TAFE Centres of Excellence open Applied Research Grants round three

Round three of the TAFE Centres of Excellence Applied Research Grants is now open. Up to $3.2 million is available for projects that drive innovation in vocational education and training while addressing industry challenges.

Through the TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries, $800,000 in funding is available with a focus on workforce development. Priority themes include vehicle-to-grid workforce readiness, battery emergency response training and retaining First Nations women in renewable and battery training.

A further $2.4 million is available through the TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support with a focus on the allied health, mental health and nursing workforces. Key themes include worker wellbeing, leadership and management, mentorship, work readiness, and digital literacy and capability.

To help address training, workforce and skills needs, the Centres are offering these grants to support innovative and collaborative projects, with applications encouraged from partnerships involving TAFEs, universities, industry, communities, First Nations organisations and other stakeholders.

Applied research focuses on solving practical problems in real-world settings, delivering outcomes that directly benefit industry and communities.

The TAFE Centres of Excellence are a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments.

This latest funding round builds on the success of rounds one and two of the Applied Research Grants, which have already awarded more than $5.4 million to successful grantees and their innovative training projects, including SL Batteries and Veri Health Media.

In partnership with industry and communities, these grants will help build the evidence base needed to drive innovative and meaningful change across Australia’s vocational education and training system.

Applications for round three close at 11pm AEST on 7 September 2026.

Watch to learn more about what our round one grantees are researching.