whichever comes first.
Internal grant funds CAN be use for staffing within faculty (e.g. casuals, research assistants) under this auto-reimbursement model, if allowed within the award criteria. Note, we strongly recommend you consult with Faculty in advance as any headcount increase may be a concern.
Phone: + 61 2 9114 0953
Email: sseac@sydney.edu.au
Level 7, Jane Foss Russell Building G02
University of Sydney
NSW 2006
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
