Call for Applications: Workshops Program Grants (Australia)

Its purpose is to be a catalyst for innovative ideas in social science research and social policy, to build capability amongst young researchers and to foster networks across social science disciplines and with practitioners from government, the private sector, and the community sector on issues of common concern.

Funding Information

• The Academy supports up to eight workshops each year with funding to a maximum of $9,000 (excl GST).

Eligible Costs

• Most expenses associated with delivery and promotion are eligible, such as:
  • Travel and Accommodation
  • Catering
  • Venue or Equipment Hire
  • Note-taking Assistance
  • Publication related expenses

Ineligible Costs

• Items not eligible for funding include;
  • International Travel
  • Alcoholic Drinks

Beneficiaries

• Special issue in academic journal
• Edited book (open access)
• Findings report (for a broad audience)
• Policy submission
• Article series in the Conversation

Eligibility Criteria

• The Workshops Program is open to all social science researchers across Australia, including researchers working in non-university organisations, and researchers who have previously applied for or received a Workshops Program grant. At least one of the applicants must be employed by a university or research organisation with capacity to administer, acquit and report on grant expenditure.
• Applications can include teams of up to four workshop convenors, and at least one of them must be an Academy Fellow. The requirement to include at least one Fellow supports the Program’s goal to foster networks and collaboration among researchers in different career stages.
• Inclusion of early and mid-career researchers in the convening team is highly encouraged.
• A researcher can be listed in more than one application within the same application round.
• Participants
  • The number of workshop participants should be at least 15 and not larger than 25.
  • Diversity is encouraged (career stage, disciplines, location, sectors, organisations, gender, ethnicity). Participants must include at least two early to midcareer researchers.
• Delivery
  • Workshops must be delivered in Australia.
  • The current application round is for workshops delivered in the 2026 calendar year.

Assessment Criteria

• Need and relevance: The proposed workshop advances contemporary research and policy agendas on nationally important issues.
• Program design: Proposed workshop activities, themes, session objectives and speakers provide an effective vehicle to achieve the workshop objectives.
• Participants: The number of attendees is conducive to deep dialogue. Participants are diverse, and their expertise relevant to the topic. A significant portion of the participants has confirmed attendance.
• Outcomes and Impact: Convenors have a well-considered plan to disseminate and amplify workshop outputs, and a clear understanding of desired impacts on research, policy or practice.
• Budget: Budget allocations are clearly outlined and align with the workshop objectives. The proposal shows efforts to leverage co-investment or in-kind support, to amplify workshop impact.

For more information, visit Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.