Associates' funding

Key dates 2026   

• Monday, 19 January: All seed funding applications open  

• Sunday, 22 February: All seed funding applications close  

• February/March: Applications reviewed  

• End of March: Application outcomes sent

The Australian Human Rights Institute offers annual seed funding to support interdisciplinary research that advances human rights and contributes to UNSW’s 'Progress for All' strategy by driving real-world impact. These schemes are open to UNSW academic staff who are Associates of the Institute. Applicants for Joint Seed Funding Schemes must also be a faculty member or Associate of the joint partner. PhD students are not eligible to apply. 
 

Institute Seed Funding Scheme   

The Australian Human Rights Institute offers seed funding to support interdisciplinary projects in human rights across all UNSW faculties. Funding of $10,000-$20,000 is available to UNSW academic staff who are Associates of the Institute.

Guidelines are available here.  

Apply here.

Joint Seed Funding Schemes 

In 2026, the Australian Human Rights Institute is partnering with the Digital Grid Futures Institute, Disability Innovation Institute, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, and the UNSW faculties of Engineering, Business, Law & Justice, and Medicine & Health to offer a suite of seed funding. These schemes support interdisciplinary projects that advance human rights across diverse fields and encourage collaboration between Associates and our partner institutes and faculties.

Funding up to $20,000 is available in this round for each scheme. Associates are invited to explore our various funding opportunities and apply for the most suitable scheme. The 2026 schemes include: 

• Digital Grid Futures Institute + Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme 

• Disability Innovation Institute + Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme  

• Institute for Climate Risk and Response + Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme 

• UNSW Engineering + Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme    

• UNSW Business + Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme  

• UNSW Law & Justice + Australian Human Rights Institute Joint Seed Funding Scheme    

• UNSW Medicine & Health + 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. 

Guidelines are available here.  

Apply here.