Applied research funding

The TAFE Centres of Excellence at TAFE Queensland have opened a second round of Applied Research Grants, offering $2.4 million for projects addressing challenges in the battery technology and disability support sectors.

The TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries and the TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support are joint initiatives between the Australian and Queensland Governments to help deliver a skilled workforce.

Grant funding will be awarded to battery technology projects that innovate training practices and delivery modes, upskill educators with immersive technologies, create inclusive learning pathways to boost workforce diversity, strengthen energy security in First Nations communities, address safety across the battery lifecycle, and support battery storage uptake.

While Grant funding for applied research within the disability support services sector will innovate training practices and delivery modes for regional, rural, remote and First Nations communities, strengthen leadership, mentorship, work readiness and digital literacy, and enhance workforce wellbeing and safety.

The Grants will help shape the Centres’ development of innovative, evidence-based training solutions that meet the changing demands of the battery technology and disability support services workforces, with applications closing 16 March 2026.

Importantly, the Centres’ Applied Research Grants aim to strengthen the capability of the vocational education and training sector and applicants must partner with TAFE Queensland or another TAFE institution.

If a TAFE institution applies, the application must include a research partnership with a university, industry, community group, and/or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.

The new funding round comes on the back of a successful first round of grants which awarded over $2 million to projects focusing on aged care and battery technology initiatives.