We encourage Institute Associates to explore all of the Australian Human Rights Institute's various funding opportunities and apply for the most suitable scheme. You can learn more about the successful recipients of seed funding grants in previous years here.
The Australian Human Rights Institute offers annual seed funding to support interdisciplinary research projects that strengthen human rights outcomes. These schemes are open to UNSW academic staff who are Associates of the Institute. PhD students are not eligible to apply as the CI, but are encouraged to be part of a project team.
There are different categories of seed funding available.
Institute Seed Funding Scheme
This scheme provides up to $20,000 funding per project for interdisciplinary human rights projects for eligible Institute Associates. It is designed to support innovative early-stage research with strong potential for impact and further funding.
Joint Seed Funding Schemes
The Institute partners with UNSW faculties and research centres to offer joint seed funding schemes. These schemes provide grants of between $10,000 to $20,000 per project to support interdisciplinary collaboration across faculties. The CI must be based in the relevant faculty or a member of the relevant joint Institute. Joint funding schemes include:
- Disability Innovation Institute and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- UNSW Faculty of Engineering and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- UNSW Faculty of Business and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- NSW Faculty of Medicine & Health and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- Digital Grid Futures Institute and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
- Institute for Climate Risk & Response and Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme
Projects are selected through a competitive process and assessed against clear criteria, including alignment with human rights, research quality, interdisciplinary approach, and future potential for external grant funding. Past Funding Scheme Guidelines can be found here.
2026 Seed Funding – now closed
Applications for the 2026 round closed on 22 February 2026.
Please check back in early 2027 for details about the next round of seed funding opportunities.
Request for support
To amplify your research impact and reachability through our media and comms channels, Associates can apply for a range of communication support. Please note approval is subject to team capacity and availability. A request support form is available here.
Boost the competitiveness of your next Category 1 application with financial and in-kind support
The Australian Human Rights Institute is currently supporting four Category 1 projects through to 2029. Academic associates with ARC, NHMRC or fellowship applications aligned with our human rights work are welcome to contact us to discuss possible financial or in-kind support for their future applications.
