Applied Research Grants

The Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants 2025-2028 aim to align with the policy priorities of the Australian and Queensland Governments and provide financial assistance for research focused on education and training to support the evolving clean energy battery industry.

The objectives of the Grants are to:

• encourage collaborative research: promote partnerships between and engagement among the key stakeholders in planning, designing and implementing applied research projects that address real-world challenges
• support evidence-based solutions: fund research initiatives that generate actionable insights and evidence to inform training and education for clean energy battery industry
• enhance capacity building: provide opportunities for professional development and capacity building for researchers, educators, and students involved in applied research
• facilitate knowledge transfer: ensure the dissemination of research findings through publications, conferences, and workshops to maximise the impact and scalability of successful projects
• promote inclusivity and diversity: prioritise research projects that address the needs of diverse communities, including First Nations peoples, to ensure equitable access to training and employment opportunities.

The intended outcomes of the Grants are to:

• support the delivery of high-quality products, services and systems in the clean energy batteries sector and enhance education and training within TAFE institutions
• develop innovative solutions to realise the opportunities and address the challenges in the clean energy batteries sector
• enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in the clean energy batteries workforce.

Grant applications that are partnership-based, such as those involving academic institutions partnering with industry and/or community organisations to address emerging skills training needs, are strongly encouraged.

Round 1 opportunities: Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants
 

Round 1 Grant opportunities were published on 30 June 2025 and the application portal will close on 31 July 2025. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in September 2025.

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. For further information, please review the Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants Opportunity Guidelines.

Priority areas of research should focus on the following skills and training areas:

Stream 1: Education and training 

New delivery and pedagogical models

• What innovative teaching strategies can be used to adapt education and training to the rapid advancements in the clean energy battery industry? For example, what innovative approaches can be used to train the workforce in the safe removal, testing, and refurbishment of end-of-life batteries?
• How can virtual and augmented reality tools enhance practical training and skill acquisition for the clean energy battery workforce?
• How can education and training be tailored to learners in regional and remote areas and to address local workforce needs in the clean energy battery industry?
• What partnerships are most effective between education and training institutions and industry in providing hands-on experience for the future clean energy battery workforce?
• How can industry and academic partnerships contribute to the co-development of training products that address current and future skill shortages?

Culturally appropriate and safe training

• How can education and training be designed to integrate cultural knowledge, practices, and values specific to First Nations peoples?
• How can education and training institutions retain clean energy battery teachers and trainers from diverse backgrounds?
• How does culturally safe training and education for clean energy batteries influence learner outcomes, including completion rates and workforce retention?
• How can the clean energy battery industry and education/training providers work together to create inclusive environments that support learners from underrepresented groups?

Growing and retaining skilled trainers

• What recruitment models can successfully attract industry professionals into training and education for the clean energy battery workforce?
• How can short-term industry secondments or 'train the trainer' initiatives encourage industry professionals to transition into clean energy battery training and teaching roles?
• How can joint industry-academic training programs (e.g. co-teaching models, dual-industry roles) improve the supply of trainers in the clean energy battery industry?

Stream 2: Industry needs and innovations

Attracting future workforce

• How can informal and structured mentorship programs enhance the skills of the workforce in the clean energy battery industry?
• How can companies incentivise knowledge-sharing among mature workers to ensure a sustainable talent pipeline for the clean energy battery industry?
• What barriers prevent an ageing workforce from transitioning into the VET sector and how can these be addressed?

Workplace culture and diversity

• How could mentorship help increase female representation in leadership roles in the clean energy battery industry?
• What best practices can be implemented to increase First Nations employment in the clean energy battery industry, particularly in regional and remote areas?
• What role do apprenticeships, traineeships, and return-to-work programs play in improving workforce diversity in the clean energy battery industry?

Transition pathways for exisiting workforce

• How can regional and remote training hubs support displaced workers for the clean energy battery industry?
• How can cultural and knowledge gaps be addressed for a transitional workforce to thrive in the clean energy battery industry?
• How can coal and gas companies be supported to create structured transition programs?

Linking emerging skills with training

• What are innovative technologies and practices in the clean energy battery industry, and gaps in existing education and training?
• What collaborative models between industry and training institutions effectively identify and incorporate emerging technological skills into existing training frameworks?
• How innovative technologies and practices in the clean energy battery industry can contribute to remote and regional areas?

Stream 3: Targeted calls for research

Stream 3 is designed to stimulate research in a particular area of clean energy battery skills training to the benefit of the industry and VET sector. It complements the broader areas and themes in the first and second streams by providing a mechanism to respond to emerging needs of skills training and prioritising potential topics according to relative urgency and impact. Stream 3 applications must specify a project duration of no more than six months.

Current practices of battery end-of-life management

• Better understand current industry practices of managing end-of-life lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
• Further develop the evidence base to inform best practice and industry standard for end-of-life lithium BESS and EV batteries management.
• Inform the battery manufacturing industry of designing for recycling.
• Better understand qualifications, skills and knowledge required for workforce participating in end-of-life battery management.
• Inform the development of skills training for workforce participating in end-of-life battery management.

Building battery workforce in regional areas

• Better understand current clean energy battery training options for learners in regional and remote area, including First Nations peoples.
• Identify systemic barriers to enrolment and completion of battery-related VET qualifications in regional and remote contexts.
• Understand the workforce demand and skill requirements across the lifecycle of lithium BESS, including its installation, maintenance, and end-of-life management.
• Inform the development or improvement of training units/modules to incorporate emerging industry needs such as battery recycling, safety protocols, and culturally appropriate delivery methods.
• Inform the building and management of 'skill ecosystems' in remote and regional areas for increased workforce mobility and sustainability within the clean energy batteries sector.

