Applications open for Rechnitz Fund Grant Program (Australia)

Deadline: 5 May 2025

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has announced its Rechnitz Fund Grant Program to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars in the social sciences and supports knowledge and understanding of the society, languages and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The program has a particular focus on supporting researchers from the Torres Strait, or those of Torres Strait Islander heritage where possible.

Funding Information

Grants available through this program are for a maximum of $20,000 AUD (excl GST).

Eligible Projects

These grants may be used by successful applicants to support research projects in a variety of ways, including:
- Engagement of project staff (for example, research assistants)
- Research-related travel and conference expenses
- Remuneration of time of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander knowledge holders participating in or contributing to the project
- Publication costs
- Purchase of minor equipment or consumables
- Development of or access to research tools
- Other direct costs of research

Ineligible Costs

The funds may not be used to support the applicant’s salary, scholarship/stipend (for student applicants) or their employer’s overhead or management costs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and must be working or studying in a field of social science research.
Applicants must also:
- Be working or studying in an Australian university or other research organisation in a role that allows them to undertake the proposed project as a core part of their duties,
- Be either:
  - An early- or mid-career researcher within 15 years of their most recent research qualification, accounting for any relevant career disruptions
  - A higher-degree social science research student enrolled at an Australian university.
Applicants are not required to have a PhD or formal research qualification, but must have sufficient relevant research experience, expertise and employer/supervisor support to be able to lead and complete the proposed project.
Current social science PhD or research Masters students are welcome to apply, provided the proposed project can be completed within the context of their program of study. Projects associated with study in honours or bachelor-level programs are not eligible for funding.
All applicants must include a letter from their supervisor (for students) or school/department head confirming organisational support for the proposed project.