Education Strategic Research Fund
Based on feedback from university and department stakeholders, we have changed the approach to inviting project submissions to this round of the Strategic Research Fund.
We have developed statements of opportunity that highlight some of the policy areas that we believe will benefit from innovative new research. Research teams led by academics at NSW universities are invited to respond to these statements. Eligibility and assessment criteria remain consistent with the 2020 funding round.
Application forms have been amended in line with these changes.
We are excited to launch this round of funding for strategic research that will benefit students, teachers, schools, and communities across NSW.
Projects awarded grant funding in 2020 can be found here.
This new initiative aims to improve research collaboration and translation of innovative research between universities and government. The Department is seeking research project proposals that support its strategic goals and research priorities, and which support improvements in outcomes for people in NSW.
Research proposals are sought from research teams at NSW public universities. Project applications that engage research expertise from more than one university are strongly encouraged.
Applications will be competitively assessed against criteria including:
- alignment with our 'Statements of Opportunity'
- clear articulation of benefit against the Department of Education's strategic goals
- demonstrated benefits to other NSW agency priorities and Premier's Priorities*
- utilisation of multi-disciplinary research expertise.
* For an overview of NSW department strategic plans and priorities, visit the Waratah Research Network page.
Statements of Opportunity
Statement 1: Effective curriculum differentiation for students with different learning needs
Statement 2: Building the evidence connecting physical and digital learning environments to student outcomes and wellbeing
Statement 3: Better understanding the factors behind mathematics subject selection in stage 5 and how these affect the ability of students to study stage 6 mathematics
Eligible Universities
The following universities are eligible to be administering organisations. Partnerships with universities not on this list is high encouraged.
- Australian Catholic University
- Charles Sturt University
- Macquarie University
- Southern Cross University
- The University of Newcastle
- The University of Notre Dame
- The University of Sydney
- University of New England
- University of New South Wales
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of Wollongong
- Western Sydney University
Grant descriptions
Researchers are invited to apply for the following grant opportunities.
Extending national research grants
Through this funding stream, we will co-contribute funding to Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage or Discovery projects to increase the applicability of project outcomes/outputs to the NSW context.
In Round 2, we will identify eligible, existing ARC Linkage or Discovery Projects and invite the administering organisations to express interest. Projects will be able to apply for up to 20% of their total ARC funding, or $150,000 (whichever is lower) per year, for up to 2 years.
NSW Priority projects
NSW Priority projects will support ambitious, multi-disciplinary research aligned with the Department's research priorities. Successful projects will support the translation of research into policy improvements and new policy initiatives.
Successful projects will be eligible for up to $200,000 a year, for up to 2 years.
Building the Evidence Base
Building the Evidence Base will support projects that identify innovative ways to link existing data sets or create new data sets to provide policy and reform insights.
Successful projects will be eligible for up to $175,000 a year, for up to 2 years and must be aligned with identified research priorities and address data gaps.
Key Dates
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Applications open | September 2021 |
| Applications close | 6pm 11 October 2021 |
| Successful applicants notified | Late 2021 |
| Projects to commence by | February 2022 |
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Applications open | September 2020 |
| Applications close | 6pm 11 October 2020 |
| Successful applicants notified | Late 2021 |
| Projects to commence by | February 2022 |
How to apply
Applicants are required to read the application guidelines and submit their completed application form by email to the Higher Education and Tertiary Policy Directorate.
Please include all necessary attachments with your email.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Dr Brydan Lenne, Leader Strategic Initiatives and Reform on (02) 7814 1206 or higher.education@det.nsw.edu.au.