AI-driven battery innovation and emerging workforce

• Investigate current industry adaptation of AI across the battery lifecycle and identify implications for workforce skills.
• Map existing qualifications and training options for AI application across the battery lifecycle.
• Define skills, knowledge and capabilities required by learners and trainers engaging with AI in clean energy batteries sector.

Key documents

Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants Opportunity Guidelines
Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants Priority Areas
Clean Energy Batteries Applied Research Grants Application Form
Applied Research Grants Budget Template
Applied Research Grants Risk Management Plan
Clean Energy Batteries Guide For Writing Proposals
Clean Energy Batteries Letter of Offer
Frequently asked questions
Applied Research Grants Glossary

Before starting your application

Please ensure you read and understand the key documents before starting your application. The documents provide important information about priority research areas, eligibility, assessment criteria, and the selection process.

Submitting an application

Our Centre uses SurePact as its grant management portal. You must register for a SurePact account before you can access available funding opportunities and apply. When you are ready to submit your application, please refer to our Applicant Work Instruction for support and SurePact's in-app tool tips for further guidance. 

By clicking 'Start my application' you will be directed to SurePact to register for an account and begin your application.
 

The Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants 2025-2028 aim to align with the policy priorities of the Australian and Queensland Governments by supporting and growing the health and support workforce.

The Grants provide financial assistance for research focused on education and training, attraction, retention, and safety, empowering workers and enhancing service quality for clients.

The Grant's overarching objectives aim to achieve population-level outcomes in productivity, labour supply, wellbeing, inclusion, and workforce resilience: 

• productivity: as productivity growth is improved through better skilling of the workforce, funding rounds will pertain to the scoping and implementation of innovative training methods, with a particular focus on reaching regional, rural, and remote communities to ensure the building of local workforces
• labour supply: in seeking to attract new workers and retain those already within the essential care industries workforce, grant opportunities will be designed to support future and/or projected sector needs across the areas of aged care, disability, nursing, mental health, and allied health
• wellbeing, inclusion and resilience: in ensuring that all Australians, particularly priority cohorts (i.e. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability and women), can build the skills needed for well-paid, secure work, which is aligned to their interests, funding will support measures for workforce diversity, culturally appropriate and safe service delivery, and the retention of the health care workforce through evidence-based training and upskilling via higher-level pathways.

Round 1 opportunity: Translating research and community knowledge for aged care

Round 1 Grant opportunities were published on 30 June 2025 and the application portal will close on 31 July 2025. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in September 2025.

A total of $1.4 million will be available for the first round of the Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants. Round one applications have a minimum cap of $50,000 and a maximum cap of $400,000 in funding. For further information, please review the Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants Opportunity Guidelines.

The following research streams and themes support the building of an evidence-base for:   

• informing excellence in education and training to enrich students’ learning experiences, which are culturally appropriate and safe
• ensuring the needs of regional, rural, and remote communities and students are met through innovative training practices and modes of delivery
• supporting industry needs in building local care workforces through developing pathway options for growth and retention. 

Grant applications which are partnership based, such as an academic institution coupling with community service providers, to address industry problems, are strongly encouraged. 

Priority areas for translating research and community knowledge for aged care

Stream 1: Education and training

Project proposals seeking funding for applied research which translates academic, and/or community knowledge, to support the education and training of the aged care workforce, through research activity such as pilots and trials, should respond to one or more of the following focus areas:   

• workplace safety to prevent common work-related injuries, including psychosocial injuries such as stress and poor mental health
• health equity to ensure equal health outcomes through elevating place-based approaches to meet the specific community needs
• accessible models of education and training delivery to support aged care students and workers in regional, rural and remote communities and build local care workforces
• cultural responsiveness training to support aged care students and workers in providing culturally, safe, appropriate, and responsive care to First Nations Elders, and culturally and linguistically diverse older people. 

Stream 2: Attraction and retention

Project proposals seeking funding for applied research which translates academic, and/or community knowledge to support worker attraction and retention in the aged care workforce through research activity such as pilots and trials, should respond to one or more of the following focus areas:   

• strengthened clinical governance practices with a focus on multiscale leadership models and/or frameworks which support healthy workplace cultures and workforce wellbeing
• workforce pathways interventions which are co-designed to increase the diversity and inclusion of the aged care workforce to attract and retain more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and women 
• professional development investments to upskill those currently working in aged care to provide best-practice person-centred care, trauma-informed care, and/or gerontological speciality skills
• digital literacy and capability to assist current workers in navigating emerging and current demands for improved data stewardship. 
  
  

Key documents

Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants Opportunity Guidelines
Health Care and Support Applied Research Grants Priority Areas
Health Care and Support Applied Research Grant Application form
Health Care and Support Guide for Writing Proposals
Applied Research Grants Budget Template
Applied Research Grants Risk Management Plan
Health Care and Support Letter of Offer
Frequently asked questions
Applied Research Grants Glossary

Before starting your application

Please ensure you read and understand the key documents before starting your application. The documents provide important information about priority research areas, eligibility, assessment criteria, and the selection process.

Submitting an application

Our Centre uses SurePact as its grant management portal. You must register for a SurePact account before you can access available funding opportunities and apply. When you are ready to submit your application, please refer to our Applicant Work Instruction for support and SurePact's in-app tool tips for further guidance. 

By clicking 'Start my application' you will be directed to SurePact to register for an account and begin your application.