TAFE Queensland has launched Australia’s first applied research grants program under its Centres of Excellence, with $2.4 million in funding available to address challenges in the clean energy battery and the health care and support industries.
Available nationally, the grants will fund innovative solutions that address industry-identified challenges with practical solutions. Researchers, universities, industries, organisations, communities and other stakeholders keen to identify and study issues impacting these sectors are encouraged to collaborate and submit an application.
Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants
The first round of applied research grant opportunities at the TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries aim to provide financial assistance for research focused on education and training to support the evolving clean energy battery industry.
Up to $1 million in funding will be available for the first round of the Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants. Round one applications have a minimum cap of $50,000 and a maximum cap of $200,000 in funding.
“As Australia progresses towards its Net Zero emissions target, Queensland’s energy transformation is predicted to support up to 100,000 direct and indirect new jobs by 2040,” TAFE Queensland CEO John Tucker said.
“With strong future job growth predicted, the Centre’s applied research grants will support the development of targeted training to build a skilled clean energy battery workforce, ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of this vital industry,” he said.
Applied research investigates solutions to everyday problems, bridging the gap between theory and practice with evidence-based insights that drive innovative solutions.
In the first round of grant opportunities, being offered nationally, the Centre is calling for proposals across a range of clean energy battery focus areas, including accessible education and training models for people in rural, regional and remote areas, culturally appropriate and safe training, and workforce participation.
Tucker said, “With $1 million in grant funding available, we anticipate a highly competitive first round, and look forward to collaborating with researchers, universities, industry, and community groups to find real solutions to industry challenges.”
Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants
TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support is also offering applied research grants to Australian researchers, universities, businesses, organisations, industries and community groups.
The first round of the Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants are focused on “Translating research and community knowledge for aged care,” to support the development of innovative training solutions that address industry-identified challenges.
Offered nationally, a total of $1.4 million will be available in this first round, with a minimum cap of $50,000 and a maximum cap of $400,000 in funding.
Proposals should address focus areas like accessible education, training models for people in rural, regional and remote areas, culturally appropriate care, safe training, and workforce participation.
“Health care and social assistance is Australia’s largest employing industry, with the workforce growing by more than 73,000 in the last year,” Tucker said.
“With strong future job growth predicted, the centre’s applied research grants will support the development of targeted training to build a skilled workforce, ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of this vital industry.
“With $1.4 million in grant funding available, we anticipate a highly competitive first round, and look forward to collaborating with researchers, universities, industry, and community groups to find real solutions to industry challenges.”
Applied Research Grant applications now open
The Centres, led by TAFE Queensland, are joint initiatives between the Australian and Queensland Governments through to 2028. Several Grant rounds are planned over the next few years.
Since 2024, 12 TAFE Centres of Excellence have been announced across the country and the Centres at TAFE Queensland are the first to launch grants, with several funding rounds planned over the coming years.
Applications close on 31 July 2025.
For more information about the TAFE Centre of Excellence first round of applied research grant opportunities, visit tafeqld.edu.au/tce-grants.
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