Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships

Key Dates for Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships 2024

Proposals open in SmartyGrants: 5 February 2024
UQ Research and Innovation (UQ R&I) Notification of Intent 25 March 2024
Full Applications and UQ Cash Commitments due to UQ R&I: 2 April 2024
Full Applications close with Advance Queensland in SmartyGrants: Monday 22 April 2024, 1:00 pm (AEST)
Anticipated announcement: To be advised
Successful projects must commence between: 1 January 2025 – 30 June 2025

Overview

The Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships (AQIRF) supports PhD-qualified researchers in undertaking original research of benefit to Queensland, in collaboration with Queensland-based industry and end-users.

The following fellowships grants will be available:

Early Career Fellowships: $160,000 over two years, or $240,000 over three years (ex. GST)
Mid-Career Fellowships: $240,000 over two years, or $360,000 over three years (ex. GST)

Proposals must include co-funding that equals or exceeds the Advance Queensland funding sought and must address at least one of the following Investment Areas:

Using the following innovative technology to advance industry:
- automated systems
- robotics and artificial intelligence
- nanotechnology
- synthetic biology technologies including mRNA
- quantum technologies
Innovation in space industries
Innovation in cybertechnology and defence industries
Innovating the tourism industry
Innovation in methods to drive sporting success (Sports Tech)
Using innovative methods to improve agriculture and food including novel proteins and low emissions production systems
Using innovative methods to achieve a sustainable future in a decarbonising economy by:
- developing environmentally responsible mining practices including innovative methods to accelerate new economy/critical minerals industry
- managing Queensland’s waste and pollution and developing the circular economy
- mitigating and preventing climate change
- developing sustainable energy solutions including technology supporting green hydrogen
- developing energy storage solutions
- developing sustainable water solutions
Building resilience against:
- future potential pandemic crises,
- natural disasters e.g., droughts, floods, cyclones and bushfires

UQ Central Cash Co-Contribution Model

Early Career Fellowships

$5,000 per annum for each successful ECR will be provided from UQ Central Sources provided the industry partner is contributing at least $5,000 per annum in cash. This contribution is not subject to the leveraging limits below.

Mid-Career Fellowships

Any new cash contributed by Industry Partner will be matched by UQ Central sources, up to a maximum match of $50,000 per annum and not in excess of the 1:1 State funding match.
UQ Central will not match funds provided by the host UQ School/Centre/Faculty/Institute.
The UQ Central cash will only be provided where it is required for the Applicant to match the State’s cash commitment. If the full amount is not required, UQ Central’s cash amount will be reduced to the amount required for cash matching. If the Applicant already has sufficient funds to match the State’s cash commitment, they will not be eligible for any UQ Central cash.
While in-kind salary contributions from industry partners may be considered cash contributions for the purpose of matching the AQ grant funding requested, they will not be considered a cash contribution for the purposes of determining the UQ central cash contribution.
For both early and mid-career Fellowships, the industry partner cash commitment must be new monies, and not re-distribution of monies already in the UQ system.

How to apply

Internal notice of intent process

All researchers intending to submit an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship application are required to submit an internal Notice of Intent. NOIs will be collated centrally and distributed to Faculties and Institutes in order to provide maximum support to the UQ research community.

Step 1: SmartyGrants registration and scheme reading

The applicant will need an active account in the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (DTIS) SmartyGrants system.
Familiarise yourself with the key Advance Queensland (AQ) and UQ documentation (see links below).

Step 2: Completing the application

Log into SmartyGrants and complete the online Application. Leave the final Declaration/Certification pages blank (to prevent the draft from being submitted to DTIS without UQ authorisation).
Download and complete each of the required document uploads including the Budget Table, UQ and Industry Partner Letters of Support.

Step 3: UQ R&I internal review and feedback

In advance of internal review, ensure all online components are complete and valid. Generate a whole Proposal PDF to send for review.
To initiate internal review, email your completed Funding Coversheet, whole Proposal PDF, draft attachments and Cash Commitment Proforma to UQ R&I at industrygrants@research.uq.edu.au.
Internal review by UQ R&I/feedback provided (compliance, eligibility, and grantsmanship).

Step 4: Final submission

On receiving authorisation from UQ R&I, submit your application online in SmartyGrants.

Readership and researcher support

Before applying, we recommend you:

Contact your faculty or institute research manager for advice on peer readership programs.
Join the UQ R&I Mailer to stay up to date with round developments.
Access the UQ R&I Grants Library, a helpful resource of past successful proposals.
If offered, attend UQ R&I information sessions and access PowerPoint presentations from presentations and slides.

Key documents

AQ

AQ 2024 documentation, including the Guidelines, Terms & Conditions, the Application Declaration Page, and Excel Budget Table, are available for download from the AQIRF website (see Key Documents and How to Apply sections)

UQ

Presentation recordings of previous AQIRF information sessions are available on our Presentations and Slides page (UQ login required)